Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk said in an earnings call Wednesday what many people have already been thinking: Teslas are too expensive.
“What bugs me the most right now is that our cars are not affordable enough,” said Musk. “We need to fix that. We’re not trying to go bankrupt […] but we’re not trying to be super profitable, either.”
But just because Musk said it, doesn’t mean it will immediately happen — or happen at all. Musk has promised a lot of things over the past few years, many of which have yet to transpire. (Remember in 2016 when he promised a Tesla would drive completely autonomous across the country by 2017? That still hasn’t happened, four years later.)
As it stands now, the standard, no-frills version of Tesla’s inexpensive, basic Model 3 is $37,990 — about $15,000 more than Toyota’s critically touted, tried, and true Camry. Tesla’s luxury Model Y model with peak performance features will set you back roughly $60,000, which is $20,000 more than Mercedes’ popular C-class sedan. A fully loaded Tesla Model X SUV costs $99,990, far more than its non-electric counterparts.
If you have been eyeing Tesla’s ultra viral, and meme-worthy Cybertruck, you may be in for quite a shock. At launch, Tesla said it will make three versions of the Cybertruck available. The entry-level, rear-wheel drive model carries a base price of $39,000. The midrange model starts at $49,000, while the triple-motor range-topper costs $69,000 — that’s a lot of cash for a vehicle the public hasn’t been given much detail about (other than watching Musk drive it in a Los Angeles restaurant parking lot).
Musk also added on the earnings call that Tesla will try to eventually manufacture cheaper cars, and said to even expect price drops. But when, Elon, when?
Related Posts
This Trunk-Friendly Tire Inflator Makes Roadside Top-Ups Way Easier
A flat or low tire always seems to show up at the worst possible time. A compact compressor you can keep in the trunk solves most of that stress in a couple of minutes. The NEXPOW portable tire inflator and air compressor is now $49.99 at Walmart, down from $148.99, so you save $99 on a tool that can bail you out at home, on road trips, or in a parking lot.
I was skeptical of the Cadillac Lyriq-V, but a test drive changed that
The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V is the first all-electric model in the luxury brand’s V-Series performance lineup. The V-Series has been instrumental in helping Cadillac shake off its stodgy image with fast-and-fun cars that go tire-to-tire with their counterparts from BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG. But, more often than not, Cadillac V-Series models have been powered by loud-and-thirsty V8 engines — the opposite of the silent, zero-emission electric powertrains that are ostensibly Cadillac’s future.
Save $103 on this high-power car jump starter for emergencies
If you’ve ever dealt with a dead car battery at the worst possible moment, a dependable jump starter is worth keeping in your trunk. The high-power AVAPOW 4000A portable jump starter is now on sale for $56.99, down from $159.99, giving you a $103 savings on a compact power pack that can bring a dead car back to life without needing another vehicle.