If you are going to buy a Tesla, there is one important thing you should know before you give them your money. Even though Tesla sells only four models, there are so many choices.

Our Tesla Model 3 vs Model Y vs Model X vs Model S comparison shows that there are a wealth of options and tiers. And these packages are not just premium extras, they change the range, performance, price, and delivery time you can expect from a Tesla vehicle. In this section, we will introduce Tesla's different configurations and explain what they change and how.

The standard rear-wheel drive Tesla Model 3 is the cheapest car Tesla currently sells, starting at $44,990. The long-range Model 3 is the most expensive at $50,990 and the performance Model 3 at $58,990. All of these prices assume the car has 18-inch wheels, white or dark gray paint, and an all-black interior.

The Model 3 can also be made blue, black, or multi-coated red, but these options cost an additional $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000, respectively. Changing the interior to black and white is also an option, but costs an additional $1,000.

Finally, Tesla can upgrade 18-inch wheels to 19-inch "sport wheels" on standard and long-range models. Performance models come standard with 20-inch wheels, with no option to change.

Changing to 19-inch wheels costs $1,500 for both models, but will affect range. The standard Model 3 drops from 272 to 267 miles, while the long-range Model 3 drops more steeply from 358 to 334 miles.

That may not seem like a big reason to drop the cash, but past studies have shown that bigger wheels also handle better. Some people even like the way they look.

Note that all Model 3s built between 2017 and 2020 have been recalled due to back-up camera issues.

The Model Y purchase is for those who want a more affordable Tesla but want to have all the extra space and benefits that a crossover SUV brings. The cheapest model is the long-range Model Y, which starts at $58,990, and the performance Model Y can be purchased starting at $63,990.

This pricing is similar to the Model 3, with a choice of white or dark gray color and standard size wheels (19" in this case). It will be available in blue, black, and multi-coat red, priced the same as the Model 3 at $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000. Similarly, black and white interiors are available for $1,000.

The Long Range Model Y can be equipped with 20-inch wheels for an additional $2,000, but the range drops from 330 to 318 miles. The Performance Model Y, on the other hand, only comes with 21-inch Überturbine wheels.

Being a crossover SUV, however, means that there is a lot on offer. First, an optional tow hitch that can tow up to 3,500 pounds can be added for $1,000. Long-range models also offer a seven-passenger seating layout option for an additional $3,000. This reduces the range from 330 to 326 miles with 19-inch wheels and from 318 to 314 miles with 20-inch wheels.

If you want a premium Tesla SUV experience or want more space than the Model Y, there is the Model X. This is a huge sized vehicle, starting at $104,990 if you buy it in white, put on the factory 20-inch wheels, and stick with the five-passenger all-black interior. The Model X Plaid, on the other hand, starts at $119,990

. Colors can be changed to black, dark gray, or blue for $1,500 each, with multi-coated red adding $2,500. The interior can also be upgraded to black and white or cream for $2,000. If you want larger wheels, you will pay $5,500 for 22-inch turbine wheels. These wheels reduce the range of the standard Model X from 351 to 332 miles and the range of the Plaid from 335 to 313 miles.

Both Model X models have the option of extending seating to six or seven; the seven-seater is the least expensive add-on option, costing $3,500 extra and reducing the range on 20-inch wheels to 347 miles on the Model X and 332 miles on the Model X Plaid.

Six-passenger is considerably more expensive, with an additional cost of $6,500 and a range on 20-inch wheels that drops to 348 miles for the Model X and 333 miles for the Model X Plaid

The Model S is currently the flagship of Tesla and one of the most expensive cars the company makes. The Model S is currently Tesla's flagship and one of the most expensive cars the company makes. Prices start at $94,990 for the standard model and $129,990 for the Model S Plaid, which also assumes that the car is purchased in white, with the smallest wheels available and an all-black interior.

As with the Model X, the only free color option is white, with black, dark gray, and blue adding $1,500 each. A multi-coat red is also available, priced at $2,500. Wheels are standard on both models at 19 inches, with the option to change to 21-inch "Arachnid wheels" for $4,500.

However, as in the past, larger wheels reduce range. If one chooses 21-inch wheels on the Model S, the range drops from 405 miles to 375 miles. On the Model S Plaid, it drops from 396 to 348 miles.

The only way to change the price tag is to change the interior color. All black is standard, but black and white and cream options are available for an additional $2,000.

Also, all Model S's built after 2014 are being recalled due to a faulty latch on the front trunk that can suddenly disengage.

One constant among Tesla's optional extras is the availability of the "full self-driving" Autopilot add-on. This $10,000 add-on option is available on all Tesla vehicles, including the unreleased Cybertruck, which is not yet available for purchase at this time.

U.S. Tesla Model S and Model X owners can also opt for a full self-driving subscription for $200 per month, with no contractual obligations, which can be found on the Tesla app.

Full self-driving is a Level 2 autonomous driving system that requires constant driver attention, not actual autonomous driving. However, it is still a step further than Basic Autopilot, which is standard on all Tesla vehicles.

Full self-drive allows for what Tesla calls "navigating on Autopilot," plus features such as auto-parking, calling from a parking space, and changing lanes on the highway. This essentially allows Tesla to drive itself from on-ramp to off-ramp on the highway. It can also control traffic signals and pauses, allowing the car to detect and respond to both signals and pauses, even when cruise control or autosteer is engaged.