The $40K Tesla Model 3 is the sole new vehicle available in the U.S. that features manual side mirrors.

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      It's 2025, and my teenager can't distinguish between a phone call and a FaceTime call; to her, they’re the same. Every day, we depend on technology that once seemed unbelievable to our parents, and our grandparents would have dismissed as a Hollywood dream in their time. Nevertheless, Tesla, which positions itself as a tech company more than an automotive manufacturer, has just introduced a new car featuring manually adjustable mirrors.

      The new base versions of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, referred to as the "Standard" trim, eliminate several features to offer a more affordable starting price. While some changes, such as a manually adjustable steering column through a lever instead of a touchscreen, can be seen as improvements, others raise questions about who at this tech-savvy company thought these were wise choices. Was it you, Elon?

      I can't recall any new cars currently on the market in the United States that come with manually adjustable mirrors. As colleagues noted, even the Mitsubishi Mirage—which is no longer manufactured yet still available at dealerships nationwide for $17,000—has power mirrors. The starting price of the standard Model 3 is $38,630, while the Model Y begins at $41,630, still offering power-adjustable mirrors but excluding the power-folding feature.

      The Model 3 has replaced leather with cloth seats and used a mix of plastic and cloth for cabin trim accents. The small rear screen for adjusting the rear air vents has been removed, replaced by manually adjustable vents like those found in most cars on the road today. Ventilation for the front seats has been eliminated, along with rear bench heating. Ambient lighting is no longer available, and surprisingly, there’s no AM/FM radio.

      Changes that will significantly affect ownership include a reduced battery capacity of 69.5 kWh, slower charging speeds capped at 225 kW, a one-second increase in the zero-to-60 mph time, and decreased driving range. The Standard trim is rated for 321 miles, compared to the Premium's 363. Autosteer has also been removed.

      Another aspect of the new Standard trim is its lower price. By omitting all the aforementioned features, Tesla manages to price this trim $5,500 less than the next version up.

      It's important to note that Tesla's approach with the Standard trim mirrors that of the broader automotive industry. An entry-level model usually comes with minimal features, and to access more options, enhanced aesthetics, and improved performance, buyers need to upgrade to higher trims, often at a higher cost. In this regard, Tesla isn't doing anything particularly outrageous or incorrect. Additionally, I fully support lower-priced vehicles—especially in the current economic climate.

      This situation is laden with irony. A company that views itself as pioneering, technologically advanced, and claims to be far ahead of traditional automakers is launching an electric vehicle with manual mirrors.

      Indeed, you can still find new vehicles equipped with manual mirrors today, but you'll need to look in Europe. The Fiat Panda I rented in Portugal earlier this year had them, as did a Fiat 500 in Italy. These cars, priced between $18,000 and $20,000, are as basic as they come and feature gas engines that have existed for decades. It's amusing to think that these vehicles share something in common with the newest Tesla Model 3.

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