But Still Pretty Good
It was already in the air and is now official: the Tesla Model Y Standard! This car could be cheaper than a Model 3 and is the most basic Tesla ever, although that’s not really a disaster.
News is raining around the Tesla Model Y right now. In China, a longer and more spacious version appeared called the Model YL, worldwide we got the fast Model Y Performance and new batteries presented and then there were also all kinds of teasers and rumors about a new, cheap entry-level version of the Model Y. The latter is now also available, at least in the US. There, the cheapest Model Y as Tesla Model Y Standard has disappeared in the configurator, and the cheapest variant to date is named Tesla Model Y Premium.
Tesla is, as always, not generous with specifications. European data is not available at all (yet) and so we have to make do with what Tesla reports on its American site at the moment. Fortunately, that’s already a lot. For example, the Model Y Standard is slower than the regular rear-wheel drive version, and it takes 6.8 instead of 5.4 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. The range drops from 357 to 321 miles. In metric units, that’s still 516 kilometers, but that’s according to the American EPA measurement method. For comparison: the already existing Model Y RWD (now ‘Premium’) has an official WLTP range of 500 kilometers in Europe, compared to a converted 574 for its American brother. Fast charging is possible with the cheapest Model Y with a maximum of 225 kW.
The new specifications are very similar to those of the cheapest Model Y before the facelift, so there is a good chance that the powertrain of the new entry-level version is very similar. We also suspect the shock absorbers of this, because those passive copies are a lot simpler than the civilized dampers that were introduced with the facelift.
Above the ‘Standard’, below the regular Model Y.
The Model Y Standard also takes over more from the ‘old’ Model Y, because the rear window is also borrowed from that car. The window is more rounded at the bottom and ends in a smoothly shaped spoiler, all just a little different from the tighter rear of the other versions after the facelift. Everything is also just a little different below that. That applies to the rear bumper, but especially to the lighting. The Model Y Standard lacks the continuous light bar at the front and rear and has all lighting functions in one unit per side at the front, where the regular Model Y has a separate housing for low and high beam. The Tesla Model Y Standard also has narrower 18-inch wheels (not in the opening photo), which undoubtedly make it more economical than other versions. Just in terms of colors, a number of things have been scrapped: the Model Y Standard is only available in white, black and gray in the US.
Above the ‘Standard’, below the regular Model Y.
A real clearance has also taken place on the inside. Here it is immediately noticeable that the Model Y does not have a panoramic roof, a unique feature in the current Tesla range. We can also say that about the seat upholstery, because this is the only Tesla with fabric upholstery. The mood lighting has been removed and the center console between the seats has been replaced by a large, open ‘box’ for loose items. The two wireless phone chargers are still there, as is the 15.4-inch touchscreen. The steering wheel adjustment is now manual and that also applies to the operation and folding function of the rear seat.
No Autopilot
The most basic Model Y also has considerably fewer speakers (7 instead of 15), does without FM radio in the US, lacks the second touchscreen for rear passengers and has no ‘Autosteer’ function. No autopilot, then, although the adaptive cruise control is still there. Despite all the deleted functions, there is no reason to make comparisons between this car and the super-bare Volkswagens and Mercedes of the 80s. For example, the Tesla Model Y Base still has seat heating, all connectivity functions with the Tesla app are still present and the tailgate opens and closes electrically.
Above the ‘Standard’, below the regular Model Y.
The Tesla Model Y Standard has a price of $39,990 in the United States, which makes it cheaper than a Model 3 Standard Range as we also know it in Europe. That car costs €39,990 with us and a Model Y RWD currently costs at least €45,990. A price of around 40 grand therefore seems quite realistic for a possible Dutch version, and everything indicates that it is coming. When asked, the Dutch importer advises to keep a close eye on the configurator in the coming days, so that actually says enough.