Here is the Standard Model Y, the poor man's Tesla! (video)

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Tesla unveiled the low-cost version of its Model Y, the Standard, to make it more affordable. A bad idea?

For months, this Tesla Model Y stripped of its meaning has been anticipated, and it is now a reality since Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Why “stripped of its meaning”? Because the added value of a Tesla has always been its connection to technology and a certain notion of accessible luxury.

An electric SUV fully equipped, sold for just over 40,000 euros in 2025, is it still considered ultra “affordable”? Twenty years ago, despite inflation that has doubled the price of everything since, no internal combustion SUV as well equipped as a Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive would have cost less than 60,000 euros. Back then, it was considered high-end luxury.

But this democratization is coming to an end, and faced with a commercial glass ceiling, Tesla prefers to lower its entry point to find new customers. Those who buy this new Standard version will unfortunately be stigmatized as unable to afford a “real Tesla.” It’s the sad truth hidden in human nature.

Let’s start with the price, which is the central point of this Standard version. In the USA, it now starts at $39,990 before taxes (about €34,300), which is roughly €41,200 in Europe. We’re close to that 10% price reduction, but is it truly ambitious? Over €40,000 for a car, Tesla continues to target an elite audience.

The Chinese manufacturers must be chuckling behind the scenes…

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07/10/2025 23:01

With the Standard Model Y, Tesla does not fix any of its problems

Model Y, a Tesla at a discount?

What first catches your eye? The exterior design with small 18-inch wheels, fabric seats, or the decreasing range?

Let’s start with the design. It’s not so degraded. The look remains modern and aggressive, while at the rear, the absence of a light strip is not shocking. The entire rear section is new, from the diffuser to the tailgate, now manually operated.

The roof is no longer glazed, and the small trims may make you smile, but it doesn’t matter. As for the front, it strangely resembles the Model 3 with sleek lines.

Currently sold only in the United States, the Model Y Standard features a standard Stealth Grey paint. White and black are optional. The same goes for the 19-inch wheels of the Propulsion version… but the range drops even further.

A decreasing range?

Inside, the changes are evident: disappearance of ambient lighting, ventilated electric seats, heated and electric rear bench. The front central tunnel with built-in storage vanishes. At the rear, the central LCD screen is also removed. Finally, the sound system drops from 15 speakers + 1 subwoofer to… 7 speakers. Ouch.

Then comes the question of driving performance and range. While the top speed remains unchanged at 125 mph (201 km/h), the range in the U.S. drops from 357 to 321 miles in EPA mixed cycle—about 574 to 516 km. An excellent figure considering that the official range testing is more rigorous and closer to real-world conditions in North America. This even suggests the battery capacity hasn’t been reduced.