Tesla’s Budget Model Y Standard Puts a Simpler Spin on a Familiar Favorite, Reportedly Starts at Under $40K

Photo credit: Ryan Mable
A Tesla Model Y has been spotted near the company’s Texas Gigafactory and it’s not the sleek, feature-packed crossover we’re used to. This is the Model Y Standard, a stripped down version designed to bring Tesla’s electric SUV to a wider audience. The $7,500 federal EV tax credit is no longer available so Tesla’s timing couldn’t be better.

This Model Y Standard, found by aerospace engineer Ryan Mable on a Texas road, lacks some of the bling that sets its more expensive siblings apart. The front end replaces the full-width LED light bar from the recent “Juniper” facelift with slimmer, Model 3 inspired headlights. The bumper simplifies things by replacing the aerodynamic holes with a basic black grille. The center light bar and spaced out “T E S L A” badging have been removed from the back so it’s a cleaner, but less dramatic look. Some might call it minimalist, others might call it bare. The wheels have been reduced to 18 inches, with simple aero covers replacing the 19-inch sets on existing rear-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles. The photographs show an odd feature: the trunk lid is slightly misaligned and juts out slightly over the rear fascia.

Inside, the panoramic glass roof that’s become synonymous with Tesla’s passenger cars is replaced by a solid black panel with textile detailing. The steering wheel loses power adjustments for manual setup and the second-row touchscreen (perfect for backseat passengers streaming movies or adjusting climate settings) is replaced by basic air vents. The HEPA air filter is also missing, a feature Tesla emphasizes cabin air quality. Other features removed include ambient LED lighting, power folding mirrors and multi-axis seat controls which have been replaced with simpler versions. But the 15.4 inch front touchscreen remains so the driver still gets the Tesla experience. Cargo space is the same 75 cubic feet so practicality isn’t compromised.

Pricing is complicated because the Model Y Standard is listed on the website as $39,990 in the US, which is $5,000 less than the current base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive which starts at $44,990. But here’s the catch: just days before the tax credit expired, buyers could get the Long Range for as little as $37,490 after the discount. Without that incentive, the Standard’s pricing seems like a compromise rather than a bargain. According to the website, it has “unparalleled efficiency” with “almost no maintenance” – just tire rotations and washer fluid refills.

🔥🔥 More affordable Tesla Model Y Standard leaked on the website!

✅ Called Model Y Standard
✅ $39,990 starting price
✅ Redesigned front fascia
✅ Single-part headlights
✅ Front bumper camera
✅ No front light bar
✅ No glass roof (“closed glass roof”)
✅ New 18” Aperture… pic.twitter.com/eGm4QnMxJm

— The Tesla Newswire (@TeslaNewswire) October 1, 2025

Battery specs are unknown but speculation points to them using in-house lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells made at the Nevada factory. Those batteries are cheaper than lithium-ion packs and should help keep prices down without sacrificing too much range. It’s unclear if the Model Y Standard will match the Long Range’s 320 mile EPA estimate or be closer to the Model 3 Standard Range’s 272 miles. Tesla hasn’t said if it will offer rear-wheel or all-wheel drive but code suggests both may be included. Charging speed and capacity are unknown but LFP batteries generally handle fast charging well so there’s hope for good performance there.
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