Tesla's Affordable Model Y May Not Be As Inexpensive As It Seems If This Leak Is Accurate | Carscoops

      A photo of the budget-friendly Model Y was reportedly displayed briefly on Tesla’s website, showcasing pricing and other information.

      10 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      The Model Y Standard from Tesla is rumored to offer a reduction in luxury features for a price cut of $5,000.

      Reportedly, features such as the glass roof, a second-row screen, and the HEPA air filter have been eliminated.

      The redesigned front end no longer has a full-width LED light bar, replacing it with a simpler bumper design.

      What may be our initial glimpse of Tesla’s long-anticipated entry-level Model Y has appeared online, leading to substantial discussion about its authenticity. If genuine, this model seems significantly simplified compared to the current Model Y, lacking many features that are typically standard in its pricier versions.

      The lingering question is whether this stripped-down variant can assist Tesla in increasing sales across the U.S. and other major markets, or if it may be perceived as too compromised to attract buyers. Much of this will depend on pricing, especially in relation to the existing base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which has a starting price of $44,490 in the U.S. now that the $7,500 tax credit is no longer available.

      Simpler Aesthetics

      This image comes from TheTeslaNewswire on X, which claims the photo was briefly visible on Tesla’s website before being removed. In the image, the new base Model Y replaces the full-width LED light bar seen on the current model with a set of slim headlights reminiscent of those on the updated Model 3. The front bumper has also been simplified, losing its typical air curtains for a more straightforward black grille at the bottom.

      This entry-level version, anticipated to be labeled Model Y Standard, is equipped with 18-inch wheels featuring black plastic aero covers. This represents one of the most minimalist designs Tesla has presented in its mainstream offerings.

      A Basic Interior

      Multiple changes have been reported, although no official images have surfaced yet. The same source that explored the website’s code suggests the panoramic glass roof, standard on all current Tesla passenger vehicles, will be removed in favor of a solid roof with textile trim pieces added instead.

      A manually adjustable steering wheel is also expected to be included. In the rear, the second-row touchscreen has been eliminated, and manual air vents will replace it. The HEPA filter has also been discarded, a modification that corroborates reports from a noted hacker who mentioned similar omissions last month.

      An excerpt: “Model Y Standard,” “Bring Everyone and Everything,” “Unparalleled Efficiency,” “Have More Fun,” “Virtually Low Maintenance,” “Built for Safety” were highlighted in the card description.

      An excerpt from Tesla's website, shared on X by the same account, indicates that Tesla describes this model as delivering “unparalleled efficiency” and featuring “virtually low maintenance”—a phrasing that seems to imply ‘virtually no maintenance.’ Tesla also mentions that it does not require “oil changes, tune-ups, or smoke checks,” stating that owners will merely need to “refill the washer fluid and rotate your tires.”

      When Affordable Isn't Truly Cheap

      Then there's the crucial aspect of pricing. The Model Y Standard is reportedly set to start at a price of $39,990 in the United States. This is only $5,000 less than the current base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which doesn't seem like an attractive deal, especially considering the features the Standard version lacks. This is even more pertinent when recalling that just days ago, before the federal EV tax credit was eliminated, buyers could obtain the Long Range RWD for as low as $37,490.

      🔥🔥 The more affordable Tesla Model Y Standard has leaked on the website! ✅ Named Model Y Standard ✅ Starting price of $39,990 ✅ 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