Tesla has finally implemented a feature that is in great demand by many electric car buyers, offering more affordable prices.
The EV company hasn't released a completely new car. Stripped down versions updated model Y And Model 3 reduce the starting cost, which will allow more people to become Tesla owners.
This change is long overdue. As someone who has spent a lot of time behind the wheel of both cars, I see this as a move that could significantly increase Tesla ownership.
The idea is simple: make the same design and driving experience available to more people, eliminating extra features that most owners rarely use. In my opinion, this is a reasonable step.
This comes at a time when electric vehicle buyers will be looking for more affordable options. According to June data Kelly Blue BookThe average new car transaction price in the United States is $48,644. That's 2% below the market's December 2023 peak, but still about 13% above June 2021 prices.
How much do cheaper Tesla cars cost and what does it include?
Here's what the back of the Tesla Model Y Standard looks like – it retains the same light strip as the regular version.
Standard rear-wheel drive on the Model Y starts at $39,990 and delivers an EPA-estimated 321 miles of range, a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, and a maximum charging speed of 225 kW. It is powered by a 69 kWh battery and produces around 300 horsepower. This version uses one fewer battery module than higher trims and is 5% more efficient than the Model Y RWD.
Inside, it features an open center console similar to the Cybertruck, textile doors and dashboard trim. The 10-way driver's seat and 4-way passenger seat controls are now controlled via the touchscreen without physical buttons.
Tesla includes a 7-speaker audio system, automatic high beams and two-tone textile and leather seats, but most interior adjustments are manual. This includes the seats, steering wheel and mirrors. The front seats are heated, but the rear ones are not.
The rear passenger screen has been removed, but the car still has a cell phone charger. The glass roof is now covered from the inside with a fabric headliner for better insulation, and the mirrors are manually folded. Additionally, there is no HEPA filter, just a particulate and odor filter.
The Y Standard model comes with 18-inch wheels as standard, with 19-inch wheels available as an option and offering 75 cubic feet of cargo space. Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds and curb weight is 4,061 pounds. It supports Tesla's well-established Supercharging network and can travel up to 100 miles in about 15 minutes. This version is available in three colors: Stealth Grey, Pearl White and Brilliant Black.
The front of a Tesla Model 3 Standard driving down the road. It looks identical to the regular Model 3.
Meanwhile, the standard rear-wheel drive Model 3 now starts at $36,990 and has many of the same hardware and software features. It has the same 69 kWh battery, delivers an EPA-rated 321 miles of range, and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds thanks to 286 horsepower.
Tesla has added a camera to the front bumper with a washer system like the Model Y, uses real leather and textile seats, and has touchscreen seat adjustments instead of physical switches. There are manual folding second-row seats, a manually adjustable steering wheel and mirrors, but no heated and ventilated rear seats.
It retains the glass panoramic roof, but has acoustic glass front door and tempered rear glass. The rear window has been removed and the center console now features exposed cup holders. It also features a 7-speaker audio system and the same 15.4-inch touchscreen that dominates the interior.
Charging speeds are the same at up to 225 kW, and Tesla claims up to 170 miles of range can be extended in 15 minutes. It weighs 3,759 pounds and has 24 cubic feet of cargo space. This trim offers the same three paint options as the more expensive options.
Both vehicles come with manual second-row air vents, ditch the LED strips in favor of ambient lighting for the footwells and door pockets, and feature standard LED headlights with automatic adaptive high beams (no matrix LEDs). Interestingly, they also don't use Autosteer, although they do come with traffic-aware cruise control as standard.
Full self driving is optional, available for $8,000 or a monthly subscription of $99. Tesla offers the same four trim levels for each model: Standard, Premium RWD, Premium AWD, and Performance.
I think this new approach makes a lot of sense for Tesla. Instead of chasing the luxury end of the market, it brings the focus back to what made the brand so popular in the first place: offering affordable, long-range, fast-charging EVs that still feel cutting-edge. By reducing the number of additional options, the company has created an option that may appeal to first-time EV buyers who might otherwise look to cheaper competitors.
In my experience, Tesla's greatest strength has always been its software and driving dynamics, and they remain intact here. For those on the fence about switching to an electric vehicle, these new versions of the Model 3 and Model Y may be the most compelling reason yet.
Prices for the Model Y Standard start at $39,990, with the Model 3 Standard behind it at $36,990. Global pricing has yet to be announced, but it is also expected to undercut the existing Long Range model.
This is currently the most affordable way to buy a Tesla.
