The new Tesla Model Y Standard isn’t a huge change in appearance.
Tesla
In a European Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) market that grew 33% in October in Europe, Tesla sales were down 49%. BYD has also usurped its status as the leading maker of EVs globally. Something is clearly up with Tesla, and it’s not just the questionable image of its CEO. Other automakers are catching up in technology and capabilities. Tesla has needed improved, more competitively priced models for a while. Now they are here – the new Model Y and Model 3 Standard. I got to take the Tesla Model Y version for a test drive.
New Tesla Model Y Standard, New Names
The new Standard cars come alongside a minor renaming strategy across most of the 3 and Y offering. The Standard replaces the previous Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive. You can now get a Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive and Premium All-Wheel Drive, which remain the same as their non-Premium versions before. The Performance models retain their name and specification.
The side profile remains unchanged.
Tesla
At first glance, the new Model Y isn’t a huge change from the New Model Y (aka “Juniper”) released towards the beginning of 2025. The side profile is the same as always, while the front and rear look almost the same as the update. However, both lack light bars, so you have discrete lights at the front, and no cool reflected red strip along the rear. Also, while the roof looks like a Tesla signature panoramic sunroof, because it’s still made of glass, this is for structural reasons. This car doesn’t actually have a sunroof. Only limited color options are available, too – just Stealth Gray (as standard), White or Black (both £1,300 extra).
Front headlamps aren’t joined by a lightbar.
Tesla
Instead, the inside of the roof has a fabric covering. The seats also use fabric with some “Vegan leather” elements rather being entirely made out of the latter. They are still heated but not ventilated. They are also still electrically adjusted, but there are no controls for this on the sides of the chairs anymore – you must use the infotainment screen to move both driver and passenger sides.
There’s no rear lightbar either.
Tesla
The ambient lighting strips of the other New Model Y models is missing, and the central console is considerably different. Instead of being a single solid unit, this now has a large area towards the front where you could place a backpack between the seats. However, the armrest with a cubby underneath remains to the rear and you still get dual wireless phone chargers towards the front.
Same Tesla Model Y Minimalist Cockpit
The cockpit experience is identical the more expensive Model Ys. Most functionality comes from the central 15.6in infotainment screen, with just a few buttons on the steering wheel. Thankfully, there’s a single stalk for indicators, but headlights and windscreen wipers use steering wheel buttons.
The central console is redesigned, but otherwise the cockpit experience is the same.
Tesla
Perhaps the most reassuring aspect of the new Standard is that it still includes Tesla’s Autopilot cruise control system. This is not only adaptive but will take over steering on highways. I’ve found this great over the years in traffic jams and in average speed zones, although some people have had problems with it. You can even still upgrade to Enhanced Autopilot and FSD, even if the latter remains mostly pointless in the UK.
Rear space is as generous as before, albeit without the panoramic sunroof providing a greater sense of headroom. The big change here is the lack of the rear LCD panel, which was added with the “Highland” Model 3 and “Juniper” Model Y. If you’re upgrading from an older Model 3 or most other cars, you won’t miss this. You still get separate air vents and a couple of USB C ports. What you don’t get is the rear seat access to video streaming and games, or direct zonal control over the air conditioning.
One of the class leading features of the Model Y has always been its luggage capacity, and this hasn’t changed at all. You even still have a powered trunk. The space with the rear seats up is a huge 835 liters, and there’s a massive extra space under the floor despite the presence of a rear electric motor.
Rear cargo capacity is as enormous as ever.
Tesla
Weirdly, while the rear seats do have a 40:20:40 split, to make the middle armrest (with cupholders) the whole central seat back must be dropped forward, rather than just a section. To do this you use a looped strap. Similar loops are used to drop the two rear seats forward. The convenient electric releases of the more expensive new Model Ys have been deleted. The total capacity then extends to a whopping 2,118 liters.
As before, there’s a sizeable 116-liter frunk – enough for an additional overnight bag or all the charging cables. The Model Y Standard can also tow up to 1,600kg braked, too, with the Tow Hitch a £1,350 ($1,800) extra. So even though the Standard has plenty of economizations, it doesn’t skimp on the key features that have made the Model Y a world leader.
Same Tesla Model Y Tech
That goes for its technology too. I’ve already mentioned that you still get Autopilot as standard. You also get the same app access and Standard Connectivity, delivering maps with traffic-based routing. Over-the-Air (OTA) updates are of course available, so you can download all the latest software capabilities even if your car is a few years old. Add on a tethered smartphone data connection or subscribe to Premium connectivity and you’ll get streaming video such as from Netflix and YouTube, and Sentry mode (this will require Premium connectivity).
The new Tesla Model Y Standard basic spec includes 19in wheels.
Tesla
Perhaps the least surprises come from the powertrain, which has been detuned but not excessively. The new Standard is significantly slower to 60mph than the outgoing one, taking 6.9 seconds rather than 5.6 seconds. This is still a rear-wheel drive car, and while acceleration is modest for a Tesla it’s still plenty quick enough for all UK driving that you’re likely to do with your family onboard. Tesla claims that the reduced acceleration and top speed limitation of 110mph have been implemented to reduce the insurance premiums, enabling the car to be in UK Group 34 rather than 37.
The ride quality is an improvement over the original Model Y. The standard alloys (and only wheel choice) are 19in, which were apparently chosen for residual values. But this car is fine on poor quality British roads. The Model Y is an SUV and not exactly small, but it’s just about okay for cramped UK cities. Handling is composed on A-roads and highways.
Tesla never divulges how powerful its motors are, and it doesn’t talk about battery capacity either. The WLTP range of the Standard is 314 miles, with an efficiency of 4.5 miles per kWh, which would imply a net capacity of 70kWh. Most Teslas have great efficiency, and you can usually expect well over 3 miles per kWh unless you drive it like you stole it in extreme hot or cold conditions. So you should get at least 200 miles of usable range.
Performance is more sedate but handling similar.
Tesla
Of course, Tesla’s secret weapon for long-distance travel is as evident as always. The Supercharger network continues to expand and remains the easiest to use and most reliable charging infrastructure in the business (if you own a Tesla). The Standard tops out at 175kW DC charging, but that still means you can add 162 miles of WLTP range in 15 minutes at a V3 charger or above. So even with a real-world range just above 200 miles, lengthy journeys in the new Tesla Model Y Standard should still be painless.
Can The Tesla Model Y Standard’s New Low Price Undercut Competition?
The big news is that the new Model Y Standard is a lot cheaper than the previous version. Where it was £44,990 ($60,000) in the UK, now it’s £41,990 ($56,000). It’s even cheaper in Europe at €39,990 ($46,500). The lease deals are particularly enticing, with a PCP option of £299 ($400) a month and a £7,650 ($10,000) down payment. That does make this car incredibly affordable. It compares well to European and Korean alternatives, although the Kia EV5 looks like a strong competitor.
The question is, will this be the car that can get Tesla Model Y sales back to its former glory days, and head off the Chinese challenge? XPENG’s promising G6 has an upgrade coming soon in 2026 and a similarly low starting price, although the BYD Sealion 7 doesn’t have an entry-level version this cheap. The Tesla Model Y Standard is still a great car, and keeps the core features that people who like Teslas appreciate – the tech and the practicality. If you wanted a Model Y and couldn’t quite afford one, now maybe you can. But only the market will tell if this can really increase volumes back to the heady market share of a few years ago.
