Cheaper Tesla Model Y Pricing Leaks, But Model 3 Could Be The Better Deal
Cheaper Tesla Model Y Pricing Leaks, revealing a starting price of $39,990 for what will be called the Model Y Standard. This rumored price, discovered in the website’s source code by The Tesla Newswire, indicates that Tesla’s more affordable EV might not be as budget-friendly as many had hoped, especially considering it will lose a host of desirable features. With federal EV tax credits now expired and several rivals offering more affordable or better-equipped options, the base Model 3 or even competitors like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 could emerge as more compelling deals.
Was Tesla’s Cheaper EV Completely Overhyped?
The dream of a $25,000 budget EV from Tesla was scrapped before it reached production, but renewed interest flared this year with the confirmation of a more affordable Model Y. However, anticipation has been tempered by revelations that this budget Model Y will shed numerous desirable features. It’s essentially designed to be the opposite of the new Model Y L, a more spacious and fully loaded version of the crossover.
Crucial to the success of this budget-friendly Model Y is its price. The leaked information suggests a starting price of $39,990 for the Model Y Standard. This figure is higher than earlier predictions (between $35k to $37k), especially considering the numerous feature omissions. The absence of federal tax credits further amplifies the need for a truly competitive price point.
Model Y Standard: What You Get (and Don’t Get) for $39,990
Assuming the leak is accurate, the Model Y Standard will be $5,000 cheaper than the next trim up, the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. The Tesla Newswire included an apparent image of the Model Y Standard, which lives up to its name with visually simpler aesthetics:
- Plain-looking 18-inch Aperture wheels.
- Single-part headlights (lacking the front light bar seen on other Model Ys).
- A redesigned front fascia, clearly distinguishing it as the entry-level variant.
Inside, the cost-cutting measures continue:
- A 15.4-inch touchscreen remains, but there will be no rear touchscreen.
- No glass roof.
- A manually adjustable steering column.
- More basic Textile decor.
- Manually adjustable air vents in the second row.
While some downgrades, like the manual steering column, might be acceptable to certain buyers, the cumulative loss of features, including the glass roof and rear screen, may make it a hard sell for many Tesla fans. Details on range, battery specs, and performance—areas where Tesla has historically been class-leading—are yet to be confirmed, which could further impact its appeal.
Base Model 3 and Rivals Offer Potentially Better Value
At the rumored $39,990 price point, the Model Y Standard faces stiff competition, even from within Tesla’s own lineup:
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive: Priced at $42,490, it’s only slightly more expensive but offers a more cohesive and premium feel, without the obvious feature omissions of the budget Model Y.
- Chevy Equinox EV AWD: For around $40,000, this option boasts 300 horsepower, delivering that instant electric surge many buyers desire.
- Ford Mustang Mach-E: The base model is even cheaper at $37,995.
- Hyundai IONIQ 5: Hyundai has aggressively slashed prices for the IONIQ 5, which now starts at an even more competitive $35,000.
All these factors suggest that Tesla’s cheaper Model Y might not be the game-changer it was initially hyped to be. With no official reveal date confirmed, but examples spotted in California, the industry awaits the final details to truly assess its market position.
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