Tesla’s long-anticipated more affordable version of the Model Y may finally be on the horizon. A new Model Y Standard has quietly appeared in the source code of the company’s website, giving us the clearest look yet at the more affordable variant that has been rumored for months.
Early Clues: The E41 Leak
Although long-rumoured to be coming soon, the first official hints of this vehicle first surfaced last month when a software update revealed internal references to an “E41” variant of the Model Y. At the time, the code pointed to a stripped-down configuration with fewer luxury features and simplified hardware. Now, this website appearance strongly suggests Tesla is getting closer to launching that very model, positioning it as the most affordable SUV in its lineup.
Exterior Changes
Unlike the Long Range and Performance trims, the Model Y Standard introduces several exterior differences, according to a review of the source code by @TeslaNewsWire on X.
- Redesigned front fascia with a cleaner, simpler look
- Single-part headlights that reduce component complexity
- No front light bar, keeping costs down
- Closed roof design (no panoramic glass roof)
It does however include a front bumper-mounted camera, something which is slowly integrating into Tesla’s entire fleet.
The Standard also rides on new 18-inch Aperture wheels, a more efficiency-focused setup compared to Tesla’s larger 19” or 20” options.
Interior Simplifications
To reach a lower entry price, Tesla has scaled back several interior features:
- Textile décor replaces premium wood or metal finishes
- Manual steering wheel adjustment instead of powered controls
- 15.4-inch front touchscreen (not 16″ like new Model Y Performance) and no rear touchscreen for second-row passengers
- Manually adjustable second-row air vents instead of electronically controlled ones
- Particulate air filter only — no HEPA-grade filter as found in other Model Ys
Despite these changes, cargo capacity remains strong at 75 cubic feet, only slightly less than higher-end trims.
Model Y Standard Pricing
The Model Y Standard appears in the code priced at $39,990, representing Tesla’s most affordable SUV to date, slotting below the Long Range and Performance trims, targeting buyers who want to enter the Tesla ecosystem, but are less concerned with luxury add-ons.
However, this price is just $5,000 below the Long Range RWD variant. Tesla could be using this as a placeholder knowing it would be discovered prior to the official launch, which means the listed $39,990 starting price may not be final. But if Tesla manages to bring the final MSRP closer to the mid-$35K mark when it finally launches, the Model Y Standard could quickly become a big seller.
