The cheapest Tesla Model Y has finally been released and as of now, the Model Y has been completed. In addition to finally being able to order the most affordable Model Y, Tesla has also given us the much anticipated seven-person seating option.
For the longest time the Model Y has been sold in two flavors, a Long Range version and Performance version, but flashback to the unveil day of the Model Y and you will remember that a more affordable Standard Range version was also announced.
While it wasn’t like the Standard Range Model Y was behind schedule or anything, the prospects of it actually being put into production were put into question over the Summer. In one Twitter reply to a question regarding the Standard Range Model Y being taken off the configurator, Elon Musk stated that they would not be making it due to its low range.
No, as range would be unacceptably low (< 250 mile EPA)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2020
With the Model S having a range of over 400 miles and the Model 3 and X being comfortably in the 300s I guess Tesla didn’t want to release a car with a range so below their average. Musk did temper the disappointment of many by saying that the Long Range single motor would be coming soon and that its range was “significantly higher than 300 [miles]”.
It seems that Tesla once again changed their mind and have gone forward with releasing the Standard Range Model Y. It now, as you can imagine, is the cheapest Model Y that you can buy with a starting price of $41,990. Unfortunately by Musk’s own definition, the Standard Range Model Y has an unacceptably low range of 244 miles. Through the power of Tesla software updates, the Standard Range might see a boost that gets it over 250 miles, but even still, a range of 244 miles is more than enough for most people’s daily commutes.
Aside from the addition of the Standard Range Model Y, Tesla also finally is allowing customers to add a seven-seat option to their Model Y. The option is available for $3,000 on all the trim levels besides the Performance version (because I guess extra weight from seven occupants is the complete opposite of performance).
The configurator lists the following features underneath the option:
- Third row seating for two
- Easy Entry into third row
- Third row USB-C charging
- Sliding second row with adjustable seatbacks
- Fold-flat second and third rows for maximum cargo storage
- Electronic fold-flat releases in trunk
We can’t imagine the usability of those last two seats given that the Model Y isn’t exactly the largest car on the market, but for those that have been waiting for it to finally be offered, here’s your opportunity.
With no new model coming out in 2021 (given the Cybertruck will probably be made in small quantities if it even starts production in late 2021), it will be interesting to see how Tesla maintains the hype with their current model lineup. Now that the cheapest Model Y has debuted, the only other trim left is the Long Range single motor.
What do you guys think of the Standard Range Model Y? Let us know down in the comments below.
