Tesla’s long-rumoured cheaper Model Y has surfaced once again — this time in backend code for the company’s own website. First spotted by @TeslaNewswire on X, the code reveals the new variant will be officially called the “Model Y Standard” and is set to start at $39,990.
The leaked information lines up with what we’ve seen in recent months about Tesla’s new entry-level crossover. Earlier this week, a camouflaged prototype of the cheaper Model Y was spotted testing on the streets of Palo Alto, California. Real-world validation testing usually comes right before launch, further indicating the new vehicle’s debut is just around the corner. During Tesla’s Q2 2025 earnings call back in July, CEO Elon Musk confirmed production had technically already begun, with a full ramp-up slated for the final quarter of this year.
Last month, more details on the low-cost Model Y, internally codenamed “E41,” were found hidden in Tesla’s firmware. Those findings pointed to a number of stripped-down features designed to hit a lower price point. The website leak now offers even more clarity.
According to the backend code, the Model Y Standard will feature a redesigned front fascia with single-part headlights, a front bumper camera, and no light bar across the front. The panoramic glass roof has been swapped for what Tesla calls a “closed glass roof,” while the interior will sport a simpler layout with textile décor, a manually adjustable steering wheel, and second-row manual air vents. The second-row touchscreen is gone, along with some premium features like the HEPA filter. The center 15.4-inch display remains, while cargo space comes in at 75 cu. ft., slightly less than the Long Range model.
At $39,990, the Model Y Standard would undercut the Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which currently starts at $44,990, by just $5,000. Of course, the number could be a placeholder for now, but the real question is whether a $5,000 discount is enough to make up for all of the cuts Tesla has made to bring the price down. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
