Image: Tesla
Tesla’s most affordable Model Y is quietly becoming one of its most impressive. According to automotive publication Edmunds, the 2026 Tesla Model Y Standard just delivered the best real-world range result the publication has ever recorded for a Model Y — beating not only its EPA estimate, but also every other variant tested so far.
In the Edmunds EV Range Test, the Model Y Standard managed an impressive 337 miles on a single charge. That’s well above its EPA-rated 321 miles and enough to earn it the top spot among all Model Y configurations Edmunds has evaluated. In a bit of irony, the cheapest Model Y you can buy right now also happens to be the one that goes the farthest — at least for the moment.
This result is especially notable when you look at how other Model Y trims have performed historically. The previous-generation Model Y Long Range carried a higher EPA estimate of 330 miles, yet fell short in Edmunds’ testing, managing just 310 miles. Even the newer Model Y Long Range Launch Series, which Edmunds currently has in its long-term “One-Year Road Test” fleet, only matched its estimate, hitting 327 miles. The Standard, meanwhile, didn’t just meet expectations — it exceeded them.
Image: Tesla
Efficiency played a big role here. Despite having a smaller battery pack than the Premium (formerly Long Range) and Performance versions, the Model Y Standard used just 22.8 kWh to travel 100 miles during testing. By comparison, Edmunds’ Launch Series Model Y consumed 26.8 kWh over the same distance. As the publication noted, a lower number is better, making the Standard notably more efficient in real-world driving.
That doesn’t mean the cheaper Model Y is perfect. Edmunds points out that the Standard makes some compromises, including less comfortable seats, fewer physical adjustments, and noticeably slower acceleration compared to higher-end trims. It also swaps out the panoramic glass roof on pricier trims for a fabric headliner. That said, ride quality was described as good, if slightly floaty, and the covered roof helped with cabin temperature management — something that became obvious during sunny driving conditions.
Image: Tesla
Tesla launched the Model Y Standard in the U.S. in October, alongside its cheapest offering to date, the Model 3 Standard. The automaker kicked off production at Gigafactory Texas that same month, with deliveries beginning not long after. Tesla’s most affordable Model Y is also available in Europe, where production is taking place at Gigafactory Berlin.
This strong showing continues a broader trend for Tesla. Edmunds noted that newer Tesla vehicles are now consistently meeting or beating their EPA range estimates, a sharp contrast to models tested between 2018 and 2023, which routinely fell short. The shift began with the refreshed Model 3 and has continued with the Cybertruck and now the Model Y. Even Tesla’s in-car range predictions have become more reliable, making it easier for drivers to trust what the display is telling them.
The result also comes after Edmunds named the refreshed Model Y its Best Car of 2025 back in September, out of more than 200 vehicles tested. Now, even the cut-down, cheaper Model Y Standard is earning serious praise, reinforcing Tesla’s dominance in efficiency and real-world range.
