TEST: Tesla Model Y Rear-wheel drive Standard: Less flash, more sense?

With the Standard version, Tesla offers a ticket to the world of electric mobility under the magical threshold of 40 thousand euros (with subsidies taken into account), but the path to get there leads through numerous compromises.

Base price: €40.970
Price of the test vehicle: €40.970

Believe it or not, it's been exactly ten years since Elon Musk took the stage and showed the world the then-prototype Tesla Model 3. It was a car of such extraordinary importance that more than 134.000 people paid a $1.000 reservation for a vehicle they had never even seen before. The Model 3 promised an electric revolution - not only because of its impressive technology, but above all because of its price. Musk announced that prices would start at $35.000. When the car was actually available for purchase a year and a half later, the price had risen to a paltry $50. Nevertheless, the Model 3 earned the title of the brand's most successful model ever, and the dream of an affordable Tesla remained alive.

Today, almost ten years later, two models have hit the roads – including Slovenian ones – promising just that. Since fans of the brand initially expected a completely new platform, some were disappointed when Tesla revealed the “Standard” versions of the Model 3 and Model Y last October – the latter of which we tested this time.

Although it is basically just a new model version, the visual difference between the two is obvious – the Model Y Standard has been left without the front and rear LED light strip, which has become a trademark of the redesigned model in a way. This means that the light signature of the basic version is a bit more conservative and less recognizable, perhaps even a bit less consistent with the otherwise rather futuristic shape of the car. Since these are the biggest design changes, the rest is represented by the already quite familiar, 4,79 meters long, 1,98 meters wide and 1,62 meters high base, which impresses with its spaciousness rather than its minimalist shape.

The Model Y still stands out from the competition in its segment with its dual-boot design. The main trunk offers a spacious 822 liters for the second row, and it is worth highlighting the difference between the model versions: while the Premium version allows for electronic control, in the Standard model the second row of seats folds down manually. With the seats folded, the space increases to an impressive 2.022 liters. The front trunk is much less enthusiastic. Although 116 liters of volume remain under the hood, it is no longer waterproof and no longer has a drain channel, so caution is required when storing things in it. In addition, the workmanship of this part is noticeably superficial and, in my opinion, such a solution simply has no place in a car in this price range. Despite the aforementioned shortcomings, the Model Y remains a model of spaciousness, as the back seat can easily accommodate even above-average tall adults. It is an ideal car for transporting basketball players, except that they will no longer be able to follow their teammates on the lower 8-inch screen, as it is no longer available in the Standard version.

The interior remains familiar, but it is worth highlighting a few changes. The first is that the seats are no longer covered in leather, but are only partially leather and are available exclusively in black. We don't mind this, as they are still quite comfortable, and the material is pleasant to the touch. The only slight quibble is that they are no longer ventilated, and they can only be adjusted via the central touchscreen - a completely wrong solution from an ergonomic point of view. We would rather see manually adjustable seats, like Tesla did with the steering column. The center console has also been changed, and instead of a large closed drawer, it now offers one huge open space. Women will quickly love this solution, as you can also put a large handbag there, while for us "martyrs", this place will quickly turn into an improvised garbage dump. Everything else remains the same – the minimalist environment is still dominated by a 15,4-inch OLED display with one of the best interfaces on the market. This is precisely why Tesla is one of the few manufacturers that has managed to make on-screen control bearable. Nevertheless, my suggestion remains: Tesla, at least a few physical switches wouldn't ruin your minimalism.

As for the driving experience itself, the story remains almost the same as with the Premium version – we did not notice any major differences in driving characteristics between the two model versions during the test, but they appear more indirectly. The chassis is set up quite firmly and copes with road imperfections solidly, although some bumps are transmitted to the cabin a little too directly. It is worth highlighting here that the Standard version transmits significantly more noise from the chassis to the interior than the more expensive model, and due to the absence of acoustic glazing, there is also more noise present at highway speeds. The steering mechanism remains typical for Tesla – with a rather synthetic feel, it does not offer feedback, although it must be admitted that it is more direct than some competitors. You may not be as confident in the corners as Sébastien Loeb, but you will easily show your dominance at traffic lights with the electric motor producing 220 kW and 420 Nm of torque.

With our mostly highway driving in a rather cold March and on winter tires, we achieved a consumption of 17,5 kWh/100 km, which is a pretty good result considering the unfavorable conditions. In the city, this figure will easily be about a third lower. Unofficial data shows that the net capacity of the LFP battery is 60,5 kWh, which is enough for about 350 kilometers of highway range and well over 400 kilometers of city range. This is less than the promised 534 km according to the WLTP test cycle, but as we have already proven with the Model Y, this can also be achieved with appropriate measures.

Charging is incredibly easy and fast, even though the Model Y Standard is equipped with a 175-kilowatt charger, which is 75 kW weaker than the Premium models. The promised 20 minutes to charge from 20 to 80% was actually achieved with proper battery preheating.

Exactly the same Model Y Standard as you see in the photos can be yours for €40.970, including delivery and documentation costs. Do we recommend it? If range is not a priority for you and you don't need the Long Range version, but at the same time space is important to you, then the answer is quite clear - yes. If you need the additional range offered by the Long Range version, you should choose the Premium package rather than the Standard. Why? The price difference between the Standard and Premium versions of the Model Y Long Range is only €3.000. However, for this three thousand difference, you lose things such as the front and rear LED strip, leather interior, heated rear seats, ambient lighting, glass roof, electrically adjustable steering column, matrix headlights and more. Due to the aforementioned changes, which are quite drastic in some places (especially the roof, which is made of glass, but covered with wallpaper on the inside - why?), the ratio between lost equipment and savings is quite absurd. It may be harsh, but it's true: it seems like some features were removed just so that when you look at the Premium version, you'll wonder why you didn't work harder in school.