A cheaper variant of the Tesla Model Y offered in the key right-hand drive market of Australia may be next
Tesla has launched its most affordable Model Y, the standard variant, in its first right-hand drive market in the UK, with a 14% price drop over the previous RWD base model, hinting at a possible arrival in Australia in 2026.
The news comes less than two months after it was initially announced in a post on X from Tesla UK, which stated: “The Model Y Standard is now available in the UK. Starting at £299/month. Test drives start in January.”
The Y Standard model will be offered in the UK at £41,990, slotting below the outgoing RWD model which starts at £48,990, a drop of over 14.2%.
That price puts it under the BYD Sealion 7 SUV, which starts at £44,990 in the UK.
In October, Tesla introduced its new “affordable” versions of its Model Y and Model 3 electric cars in the US, with a price cut of up to 11% off the base price.
Then, within days of that reveal, the company quickly launched a version of the Model Y, known as the Standard Model Y, in several European left-hand drive countries, revealing pricing and specifications.
With this reveal, we’ve seen some European specs for the non-US Y Standard model.
The new entry-level Model Y will hit the market with a WLTP range of 534 km and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds.
Another key difference between the Y Standard in the US and this version was that it would be offered with Autopilot in Europe.
That’s because in the US the car only comes with cruise control, which customers can upgrade to FSD Supervised for $99/month.
As the FSD Supervised software is not yet available in European markets, the company is offering the Autopilot kit to customers who purchase this entry-level, lower-cost car, which is equipped with the latest Tesla Hardware 4 (AI4), including a computer and a set of high-definition cameras.
This standard model is available with 18-inch wheels with aerodynamic covers. The styling of both models is similar to the current lineup, although the Model Y Standard has more Model 3-like headlights at the front.
The key change is that the glass roof is closed with fabric on the inside, in line with the rest of the interior.
The base model Y cuts costs by offering cloth seating materials, manual adjustments, 7-speaker audio and no rear screen.
The latest model will be produced at Tesla’s Berlin factory in both left- and right-hand drive markets, paving the way for its potential arrival in markets such as Australia and New Zealand.
The first Model Y test drives in the UK will start next month.
With the recent introduction of the Model Y Performance, we are starting to get Tesla cars built in Europe, so it could probably be the supplier plant if the Model Y Standard is offered here.
Tesla Model Y standard specs
Drive
Battery: Standard range
Range (WLTP): 534 km
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 7.2 sec
Drive: Rear wheel drive
Dimensions
Weight (ready to drive): 1,906 kg
Luggage space: 2,118 liters
Wheels: 18″
Seating capacity: 5 adults
Display: 15.4” central touch screen
Ground clearance: 164 mm
Overall width: Mirrors unfolded: 2,129 mm
Total height: 1,621 mm
Total length: 4,797 mm
Energy consumption: 13.1 kWh/100 km
Charging
Turbocharging, max: 175 kW
Charging speed: Charge up to 260 km in 15 minutes
Riz is the founder of Melbourne-based carloop, which specializes in Australian EV data, insights and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transportation infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, especially EVs, and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.