Review – Tesla Model Y Standard (2026), can you live with less?
What does the Tesla Model Y Standard still have?
Sure, we can tell you what’s not on it, but what is? The Model Y Standard has heated front seats, LED headlights with high beam assist, cruise control with traffic assist, a heated steering wheel and the eight cameras around the car with razor-sharp images. The car also has two wireless phone chargers, ambient lighting and, of course, the giant 15.4-inch touchscreen.
In addition, the car has over-the-air updates and access to the full Tesla Theater, Arcade games and Grok AI. You can pre-heat the car with the app, schedule charging and automatically navigate on the go through Tesla’s Supercharger network. In other words, everything that characterizes Tesla’s electric experience is still there. Only the luxury and performance have been scaled back a bit, not the technology or ease of use.
Tesla Model Y Standard (2026): is it possible to live with LESS? – AutoRAI TV
Lots of storage space
Not to mention, this car also has an extraordinary amount of storage space. The boot has a total capacity of up to 2,158 liters with the rear seats folded down and about 854 liters with the rear seats up. There is also a “frunk” (in the front) of about 117 liters. The trim on that frunk is a bit cheaper on the Standard compared to the Premium, though.
What does the car not have?
To arrive at a lower starting price, Tesla has left some things out of the Tesla Model Y Standard. The Dual Motor disappears – so you no longer get all-wheel drive. Also gone are the adaptive dampers and the electrically adjustable steering column, as well as the option of ventilation in the seats. The Premium Audio system gives way to a simpler sound system with fewer speakers.
Furthermore, some of the materials are less luxurious and you only have a choice of one color in the interior – so it is quickly made – and the rear seat is no longer electrically adjustable. You will also have to fold the outside mirrors by hand. In short: the Model Y Standard is sleeker, simpler and a little less flashy. But that doesn’t mean it’s barren, does it?

Range
Of course, you’ll also want to know about range. The Model Y Standard Rear Wheel Drive achieves 534 kilometers of range (WLTP) on a full charge of power. The Model Y Standard Long Range rear-wheel drive version gets 657 kilometers. We achieved an average energy consumption of about 15 kWh per 100 kilometers with this rear-wheel drive version, something exceptionally low for this type of car. Even in lower outside temperatures, we easily drove 17 kWh per 100 kilometers on average. Another reason to choose this car.
Two versions
Within the Standard range, there are two directions: the rear-wheel drive variant or a Long Range version with rear-wheel drive.
Model Y Standard Rear-wheel drive
- Starting price 39,990 euros
- 534 kilometers of range (WLTP)
- Top speed: 201 km/h
- 0-100: 7.2 seconds
Model Y Standard Long Range rear-wheel drive
- Starting price 46,990 euros
- 657 kilometers of range (WLTP)
- Top speed: 201 km/h
- 0-100: 7.2 seconds
The Model Y Premium Long Range rear-wheel drive has a price tag of 50,990 euros in the Netherlands. So this is quite a substantial price difference.
Tesla Model Y Standard equipment – in brief
- Hubcaps
- No continuous light bar at the front
- No fog lights
- No continuous rear light bar
- Fabric upholstery
- No buttons for electric seat adjustment
- No adaptive dampers
- No electrically adjustable steering column
- No ventilated front seats
- A simpler sound system with fewer speakers
- Exterior mirrors fold out manually
- No physical parking sensors
The Pearl White Multi-Coat color is standard. For Diamond Black or Stealth Grey, you pay 1,300 euros. Want to tow trailers up to 1,600 kg with a steel tow bar? Then order the tow bar for 1,350 euros.

Conclusion review Tesla Model Y Standard
Putting aside the somewhat dull color palette and the sometimes overly enthusiastic lane chassis, the Tesla Model Y does not feel sparse even in this Standard version. Quite the contrary: in fact, the car has everything on board. It also drives extremely nicely, with a very smooth powertrain and also very favorable energy consumption. Even at lower outside temperatures, we easily averaged 17 kWh per 100 kilometers. And that is handsome.
Above all, it is a very quiet and comfortable car with fine seats. The A-pillars are on the thick side though, which is something to take into account. But even as a Standard, this Model Y from Tesla manages to convince as far as we are concerned. Whatever your personal beliefs are about a Tesla: it is still one of the best cars in its segment. Economical, extremely spacious, nice and comfortable and easy to drive. It is a complete package, even as a Standard.
