Model Y driver claims he had Autopilot engaged and fell asleep.
Police found a loaded pistol without a valid owner’s identification.
The 43-year-old was arrested and charged with several offenses.
A Tesla driver in Illinois has been arrested after plowing into the rear of a Ford Explorer police cruiser that had stopped for a traffic investigation.
However, this was more than a simple case of a distracted driver rear-ending another motorist, as the Tesla owner told police that the vehicle’s Autopilot system was engaged and that he had fallen asleep behind the wheel.
Local authorities say a 2022 Tesla Model Y caused the crash and shared images of the crumpled cruiser on Facebook. They show that the impact has caved in the SUV’s rear end and that both taillights have been knocked out of position.
In all likelihood, some damage has also been done to the frame, and there’s a good chance the Ford could be declared a complete write-off.
Autopilot or Absent Driver?
The South Barrington Police Department says the squad car was pulled over to the shoulder with its emergency lights flashing when the Tesla plowed into the back of it. The driver told officers he had activated Autopilot, dozed off, and didn’t wake up in time to react.
Two officers and the driver were taken to Ascension St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. All three sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were later released.
Driver Arrested and Charged
To make matters worse for the 43-year-old driver, he was found to be carrying a loaded handgun, despite not having a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card. As a result, he was reportedly arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
He was also cited for failing to yield a full lane or reduce speed when approaching an emergency vehicle. The Tesla owner was taken to Cook County Circuit Court, where he’s scheduled to appear on December 3.
If the driver did indeed fall asleep with Autopilot engaged, it could raise concerns about the effectiveness of Tesla’s driver monitoring system.
The electric carmaker will likely send engineers out to analyze the Model Y and determine whether the driver-assistance system was enabled at the time of the collision and if its warning systems functioned as they should have.
A total of 437,487 EVs were sold in the US during Q3 2025.
Topping the charts were the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Other strong sellers included the Ioniq 5 and the Prologue.
Final sales results for the third quarter are now in, closing one of the most closely watched reporting periods the electric vehicle market has seen in recent years. No doubt, the Trump administration’s move to scrap the federal EV tax credit sparked a final buying spree that sent sales figures sharply upward.
Unsurprisingly, two familiar Tesla models held a commanding lead, but several other notable models experienced significant demand spikes.
How Big Was the Jump?
According to Kelley Blue Book data, U.S. EV sales hit an all-time quarterly high of 438,487 units, up 40.7 percent from Q2 and 29.6 percent higher year over year, surpassing the previous record from Q4 2024 by nearly 20 percent.
Electric vehicles also claimed a record 10.5 percent share of total vehicle sales, up from 8.6 percent in the same period last year.
The Tesla Model Y was still comfortably the most popular EV in the United States, as 114,897 were sold during the period, a 29 percent increase from 89,077 delivered last year. Even so, Tesla’s overall market share slipped to 41 percent from 49 percent a year ago.
In second place was another Tesla, the Model 3, at 53,857 units. That result was actually down 7.8 percent year over year, suggesting some buyers may have shifted their attention toward the updated Model Y.
The first non-Tesla entrant on the best-sellers list was the Chevrolet Equinox EV. A total of 25,085 were sold, a huge 156.7 percent rise from 9,772.
Positioned not far behind it were the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with 21,999 sales, the Honda Prologue with 20,236 sales, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E with 20,177 sales. The VW ID.4 was also a strong performer for the quarter, with 12,470 units, a 176 percent increase from Q3 2024.
A surprise inclusion among the best-sellers was the Audi Q6 e-tron. A total of 10,299 SUVs were sold during the quarter, an impressive result considering that model’s premium positioning that allowed it to outsell the Ford F-150 Lightning (10,005 units).
Other strong performers included the Rivian R1S with 8,184 sales, the Chevrolet Blazer EV (8,089), the Kia EV9 (7,510), and the Cadillac Lyriq, of which 7,309 found new homes.
Still, fewer than 10 models managed to exceed 10,000 sales in Q3 2025, underscoring how top-heavy the market remains. For most automakers, EV volume remains well below the levels needed for profitability.
The Best Sellers YTD
Year-to-date figures show total U.S. EV sales surpassed 1.04 million units, up 11.7 percent from about 935,000 a year earlier.
Tesla continued to lead with 451,160 units, down 4.3 percent year over year but still holding a 41 percent market share. Chevrolet followed in second place with 87,137 units, a 113 percent jump, while Ford ranked third with 69,600 (+2.8%) and Hyundai came in fourth at 57,167 (+31.1%).
Among individual models, the Tesla Model Y led the way with 265,085 units, down 8 percent year over year, followed by the Model 3 at 155,180, up 18 percent. Chevrolet’s Equinox EV climbed into third place with 52,834 sales, a massive 390 percent surge.
Ford’s Mustang Mach-E posted 41,962, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 reached 41,091, and the Honda Prologue recorded 36,553. Tesla’s Cybertruck ranked seventh at 25,973, edging out the Ford F-150 Lightning’s 23,034 and Volkswagen’s ID.4 at 22,125. The Chevrolet Blazer EV closed the top ten with 20,825 units.
What Happens Next
With federal incentives now expired, analysts expect a cooldown. “The training wheels are coming off,” said Cox Automotive’s Director of Industry Insights, Stephanie Valdez Streaty. “The federal tax credit was a key catalyst for EV adoption, and its expiration marks a pivotal moment.”
Cox Automotive projects a temporary dip in EV sales through late 2025 and early 2026 before growth steadies again over the long term.
Tesla is recalling nearly 13,000 vehicles that could lose drive power.
The issue is being blamed on bad contactors with InTiCa solenoids.
The recall impacts the 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y EVs.
The elimination of the clean vehicle tax credit isn’t Tesla’s only problem as the automaker is recalling 12,963 EVs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says they may be equipped with a battery pack contactor that can fail, causing a loss of drive power.
The issue impacts thousands of vehicles including the 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y. However, only 1% of them are believed to have the defect.
According to the safety recall report, the vehicles have a battery pack contactor with an InTiCa solenoid. The latter can “suddenly open” due to a poor coil termination connection, which can lead to a loss of propulsion.
This increases the risk of a collision and drivers won’t receive any warning prior to losing drive power.
Tesla launched an investigation in August, following multiple reports about vehicles that wouldn’t shift into drive from park. These were found to have a high coil resistance on the pack contactor, which caused Tesla to replace the component.
The company examined the contactors and eventually blamed them for causing the issue. While details are limited, Tesla is aware of 26 field reports and 36 warranty claims related to the issue. Thankfully, no accidents or injuries were reported.
To address the problem, customers will need to take their vehicle to a Tesla service center where technicians will replace the contactor with one that doesn’t include an InTiCa solenoid. Letters are scheduled to go out on December 9 and repairs will be performed free of charge.
Tesla’s latest update replaces its vehicle display with a Tron Ares animation.
The update has frustrated some owners who view it as in-car advertising.
Elon Musk once criticized Disney but now seems open to collaboration.
Tesla helped pioneer over-the-air software updates, introducing new features without owners ever having to visit a dealership or service center. It was a move that set the brand apart, positioning its cars as tech products that could evolve long after leaving the factory floor.
Of course, there’s always a “but” with progress, and Tesla’s latest update is no exception.
And this time, Tesla’s latest software update has landed with a thud among owners, as it’s essentially an advertisement for the upcoming film Tron: Ares. Welcome to 2025, where your car can double as a mobile billboard.
The update transforms the on-board visualizations found on the central display of the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. Normally, one of Tesla’s vehicles is displayed here, but after installing the update, that image is replaced with an Tron bike, just like the ones featured in the film.
Owners can access the new animations by heading into the App Launcher, opening Toybox, and enabling it. Admittedly, the Tron bike does look quite cool, particularly since it leaves a trail of red light behind it.
However, it somewhat reeks of desperation for the company to add a feature like this, and has raised questions whether Disney is compensating Tesla for featuring its latest blockbuster so prominently inside customer vehicles.
Tesla boss Elon Musk has had a strained relationship with Disney over the past few years. In late 2023, he decried Disney’s decision to stop advertising on X after he supported an antisemitic post. He also called for Disney chief executive Bob Iger to be fired, and soon after, had Tesla remove the Disney+ app from its infotainment system.
Evidently, Tesla’s relationship with Disney has improved over the past couple of years, or else this wouldn’t be happening.
Had someone asked Musk in late 2023 whether Tesla cars would one day promote a Disney movie, he likely would have laughed off the idea. Yet here we are, two years later, watching the worlds of Silicon Valley and Hollywood collide once again, this time on your dashboard.
Analysts say carmakers are fighting just to maintain basic EV sales levels.
Tesla hopes to maintain EV demand with the entry-level Model 3 and Y.
Acura and Stellantis confirm plans to axe two key electric vehicle programs.
Electric vehicle shoppers are waking up to a new reality. With the federal EV tax credit now gone, many models have effectively become $7,500 more expensive overnight, whether bought outright or through the once-reliable lease loophole.
To soften the blow, several manufacturers are getting inventive, introducing aggressive discounts, cheaper trims, and in some cases, cutting slow-selling models altogether.
The end of the tax credit on September 30 led to a significant surge in EV sales across the United States; however, sales are expected to decline through the final quarter of the year. In a bid to try and prop up demand, Hyundai is offering a cash incentive worth up to $11,000 on the 2025 Ioniq 5.
Automakers Get Creative
Both General Motors and Ford have also been looking for ways to encourage shoppers to pick up the keys to one of their models.
For example, GM had been working on a plan for its lending arm to initiate the purchase of EVs at dealership lots and then apply for the $7,500 federal credit, rolling this money into lease terms for customers. However, it recently scrapped these plans, reports Reuters.
Nevertheless, it shows how creative some firms are getting to try and ensure EV sales don’t fall off a cliff. This week, Tesla also introduced lower-priced versions of the Model 3 and Model Y.
While both of these models were in the works before the Trump administration confirmed that the credit would be axed, they may help to convince some shoppers to buy an EV who would have otherwise been priced out of the market.
According to Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds, automakers are taking varied approaches to a common problem.
“The overarching message of tax credits going away for EVs has had a very different set of approaches from each automaker,” he told Business Insider. “Which approach will be most successful? Debatable. Nobody’s looking to increase. That’s cuckoo talk at this point. You just want to maintain that basic level of sustainable sales, and this is the different methodologies that each of them have taken.”
Some brands have decided that cutting losses may be the most practical move. Both Stellantis and Acura have opted to discontinue certain EV models altogether. Acura recently confirmed it will pull the plug on its all-electric ZDX SUV, while Stellantis has shelved plans for the RAM 1500 REV.
It’s yet another reminder that even in an age of electrification, not every experiment makes it through the market’s growing pains.
Tesla introduces new “Standard” trim levels for the Model 3 and Model Y.
Model 3 Standard starts at $36,990, while Model Y Standard at $39,990.
Autosteer, AM/FM radio are gone, while shock absorbers are downgraded.
For all of Elon Musk’s grand promises over the past couple of years about game-changing budget Teslas, the much-touted affordable models have arrived with more of a polite cough than a thunderclap.
As we expected after several leaks these past few weeks, the newcomer is essentially a heavily cost-cut version of the Model Y. Still, glance upward and you might realize that, in Tesla’s peculiar logic, less sometimes really does mean more. We’ll circle back to that soon.
Even so, Tesla slipped in a small surprise with the introduction of a lower-priced Model 3, both now bundled under the newly introduced “Standard” trim name.
Alongside these launches, Tesla has reshuffled its trim lineup. Entry-level versions now carry the Standard name, while the mid-range Long Range models have been renamed Premium. The Performance flagships of both cars remain in place at the top of the hierarchy.
Lower Prices, Leaner Package
The headline figures set the tone: the Model 3 Standard starts at $36,990, which is $5,500 less than the previous base Long Range RWD. The Model Y Standard begins at $39,990, a $5,000 reduction compared with its RWD Premium equivalent. These figures exclude delivery fees, of course.
Both models a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup and a smaller 69 kWh battery pack with one fewer module than usual.
Model Y Standard
Starting with the Model Y Standard, the range sits at an EPA-estimated 321 miles, a dip from the 357 miles offered by the RWD Premium. Acceleration is a lot slower too, hitting 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.8 seconds with a rollout, versus the Premium’s 5.4-second run. Top speed remains unchanged at 125 mph.
Specs tell only half the story, though. Tesla has stripped away so much that the car now feels like something you’d leave in the economy lot after a long weekend in Vegas, drop the keys, and never think about again.
The middle section of the lightbar has vanished, which isn’t exactly a bad thing. Some might even call it an improvement, if only by accident. The front bumper has been simplified too, with revised air inlets and lighting elements now integrated into the headlamps. Around the back, the Juniper’s trademark taillights drop their connecting center strip.
Elsewhere, new smaller 18-inch wheels come as standard, with a 19-inch option available. The simplified wheel covers might not win any style awards, but the extra tire sidewall should improve ride comfort. Color choices are limited to three: Stealth Grey as standard, plus Pearl White for $1,000 and Diamond Black for $1,500.
No FM/AM Radio And Downgraded Suspension
The biggest changes are found inside. The vegan leather seats have been swapped for textile inserts, and the center console now features a large open compartment reminiscent of the Cybertruck’s utilitarian layout.
Front seat ventilation and rear seat heating have been dropped, and rear passengers lose their 8-inch fun screen in favor of manual vents. The driver also gets a manually adjustable steering wheel instead of an electric one.
Digging a little deeper into the spec sheet uncovers several more omissions. Tesla has downgraded the audio system, fitting this version with seven speakers instead of the 15-speaker setup and subwoofer found in higher trims. The FM / AM radio is gone too, along with the HEPA filter and ‘Bioweapon Defense Mode’.
Even the side mirrors are now manually folded and no longer feature auto-dimming, while Autosteer has been removed. The second-row seats, power-operated in the other trims, are now manually folded. Ambient LED lighting and the double-pane windows have also been dropped.
Interestingly, there seems to be a suspension change as well. The Standard version now uses passive shock absorbers rather than the frequency-dependent units fitted to other models.
Once again, it raises the question of what other features might have quietly slipped away.
Now You See It, Now You Don’t
Look upward and you’ll spot the most obvious alteration. The Model Y Standard trades its see-through roof for a regular headliner with sound-absorbing material above it, something many Model Y owners have long wanted, albeit in the form of a retractable shade, not a full-on cover-up.
But appearances can be deceiving. The glass roof hasn’t gone anywhere, it’s simply hiding beneath the new headliner. Apparently, Tesla figured it was more cost-effective to leave the glass in place rather than invest the time and money needed to engineer a proper metal roof, which makes sense up to a point.
What’s less clear, unless there’s something we’re missing such as a switch to a cheaper type of glass, is why they went through the extra effort and expense of covering it at all. If the goal wasn’t cost-saving, it would have made more sense to leave it visible, as with the Model 3 Standard.
The only other plausible explanation might be differentiation from the other versions, or perhaps an attempt to offset the loss of the double-pane windows and maintain cabin quietness.
Everything else you love and loathe about the Model Y experience remains as is, from the 15.4-inch touchscreen that serves as both the instrument cluster and infotainment system to the steering stalks.
Model 3 Standard
Moving to the Model 3 Standard, the EPA estimates a 321-mile range, down from the RWD Premium’s 363 miles. The sedan sprints to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds with rollout and matches the same 125 mph top speed.
Visually, the exterior updates are more restrained than on the Model Y. There wasn’t much to take away to begin with, so the main differences come from the smaller 18-inch wheels that should offer a slightly comfier ride, with 19-inch options once again available. The same trio of paint choices carries over: standard grey, optional white, and black.
Inside, the cabin sticks to the same cost-cutting playbook as the Model Y Standard, though with one notable exception: the glass roof remains. Textile seats take the place of vegan leather, the steering wheel adjusts manually, the rear touchscreen has been deleted, and the audio system has been simplified.
All the other omissions noted on the Model Y Standard, including the change in shock absorbers, carry over here too.
Tesla offers two different manual rear door release designs in the Model Y.
Apparently, some of these vehicles lack a manual rear door release entirely.
Owners are adding ropes to the rear door cables for quick emergency use.
Concerns over Tesla’s electronic door handles have intensified after several recent fatalities were linked to situations where occupants couldn’t escape following a crash or fire. The incidents have not only landed Tesla in hot water with safety authorities, but have also sparked broader conversations within the auto industry about safety design and emergency accessibility.
Many owners are now asking themselves what they can do to ensure their vehicles are ready should the unthinkable happen.
Late last week, a Reddit user sparked discussion by asking how to rescue children from the rear of a Model Y in the event of a collision and fire.
“Me and my wife have a Juniper and with a baby on the way it got me thinking,” wrote a user on Reddit.
“You get into a crash. High voltage battery catches fire, inside is filling up with smoke, 12v battery dies. You use the manual release on the driver’s door to open the door and now you can get out. But how do you get your child/baby out of the backseat/childseat on the passenger side? 3 other doors are locked. No chance you’re reaching the manual release on that door from the driver’s seat,” they added.
To Tesla’s credit, the Model Y includes an easily accessible manual release for the front doors, located just ahead of the window controls. This means front-seat occupants can exit quickly, even if the electronic system fails. The same can’t be said for those in the back seats.
Hidden Escape Points
For whatever reason, the manual release at the rear of the 2020-2024 Model Y is much more difficult to access. To pull it, occupants need to remove the rubber mat at the bottom of the door pocket, press on a red tab to remove a plastic access door, and then pull the mechanical release cable forward. For a child, particularly in a panicked situation, access will be challenging.
Tesla redesigned the rear door’s manual release for the Model Y Juniper, although a plastic release cover still needs to be removed before accessing the release cable.
DIY Safety Mods
Some Model Y owners, inspired by the Reddit thread, have taken matters into their own hands. A few have attached small straps to the rear release cable so it’s easy to spot and pull, while others suggest connecting a rope that extends toward the front of the cabin, giving the driver a way to open the rear doors quickly in an emergency.
That said, these homemade solutions don’t help everyone. Tesla’s owner’s manual for the 2020-2024 Model Y reveals that “not all Model Y vehicles are equipped with a manual release for the rear doors.”
So, if the rear doors can’t be opened from the inside, nor from the outside after a crash and/or fire, that means the only way to free passengers in the rear will be to drag them out from the front seats, or to bust out the rear windows.
Tesla sales rebounded in Q3 as Americans rushed before tax credits expired.
The automaker delivered 497,099 vehicles, up from 462,890 units last year.
Deliveries soared 29.4% from Q2 on strong demand for Model 3 and Model Y.
Tesla’s been having a terrible year, but there’s a bit of good news as third quarter deliveries climbed 7.4% from last year. That’s a sizable increase and it’s believed the recently expired clean vehicle tax credit played a significant role in driving consumers to showrooms.
Jumping right into the numbers, Tesla delivered 481,166 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the third quarter. That’s up from 439,975 last year, for an increase of 9.4%.
However, it wasn’t all roses as the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck continue to underperform. Q3 deliveries dropped from 22,915 units last year to 15,933 vehicles this time around.
In total, Tesla produced 447,450 vehicles and delivered 497,099. One year ago, the company made 469,796 EVs and only delivered 462,890.
2025 Q3 Tesla Production And Deliveries
Production
Deliveries
Model 3/Y
435,826
481,166
Other Models
11,624
15,933
Total
447,450
497,099
SWIPE
Digging deeper, Tesla sales have rebounded significantly since Elon Musk’s disastrous foray into politics turned off a number of consumers. Compared to last quarter, deliveries soared an impressive 29.4%. The biggest boost came from the Model 3 and Y, which were up by 107,438 units. Deliveries of “other models” also grew by 53.3% as the company handed over 15,933 of them.
Of course, the sales bonanza is likely over now that the tax credit is dead. This means customers will need to shell out at least $42,490 for a Model 3 or $44,990 for the Model Y. Those prices will likely limit their appeal, although the company is working to address that with a cheaper Model Y.
They’re not the only ones working on more affordable EVs as Hyundai recently slashed prices for the 2026 Ioniq 5. The crossover starts at $35,000, which is $7,600 less than last year’s model. Other trims have steeper reductions and they average $9,155.
Tesla’s Model Y Standard is said to drop luxury touches for only $5K off the price.
Cut features reportedly include glass roof, second-row screen, and HEPA air filter.
Redesigned fascia loses full-width LED light bar and gets a simple looking bumper.
Update II: Tesla has posted a teaser on its X channel hinting at a new reveal later this week, on October 7. The company shared two brief clips, one that appears to show a spinning wheel cover, and another featuring the front end of a new model with distinct, separated headlamps. Both the timing and, more importantly, the shape of those headlights strongly suggest it’s the budget version of the Model Y seen here.
Some have speculated that the teaser could point to the long-delayed Roadster, though that appears unlikely. The Roadster prototypes previously shown by Tesla featured different alloy wheels without covers, along with a lighting signature that doesn’t match what’s visible in this teaser.
Update I: Well, that didn’t take long. Just hours after the leaked option codes surfaced, a prototype of what looks to be the most stripped-down version of the Model Y was spotted undisguised by X user Ryan Marble near Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas.
The new photos confirm the removal of the front light bar, along with a more basic front bumper that no longer features the aero cut-outs. No doubt some diehard fans will hail it as “cleaner,” though others may just call it cheaper looking. At the back, the center light bar is gone as well, as is the spaced-out “T E S L A” badging, giving the rear fascia a plainer, less futuristic feel.
It’s still unclear from these shots whether the rumored change to the roof has gone ahead, swapping the panoramic glass panel for a solid black section. The wheels, meanwhile, seem to have shrunk to 18 inches rather than the 19-inch sets fitted to the current RWD and AWD variants. (by John Halas)
What could be our first look at Tesla’s long-rumored entry-level Model Y has surfaced online, sparking plenty of debate about whether it’s the real deal. If it is, then the newcomer appears to take a seriously pared-back approach compared to the Model Y we know today, stripped of many features that define its higher-priced counterparts.
The open question is whether such a cut-down version would help Tesla boost sales across the US and other key markets, or if it risks being seen as too compromised to win over buyers. Of course, much of the answer will hinge on pricing, especially compared with the current base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which starts at $44,490 in the States now that the $7,500 tax credit has disappeared.
Simpler Looks
The image comes from TheTeslaNewswire on X, which claims the shot briefly appeared on Tesla’s website before disappearing. In the photo, the the new base Model Y ditches the full-width LED light bar fitted to current crossover and instead wears a pair of narrow headlights that resemble those on the refreshed Model 3. The front bumper has been pared back too, losing its usual air curtains and settling for a plainer black grille along the lower edge.
This entry version, apparently set to carry the Model Y Standard badge, rides on 18-inch wheels with black plastic aero covers. The effect is about as minimal as Tesla has ever gone on its mainstream models.
A No-Frills Cabin
Several changes are also being reported, although official images have yet to appear. The same account that dug through the website’s source code suggests the panoramic glass roof, standard on all current Tesla passenger models, will be dropped in favor of a solid roof, with textile trim pieces added in its place.
A manually adjustable steering wheel will also be part of the package. In the back, the second-row touchscreen has been dropped, replaced with manual air vents. Tesla has removed the HEPA filter as well, a change that lines up with reports from a well-known hacker who mentioned similar cuts last month.
Extract 1:
Model Y Standard","Bring Everyone and Everything","Unparalleled Efficiency","Have More Fun","Virtually Low Maintenance","Built for Safety"],"card_description":[" ","For anybody and every drive.","Load up your friends and family with seating up to five and bring all…
An extract from Tesla’s website describing the new model was also shared on X by the same account. it says Tesla describes the model as providing “unparalleled efficiency” and having “virtually low maintenance,” which we suspect should say ‘virtually no maintenance.’ Tesla also notes that it doesn’t require “oil changes, tunes ups or smoke checks,” and that all owners will need to do is “refill the washer fluid and rotate your tires.”
When Cheap Isn’t That Cheap
Then there’s the all-important price. Apparently, the Model Y Standard will start at a claimed $39,990 in the United States. That’s only $5,000 less than the current base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which doesn’t sound like a good deal, particularly given all the features the Standard version is lacking. Even more so if you consider that just days ago, before the federal EV tax credit was scrapped, buyers could pick up the Long Range RWD for as little as $37,490.
🔥🔥 More affordable Tesla Model Y Standard leaked on the website!
✅ Called Model Y Standard ✅ $39,990 starting price ✅ Redesigned front fascia ✅ Single-part headlights ✅ Front bumper camera ✅ No front light bar ✅ No glass roof (“closed glass roof”) ✅ New 18” Aperture… pic.twitter.com/eGm4QnMxJm
Model Y Performance packs 460bhp, 0-62 mph in 3.5s, and adaptive suspension.
Top Gear calls it stable and refined, but says Long Range AWD offers better value.
Priced £10,000 higher in the UK, yet real-world benefits remain fairly marginal.
It’s official. The new Tesla Model Y Performance is rolling out across most global markets, including the US where it comes in at $57,490, as well as Europe. Buyers get more power, more speed, updated styling, and subtle chassis tweaks.
In Britain, the starting figure is £61,925 (around $75,500), which makes it roughly £10,000 more than the Long Range AWD. In the US, the gap is a little narrower at $8,500. Even so, Top Gear argues that the premium is enough for buyers to think twice before ticking the Performance box.
Tom Ford from the famous British auto journal drove the updated Performance variant and found that while it delivers excellent performance, the upgrades don’t make it a must-have. The SUV is unquestionably quicker and sharper, but Ford noted that the standard Long Range already accelerates in under five seconds, offers slightly more range, and costs £10,000 less in the UK.
What extras buy you
The Performance gets a handful of changes to justify that price hike, including staggered Arachnid 2.0 21-inch wheels, red-painted calipers, revised bumpers, and a carbon spoiler. Tesla claims it’s cut drag by 10 percent and lift by 64 percent compared to the original Model Y Performance. It also gets a larger 16-inch infotainment system, carbon interior trim, and sport seats with extra bolstering.
Under the skin, it has a lot going for it on paper. The suspension features reinforced parts, stiffer bushings, and adaptive bits as well. It’s good enough that Ford says it’s “class-leading.” Despite that, the sum of its parts doesn’t end up being good enough for an all-out recommendation. “It’s not night and day better than the standard vehicle,” he says.
Everyday reality check
Drilling down further, he gets into the nitty-gritty of the situation for real, everyday buyers. This is, after all, a relatively (if not slightly pricey) mainstream crossover. It’s not a Model X or another flagship of sorts.
As he put it, “A Y is a family SUV, so more go isn’t needed – the fast stuff makes more sense in, say, a Model 3. And then there’s the fact that the standard all-wheel drive long-range car is still sub-five to 62mph, has a smidge more range, doesn’t look much different, and costs a straight £10k less.”
At this point, it sounds like the Model Y Performance is indeed an upgrade over the Long Range in terms of driving engagement. At the same time, it’s not a leap-and-bound sort of improvement.
Could Tesla have done more?
That’s a bit curious considering a few small things, like perhaps simulated gear shifts and some fun faux exhaust or rev noises might have amped up the fun like Hyundai does with the (a lot) more expensive Ioniq 5 N. We’ll have to wait to test one stateside to make our own determination. Until then, what do you think of the latest high-spec Model Y?
Tesla’s Model Y Performance is now live on the configurator, priced at $57,490.
The all-wheel drive hero model has a 308-mile range and a 155 mph top speed.
Company has also increased lease prices following govt’s axing of EV tax credits.
Tesla’s facelift of the Model Y SUV hasn’t proved enough to halt a decline in sales, but from this week, there’s a fresh reason to give the automaker’s showrooms some of your time. The range-topping Model Y Performance is officially on sale in the US, and at just $57,490, it looks like a seriously good value for what it puts on the table.
If you’d rather lease the flagship Model Y Performance, Tesla’s current terms start with a $4,300 down payment and $635 per month for 36 months with a 10,000-mile annual limit. Opting for a shorter 24-month lease bumps the payment to $745 per month. The down payment is flexible, however, and can drop as low as $1,427 depending on how you structure the deal.
For that money, you get a bi-motor, all-wheel drive, five-seat SUV that can explode from zero to 60 mph (97 kmh) in just 3.3 seconds, tops out at 155 mph (250 kmh), and has a 308-mile (496 km) range. That compares with 4.6 seconds, 125 mph (201 kmh), and 327 miles (526 km) for the next Model Y down, the $48,990 Long Range All-Wheel Drive.
If you don’t care about the more explosive performance and a selection of other goodies like the body-hugging front sport seats and the improved suspension with adaptive damping that promises to offer a better handling and ride, you’re better off pocketing the $8,500 difference and opting for the Long Range AWD instead.
Options? What Options
Tesla doesn’t offer many options for the Performance, giving buyers the choice of six colors at no extra cost and no alternative wheel selections other than the standard 21-inch Arachnid 2.0 rims. The only really pricey available add-on is the over-promising Full Self-Driving package for $8,000, though buyers can inflate their bill with stuff like a roof rack and air mattress.
We already knew some of the Performance tech details, plus how much it cost in Europe, but until now, US prices remained an unknown quantity. At $57.5k, the Performance massively undercuts Hyundai’s Ioniq 5N, which costs $66,200, but not Ford’s Mustang Mach-E in GT trim. One of those is only $54,495, but it is also half a second slower to 60 mph and has a poor 280-mile range. Then again, the 5N, which does match the Y against the clock, is rated at a pathetic 221 miles (356 km).
Though various states, such as Colorado, offer EV incentives that can bring the price of a Performance lower, the federal EV tax credit program finished at the end of September, having been axed by President Trump. That means no opportunity for a chunky $7,500 discount. And it also means leasing a Tesla just got more expensive.
Lease Prices Jump
Although Tesla so far hasn’t changed the MSRPs of its other cars, it did raise leasing prices when the tax credit availability expired, Reuters reports. Lease deals for the Model Y RWD and AWD jumped from a range of $479-$529 to $529-$599 a month. Meanwhile, Model 3 lease prices, including the Performance, jumped from a range of $349 to $699 to $429 to $759 per month.
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