Tesla Model Y Standard RWD

Overview

The 2025 Tesla Model Y Standard Range RWD is back, slotting in as the brilliant new entry point to the lineup. It’s a proper all-electric SUV that packages Tesla’s cutting-edge tech, impressive practicality, and punchy performance into a more accessible offering. For a starting price around $39,990, you get the quintessential Tesla experience, including access to the superb Supercharger network and that famously minimalist cabin. It's poised to be a top seller, delivering the core attributes that make the Model Y a dominant force in the EV market.

What's New for 2025?

The biggest news for 2025 is the triumphant return of this Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive model to the US market. While Tesla shuns traditional model-year updates in favor of continuous over-the-air software improvements, the 2025 iteration benefits from the latest manufacturing refinements. Expect potential minor tweaks like updated interior materials or new wheel designs to trickle down from other trims. However, the reintroduction of this more affordable, RWD configuration is the key highlight, making the Model Y accessible to a wider audience once again.

Design & Exterior

The Model Y’s exterior is a familiar and slick piece of design, looking like a taller, more muscular Model 3. Its smooth, flowing lines and handle-less doors give it a futuristic and minimalist aesthetic that’s all about aerodynamic efficiency. This Standard RWD trim typically comes with stylish 19-inch Gemini wheels designed to maximize range. The vehicle's dimensions are substantial, measuring 188.9 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall, giving it a confident stance on the road without feeling overly cumbersome in the city.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Model Y embraces radical minimalism, with a cabin dominated by a massive 15-inch central touchscreen that controls nearly every function. There’s no traditional instrument cluster, which can take some getting used to. Seating for five is spacious, and the all-glass roof creates a bright, airy feel. Practicality is off the charts; you get a generous 30.2 cubic feet of trunk space, which expands to a massive 74 cubic feet with the seats folded. Plus, a handy 2.6 cubic-foot frunk under the hood provides even more storage.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let the "Standard" name fool you; this EV is plenty quick for daily duties. Power from the single rear Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) delivers a brisk 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds. With 220 kW (about 295 hp) and 310 lb-ft of instant torque going to the rear wheels, it feels eager and responsive around town. The low-slung battery gives it a planted, go-kart-like handling feel, and the one-pedal driving mode using strong regenerative braking is intuitive and makes stop-and-go traffic a breeze.

Range, Battery & Charging

This Model Y is equipped with a 69.5 kWh usable battery pack, which Green Cars Compare calculates will deliver a real-world range of 294 miles. It’s impressively efficient, achieving around 4.23 mi/kWh. At home, the 11.5 kW AC charger can replenish the battery overnight. On the road, it’s a beast, capable of hitting a peak DC fast charging speed of 225 kW on Tesla's Supercharger network. Using the native NACS port, you can add significant range in under 30 minutes, making road trips a piece of cake.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a cornerstone for Tesla, and the Model Y boasts a top-tier 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Every model comes standard with Autopilot, which includes traffic-aware adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to ease highway driving. Core safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring are also included. For more advanced capabilities, buyers can opt for the Enhanced Autopilot or the controversial Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capability packages, which add features like auto lane change and Autopark.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Tesla’s warranty package is competitive. The Model Y comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile basic limited warranty. More importantly for an EV, the battery and drive unit are covered for a lengthy 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, with a guarantee of minimum 70% battery capacity retention. One of the perks of Tesla ownership is the near-zero required maintenance. There are no oil changes, and over-the-air software updates continuously improve the car without a trip to the service center, keeping ownership simple and convenient.