Recently, leaked information about the anticipated new affordable Tesla Model Y has appeared online, highlighting a variety of modifications made to the vehicle’s exterior and interior. Among the most notable changes in the leaked Model Y video is the absence of a glass roof, a feature that is currently available in the existing models.
The panoramic roof was already heralded as one of the more attractive touches on pace and overall cabin space, yet its absence in the newer version appears to be a large way of reducing costs.
Besides, Tesla seems to have implemented minor yet significant adjustments to the front and back design of the vehicle. The grey rear insert, a characteristic feature of current models, has been replaced with a painted body panel, resulting in a more cohesive but less stylish effect.
There is also a new camera on the front bumper, likely to expand its driver assistance systems. However, the absence of a front light bar and a separate headlight design suggests a more conservative approach to lighting solutions. Another detail that is missing is the rear indirect light bar, with the suggestion that Tesla is not going to go with theatrics when it comes to lighting.
Interior Simplification: Minimalism, but Make It Budget
In the cabin, the new low-cost Model Y continues the long Tesla tradition of simple design with perhaps even less of it than before. It seems the seats are of regular type, and nowhere is there any mention of ventilation, which is one of the higher trims.
Interestingly, the storage that could be found in front of cupholders has been eliminated, and cupholders do not have a retractable cover, as they are in the new interiors of Model Y. Although these may appear as insignificant details, the fact that they are not mentioned indicates that Tesla had a rather aggressive strategy to optimize material and manufacturing costs.
A second major novelty is the fact that it has no rear display screen, a concept also introduced to the upgrade version of both Model 3 and Model Y. Its omission indicates that this lower price model will be simpler than the one with a few luxury details.
Tesla has also allegedly gone to one stalk to carry out turn signal maneuvers, a continued effort toward simpler controls, but possibly of concern to some drivers, who may be accustomed to dual-stalk systems.
Breaking:
Tesla’s New Affordable Model Spotted!
Close-up shots reveal more details of Tesla’s budget-friendly new car — a cheaper version of the Model Y in camo wrap!
Highlights:
No panoramic glass roof
Fabric seats front and rear
Ventilated seats removedSome details… pic.twitter.com/BjMs01Pucd
— Moshe. The Electric Israeli (@ElectricIsraeli) July 26, 2025
What This Means for the EV Market
These modifications indicate that Tesla wants to reach a smaller price range to compete with the middle-level electric vehicles and take a larger market portion of the mass one. Tesla has yet to officially announce prices or launch dates, but the stripped-down features suggest that it could be producing a model much cheaper than anything currently offered by Tesla.
As the world is fast adopting the usage of electric vehicles, there is also an emerging trend of affordability becoming a significant factor when deciding on an EV purchase. By launching a cheaper, but stripped-down version of Model Y, Tesla would introduce the company to a wider audience, which values the basic, improved performance and the range more than the luxury features.
The plan resembles the one used by Tesla in the case of the Model 3, which was also launched as a low-cost Standard Range Plus product after the luxury version was released.
