All Tesla watchers are eagerly waiting to see the new smaller and lower cost vehicles from Tesla. These new vehicle models are expected to be seen in and built in the next 120 days.
However, it is actually tough to spot a compact car with one photo without a full sized vehicle like a Model Y beside it.
The new 2025 Tesla Model Y is 187 inches (4,751 millimeters) long. A compact vehicle might only be 12-27 inches shorter. It is most important for a lower cost electric car to be lighter to use less batteries.
Compact SUVs made by other companies are about 13 to 16 inches shorter.
Kia Seltos: 172.6 inches long, 70.9 inches wide, and 63.4 inches high
Chevrolet Trailblazer: 174.07 inches long, 71.2 inches wide, and 65.2 inches high
Buick Encore GX: 171.16 inches long, 71.39 inches wide, and 64.9 inches high
Hyundai Venue: An affordable SUV with a starting price close to $20,000. (Hyundai Venue is 159 inches long or about 18 inches or 450 millimeters shorter than a new Tesla Model Y).
A BYD Atto 3 is compared to a Tesla model Y. It is about 300 millimeters shorter.
Here is a Smart compact SUV compared to a Tesla Model Y (model Y in the background)
A compact version would weigh about 200-300 kilograms less than a regular model Y.
Camouflaged Model Y at Giga Texas this morning … here are some still images from the air … what do you think this is? Interesting development! pic.twitter.com/9ZxQR1eV2M
— Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 (@JoeTegtmeyer) February 12, 2025
The current refreshed model Y versus this newly spotted model.
New covered Tesla.
Taking out 15-20% of the weight would be key to reducing the battery pack size while keeping good range.
The front of this vehicle looks like there are 3-5 inches shaved off. This would be consistent with a vehicle that is like the BYD Atto 3. A total of 12 inches shorter. Shave 4 inches from the front ahead of the front wheel, 4 inches from the back behind the back wheel and 4 inches between the wheels.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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This would steal a lot of Model 3 sales…
I think they would be better off making another pickup, still keep the somehow ugly & cool, Cybertruck. But on the same skateboard, build a more traditional one. Sales in the US would grow quickly…but would be smaller or course in other countries that don’t love freedom.😏