Tesla owners and EV enthusiasts love speculating about the next vehicle to roll out of Fremont or Gigafactory Texas — but just as heated as the specs debate is the question of what Tesla will actually call the thing. After Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck, naming conventions have become their own subculture in the Tesla community. If you’ve been refreshing Reddit threads and Electrek headlines trying to nail down the new Tesla model name, here’s everything we know, everything that’s been rumored, and where the naming strategy might go next.
The Story Behind Tesla’s Current Model Names
Tesla’s current naming lineup is one of the most recognizable in automotive history, and it started with a dirty joke that turned into a branding masterstroke. Elon Musk wanted the first four vehicles to spell S-E-X-Y. The Model S sedan launched in 2012, followed by the Model X SUV in 2015. Then came the planned Model E — except Ford held the trademark for “Model E” and reportedly wasn’t interested in sharing. Tesla pivoted to Model 3, which visually reads close enough to an “E” on a badge, and rounded out the set with the Model Y crossover in 2020.
Cybertruck, launched (finally) in 2023, broke the pattern entirely. Musk has said in interviews that the angular, stainless-steel pickup needed a name that conveyed futurism and toughness, and “Cybertruck” stuck during the 2019 reveal even though it was originally meant as a placeholder. The official Tesla Cybertruck page still leans heavily on the name being unconventional — no “Model” prefix at all.
The Semi and the next-generation Roadster also skip the “Model” designation. So right now, only the four core passenger vehicles carry it, which raises a genuine question: will the next affordable Tesla follow the “Model” convention, or will it get something entirely new?
Tesla’s naming has three eras so far:
1. Sexiest Era — Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y (the S-3-X-Y lineup)
2. Standalone Era — Cybertruck, Semi, Roadster (no “Model” prefix)
3. Unknown Era — the upcoming affordable car, codenamed Redwood
Understanding this history matters because whenever a new Tesla model name surfaces, it has to fit into a lineage that’s already split between two conventions. Owners on r/TeslaModelY routinely discuss how the “Model” prefix has become shorthand for Tesla’s mainstream vehicles, while standalone names signal something more niche or experimental.
What We Know About Tesla’s Upcoming Affordable Model
The most anticipated vehicle in Tesla’s pipeline is an affordable car — frequently called a “$25,000 Tesla” or “Model 2” by the community, though Tesla has never officially confirmed the name. During the 2024 Q2 earnings call, Musk confirmed that the affordable model would enter production, with expected volume in 2025, though he was characteristically vague about the name. Tesla’s own official blog updates have referenced the vehicle obliquely, without naming it.
Reuters reported in early 2024 that the vehicle’s internal codename is “Redwood,” and that it has been in development with a target launch in mid-2025. Codenames, of course, are not the same as public model names. Internal Tesla codenames have included things like “Raven” (the updated Model S/X powertrain) and “Highland” (the Model 3 refresh) — none of which translated to consumer-facing names.
So when people search for the new Tesla model name, they’re really looking for two separate answers: what Tesla calls it internally (Redwood, among other codenames) and what the launch marketing will actually say on the badge.
“Model 2” or “Redwood”: Which New Tesla Model Name Sticks?
The community has coalesced around “Model 2” as the most likely public name, and the reasoning is straightforward:
- Numeric consistency — Model 3 is the mid-size sedan; a smaller, cheaper car slotting beneath it could reasonably be “Model 2” or “Model 1,” though “1” reads as a prototype designation.
- Maintaining the Model prefix — If this car is indeed a high-volume, mainstream vehicle, the “Model” prefix keeps it in the recognizable family alongside the 3 and Y.
- Musk’s pattern — He tends to gravitate toward short, single-syllable, visually clean badges. “Model 2” fits that instinct perfectly.
However, there’s a counterargument that Tesla might go the Cybertruck route and pick a standalone name. Cybertruck proved that Tesla doesn’t need the “Model” prefix to sell a vehicle, and if the affordable car is pitched as a disruptive, mass-market product (think: the car that makes EVs accessible to everyone), a bolder name might suit the launch better.
“Redwood” as the public name seems unlikely. Tesla has never carried an internal codename directly to market. But it’s not impossible — particularly if the branding team decides a nature-inspired name aligns with the sustainability mission. Notably, one contributor on a r/TeslaModelY discussion pointed out that Musk has joked about the “Model Y” name being chosen partly for the “Y” chromosome irony, so any short, clever name is on the table.
• Internal codenames (Redwood, Juniper, Navarro) rarely become public model names.
• The “Model” prefix has been used for 4 of 7 vehicles Tesla has built.
• Cybertruck set a precedent for standalone naming — but it’s a niche product.
• Tesla typically confirms names at or near the unveiling event, not in filings.
Why Tesla Avoids Traditional Automotive Naming
Tesla’s naming strategy diverges sharply from legacy automakers. BMW uses alphanumeric codes (330i, X5 M50i). Mercedes relies on letter-class designations (C300, EQS 580). Audi has A/S/RS trims combined with numbers (A4, S7, RS6). These systems prioritize hierarchy and trim-level clarity above memorability.
Tesla’s approach is nearly the opposite. The names are short, punchy, and unmistakably Tesla. There’s little trim-level information embedded in the name — you don’t learn from “Model Y” whether it’s a Long Range or Performance. Tesla keeps the name clean and pushes the trim data into a separate configuration layer. This mirrors their minimalism in cabin design and UX: fewer fields, fewer options, fewer friction points.
So whatever the new Tesla model name turns out to be, expect it to be short — likely one to three characters after the word “Model,” or a single strong standalone word. Don’t expect a return to alphanumeric coding.
Could the Robotaxi Get Its Own Name?
Beyond the affordable consumer car, Tesla has the Robotaxi concept — a purpose-built, steering-wheel-free autonomous vehicle that Musk unveiled in a dedicated event in October 2024. The Robotaxi (also called the Cybercab by Musk during the reveal) is an entirely different product category, and it raises its own naming question.
“Cybercab” is a natural companion to “Cybertruck,” and if Tesla goes all-in on the “Cyber-” naming family for unconventional, non-standard vehicles, it suggests the affordable car — which is still a conventional passenger vehicle — might stick with the “Model” prefix. That would give us something like:
- Model S — flagship sedan
- Model 3 — midsize sedan
- Model X — full-size SUV
- Model Y — compact SUV
- Model [new name] — affordable compact car
- Cybertruck — pickup
- Cybercab — autonomous taxi
- Semi — Class 8 truck
- Roadster — flagship sports car
That structure gives Tesla a remarkably clean lineup where the “Model” badge signals conventional passenger transport for customers, and the standalone names denote specialty or futuristic vehicles. It’s speculation, but it aligns with the trajectory we’ve seen.
What the New Tesla Model Name Means for Current Owners
If you own a Model Y or Model 3 today, a new model name doesn’t change much about your daily experience — but it does matter in three practical ways:
1. Software continuity — Tesla typically keeps the same underlying software stack across its “Model” vehicles, so a new model likely means firmware updates, app interface tweaks, and Over-the-Air features will stay consistent across the family.
2. Accessory availability — New models often generate new accessory demand, particularly for interior fitment items like floor mats, screen protectors, and storage organizers shaped to that specific cabin. If you also plan to pick up the new affordable model, keep tabs on accessories early — just as Model Y owners can check autotul’s Model Y accessories lineup for items that fit the crossover, the same will be true for whatever the new model is called.
3. Tax credit and incentive timing — A new, lower-priced Tesla model often affects how eligibility for EV tax credits plays out across the broader fleet. A new model priced under the $55,000 sedan threshold would likely qualify for the full federal EV tax credit in the US — and that timing could intersect with when you’re planning your next purchase or upgrade.
For a deeper look at upcoming Tesla developments, check out our earlier piece on expected Tesla Model Y updates for 2025 — the Model Y refresh timeline reveals a lot about how Tesla stages product reveals and naming rollouts in tandem.
FAQ: What Tesla Owners Actually Ask About the New Model Name
Is Tesla officially calling the new affordable car “Model 2”?
No. As of the most recent earnings disclosures and product updates, Tesla has not confirmed “Model 2” as the official name. “Model 2” is the community’s working assumption based on numeric logic (below Model 3), and it’s widely used in press coverage, but Tesla hasn’t stamped it on anything official.
What does the codename “Redwood” mean?
“Redwood” is an internal project codename reported by Reuters for Tesla’s upcoming affordable vehicle. Like “Highland” (Model 3 refresh) or “Juniper” (potential Model Y refresh), codenames are used internally during development and typically have no relationship to the final consumer-facing name. “Redwood” likely signals nothing about the launch name.
Will the new Tesla model name follow the S-3-X-Y pattern?
Probably not in a way that spells a new word. The original S-E-X-Y lineup was a one-time joke that landed as a branding victory. Continuing it would require awkward gymnastics, and Musk seems more interested in names that are short and visually punchy than in completing a multi-word pattern. Expect something clean and numeric, or a single standalone word.
Bottom Line: What Will Tesla’s New Model Actually Be Called?
Tesla has not officially confirmed the new Tesla model name, and recent history suggests the name will drop close to the unveiling event rather than in advance. Based on everything we know — the naming lineage, the Cybertruck precedent, Musk’s preference for short badges, and the community’s adoption of the term — “Model 2” is the most likely public name for the upcoming affordable car. It keeps the “Model” family intact for mainstream passenger vehicles, sits logically below Model 3, and follows Tesla’s minimalist naming instinct.
If Tesla surprises us, it would likely come in the form of a standalone name akin to Cybertruck — but for a high-volume consumer car aimed at replacing the Honda Civic demographic, that feels less likely than keeping things clean and numeric.
For current Tesla owners, the name itself is the least important thing. What matters more is that a new, affordable model expands the installed base, keeps software investment flowing, and creates a broader accessory ecosystem — and that all benefits every Model S, 3, X, and Y owner on the road today.
