Getting an all-wheel-drive (AWD) Tesla Model Y just got $8,000 more expensive. Overnight, Tesla quietly removed its entry-level Model Y dual-motor variant from its U.S. online configurator, according to InsideEVs, ending the trim’s run after less than a year on the market.
With the $43,630 base AWD model gone, buyers who want dual-motor traction (and power) now have to step up to the Model Y Premium AWD, which starts at $51,630 (including destination and order fees).
The single-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) base Model Y remains available starting at $41,630.
A Short-Lived Experiment
The now-defunct base Model Y AWD debuted in February 2026, the same time Tesla dropped the “Standard” badge from its entry-level trims while keeping the “Premium” and “Performance” names intact. It arrived just a few months after Tesla rolled out budget-focused, RWD-only versions of the Model 3 and Model Y in October 2025.
Paired with the same battery pack as the single-motor base model, the entry-level AWD offered a trade-off between speed and distance. It provided a massive acceleration jump but a range limited to 294 miles, which is 54 miles fewer than its single-motor counterpart. While competitive for the class, it was the only model under 300 miles of range, and we can’t help but assume this contributed to its removal from the options page.
What Remains at the Entry Level
Shoppers sticking with the $41,630 base Model Y RWD still get Tesla’s most affordable SUV, though it comes with noticeable cost-cutting measures compared to the Premium and Performance trims. Here’s an overview of what Model Y RWD lacks compared to the Model Y AWD:
Tech & Audio: Fewer speakers, no rear passenger touchscreen, and no FM radio.
Performance & Charging: Passive shock absorbers, a slower 6.8-second 0–60 mph time, and a lower 225-kW max fast-charging rate.
Exterior & Roof: Simplified front and rear lighting, smaller 18-inch wheels, plus a full interior headliner that completely covers the signature glass roof. Though that last “omission” is considered a feature for those who prefer no glass overhead.
Cabin & Comfort: Vegan leather and cloth seats (heated in front only, no ventilation) and manual steering column adjustment.
Part of a Broader Picture
Dropping the base Model Y AWD fits into a wider pattern of Tesla aggressively paring down its passenger vehicle lineup to pivot toward robotics and autonomous taxis. Earlier this year, Tesla discontinued the long-running Model S and Model X, ripping out their factory lines to make room for robot production. CEO Elon Musk also recently confirmed the Cybertruck will be retired next year, leaving only the $112,235 Cyberbeast available until late summer 2027, as factory floor space is cleared for the two-seat Cybercab.
The 2027 Model Y and the new, longer-wheelbase, 3-row Model Y L are on sale now.
