Tesla launches Model Y All-Wheel Drive in the US market: discontinues the "Standard" name, priced at $41,990

Tech Home February 3rd News, Tesla has expanded its Model Y lineup in the U.S. market by launching a new all-wheel drive (AWD) version, priced at $41,990 (Note: approximately 292,000 RMB at current exchange rates), while also simplifying the naming of the configuration versions in this series.

The newly launched Model Y all-wheel drive version is positioned between the entry-level rear-wheel drive (RWD) version and the higher-priced Premium version, offering consumers a cost-effective option equipped with a dual-motor four-wheel drive system without the need to purchase the full high-end package.

According to Tesla’s vehicle configurator, this new all-wheel drive model has an EPA estimated range of 294 miles (473 km), significantly lower than the base rear-wheel drive version’s 321 miles (516 km). However, this version also offers performance advantages, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, much faster than the 7.2 seconds of the base rear-wheel drive version.

Along with the new model release, Tesla has officially discontinued the use of the “Standard” naming in the U.S. market. The original Model Y Standard has been renamed to Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), and the new all-wheel drive version adopts a corresponding straightforward name.

With the addition of the new all-wheel drive version, Tesla’s Model Y lineup in the U.S. now includes five versions:

• Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) — $39,990 (approximately 278,000 RMB at current exchange rates)
• Model Y All-Wheel Drive (AWD) — $41,990 (approximately 292,000 RMB)
• Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive — $44,990 (approximately 313,000 RMB)
• Model Y Premium All-Wheel Drive — $48,990 (approximately 341,000 RMB)
• Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive — $57,490 (approximately 400,000 RMB)

The launch of the new all-wheel drive version further segments the Model Y product line, indicating that Tesla aims to maximize sales by filling all pricing and performance gaps.

Although Tesla no longer uses the “Standard” designation, the new base model has fewer features compared to the high-end version. In terms of powertrain, the base version is equipped with a 69 kWh battery pack, while the high-end version upgrades to a larger 78.1 kWh battery pack. Exterior differences include: the base version features 18-inch steel wheels, while the high-end version has 19-inch alloy wheels; the base version is equipped with basic LED headlights without adaptive features, whereas the high-end version has integrated LED headlights with adaptive high beams; the base version has manually foldable exterior mirrors, while the high-end version features automatic anti-glare electric folding mirrors.

In terms of interior and audio configurations, the high-end version features a 15-speaker sound system with a subwoofer, superior to the 7-speaker system in the base version; the high-end version uses synthetic leather seats with rear heating and front ventilation, while the base version has a combination of synthetic leather and fabric, with only the front seats supporting heating; the rear seats in the high-end version are electrically foldable, whereas in the base version they are manually foldable; the high-end version is equipped with an 8-inch rear touchscreen and a center armrest, features absent in the base version; the high-end version has a panoramic glass roof, while the base version has a fabric-covered roof.