The updated design and features bring welcome changes to the most popular car in the world. What’s better now is that Tesla just upped the game with an even more affordable model, the Model Y LR RWD.
This new trim Model Y comes with 1 rear motor instead of 2 (1 front, 1 rear), 0-60 in 5.4 seconds instead of 4.6, but because of those performance downgrades, you now get a whopping 357 miles of EPA rated range! This is the first time we have had a Tesla Model Y anywhere close to 350 miles of rated range, and based on my own range test just the other day, I would expect to see a real world number just over 350 miles at 70 mph!
This new model is quite unique, and although we have had a RWD Model Y before, this one is different, even the Model 3 LR RWD is set up different in comparison. Previously on the Model Y, and on the current Tesla Model 3, The RWD version comes with some features removed or downgraded. While it has always, and continues to be true that the vehicle comes with 1 less motor, this is the first time we are seeing a RWD version that comes with the same premium features we have on the AWD version.
On the Model 3 for example, the sound system is a 9 speaker system instead of a 17 speaker system, comes with slightly cheaper interior trim, and comes in at $5k less than the AWD version. On the Model Y however, for $4k less than the AWD version, you get all the same features, with the only difference being the pros and cons of 1 less motor.
This is not typically what we have seen from Tesla, which raises a couple of questions. First in my mind is does this have anything to do with a Model Y type vehicle for significantly less in the pipeline? Is this a way to separate all Model Y’s from this upcoming cheaper model? Or is this literally simplification of the production lines at Giga Texas?
Whatever the reason, this is likely to be an extremely popular option as it comes in at about $37,500 after the point of sale tax credit, north of 350 miles of range, and equipped with the hardware required for Full Self Driving. This is an incredible deal that takes the amazing package of the Model 3 and ups the interior space by a lot, making it super popular for more people, especially families!
