Tesla launches Model Y with rear-wheel drive and increased mileage in the US

It costs $3,000 less and offers slightly more range than the front-wheel-drive (AWD) version.

The AWD version is a little less expensive and offers a little more range than the front-wheel-drive version.

Tesla made a surprise move Friday night, introducing a new Long Range RWD version of the Model Y in the U.S. to replace the previous Model Y RWD. The car is available to order starting at $44,990 (plus $1,640 mandatory fees), which is $2,000 less than the price of the outgoing RWD version ($42,990 after a recent price cut). Because the new Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD is subject to a $7,500 federal tax credit — like all versions of the Model Y — its effective cost is just $39,130.

The new Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD is also eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

This isn’t bad for a car that offers 320 miles of EPA-estimated range, a top speed of 135 mph, and a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds (0.1 second faster than RWD). The difference in range compared to RWD is 60 miles (53 miles when compared to the optional 20-inch wheels).

The difference in range compared to RWD is 60 miles (53 miles when compared to the optional 20-inch wheels).

Since there are now two versions of the Tesla Model Y — with the same Long-Range battery -WD and AWD – we can directly see the cost of switching from rear-wheel drive to a dual-motor all-wheel drive drivetrain. It comes in at $3,000. The range will be reduced slightly (about 10 miles), but the car will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph noticeably faster — in 4.8 seconds.

At the same time, the car will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

The arrival of the Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD — a sign of the times. In early April, it was unveiled in Europe as well. In the US, the model was expected from the start in 2019, but was canceled in February 2021 (officially December 2021) as the company focused on twin-engine versions. Now that price and availability are top priorities, the least expensive long-wheelbase version seems to be the way to go.

So it looks like the least expensive long-wheelbase version will be the way to go.

Tesla Model Y prices in the U.S.

Basic specifications of the Tesla Model Y

When it comes to charging, all currently available versions of the Tesla Model Y can charge at up to 250 kilowatts and replenish up to 160 miles of range in 15 minutes, according to the company’s website. The RWD version that left the market could charge at up to 170 kilowatts.