Last updated: November 13, 2026 · By Dan M. · Sources: Not a Tesla App, InsideEVs, Digital Trends, Tesla's Model Y configurator, and EPA ratings on FuelEconomy.gov
Short answer: Tesla has pulled the $41,990 Model Y AWD from its U.S. order page, less than a year after it launched. The cheapest all-wheel-drive Model Y you can order now is the Model Y Premium AWD at $49,990, which is $8,000 more. The base Model Y RWD is still $39,990 and is rated at 321 miles by the EPA. Tesla hasn't said why it dropped the trim or whether it will return. If you live somewhere without regular snow, which covers most of Arizona, the RWD model is the smart buy and you lose nothing important. If you truly need AWD, you can still look for a leftover Model Y AWD in Tesla's inventory, pay up for the Premium AWD (which won't be delivered until early 2027), or look at cheaper AWD SUVs from Toyota and Subaru that start under $40,000.
What changed on November 13
Gone: the entry-level Model Y AWD ($41,990, 294 miles EPA). It launched in February as a dual-motor version of the stripped-down base Model Y.
Still on sale: the base Model Y RWD at $39,990, plus the Premium RWD, Premium AWD, Performance and the six-seat Model Y L.
New cheapest AWD: Model Y Premium AWD at $49,990 before fees. Tesla's own estimate including delivery and order fees is $51,630, according to InsideEVs.
Longer waits: all Model Y Premium trims are sold out for 2026. New orders show January to March 2027 delivery, and the Model Y L shows February to April 2027, per Not a Tesla App.
Inventory: some already-built Model Y AWD units can still be bought from Tesla's inventory, Digital Trends reports.
Tesla's configurator blocked our automated checks, so the prices below come from the three outlets above, which checked the U.S. order page on November 13. Confirm the final price on Tesla's site for your ZIP code before you order.
The Model Y lineup you can order now
Prices are U.S. base MSRP before about $1,640 in delivery and order fees. Range is the official EPA rating from FuelEconomy.gov for the base wheel size.
Trim | Price | Drive | EPA range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Model Y RWD | $39,990 | RWD | 321 mi | Cloth and vegan-leather seats, no rear screen, 225 kW max charging |
Model Y AWD (discontinued) | $41,990 | AWD | 294 mi | Removed from the order page Nov 13; inventory only |
Model Y Premium RWD | $45,990 | RWD | 355 mi | Longest range; delivery Jan to Mar 2027 |
Model Y Premium AWD | $49,990 | AWD | 327 mi | Now the cheapest AWD; delivery Jan to Mar 2027 |
Model Y Performance | $57,990 | AWD | 306 mi | Fastest; firmer ride |
Model Y L (six seats) | $61,990 | AWD | 328 mi | Delivery Feb to Apr 2027 |
Some outlets quote a higher range for the base RWD model from Tesla's website. We use the EPA figure on FuelEconomy.gov, which lists 321 miles for the base Model Y RWD on 18-inch wheels.
Do you actually need all-wheel drive?
For most buyers, no. AWD helps you get moving on snow, ice and loose dirt. It does not help you stop or turn, which is what good tires do. On dry and wet pavement, a rear-wheel-drive Model Y with traction control is perfectly capable, and it is the more efficient car: the EPA rates the RWD at 25 kWh per 100 miles versus about 27.5 for the Premium AWD. Over 12,000 miles a year that is roughly 300 kWh more electricity for the AWD. Plug your own rate into our EV cost calculator to see what that means on your bill.
The Arizona answer
In Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, snow is essentially a non-issue, and the base RWD Model Y is the better value. If you live in or regularly drive to Flagstaff, Prescott or the White Mountains in winter, AWD earns its keep, but so does a set of winter tires on any car. For cold-weather range tips, see our EV cold-weather guide.
Your four options if you wanted the $41,990 AWD
Buy the base Model Y RWD ($39,990). You save $2,000 versus the old AWD and get 27 more EPA miles. You give up quickness (0-60 mph in about 6.8 seconds instead of 4.6) and winter traction, not practicality. It's the same body and cargo space.
Hunt for a leftover Model Y AWD in inventory. Check Tesla's inventory page in your area. Once these units sell, they're gone, and Tesla may not discount them.
Step up to the Premium AWD ($49,990). You get 327 miles, a nicer cabin with ventilated seats and a rear screen, and AWD, but you'll wait until early 2027. If you don't need AWD, the Premium RWD costs $4,000 less and goes 28 miles farther.
Look at cheaper AWD rivals. Toyota and Subaru sell AWD electric SUVs for less than the old Model Y AWD, all with a Tesla-style NACS charging port (see the table below).
Cheaper AWD electric SUVs to consider
These prices and ranges come from manufacturer pages and EPA estimates we verified for our Toyota bZ vs. Subaru buyer's guide on November 11. Prices are before destination.
Model | Price | Range | What you trade off vs. a Model Y |
|---|---|---|---|
Toyota C-HR SE AWD | $37,080 | 287 mi | Smaller rear seat and cargo area; 150 kW charging |
Subaru Solterra Premium | $38,495 | 288 mi | Slower (233 hp); 150 kW charging |
Subaru Trailseeker Premium | $39,995 | 281 mi | Less range; 150 kW charging, but 375 hp and 8.5 in. of clearance |
Toyota bZ Woodland | $45,380 | 281 mi | Pricier twin of the Trailseeker |
The Model Y still leads on range, charging speed and Tesla's Supercharger experience. To see how all of these score on value, range and charging, check the EVHQ EV rankings, our best EV SUVs list, or take the Which EV is right for me? quiz.
Why Tesla is doing this
Tesla hasn't explained the move. It fits a clear pattern, though. This year Tesla discontinued the Model S and Model X and announced it will end Cybertruck production in 2027 (see our Cybertruck wind-down explainer), and it has stopped taking orders for the cheaper Cybertruck trims. With Premium Model Y orders already pushed into 2027, Not a Tesla App suggests Tesla may simply be putting its limited production toward higher-priced trims. That is a reasonable reading but not a confirmed reason. For investors, the takeaway is that Tesla is trading the cheapest AWD sale for higher revenue per car while demand for Premium trims holds.
If you already ordered or own one
Existing orders: Tesla hasn't said whether existing Model Y AWD orders are affected. Your Tesla account shows the delivery estimate for your specific order, so check there and ask your advisor if it changed.
Owners: nothing changes for cars already on the road. Service, Supercharging and software updates are not tied to the trim's availability.
Resale: a discontinued trim doesn't usually hurt resale on its own. Range, battery health and mileage matter far more.
Charging at home? Tesla's Wall Connector just went up to $635, so read our Wall Connector price and alternatives guide before you buy one, and find public chargers on the Arizona EV charging map. Arizona buyers should also check current Arizona EV incentives.
FAQ
Did Tesla discontinue the Model Y AWD?
Tesla removed the entry-level $41,990 Model Y AWD from its U.S. configurator on November 13, 2026. Some inventory units may still be available. Tesla hasn't said whether it will come back.
What is the cheapest all-wheel-drive Model Y now?
The Model Y Premium AWD at $49,990 before about $1,640 in fees, with 327 miles of EPA range. New orders show January to March 2027 delivery.
What is the cheapest Model Y you can buy?
The Model Y RWD at $39,990, rated at 321 miles by the EPA.
Is rear-wheel drive OK in snow?
For occasional light snow, a RWD Model Y with good all-season or winter tires is manageable. If you regularly drive on snowy or icy roads, AWD plus winter tires is the safer setup.
Is the Model Y Premium RWD a better buy than the Premium AWD?
If you don't need AWD, yes. It costs $4,000 less and has 28 more miles of EPA range (355 vs. 327).
EVHQ editorial standards: prices come from reporting on Tesla's live U.S. order page and range figures come from the EPA. We flag anything we could not verify ourselves, and our rankings are not affected by affiliate commissions. Spot an error? Contact us and we'll fix it and note the change.