2026 Tesla Model Y AWD revealed – base model drops Standard name; 0-100 km/h 4.8 secs, 473 km range

It seems that despite the significantly lower specs, the Model Y Standard has been successful enough for Tesla to expand the base model lineup with a new all-wheel-drive version. Except now, the Silicon Valley carmaker has seen fit to drop the “Standard” moniker, leaving the car to simply be called the Model Y AWD.

Only offered in the US for now, this variant lifts the dual-motor powertrain from the full-fat Long Range AWD (now called the Premium AWD), enabling it to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in the same 4.8 seconds. The extra performance and traction comes at the expense of range – given that this car uses the already smaller battery of the Standard RWD (now simply the Model Y RWD), this is now the Model Y with the shortest range.

The official figure drops from 517 km on the RWD to 473 km; contrast this with the Premium AWD, which can travel up to 526 km on a single charge. We should point out, however, that this is on the US’ EPA cycle, the most realistic of them all – more so than even WLTP. Expect a WLTP range closer to 550 km, which is still fairly acceptable. The AWD accepts up to 225 kW of DC fast charging, adding 245 km of range in 15 minutes.

Beyond that, the Model Y AWD is as per the RWD model, with much simpler LED lights and front bumper and no full-width light bars front and rear, along with smaller 18-inch Aperture wheels with aero covers. Inside, you lose ambient lighting, heated and ventilated seats, full faux leather upholstery (now partly fabric), physical seat adjustment controls (now only through the screen), an FM radio, all-around double glazing, an “open” glass roof (it’s covered by the headliner), power-folding rear seats and even power-folding door mirrors.

The base AWD at least still receives the larger 16-inch infotainment touchscreen added to the Model Y earlier this year, but you don’t get the Premium’s eight-inch rear touchscreen or its 15-speaker sound system (just seven speakers here); the frequency selective dampers have also been switched to regular passive shocks. Nor is there Autopilot, as there is no lane centring assist. You can at least still spec the car with Tesla’s Full Self Driving function.

The Model Y AWD is priced at US$41,990 (RM165,500), slotting neatly between the US$39,990 (RM157,600) RWD and the $44,990 (RM177,300) Premium RWD. Whether this trim level will be offered in Malaysia depends on the availability of the “standard” RWD, which has yet to be launched here despite Tesla Malaysia introducing the Model 3 Standard in January. If the base models do end up here, expect them to be much cheaper than the RM195,450 Premium RWD.

GALLERY: 2026 Tesla Model Y RWD

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.