Tesla Model Y AWD Discontinued: Is France Affected?

Tesla has removed its cheapest all-wheel-drive Model Y from the US online configurator, eliminating a $41,990 dual-motor version that had been available for just nine months.

The change, reported on 13 November 2026, means American customers looking for a newly configured all-wheel-drive Model Y must now choose the more expensive Model Y Premium AWD, starting at $49,990 before additional fees.

That creates an $8,000 difference between the discontinued entry-level AWD configuration and the cheapest remaining AWD option.

However, the decision is currently limited to Tesla's US product range. The Model Y has not been discontinued in France or Europe, and all-wheel-drive versions remain available in European markets.

Why Has Tesla Removed the Cheapest Model Y AWD?

Tesla introduced the lower-priced Model Y All-Wheel Drive in February 2026 as an alternative for buyers who wanted dual-motor performance without paying for the more expensive Premium equipment package.

Positioned between the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive and Premium models, it combined a simpler interior specification with the additional traction and acceleration of two electric motors.

Its starting price of $41,990 made it one of the least expensive ways to purchase an all-wheel-drive Tesla SUV in the United States.

Less than a year later, however, the configuration disappeared from Tesla's online ordering system.

The change was first reported by automotive publications including InsideEVs and Teslarati.

Tesla has not issued a detailed public explanation for removing the version, leaving questions about whether the decision reflects customer demand, manufacturing priorities or a broader restructuring of the Model Y range.

Importantly, the removal from the configurator does not confirm that the version has been permanently discontinued worldwide.

Tesla Model Y Prices: What Changed in the United States?

The biggest immediate consequence concerns the cost of choosing all-wheel drive.

Before the change, American buyers could purchase a basic dual-motor Model Y for just $2,000 more than the entry-level rear-wheel-drive version.

That option has now disappeared from the custom-order system.

Prices exclude destination charges, taxes and other applicable fees. Figures reflect the US product range reported in November 2026.

The difference between the former entry-level AWD and the Premium AWD is $8,000, approximately 19% more.

However, this should not be interpreted as a direct $8,000 price increase on an identical car.

The Premium AWD includes additional equipment and comfort features that were not included in the more affordable configuration.

What has changed is the minimum amount customers must spend to configure a new all-wheel-drive Model Y.

For buyers primarily interested in additional traction rather than premium equipment, that distinction matters.

What Were the Specifications of the Discontinued Model Y AWD?

Despite its simplified equipment, the entry-level Model Y AWD offered considerably stronger acceleration than the rear-wheel-drive version.

The dual-motor Model Y could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, offering a substantial performance advantage over the entry-level rear-wheel-drive version.

However, its EPA-estimated driving range of 294 miles was lower than the 348-mile estimate for the basic rear-wheel-drive Model Y.

That difference reflected the vehicle's powertrain configuration and efficiency characteristics.

The lower-priced AWD model also came with a simpler equipment package than the Premium versions, including differences in interior trim, suspension, entertainment features and comfort equipment.

It was effectively designed for customers who prioritised the dual-motor drivetrain over additional luxury features.

Is the Tesla Model Y AWD Discontinued in France?

No equivalent withdrawal has been confirmed for the French market.

As of 14 November 2026, Tesla France continues to list multiple Model Y configurations through its official ordering system.

These include:

• Model Y Propulsion: The entry-level rear-wheel-drive version.
• Model Y Premium Grande Autonomie Propulsion: A longer-range rear-wheel-drive version.
• Model Y Premium Grande Autonomie Transmission Intégrale: The Premium Long Range All-Wheel Drive configuration.
• Model Y Performance: The higher-performance all-wheel-drive model.

French customers can therefore still configure a Model Y with all-wheel drive.

The important difference is that the discontinued American Model Y AWD is not necessarily equivalent to the European Model Y Premium Long Range AWD.

Tesla offers different configurations across regional markets, with variations in equipment, battery specifications, pricing and availability.

The US decision should not be interpreted as confirmation that Tesla is removing all-wheel-drive Model Y vehicles from France, Germany or other European countries.

For the latest available configurations, customers can consult the official Tesla France Model Y configurator.

What Is the Difference Between the US and European Model Y?

Although the Model Y is sold globally, Tesla's regional specifications and naming conventions are not always identical.

The American entry-level AWD model used a simplified equipment package with an EPA-estimated range of 294 miles.

European Model Y versions are generally advertised using the WLTP testing standard, which produces range figures under different test conditions.

Consequently, an EPA range figure from the United States should not be directly compared with a WLTP figure quoted in France.

French customers should also distinguish between the entry-level Propulsion model and the higher-specification Grande Autonomie Transmission Intégrale.

The latter is not simply the same inexpensive AWD configuration that Tesla removed from its American website.

In France, Tesla's Model Y Premium Long Range AWD remains positioned above the entry-level rear-wheel-drive versions, with additional performance and equipment.

No announcement has been made confirming that the American configuration change will be replicated across European markets.

Can Customers Still Buy the Cheaper Model Y AWD?

The removed Model Y AWD can no longer be selected as a newly configured order through Tesla's standard US online configurator.

However, some examples remain available through Tesla's existing vehicle inventory.

This means customers may still be able to purchase the lower-priced dual-motor version, depending on location and remaining stock.

Availability can change quickly, and the presence of existing vehicles does not guarantee that Tesla will resume production or reopen custom orders.

It is therefore more precise to say that Tesla has removed the entry-level AWD from its US ordering range, rather than claiming that every example has disappeared from sale.

Is Tesla Simplifying the Model Y Range?

The removal comes as Tesla continues to adjust its passenger vehicle lineup.

The company has made several changes to model configurations and equipment packages in recent years, including the introduction of more affordable versions designed to reduce entry prices.

The basic Model Y AWD was one example of this approach.

Its disappearance after approximately nine months suggests that Tesla is reconsidering how many drivetrain and equipment combinations it wants to offer in the United States.

However, without an official explanation, the company's precise reasoning remains unknown.

It would be premature to conclude that the decision was caused by weak sales, manufacturing costs or a deliberate attempt to move buyers into more expensive versions.

What is clear is that American customers now have fewer affordable all-wheel-drive choices.

The entry-level Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive remains available, while the Premium AWD has become the least expensive configurable dual-motor option.

What Does This Mean for Model Y Buyers in Europe?

For buyers in France and elsewhere in Europe, there is currently no indication that Tesla's US decision requires any immediate action.

Existing European Model Y AWD owners are not affected by the removal of an American ordering configuration.

Nor has Tesla announced that European Premium AWD or Performance models will be discontinued as part of the same change.

Nevertheless, the development is worth following because Tesla frequently adjusts its model range, equipment specifications and pricing.

Any future changes to European availability would need to be confirmed through Tesla's regional ordering systems or official announcements.

For now, the conclusion is straightforward: Tesla has removed its cheapest Model Y AWD from the US configurator, but the Model Y and its all-wheel-drive versions remain available in France.

The $8,000 difference applies to American buyers comparing the former entry-level AWD with the current Premium AWD, not to a confirmed price increase across Europe.

Sources

• InsideEVs – Tesla Just Killed Its Cheapest All-Wheel-Drive Model Y (13 November 2026)
• Teslarati – Tesla Trims Model Y Offerings as All-Wheel-Drive Gets the Axe (13 November 2026)
• The Drive – The Base Tesla Model Y Just Went Where the Cybertruck Is Going (13 November 2026)
• Tesla France – Model Y Configurator
• Tesla United States – Model Y Configurator

Editorial note: Model availability and pricing reflect information available on 14 November 2026. Tesla may change regional configurations and inventory without prior notice.