Tesla Model Y RWD (2022) – Back to Basics

Tesla Model Y, rear-wheel drive, €50.995

Tesla is often surprising. Price increases, price reductions, remarkable statements by CEO Elon Musk or bizarre new models, it is never boring. The latest big news from the world-famous EV builder is the introduction of a new base version of the Model Y. The new, virtually unnamed version has a smaller battery than the existing Long Range variants and does with one less electric motor, but also costs no less than €16,000 less than such a Long Range. That is quite a bit, especially because it makes the Model Y cheaper than the rear-wheel drive version of the smaller, tighter Model 3. The simplest Model Y now costs €50,995 including delivery costs, compared to €52,995 for the simplest Model 3. Unprecedented in car land, and simply a great offer for a car that as an electric crossover can’t complain about a lack of attention anyway. Didn’t we say it’s never boring at Tesla?

And there we were, our sleeves rolled up, the coffee steaming, to explain in detail what you sacrifice in terms of equipment by going for the rear-wheel drive Model Y. After all, with the Model 3, the (formerly called Standard Range Plus) basic version is also less good in the stuff than a Long Range, so that will also be the case here, right?

Not so. The Tesla Model Y ‘RWD’ is exactly the same as the Long Range in terms of equipment. Behind the term ‘all black premium interior’ are things such as a super thick audio system with fourteen speakers and a subwoofer, electrically adjustable, heated and leather-covered seats, the well-known large screen, Google Maps navigation, the ‘smartphone key’, Autopilot and an electric tailgate. Even mother-of-pearl paint is standard, thanks to the ‘Pearl White’ that is sprayed on the body at no extra cost. Also included are 19-inch alloy wheels. Can be bigger, but costs range. That may not be very useful in this case, because of course that is already the level on which the RWD loses against the Long Range. With a smaller battery, it comes ‘only’ 455 km according to the WLTP cycle. By handing in one electric motor, this is also the slowest Tesla ever: from 0 to 100 takes at least 6.9 seconds. Not really impressive, but compared to many competitors still more than fine.

Tesla Model Y

And who are those competitors? For example, the Audi Q4, which for this money only in seriously bare basic trim and if 35 (341 km range) is available. The Volvo XC40 Recharge does a little better in terms of equipment, but in the best case also only comes 423 km away. Also compared to alternatives such as the Kia EV6, the basic Tesla comes out favorably. If you want to take advantage of this, it might be better to act quickly, because the price can just shoot up again. You never know with Tesla.