Buying the Most Sold Vehicle in the World, the Tesla Model Y — What Are Your Options?

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You’ve decided to buy the car that for the last few years has been the top sold model in the world, gas or electric, the Tesla Model Y. Tesla has factories in California (Fremont), China (Shanghai), Texas (Austin), and Germany (Berlin) that have been churning them out for the US, Chinese, European, and other international markets. All Model Ys have a large power liftgate that can be configured for hands-free opening. All Model Ys are taller and have more rear seat foot room than the Model 3. All Model Ys come with the newest mini-super computer and upgraded cameras, including a new camera in the front bumper/facia (Hardware 4) that can run Full Self Driving V14, Tesla’s latest spectacular version of its automated driving software.

All Model Ys give the option for dual motors/AWD for $2,000. Dual motors give you better traction on slippery roads in cold climate winters and better acceleration. The base Model Y RWD is 5.4 seconds for 0 to 60 mph, while the base model with dual motors is 4.6 seconds for 0 to 60 mph. Note: my base Model Y RWD has faster/smoother acceleration than any gas car I have ever owned.

All Model Ys have the option of a tow bar receiver, which Tesla calls a tow hitch ($1,000 if factory installed/$1,300 if installed later).

The 2026 Model Y comes in two versions: Basic and Premium. Which is the version for you?

Basic version price & features.

$39,990 or $529/month with $3,300 down at 0% interest for 72 months.

Note: No money down, it is $575/month.

(In Wisconsin you are also liable for 5% state sales tax, county sales tax, the title fee, an electric vehicle fee ($175), and other fees which total $2,766. Check your own state for such details.)

• Battery size is 60 kWh and EPA range is 321 miles.
• Maximum charging rate is 150 kW.
• Low tire pressure warning system, but not PSI of each tire.
• Clean exterior styling.
• Cloth headliner.
• Excellent synthetic fabric seats.
• Excellent sound system, 7 speakers with excellent base response (but no subwoofers).

Premium version price & features.

$45,990 or $631/month with $3,300 down at 0.99% interest for 72 months.

• Battery size is 75 kWh and EPA range is 357 miles.
• Maximum charging rate 250 kW.
• Sensors in each tire give an accurate PSI pressure measurement.
• Premium exterior styling with light bars front and rear.
• Glass roof.
• Premium interior styling (mood light strip surrounding the forward cabin).
• Ventilated vegan leather seats.
• Quieter cabin because of acoustic glass windows.
• Premium sound system — 13 speakers with two subwoofers.
• Small TV screen for the rear seat passengers.

Comments: I chose the base model to keep the cost as low as possible. I have since learned of a number differences between Basic and Premium that I was unaware of when I purchased the car. So far, I have not observed any deal breakers that make me regret that decision. I thought I might be looking for an aftermarket subwoofer, but the Basic model’s sound is excellent. The slower charging speed could be an issue on our next cross-country trip. However, the charging rate on both models tapers off dramatically to protect the battery at a higher state of charge. Therefore, I doubt that the typical total charge times are significantly different.

Base Model Y with Full Self Driving V14. Observations after 30 days.

Premium Connectivity turned off automatically after 30 days. I was able to get it reinstated for $9.99/month or $99.99/year.

Premium Connectivity includes: 1) High-quality satellite maps, 2) Live traffic visualization, 3) Netflix, You Tube, Hulu, Spotify, and Apple Music, 3) Web browsing and Caraoke, 4) Remote live camera viewing, 5) Limited access to Tesla’s AI app Grok — you get 7 to 10 questions every few hours (for unlimited access, you need a Grok subscription).

Full Self Driving V14 was automatically billed for $99/month after 30 days.

We are blown away by the performance of Full Self Driving V14 on our 2026 Model Y. V14 raises driving automation to a new level. If I am patient and willing for V14 to take a little longer at stop signs than I would do manually, I can sit there not touching the brake, accelerator, or steering wheel while I let FSD V14 drive me like an excellent chauffeur. It lets me drive at any rate I choose between Sloth, Chill, Standard, Hurry, and Mad Max. Standard is the rate you choose if you are a safety conscious person intending to avoid speeding tickets. The car drives with precision and almost never makes a decision that I choose to override. However, it does occasionally make mistakes, so you still have to “supervise” it. It will rarely make a navigation mistake, but if it does, it will still find a way to your destination. I understand that it still occasionally makes lane selection errors at stop lights, but I don’t get to test this here in Northern Wisconsin. V14 anticipates pedestrians who are about to use a cross walk and waits for them to cross. V14 also slows and brakes for deer and even squirrels crossing the road. I have observed slowing for animals a number of times, but recently got the brakes slammed for a deer right beside the road. If the deer had decided to cross instead of head for the woods, it would have saved an accident.

FSD V14 with rear bike rack mounted on the towbar receiver. I was very pleased that FSD V14 still operated even with a bike in the bike rack mounted on the receiver. V12 complained that cameras were occluded and refused to operate.

But: An important new feature of FSD V14 is the automatic start of your trip no matter where your car is parked. However, there is often no automatic backing up with a bike rack installed in the receiver. The FSD V14 perceives the bike rack as an object behind your car and usually refuses to back up.

If you find any of my articles helpful to you, please use my referral link when buying a new Tesla: https://ts.la/arthur73734 (be sure to use it when you make your order).

Tesla keeps changing the program but here’s the latest: If you are buying a new Tesla Model 3 or Y and use my link, you will get 2 months of free Full Self Driving (a ~$200 value) on top of the one month that comes free with every new Tesla. For a Cybertruck, you will get $1,000 off your purchase price.