Tesla has quietly updated its online configurator, bringing some premium features to the lower-end versions of its best-selling vehicle. As noted by Tesla watcher @SawyerMerritt, the base $39,990 Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and the $41,990 Model Y All-Wheel Drive (AWD) in the U.S. now come standard with an all-black headliner and the larger 16" center touchscreen.
The update means these features, previously reserved for pricier trims, are now included right out of the factory for the entire domestic lineup. This includes the entry-level RWD, base AWD, Premium RWD, Premium AWD, and Performance variants. A quick look at the Canadian configurator confirms that the black headliner and upgraded screen have also rolled out to all Model Y orders in Canada.
All-Black Headliner
The all-black headliner is a feature Tesla owners have been demanding for a very long time. For years, the crossover shipped with a light grey headliner that many felt clashed with the otherwise dark cabin elements. The demand was so strong that some buyers even paid for custom aftermarket upholstery swaps before Tesla officially upgraded the Model Y with a black headliner and larger display in China at the start of the year.
The dark trim made its way stateside not long after, but only for the top-tier Premium and Performance trims. By expanding the dark headliner to the base RWD and AWD options, Tesla is standardizing a cleaner, more put-together look across the entire Model Y family.
Larger, Higher-Res Touchscreen
Alongside the roof fabric update, base models are receiving a physical screen upgrade. The upgraded center display changes the screen size from 15.4 inches to 16 inches, bumping the resolution from just over Full HD (1080p) to QHD (1440p).
This screen was previously a hallmark of the Model Y Performance and the three-row, six-seat Model Y L that launched in China last summer. It trickled down to the Premium tiers earlier this year and is now standard across the full U.S. lineup.
Old Display | New Display | |
|---|---|---|
Size | 15.4” | 16” |
Resolution | 1920×1200 (just over Full HD/1080P) | 2560×1440 (QHD/1440P) |
Screen Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Display Width | 13.06” | 13.95” |
Display Height | 8.16” | 7.84” |
Screen Area | 106.59 inches² | 109.39 inches² |
Other Updates to the U.S. Lineup
Alongside these hardware updates, Tesla has also made some smaller changes to its U.S. product lineup:
A promotional incentive offering one year of free Supercharging with every Model 3 Premium ends on June 15.
The lease price for the base Model 3 RWD has been increased to $329/month, up $30 from the previous $299/month rate.
Financing terms for the Model Y AWD have changed, from the previous, discounted financing rate of 0% to 0.99% APR. Tesla is still offering 0% APR financing for the entry-level Model Y RWD.
Black Headliner for Model 3?
Model 3 owners have also been asking for a black headliner for ages, as the car currently sticks with light grey cabin fabric across all configurations. With the Model Y lineup fully transitioned to the all-black layout, the feature may eventually drip down to Tesla's smaller sedan.
These changes arrive as Tesla continues to shake up its interior choices globally. Earlier this spring, Gigafactory Shanghai replaced the iconic “Black and White” interior option for the Model Y with a new “Zen Grey” layout handed down from the Model Y L. This swap hasn't made its way to other factories yet, but if it follows Tesla's usual pattern of design updates, the Zen Grey interior trim might be the next addition we see to the evolving Model Y lineup in the U.S.
