Tesla's Standard Electric Vehicles Lack a Radio, But Will That Matter to You? | Carscoops

      AM/FM radio is among the features removed from the new entry-level electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce costs.

      Tesla has introduced new 'Standard' versions of the Model 3 and Model Y aimed at entry-level buyers.

      These models will not include Autosteer, have reduced acceleration, and a smaller battery.

      The price of the Model 3 Standard is $36,990 in the US, while the Model Y Standard is priced at $39,990.

      It's interesting to note the significant amounts collectors spent on optional features in cars. For instance, fifty years ago, a buyer of a C3 Corvette had to pay an outrageous $284 (equivalent to $1,710 today) for an AM/FM radio, which was a highly sought-after feature.

      Today, however, we typically expect even the most basic modern vehicles to include it. Yet, Tesla has eliminated AM/FM radio from its new entry-level models.

      The new Standard models are designed to keep Tesla's EVs affordable, particularly as federal tax credits end this September.

      The Model 3 Standard is priced at $36,990, compared to $42,490 for the next level, now called the Model 3 Premium RWD. The Model Y Standard is $39,990, while the Premium version is $44,990.

      The absence of a radio is just one of the many differences between the Standard and Premium Models. The base Model 3 does not feature an 8-inch second-row touchscreen, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, power-adjustable door mirrors and steering column, Autosteer, and frequency-sensitive shocks.

      Additionally, they are equipped with basic 18-inch steel wheels with covers, require 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph instead of 4.9 seconds, and the driving range is reduced from 363 miles to 321 miles.

      Aside from the wheels (and a 19-inch upgrade option), the Model 3 Standard doesn’t overtly express "I was too cheap to upgrade!" like the Model Y does. The Y Standard version omits the upgraded LED light bars and has its panoramic glass roof covered with a regular headliner.

      The Model Y also features downgraded textile seat surfaces, lacks adaptive headlights, a subwoofer, and a HEPA filter, and loses several items that are missing from the Model 3 Standard.

      However, the performance downgrade is more significant in the SUV. The base Model Y takes 6.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, compared to 5.4 seconds for the Premium, and its range drops from 357 to 321 miles.

      A test drive conducted by YouTuber Everyday Chris also highlighted several other missing features in the new Model Y Standard, such as basic frunk, trunk, and door pocket liners, the absence of an electric frunk opener and rear parcel shelf, single-pane door glass, and a decreased max charging speed from 250 kW to 225 kW. Furthermore, the second-row seats can no longer be reclined from the trunk.

      Many owners might find the removal of the trunk-folding button more frustrating than the absence of a radio. However, a 2023 study suggests that eliminating the AM radio could save Tesla approximately $50–70 per vehicle, as it no longer has to shield against radio waves disrupted by the electric motors.

      This cost-saving has prompted various automakers to consider removing radios altogether, yet lawmakers are advocating for the inclusion of AM radio in vehicles, viewing it as critical for drivers in rural areas. Would the lack of a radio in your next car bother you, or have you not used yours since 2004?