Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD Discontinued in Malaysia; Model Y L Becomes Sole AWD Option

For buyers looking for a dual-motor version of the Tesla Model Y in Malaysia, the options have just become much more limited. Tesla Malaysia has quietly removed the Model Y Premium Long Range All-Wheel Drive (LR AWD) from its official online configurator, marking the end of the line for the standard-wheelbase AWD variant in the local market.

This change leaves the Model Y line-up with just three choices, shifting the structure of the range and creating a noticeable gap between the rear-wheel-drive models and the only remaining all-wheel-drive option.

Updated Model Y Line-Up

Following the removal of the LR AWD, the current order page now lists only these variants:

• Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): RM195,450

• Model Y Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (LR RWD): RM216,450

• Model Y L Premium All-Wheel Drive (AWD), six-seater: RM260,000

What this means for customers is clear: every five-seater Model Y available to order brand-new is now rear-wheel drive. The only way to get a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration is to step up to the longer-wheelbase, three-row Model Y L.

The End of a Popular Choice

The discontinued LR AWD was widely regarded as the sweet spot for many buyers and driving enthusiasts. It combined the practicality of the standard five-seater layout with the performance and traction of dual electric motors, delivering a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of just 4.8 seconds. It also came with a more premium sound system, a 15-speaker setup with a subwoofer, compared to the nine-speaker system found in the RWD variants.

Its exit also creates a significant jump in pricing. Previously, the difference between the LR RWD and LR AWD was RM26,000, with another RM17,550 separating the LR AWD from the Model Y L. Now, buyers face a single leap of RM43,550 from the top RWD model straight to the larger, more expensive AWD variant.

Last Chance for Existing Stock

While the model is no longer available for factory orders, Tesla Malaysia still has a small number of pre-built LR AWD units remaining in its local inventory. These vehicles come in fixed specifications, meaning customers cannot customise the colour, wheel design, or interior trim, but they offer a faster delivery timeline compared to ordering a vehicle built to exact specifications from the factory. Once these remaining units are sold, the standard-wheelbase AWD Model Y will no longer be offered in Malaysia.

Could the Model Y Performance Be On the Way?

With the LR AWD gone, there is growing speculation that Tesla may be preparing to introduce the even more powerful Model Y Performance to fill the performance gap. The range-topping variant made its global debut in August 2025 but has yet to be confirmed for the Malaysian market.

In right-hand-drive markets such as Australia, the Model Y Performance is priced roughly 19% higher than the Model Y L and 30% above the former LR AWD. If a similar pricing structure were applied locally, it could land somewhere in the RM300,000 range.

For that price, buyers would get a significant upgrade:

• 0–100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds

• Adaptive suspension with Standard, Sport, and Track driving modes

• 21-inch Arachnid 2.0 forged alloy wheels

• High-performance brakes with red-painted calipers

• Upgraded sports seats with additional support

• A WLTP-rated range of approximately 580 km

However, there is one important factor that could affect pricing. While most Model Y units sold in Malaysia come from Gigafactory Shanghai in China, benefiting from favourable trade agreements and lower import duties, the Model Y Performance is manufactured at Gigafactory Berlin in Germany. Vehicles imported from Europe attract a different tax structure, which could push the final price even higher than a direct Australian price comparison suggests.

The removal of the LR AWD simplifies the range but also limits choice, forcing customers to decide between sticking with rear-wheel drive or upgrading to the larger, more expensive Model Y L. For those who want the highest level of performance and handling, the only hope now lies in the potential arrival of the Model Y Performance, though whether it will be launched locally and at what price remains to be seen.

As of now, Tesla Malaysia has not issued an official statement regarding the discontinuation or future additions, but the changes on the configurator suggest a shift in strategy as the brand updates its offerings for the region.