Securing the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive Version with 821 km Range for ¥288,500
Securing the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive Version with 821 km Range for ¥288,500 – Tesla's Focus on Single-Motor May Be More Insightful Than Performance-Oriented All-Wheel Drive Models
Last month, I took a long-distance trip covering 1200 km with just one stop at a service station for charging. It wasn't because I drove particularly conservatively—the long-range rear-wheel-drive Model Y, which officially claims an 821 km range, delivered about 750 km in real-world driving. A 15-minute charge added 300 km of range, enough time to finish a bowl of noodles and hit the road again. This experience is light-years ahead of cars that boast 500 km but only manage 300 km in reality.
Tesla's approach to the rear-wheel-drive version is quite intriguing. The 78.4 kWh battery pack paired with a 225 kW single motor achieves 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. While these numbers may not seem as aggressive as all-wheel-drive models, the vehicle is 80 kg lighter, with energy consumption dropping from 13.2 to 12.5 kWh/100 km. On long trips, this difference becomes significant—you can travel dozens of kilometers farther on the same charge, a clear advantage when queuing at highway charging stations.
Winter range degradation has always been a challenge for EVs. Last winter, I tested this car in -10°C weather, and the range dropped by about 40%. That might sound like a lot, but the industry average is 60%, with some cars plummeting to 30%. The key is its heat pump air conditioning system and battery preheating. Once you set a Supercharger as your destination, the car automatically heats the battery to optimal temperature. At the charging station, you can immediately hit 250 kW power, unlike some cars that spend the first 10 minutes "warming up."
The HW4.0 hardware is standard across the lineup, featuring eight 5-megapixel cameras and 720 TOPS of computing power. I tried the City NOA feature during Beijing's Third Ring morning rush hour—it managed lane following, merging, and obstacle avoidance with about 70-80% accuracy. Of course, occasional manual intervention was still needed, but it's far less stressful than driving entirely on your own. A notable detail: the long-range version uniquely includes a 4D imaging radar, significantly improving penetration through rain, snow, and fog compared to pure vision systems, adding an extra layer of safety.
Long-time owners will appreciate the interior upgrades. The speaker count increased from 9 to 16, with Dolby Atmos delivering clear soundstage separation for orchestral music. The rear 8-inch screen lets kids adjust the air conditioning or select cartoons themselves, sparing endless requests during trips. The suede-like material paired with recycled wood trim elevates the visual appeal over the previous fabric seats, and active noise cancellation noticeably reduces wind noise on highways.
On space: the wheelbase is 2890 mm, with 990 mm of rear legroom—enough for a 1.8-meter-tall passenger to cross their legs comfortably. The trunk offers 854 L of space, expandable to 2158 L with seats folded. During one move, I fit two 28-inch suitcases, miscellaneous items, and even a snowboard in there—the space utilization is impressive.
Priced at ¥288,500, it's ¥25,000 more than the previous rear-wheel-drive version. But the range jumps from 600 km to 821 km, the autonomous hardware upgrades from HW3.0 to 4.0, and the interior configuration is comprehensive upgrade. The added carbon fiber trim is highly tactile, and I particularly recommend the carbon fiber dashboard and door trim for Model Y owners.
After six months of driving, the most obvious takeaway is that the single-motor rear-wheel-drive configuration might better suit most people's needs than all-wheel-drive models. For daily commutes and weekend trips, the 821 km range covers weekly driving demands effortlessly. Performance is adequate, energy consumption is lower, and the price is relatively restrained. Of course, if you crave the 3-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, the all-wheel-drive version remains the better choice.
But for users like me who drive 20,000 km annually and frequently commute between cities, this long-range rear-wheel-drive combo is one of the few options on the market that lets me stop obsessing over remaining battery levels.