Tesla Drops Autopilot as Standard on New Model 3, Y

Tesla has discontinued its Autopilot driver-assistance system as a standard feature on new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the United States and Canada, effective immediately. The change, reflected in the company's online configurator, leaves new purchases equipped only with Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, which automatically adjusts speed and maintains following distance in traffic. Lane-keeping assistance, previously known as Autosteer and a core component of Autopilot, is no longer included by default and requires a $99 monthly subscription to Full Self-Driving Supervised to access.

For over a decade, Autopilot has been a hallmark of Tesla's vehicles, providing Level 2 partial automation that combined adaptive cruise control with steering corrections to keep the car centered in lanes on highways and compatible roads. Drivers were required to remain attentive, keep hands on the wheel, and be prepared to intervene. This system, delivered via over-the-air updates, helped differentiate Tesla from competitors and influenced industry standards for advanced driver aids. Until recently, Autopilot came standard on most trims, except for the base models introduced last fall, which...