Tesla Basic Autopilot Discontinued 2026: The New Era of FSD Subscriptions

Tesla has officially pulled the plug on its free Basic Autopilot package for new buyers in the United States. While CEO Elon Musk has long touted the democratization of autonomous driving, this move signals a pivot toward a more aggressive monetization of its software stack.

Analyzing the Tesla Basic Autopilot Discontinued 2026 Impact

Starting now, customers purchasing a new Model 3 or Model Y will no longer find Autosteer—the feature that keeps the car centered in its lane—included as a standard feature. Instead, they'll only receive Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. To regain the lane-centering capability, owners must now subscribe to Full Self-Driving (FSD) for $99 per month.

The change is subtle but significant. Tesla's online configurator no longer mentions the word 'Autopilot.' Furthermore, the $8,000 one-time purchase option for FSD is reportedly set to expire on February 14, 2026. While premium models like the Model S and Model X still include FSD at no extra cost, entry-level buyers are facing a 'pay-to-play' reality for basic driver assistance.

Regional Disparity and Market Pressure

The situation is notably different in Europe, where regulators have yet to greenlight the full suite of FSD features. European buyers still enjoy Basic Autopilot as a standard inclusion. Social media backlash has been swift, with many pointing out that competing entry-level EVs now offer lane-keep assist for free, making Tesla's decision to gate-keep the feature behind a monthly fee appear out of touch with market trends.