The debut of the 2020 Tesla Model Y is just around the corner, and while we’re still waiting on all the official specs, there’s no doubt it’ll come with the very latest technology the California-based automaker can muster. Chief among these should be an array of advanced autonomous drive features.

Putting The “Y” Into Autonomy

TopSpeed’s rendering of the 2020 Tesla Model Y here.


While some automakers are starting to catch up, Tesla still offers the most advanced autonomous drive systems on the market today. Right now, the Tesla lineup includes features like automatic speed matching, lane centering, automatic steering, lane changing, transition from one freeway to another, self park, and summoning, not to mention a bevy of simpler features like automatic emergency braking, side collision warning, front collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.

To help push the adoption rate of this safety- and convenience-enhancing technology, Tesla recently dropped the price of its advanced autonomous features, offering the Autopilot feature for $2,000 and the Full Self-Driving feature for $3,000. However, following a public outcry from customers who felt cheated that they paid much higher prices for these systems, Tesla backpedaled and will revert to the old pricing next week.

That means both systems will cost $8,000 if added to the vehicle from new, or $11,000 when bought after the initial vehicle purchase.

Note: 2020 Tesla Model Y pictured here.


Clearly, autonomous technology is integral to the Tesla product offering, and that’s certainly not going to change with the 2020 Model Y. In fact, autonomous tech could become even more important with the Y.

To make all those autonomous features work the way they should, each Tesla comes equipped with a number of hardware systems from the factory, including radar, visual cameras, and ultrasonic sensors. Overall, these technologies aren’t really seeing too much development progress, at least relatively speaking, and they are included with each Tesla model irrespective of the technology spec outlined at the time of purchase. That means they can get “switched on” at a later date, if desired.

By contrast, the software side of autonomous tech is advancing much more quickly thanks to constant data collection from the various vehicles already on the road. As such, Tesla offers periodic upgrades to customers, with just a few clicks required to download the latest patch and install it in the car’s computer.

And we think the debut of the 2020 Tesla Model Y provides a fantastic opportunity to bring out the latest and greatest in Tesla’s arsenal. There’s a very real possibility Tesla will announce a major over-the-air update with the release of the 2020 Model Y.

Tesla Model Y
Tesla

Note: 2020 Tesla Model Y pictured here.


This could include the addition of an entirely new autonomous feature. Another possibility is further subdivision of the technology, with expanded capability lower in the line, and additional capability higher in the line. A lower cost point is also a possibility.

Overall, we think the Model Y presents a perfect opportunity for greater autonomous technology integration. After all, compact crossovers aren’t necessarily seen as “driver’s cars” - these things should be more about convenience and comfort, and self-driving features fit perfectly with that sort of theme.

What’s more, with additional vehicles on the road, Tesla’s software will benefit from even more data. Additional data equals further improvement to the software, and that means better features for every Tesla owner out there.

What do you want to see the 2020 Tesla Model Y offer? Let us know in the comments section below.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2020 Tesla Model Y.

Read our full review on the 2017 Tesla Model X.

Read our full review on the 2018 Tesla Model 3.

Read our full review on the 2018 Tesla Model S.

Read our full review on the 2019 Tesla Semi.

Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Tesla Pickup.