Tesla's Autosteer Takes a Detour: Base Models Lose Feature, Push for FSD Subscriptions

TL;DR: Tesla just pulled a sneaky move: Autosteer, that lane-centering feature everyone loved in their base Autopilot, is gone from new Model 3 and Model Y orders. Now, if you want your car to stay between the lines, you're lookin' at a $99/month Full Self-Driving subscription. It's like they're sayin', 'You want the fancy stuff? You gotta pay to play, baby!'

Meta: Tesla has quietly removed its Autosteer feature from all new Model 3 and Model Y trims in the U.S. configurator, a move that appears to be pushing buyers towards the more expensive Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscription, which Elon Musk hints will see price increases.

Alright, folks, buckle up, because Tesla just made a move that's got some drivers doin' a double-take! If you're custom-orderin' a new Model 3 or Model Y in the U.S., you might notice somethin' missin' from the standard Autopilot package: Autosteer. That's the feature that keeps your car nicely centered in its lane. Now, the configurator only shows 'Traffic Aware Cruise Control' as included, along with a 30-day trial of Full Self-Driving (FSD).

The FSD Upsell

This ain't just a small change; it's a big strategic pivot. Before, Autosteer was part of the basic Autopilot. Now, it seems like Tesla's tryin' to herd buyers directly into the FSD pasture, which, by the way, is movin' to a subscription-only model at $99 a month starting in February. Elon Musk even chimed in on X, not to clarify the Autosteer removal, but to 'also mention' that the cost of FSD 'will rise as FSD's capabilities improve.' It's like tellin' you the free appetizers are gone, but the main course is about to get more expensive!

This move has, predictably, stirred up a hornet's nest online. Folks on Reddit are callin' it 'super lame' and 'laughable,' with some even threatenin' to jump ship to other brands. And they got a point! Even a basic Toyota Corolla LE in 2026 comes with lane centering. Tesla, the supposed leader in autonomy, is now puttin' a feature behind a paywall that's standard on much cheaper cars. It's like buyin' a fancy steak, and they tell you the fork is extra.

Driving Towards a Trillion Dollar Dream?

Some speculate this is all part of a bigger plan to juice up FSD take-rates, especially with Elon's massive $1 trillion CEO Performance Award tied to things like 10 million active FSD subscriptions and 20 million vehicles delivered. If you want those big bonuses, you gotta get those numbers up! And what better way to do it than to make a feature people expect standard, suddenly optional... for a price? It's a bold strategy, Cotton, let's see if it pays off for 'em.

What’s Next

Expect backlash from customers who are used to Autosteer being a standard feature. Tesla will likely see increased FSD subscriptions, but also potential customer dissatisfaction and a closer look from competitors who now offer similar features at lower price points. This move will be a crucial test of how much control Tesla can exert over its feature set and how it impacts customer loyalty and sales.

So, if you're buyin' a new Tesla, be prepared to get your hands back on that wheel, or open up that wallet. Because in the world of EVs, it seems like every mile has a price tag. And that's the bottom line!