Tesla Ends Autopilot as Standard Feature: Pushing Drivers Toward FSD Subscriptions

Tesla has quietly removed its long-standing Autopilot driver assistance system as a standard feature on new vehicles in the United States and Canada, signaling a major shift in its product strategy and subscription revenue model.

In place of Autopilot’s familiar combination of Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer (the lane-centering assist), all new Tesla orders now include only the basic adaptive cruise control functionality as standard. To regain lane-keeping and other advanced assistance features that were once free, owners must now subscribe to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) pack at $99/month, or pay for the optional package before the old purchase option expires.

🚨BREAKING: Tesla has REMOVED Autopilot from New Tesla Orders

• New Model Y only has Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
• NO AUTOPILOT ❌

You can only buy FSD for $8k till 2/14
or Subscribe for $100/Month

End of an Autopilot era https://t.co/smQZ9vMUFd pic.twitter.com/iW0YxsXviW

— DennisCW | wen my L (@DennisCW_) January 23, 2026

What’s Changed (and When)

No More Standard Autopilot:
For nearly seven years, Tesla included Autopilot on every Model 3 and Model Y sold in North America. Under this system, drivers got both adaptive cruise and lane-centering steering at no additional cost. That is no longer the case — Autosteer is now behind the FSD paywall.

FSD Subscription Only Starting February 14, 2026:
Tesla announced it will discontinue the one-time purchase option for FSD (once offered for around $8,000) after February 14, 2026. After that date, the only way to access FSD’s advanced assisted driving features is through a monthly or annual subscription starting at $99.

Standard Traffic-Aware Cruise Control:
Every new Tesla will now include only Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, which handles speed matching and basic following, but not lane holding or smart steering without a subscription.

Why Tesla Made This Move

There are several key factors behind Tesla’s decision:

1. Boosting Software Revenue

Tesla’s pivot toward subscription models, especially for high-margin software, reflects a broader shift across the tech world. Recurring revenue from FSD subscriptions helps stabilize Tesla’s finances as overall EV sales growth slows.

2. Weak FSD Adoption So Far

Despite heavy promotion, only a small percentage of Tesla owners have opted for FSD so far. Subscription pricing is seen as a way to lower barriers to entry and increase user participation.

3. Regulatory Pressures

Regulatory scrutiny has also played a role. California authorities challenged Tesla’s use of the Autopilot name, saying the branding was misleading because the system does not deliver true autonomous driving. In some cases, regulators threatened suspension of Tesla’s sales licenses unless changes were made.

What It Means for Tesla Owners and Buyers

For current and future Tesla drivers, the implications are clear, and mixed:

 Increased Flexibility (With a Cost)

• Some drivers may appreciate the ability to subscribe only when they want advanced features instead of paying a large upfront fee.
• Short-term users who only need enhanced assistance occasionally can save money by subscribing monthly.

Higher Long-Term Cost

• Drivers who use lane-centering and Autosteer frequently may end up paying more over the long term compared to the old one-time purchase.
• Subscription fees are expected to rise over time as Tesla adds more capabilities and pushes toward full autonomy.

Impact on Safety Expectations

Some car buyers and reviewers have raised questions about whether lane-centering should remain a free basic safety feature, given that many non-Tesla competitors include similar tech at no extra cost.

Final Takeaway

Tesla’s move to pull Autopilot as a standard feature and focus on Full Self-Driving subscriptions marks a clear shift in its business model, from selling hardware at a fixed cost to pushing recurring software revenue. For drivers, this change means more choice but also an ongoing subscription expense if they want the full suite of driver-assist features.

Whether this strategy will drive greater adoption of autonomous technology, or simply frustrate a portion of Tesla’s customer base, remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the way consumers access advanced driving features has just changed forever.