Tesla FSD Subscription: Price and Release Date Expectations (2024)

Elon Musk said back in December 2020 that a FSD subscription would be made available next year. He has recently said that it’s coming this month and that it won’t be tied to the wider release of the FSD v9 beta which is expected in May or June. You can probably guess why these two features have similar timelines as Tesla expects FSD v9 to help sell the FSD subscriptions. The new FSD v9 release is also expected to have brand new vector-space visualizations.

We’re now in May and the FSD subscription should be falling upon us any day now. In our initial reporting of the FSD subscription, we talked about why it was smart for Tesla to also offer a FSD subscription in addition to a one-time purchase package. You can read more about those reasons here, but they mostly have to do with the hefty price tag of $10,000, which is a tough pill to swallow for most and also that there are some instances where buying the FSD package outright doesn't make sense, for example if you’re leasing your car.

Here’s what to expect in Tesla’s announcement

The average new car length ownership in the US is 8.4 years. The FSD package currently costs $10,000 USD. So if you take the cost of the package and divide it by the length of car ownership, you get a price of $99/month.

Now, there are probably a few reasons why Tesla wouldn’t want to create a $99/month FSD option, even though it’s a very attractive price.

First, if Tesla were to release a $99/month option, they’d be sure to annoy a whole lot of loyal supporters who spent $10,000 up front when they bought their cars and only had a fraction of the FSD features available.Secondly, Tesla would much rather you buy the FSD package up front instead of paying for it monthly. By doing that, not only do they have $10k to invest into resources right away, but they also essentially got you to commit to pay for FSD every month for 8-plus years.

So what is a good price? $149 seems plausible. For drivers who have leased their cars for three-years then it’d be a total cost of about $5,300 over the course of the three-years instead of their only other alternative right now, which is the full $10,000 package. This may tip the boat in Tesla’s favor for many.

You can certainly bet that Tesla is closely analyzing the percentage of buyers who currently buy the FSD package today and how many of those buyers they would lose if they were to offer a monthly subscription. The answer to that question lies in whether they would make more through FSD subscriptions than what they’d lose in upfront payments.

If we look at the possibility of a $199/month subscription then we’re looking at someone paying $7,200 over three-years, which seems just way too close to the full price of $10,000 to make sense. That’d be paying over $20k over that 8 year period.

Now, if Tesla were a traditional company, I would feel pretty comfortable with expecting a $149/month FSD subscription becoming available this month. But if there’s one thing that Tesla has taught us over the years, is that there is always a price early adopters pay.

The price of Tesla’s cars has dropped dramatically in some cases. Some folks paid more for an AWD Model 3 then what the Performance model ended up costing later on. Elon Musk has often commented on this; saying that technology gets cheaper and early adopters are often helping pave the road for the future.

Whether Tesla releases a $99/month or $199/month FSD subscription completely depends on how many buyers are buying the FSD package today. I have a feeling it’s rather low or Tesla wouldn’t be considering a monthly subscription in the first place.

As a reader has pointed out, it's possible that Tesla may require a minimum commitment in order to subscribe to FSD at $99/month. This could be used to prevent owners from only subscribing during roadtrips. It could also help offset the costs of any hardware needed to allow FSD, such as upgrading the car's Autopilot hardware from 2.5 to 3.0. Elon Musk has already said that the FSD subscription would cover any hardware needed. A minimum commitment could be one or two-years.

A FSD subscription has the advantage that it is not tied to a particular vehicle, you could subscribe to it in one vehicle, then switch it to another a year or two later. That may be the biggest issue early adopters will have who paid full price for FSD at $7,000 or $10,000. Tesla may allow a one-time transfer of the FSD license for these owners as this has become a popular topic that has yet to be addressed by Elon. It's also possible that Tesla may limit FSD subscriptions to personal use and they would not be able to be used for robotaxis in the future.

We expect Tesla to announce a FSD subscription as low as $99, or as high as $149, in the US very soon.

Tesla has announced that it will be doubling the annual openings of its Destination Charging Network.

Destination Chargers are located at hotels, restaurants, parking garages, and other locations where you’ll be likely to spend several hours using a facility. These are all level 2 chargers, providing you with a chance to plug in, charge, and relax while you’re on a trip.

Today, Tesla has over 40,000 Wall Connectors installed at its destination charging sites – and it is planning to continue increasing that number.

Tesla previously announced back in 2023 that it was partnering with Hilton Hotels to equip 2,000 hotels across the United States, Canada, and Mexico with a staggering 20,000 Universal Wall Connectors – which are capable of charging any EVs – not just Teslas. Many of these locations are already on track to be installed or have been installed – as the plan began in early 2024.

Destination Charging

Destination charging locations are available through your vehicle navigation – they appear as either one-bolt or two-bolt chargers at many locations. While destination charging isn’t as fast as Supercharging, you can pick up a full charge overnight at a hotel with destination charging, or top off your charge with a 1-hour dinner at a restaurant. Most destination chargers will be 11.5 kW or 9.6 kW, which will charge about 35-44 miles every hour, depending on your model.

With its Certified Installers program, Tesla also partners with local companies to get Tesla destination or urban chargers installed into environments. The Certified Installers program allows businesses to quickly find and work with Tesla-certified electricians and contractors who will be able to install the correct charging solution – and once it's enabled – make it show up within vehicle navigation.

Cost & Charging

Using a Destination Charger is as simple as plugging your vehicle in, in most cases. Some locations may charge to use them, and the Tesla app will get you squared away with automatic recognition and billing – just like using a Supercharger. One item of note is that Destination Charging prices are set by the location owner – not Tesla – so prices may vary. Many businesses use them as a way to attract customers and offer free charging.

Destination Charging is a fantastic solution for EV drivers to get from location to location without relying on Level 3 charging stops if they’re taking it slow. It also serves as a way for urban areas to get charging added to parking garages, theaters, restaurants, and other locations.

The best part about Destination Charging installs is that because its Level 2 charging for the most part – it only requires 48-amp services, which doesn’t require special infrastructure like a Supercharger does. This means that most businesses can install it fairly easily and without a big bill. We look forward to seeing Tesla’s 40,000 sites rapidly expand to the next big marker – 50,000, and then 100,000.

The Rivian R1S and the Tesla Model X are two of the premiere choices when buying a large electric SUV. So, we put together a buyer’s guide to help customers search for their EV of choice.

Both the R1S and the Model X are fantastic vehicles, and we’re not here to put one up or the other down. Instead, we’ll be looking at the advantages each vehicle brings – everyone has different needs for their vehicle, and some may favor one over the other.

Price, Range, and Specs

The R1S and the Model X are both unique vehicles in their own right, but each has their own set of configurations that could work better for your family. The table below compares some of the basic specs of these vehicles.

* The Model X LR can be equipped with 5, 6, or 7 seat interiors.
** The R1S Quad Max pricing and range are unavailable today, and deliveries will begin in 2025.

All the prices listed above are without considering any Federal, State, or Provincial EV Rebates you may qualify for.

Seating

The Model X offers more flexibility in terms of seating, with buyers being able to pick from a 5-seat configuration with a bench seat in the second row and more cargo room or go up to a 6-seat layout with captain chairs and a center row. The 7-seat configuration keeps the bench seat in the second row and the two rear seats in the third row.

The R1S only has a single-seat configuration with a bench seat in the second row and two seats in the third row.

Interior

When looking at the interiors of each vehicle, both are well-equipped and luxurious right off the bat. Both vehicles come in vegan leather alternatives, and the seats are well-designed and comfortable.

Rivian and Tesla both have unique interior finishes – the R1S comes with the improved Ascend finish on the Tri-Max and the Quad Max, while the Model X Plaid comes with carbon fiber trim throughout the interior rather than the standard wooden finishes.

Both also have a set of unique internal finishes to choose from, all with high-quality materials. Tesla, for its part, focuses on black, white, and beige, while Rivian offers a wider range of colors. We suggest looking at both interiors online, and in person if you have the opportunity to.

Road Tripping & Families

Both vehicles have some fantastic advantages for both road-tripping, as well as every day errands with the family.

In terms of interior access, the Model X, with its 6-seat layout, offers better access to and from the third row. The falcon wing doors also make it easier for passengers to get in and out of any of the rear seats. Since they’re automated doors and require very little space to open, it’s also easier for kids to get in and out of the vehicle. If your child is in a car seat, the falcon wing doors also provide a significant advantage when putting your child into the car seat since the doors open up over your head instead of swinging outward.

On the flip side, the R1S is a larger vehicle all around, and the 7-seat configuration leaves you with plenty of space for a large family. However, third-row access will be more difficult since it requires you to flip down one of the second-row seats. The middle row leaves plenty of space for even taller people to get into. In fact, with three people in the back, you’ll find a considerably larger amount of shoulder room and foot room than in the Model X. If you’ve got a big family or find yourself driving around lots of people, the R1S offers a definite advantage in this area.

Rear Screen

The Model X comes with a fully capable rear display measuring almost 9 inches, which passengers can use for a wide variety of things, including playing games, watching videos on Netflix, YouTube, or other services, in addition to controlling parts of the vehicle such as seat heaters and the rear climate.

The R1S 6.8-inch rear display is aimed more at being a utility instead of offering entertainment benefits. It’ll let passengers control music, adjust the climate, and see your trip’s progress, but currently doesn’t offer the ability to watch any video content.

Both screens are placed directly behind the center armrest of the front seats, which gives an adequate view for passengers in the second row, but not the third.

Tesla has the advantages hands-down on this one, with the rear screen not only supporting video streaming while the vehicle is moving but also supporting a second channel of Bluetooth audio so that passengers in the back can listen to different content than the front passengers.

Rivian may add video capability to their rear screen in the future. However, it’s not clear whether they’ll support separate audio for the rear display. The Rivian display is also much smaller and has a non-standard ratio, meaning that video content won’t fill the whole screen.

Tesla also provides passengers in the front the ability to control the rear screen. If you have young kids, you can actually bring up the rear screen on the main display in the front and load up a video for your kids.

Storage Space

While both vehicles are considered “SUVs”, the R1S is the clear taker in terms of available storage space, both up front in the frunk, and cargo space in the back. However, the Model X does offer a fairly large amount of storage, and that may be good enough for most people.

Let’s take a look at the overall storage space capabilities of each vehicle.

* This is cubic feet of space, with the third row folded flat in either vehicle.

** Towing specifications depend on tire size and motor options for each vehicle, and a proper weight-distributing hitch may be required. Consult the service manuals for exact details.

Charging

Both the R1S and the Model X are top-of-the-line electric vehicles, and both offer fantastic charging speeds and range.

The R1S offers a maximum charging speed of 220kW, while the Model X offers a maximum charging speed of 250kW. Overall, both vehicles, when pre-conditioned and at a low state of charge, will charge fairly quickly, making them both great choices for road-tripping. Of course, you can also use slower AC charging for either vehicle.

The largest difference in terms of charging is that the Model X is supported at every Tesla Supercharger - the largest and most reliable charging network in North America. The R1S can also be charged at some Tesla Superchargers, but it’ll need to be a V4 Supercharger that has a built-in adapter referred to as the “Magic Dock,” or you’ll need to have a NACS to CSS adapter.

Both vehicles are capable of charging at third-party CCS stations like Electrify America, but the Model X will require a CCS to NACS adapter. The R1S also supports charging at Rivian’s excellent Rivian Adventure Network (RAN) chargers, which are currently limited to Rivian vehicles. These chargers are typically located in adventuring hotspots throughout the continental United States.

Autonomy

On the autonomy front, Tesla is a clear winner – especially if you want a vehicle that can mostly drive itself today with minimal interventions. FSD is an exceptional software package that sees continuous OTA improvements, and for many subscribers and owners of the software – it’s a service that they couldn’t live without.

FSD Supervised today is a fantastic system able to route itself through city streets and highways, and get you from point A to point B, provided you’re paying attention and can intervene if the system can’t handle a situation.

And if you don’t want to use FSD, the Model X comes equipped with Basic Autopilot, which can provide adaptive cruise control and lane assist, as well as all the safety features that come standard on every Tesla.

Rivian, on the other hand, doesn’t offer a full autonomy package, but on their newer Generation 2 vehicles, it does offer some autonomy features that are similar to Tesla’s Basic Autopilot. Rivian is actively working on improving its autonomy software and promises to expand its functionality in the future. Rivian’s Driver+ on their Gen 1 vehicles (2024 and older) provides highway assist on select highways, as well as adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and lane change assist, alongside all of Rivian’s standard safety features.

Overall, Rivian’s package is less capable than Tesla’s today, but it still offers some driver-assist features on the highway.

Comfort & Luxury

When it comes to big SUVs, and especially luxury vehicle purchases in general, comfort is a big aspect in terms of the purchase. Both the R1S and the Model X bring adaptive air suspension, which means both vehicles ride more comfortably than most cars. The R1S does offer a few more adjustable comfort-focused options for its air suspension than the Model X, such as different drive modes, but the difference between the vehicles is remarkably close.

In terms of seat comfort, both the R1S and the Model X have spectacularly comfortable seats. The front seats on both vehicles are heated and cooled, while the second and third rows are limited to heated seats that can be controlled through the rear screen. Neither vehicle brings massage seats to the table, but if that’s a dealbreaker, we suggest waiting for Lucid’s upcoming Gravity SUV.

While the Model X has luxurious additions like auto-opening front doors as you approach, the amazing falcon-wing doors, and the ability to automatically open the frunk or trunk hands-free, the Rivian also has some of its own luxuries.

The Rivian R1S features a powered frunk which can be opened or closed from inside the vehicle or from the Rivian app. It also features some nice additions, such as the built-in flashlight, the optional built-in air compressor, or a dynamic glass roof that can be dimmed at the touch of a button. The R1S also includes customizable ambient lighting and support for surround sound using Dolby Atmos (requires a subscription to Connect+).

Software & Software Updates

Both brands offer very software-focused vehicles that receive software updates several times per year, roughly once per month. Both of these vehicles are constantly getting better and will receive new features that keep the vehicle feeling new and exciting. While the software user interface will be a personal preference, Tesla currently has more software features and entertainment options. However, both vehicles include features like Dog Mode / Pet Comfort, Sentry Mode / Gear Guard, Camp Mode, and Launch Mode for performance variants. Tesla and Rivian both like to toss in the occasional easter egg as well.

Summary

Both the Tesla Model X and the Rivian R1S are excellent vehicles in their own right, and each offers a unique and fresh take on the SUV experience. They’re both fantastic EVs, with some of the best battery and motor technology in the business, and you can’t go wrong selecting either one. In general, the Riviam R1S offers a more spacious interior with more cargo room with finer materials, while the Model X offers a more robust driver-assist system, a better charging network, more entertainment options, and a superior seat layout.

We highly recommend you head over to a Tesla Showroom and to a Rivian Space to get acquainted with both vehicles in person.