Casual observers are likely hard-pressed to tell the difference between Tesla's lower-cost models: the Model 3 and Model Y. The two electric vehicles—one a four-door car and the other a four-door hatchback SUV—share around 75% of their looks and parts.
The move was a cost-cutting decision that allowed Tesla to ramp up production of multiple vehicles at once. And both versions are relatively affordable: the Model 3 starts around $38,990 while the Model Y comes in around $50,000. The flashier Model S and Model X—with its gullwing doors—will set you back at least $79,990 or $89,990, respectively.
For budget-minded shoppers looking to ditch their gas guzzlers for a Tesla, which model is best? Let's break it down.
Model Y Pros: Size and Storage
In choosing between the two, it will likely boil down to size, speed, and utility. "The biggest thing for the Model Y is just how different it feels when you sit up higher," says EV advocate and YouTuber Ben Sullins. "It still has a relatively small footprint but feels like a much larger vehicle when you're inside it."
The Model Y only measures about 2 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the Model 3, but has 68 cubic feet of cargo space to the Model 3's 15 cubic feet.
Whether it’s trunk space or extra room in the second row, the Model Y just has more. The Model 3 is more nimble and can fit five adults, but it feels most comfortable with only four people along for the ride. The Model Y, on the other hand, has a little more breathing room.
"The hatchback on the Model Y means...it can fit larger items, similar to larger SUVs," Sullins tells me. "Also, the recent addition of third-row seats means you can now seat seven people in the Model Y, which is impossible in the Model 3."
If transporting more people is the goal, the Model Y with the seven-seat configuration is the way to go. The two back seats are cramped compared to the full-sized Model X SUV, but YouTube videos have documented that plenty of types of people can fit for short hauls.
Model 3 Pros: Price and Efficiency
If your carpool days are behind you, save some money and gain battery efficiency with the Model 3. The long-range, dual-motor Model 3 currently starts at $3,000 less than the same Model Y. The Model 3 also has the option for a standard range model that's $12,000 cheaper than the most affordable Model Y. (That's before any local rebates are applied.)
Thanks to its smaller size, the Model 3 weighs less than the Model Y, allowing it to squeeze out a few more miles of range compared to the Y. The long-range, dual-motor Model Y is advertised as having 326 miles of range, while the same Model 3 lands at 353 miles. A 27-mile difference might not be enough to sway people who need more space, but it is a welcome benefit for those looking for maximum drive time.
Which Tesla Model Should You Choose?
Sullins usually recommends that Tesla newbies check out a used Model S, but those will still cost you around $50,000, which is pretty expensive for a used car, Tesla or not.
"If someone wanted a new Tesla, I would recommend the Model 3 to people who don't need the added storage and prefer a more fun driving experience," Sullins says. "The Model Y is [for those who] need to haul more stuff or haul more people."
Having driven both a Model Y and a Model 3 myself, the Model 3 is more fun to drive. The Model Y just doesn’t have the 3's sports car feel. The long-range, dual-motor Model 3 is indeed faster than the Y, though just barely. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds compared to 4.8 seconds on the Model Y.
The Model Y has a factory option to include a tow hitch, meaning it can haul a rated 3,500 pounds, adding to its utility. The Y is also a family-friendly vehicle, ready to tackle a sports practice or a camping trip, while the Model 3 may be a friendlier commuter car.
Elon Musk thinks the Model Y will be more popular in the long-run, but there's no right or wrong choice here; both EVs are terrific cars. At the moment, the big question is whether you sacrifice speed and range for added space, or ditch a few passengers and hit the open road.