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Tesla Model Y

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The Basics
  • Used Range
  • Used Price
  • Community Satisfaction
  • 207-363 miles
  • $47 - $100K
  • 4.8/ 5
The Tesla Model Y is the newest addition to the Tesla family - it was released in 2020 as a crossover version of the Model 3 that had optional seating for seven and more cargo space. In fact, 75% of its parts come directly from the Model 3. The Standard Range Model Y was initially priced at $40K, helping to fulfill the promise of affordable electric vehicles for all - even the trendiest of soccer families - but price hikes and trim changes in 2021 have left the Model Y better positioned to compete with luxury and performance electric crossovers. It can easily get 275 miles per charge although the oldest ones on the road are still shy of two years.

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Our Takeaways
Things you should know
Our Model Y Data
Our fleet of thousands of EVs give us data to know what we’re talking about.
....and growing!
Recurrent Summary
Calculated by data models built by real scientists
The Basics
Battery
Range + Charging
Satisfaction
Price + Cost

The Basics

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Tesla Model Y: Years and History

The Tesla Model Y is the newest addition to the Tesla family - it was released in 2020 as a crossover version of the Model 3 that had optional seating for seven and more cargo space. In fact, 75% of its parts come directly from the Model 3. The Standard Range Model Y was initially priced at $40K, helping to fulfill the promise of affordable electric vehicles for all - even the trendiest of soccer families - but price hikes and trim changes in 2021 have left the Model Y better positioned to compete with luxury and performance electric crossover. It can easily get 275 miles per charge although the oldest ones on the road are still shy of two years.

There have been no major redesigns to the Model Y since its initial production, but Tesla does offer over-the-air software upgrades for all their cars. The Model Y is slated for construction in Tesla's Berlin and Texas factories which should help ease the company's current 10-month delivery date for a Model Y. The Berlin factory will be piloting a new construction method that uses poured and molded aluminum, rather than attached pieces, for the frame.

What are the available Model Y trims?

There are three main trims for the Model Y, although the existence of the Standard Range Model Y remains elusive. The Standard Range was the original, $40K production model, which has been pulled from the US market a few times, only to be (rumored) available by request, unless you're looking to buy yours in China. Recurrent does have a handful of 2021 Standard Range Model Y's in our research fleet, so they probably do exist.

Other trim levels for the Model Y are the Long Range (RWD and AWD) and the Performance, both of which come with 75 kWh battery. The Performance trim eats some of the range but it provides a top speed of 155 mph and a zero to sixty time of 3.5 seconds. All versions of the Model Y are available with a class II steel tow bar good for up to 3,500 lbs and full self drive capability.

The table below represents the trims in the Recurrent community.

Trim
  • Standard Range
  • Long Range
  • Performance
Battery
  • 60kWh
  • 75kWh
  • 75kWh
Observed range at full charge (mi)
  • 214 - 323
  • 260 - 343
  • 230 - 321

What type of EV is a Model Y?

The Tesla Model Y is a battery electric vehicle, or BEV. This means that it runs exclusively on electricity, which is provided by a high voltage lithium ion battery. It has zero tailpipe emissions.

Range + Charging

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What is the range of a used Tesla Model Y?

Used Model Y ranges at 100% charge vary from 214 to 342 miles, depending on trim. The Standard Range trim gets the lowest range, with an EPA range of only 244, but all trims see some vehicles hitting 300 miles on a full charge.

What is the efficiency of the Model Y in MPGe and miles per kWh?

The Model Y is based on the highly efficient Model 3, and gets between 111-129 MPGe. In terms of of miles per kWh, it falls between 3.3-3.8 mi/kWh. This falls on the high end of efficiency, but vehicles with Performance mode generally be less efficient. The Standard Range trims are the most efficient with a truly chart-topping 129 MPGe.

What is the charging score for the Model Y?

Our community of Model Y drivers give the car a Charging Score of 4.68/5, meaning that most drivers are very satisfied with their charging experience.

Battery

Our fleet of thousands of EVs give us data to know what we’re talking about.
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What sort of battery does a Model Y have?

Teslas all have lithium ion batteries with NCA chemistry, compared to many Model 3, which are being outfitted with more affordable LFP battery packs.

What is the battery size in a Model Y?

All trims of the Model Y come with a single battery size of 75 kWh, meaning that performance trims and higher powered motors will reduce available range. A 75 kWh battery is on the large side but is necessary for the performance, speed, and size of the Model Y.

What is the battery warranty for a new or used Model Y?

The Model Y battery warranty guarantees against degradation past 70% for 8 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty is transferrable if the car is sold.

Curious how long EV batteries last? Read more here!

Satisfaction

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Cartoon battery with a speech bubble containing four stars with a fifth one flashing

How satisfied are Model Y drivers?

This page shares Tesla Model Y data collected from over 500 cars across the United States. Each of the 3 million miles driven helps to draw a picture of the Model Y experience. We polled our community of drivers to find out what they love and what they could leave with their vehicles. 

4.8/5
overall vehicle satisfaction
80%
drivers would give it 5 stars
93%
drivers would buy another
50%
of drivers have Full Self Driving
4.57
vehicle range
4.5
on board range estimate reliability
4.76
charging availability
4.6
time to charge
4.27
auto pilot
4.43
overall value for price
4.82
cost to charge and maintain
4.72
driver comfort
4.65
of 85% that have premium connectivity

What do Model Y drivers love about their car?

Most liked features:

  • Acceleration and handling
  • Technology and over-the-air updates
  • Supercharging network
  • Spacious interior and driver comfort
"Technology is so far advanced. Driving is a pleasure. Love my heated steering wheel, seats, radio speakers. Height of seats makes getting in and out so easy.
"It works as a normal car. I don't also need to own an ICE car."
"The throttle response is so instantaneous that it almost feels that your foot is directly connected to the motors.

What do Model Y drivers want improved?

Room to improve:

  • Rough suspension
  • Fit & finish/ quality of build for price
  • Rear visibility
  • Actual range different than advertised
"Actual range. Rated range 326 mi. Actual 296 after 8 months- 20% off bottom and 10% off top = 206 usable average. No one to contact about questions or problems ."
"Ride quality, build quality and road noise
"The finishes are not durable. It doesn't take much to dent interior or scratch exterior finishes.

What is the Green Score for the Model Y?

The Green Score for the Model Y is great, since as an all-electric car, it has the lowest tailpipe emissions.

Price + Cost

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How much does it cost to buy a Model Y?

The Model Y was initially conceived as a moderately priced crossover vehicle akin to the Model 3 but with more storage and seating. The original Standard Range model was sold new at around $40K. However, many price increases and removal of the Standard Range trim have left the Model Y a rather pricey vehicle, starting at $58,990 for the lowest priced options. The Performance trim brings the price to $63,990.

The average used price for a Model Y is around $67K. Since it was only released in 2020, there is not that much variation in the used prices of 2020 or 2021 model years, although the 2021's tend to be around 2K higher. Like all used cars, and especially used Teslas, the used price of a Model Y has risen substantially in 2021.

There is less variation in the price of used and new Model Y's than other Teslas because there are fewer options and trims available.

What does it cost to drive a mile in a Model Y?

The Model Y has a cost per range mile between $210 - $275 across all used model years and all trim levels. The relatively small spread in the cost per range mile is due to the similar pricing and range estimates for almost all Model Y's.

How much does it cost to charge a Model Y for the year?

You can estimate your annual charging costs to be between $313 - $1,200 for 2020 Model Y Long Range.

Model Y Walkthrough