The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric SUV and the fourth model in Tesla's lineup, slotting underneath the Model X and offering a more spacious (albeit more expensive) alternative to the Model 3 sedan. It's one of the most popular electric cars on the road thanks to excellent electric range, loads of in-car tech and swift acceleration, especially in the Performance trim.
Official details for the 2023 Model Y will likely keep trickling in throughout the year. Unlike most other automakers, Tesla makes rolling updates to its vehicles rather than waiting for a brand-new model year to come around. Recent updates include pricing reductions and the introduction of an Enhanced Autopilot option that adds a variety of advanced driver assist features, such as automatic lane changes as well as self-parking and summon features, without having to pay for the full-boat Full Self-Driving upgrade.
Specific to the 2023 Tesla Model Y is the introduction of Tesla's so-called 4680 battery cells. The new 4680 cells are a complete overhaul of the battery tech inside Tesla's cars, and the company has been working on them for quite some time. There's a lot that goes into the new cells, but what matters to most consumers is that this battery technology promises lower costs, which Tesla could pass on to its customers. As of this publication, Tesla has dropped the price of the Model Y several times throughout the year.
The Y is undeniably the sales leader in its class, but that class is growing with new options. The Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X and Volkswagen ID.4 are all models that you might also want to consider for your next electric SUV purchase. Check out the Expert Rating below to get our test team's full take on the Model Y's utility, comfort, real-world range and more.
What's it like to live with?
Our test team lived with the Model Y and put it through its paces over thousands of miles and months of real-world use. Check out our long-term Tesla Model Y test page for all the details on how it held up over the duration of our test, how reliable it was, and what it's like to live with the Model Y.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The Model Y is a stylish and roomy electric SUV with strong appeal. In Performance trim, it's also extremely quick and dynamic. Unfortunately, the optional sport suspension and large wheels make for a relatively uncomfortable ride. And as with all other Teslas, the Y lags the rest of the industry when it comes to smartphone integration.
Rated for you by America's best test team.How does the Model Y Performance drive? We tested the Model Y Performance. Our test car launched from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Stopping capability from 60 mph is equally impressive, and our test car stopped in just 108 feet. Both of those numbers are better than the stats of a lot of traditional sports cars, and the Y is certainly one of the quickest electric SUVs on the market.
Steering and handling are also laudable despite the Model Y's heavy weight. The steering feels light and responsive to any input and gives you a sense of control and connection through a corner. There's minimal body roll, especially for an SUV. In-town drivability is excellent. Seasoned EV drivers will appreciate the adjustable regenerative braking that allows you to drive nearly exclusively using just the right pedal.
How comfortable is the Model Y Performance? The Model Y's cabin provides good comfort in some areas and disappoints in others. The seats are well padded and provide ample support, for example, and the seat heaters warm quickly. The climate control, like everything else, is touchscreen-operated. It can cool and heat the cabin well, but it has to work extra hard if the sun is out and beaming through the Y's expansive glass roof. You can remotely precondition the cabin before you get in, which is convenient.
The biggest drawback in comfort is ride quality. The Model Y Performance doesn't smooth out much in the way of bumps or road irregularities, and we suspect our test vehicle's large wheels and lowered sport suspension only worsened the issue. The grippier summer tires also generate a bit more noise, though that's a typical trade-off for the added performance. The regular Model Y Long Range will be a better choice if you want a smoother and quieter ride.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating belowHow’s the interior? The Model Y's cabin is spacious, with lots of headroom and legroom for all occupants. Getting in and out is easy thanks to the wide-opening doors, tall roof and low step-over height.
Alas, the large touchscreen, while it looks cool and modern, is the Y's single gateway to controlling nearly everything. There's a learning curve to using the controls, and the system is generally distracting to use while driving. Another issue: If the touchscreen flakes out, you lose the majority of access to the Model Y's controls.
Forward visibility is impressive thanks to the tall and wide windshield and short hood. There's only a bit of obstruction from the large front windshield pillars when making turns. Rear visibility, however, is like what you get in a sport coupe. The slim rear window and high rear beltline greatly restrict what you can see out of the back.
How’s the tech? There are significant pros and cons when it comes to the Model Y's technology features. The big center screen is easy to see and has crisp-looking graphics. The navigation system, which is Google-based, is also clear and easy to read. But the system can be slow to update in spotty service areas, leaving you temporarily mapless. The sound quality from the 14-speaker audio system is immersive.
The biggest downside is the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration. Bluetooth is the only way to connect your phone, and it's a poor substitute compared with the more feature-packed capability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Model Y's advanced driver aids perform great in stop-and-go traffic, but they have proved slightly annoying at highway speeds or along roads with parked cars. We've experienced a number of false alarms with the system riding too close to another car on the highway or mistaking a parked vehicle on the shoulder for a stopped vehicle in our lane, making for a rude awakening for the car behind us. Few competitor vehicle systems share these issues.
On the upside, you'll have access to an internet browser that allows you to do stuff like watch Netflix or scroll through YouTube videos — while parked, of course, and provided you're up-to-date on your Tesla data plan. One of the greatest innovations from Tesla is constant over-the-air updates that can add features and system optimizations.
How’s the storage? The Model Y's cargo space is massive. Tesla cites 68 cubic feet of maximum capacity, though it's unclear whether that number includes the front trunk. The rear seats don't fold entirely flat, but there's a wide opening and an easy load-in height. The removable cargo floor provides even more rear storage underneath. When it comes to storing small items such as water bottles or smartphones, the Model Y's large center console is decent for the job, but organization options are limited.
Child safety seat accommodation is average for an SUV of this size. There's sufficient space for even the largest of child seats. The lower car seat anchors, however, have small access points and are hard to loop through. The top tether points are on the lower side of the rear seats and can be hard to reach.
Range and Efficiency
7.5/10
How economical is the Model Y Performance? [Editor's note: The following relates to the 2020 Model Y Performance, which is what we most recently tested. EPA range and efficiency estimates have changed since then, but our general takeaways still apply.] The EPA estimates the 2020 Model Y Performance has a maximum range of 291 miles and uses 30 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles of driving. Both are impressive for an electric SUV.
In Edmunds' real-world testing of our 2020 Model Y Performance, we observed a total range of 263 miles at a consumption rate of 29.6 kWh/100 miles running in the max-range battery mode, which charges the battery to full capacity. This mode is not recommended for daily use and should be reserved for longer trips. While this result is a bit disappointing, we think the Model Y Performance has sufficient range for most buyers as long as you're driving conservatively.
One big advantage to the Model Y is access to Tesla's proprietary Supercharger network. It provides trustworthy and reasonably priced recharging that comes in handy when you need a bunch of range quickly (such as on road trips).
Is the Model Y Performance a good value? The appeal of the Model Y depends on what you value. If it's speed and performance, the Model Y Performance is a relative bargain compared to other high-performance SUVs. But if interior design and comfort features are priorities, the Model Y is slightly disappointing. In terms of warranties, the Y's is a bit below average for a luxury SUV but comparable to coverage for a luxury EV. You get four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and roadside assistance. Tesla covers the battery for eight years/120,000 miles and guarantees 70% retention of the battery life over that period.
There's lots of fun to be had with the Model Y Performance. Its rapid acceleration, high handling limits and quick steering check off the "fun-to-drive" boxes. The Y's sleek stance makes it good to look at too. With the optional lowered suspension, bigger wheels and optional red paint, this SUV is a real looker.
The 2023 Tesla Model Y is a fully electric small crossover SUV with seating for five passengers. An optional third row increases seating capacity to seven. It comes in three main trims: an unnamed standard-range version, Long Range and Performance.