All eyes are on the Tesla Cybertruck, because it’s lastly within the wild after a number of years of ready. However the automaker’s present catalog nonetheless gives stable tech, vary, and efficiency. The Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y have been sizzling sellers for Tesla, and the latter has earned the worldwide top-seller spot regardless of fierce competitors from Chinese language automakers.
Whereas related in some regards, the Mannequin 3 just lately obtained an replace for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, and the Mannequin Y simply noticed a notable worth lower, so it’s value digging in to debate the variations between the 2 and try how they may suit your wants.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Value
For some time, Tesla was reducing costs on the Mannequin 3 sedan, making it one of the vital reasonably priced EVs on sale, however the script has flipped for the reason that up to date sedan debuted earlier in 2024. The Mannequin 3’s worth now begins at $38,990, and all however the brand new Efficiency mannequin are ineligible for federal tax credit. In the meantime, Tesla slashed Mannequin Y costs to only $29,420. The Y additionally qualifies for tax credit throughout the board, making it wildly reasonably priced within the most cost-effective configurations.
The Mannequin 3 All-Wheel Drive prices $47,740, and the brand-new Mannequin 3 Efficiency All-Wheel Drive begins at $52,990. Stepping as much as the Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive pushes the value to $34,490, whereas the range-topping Efficiency All-Wheel Drive mannequin prices $37,990 earlier than choices and charges. The 2 upgraded Mannequin Y variants additionally qualify for credit.
Although none of those costs are significantly outrageous, even the most costly Mannequin 3, consumers can add hundreds to their buy worth with choices. Tesla fees further for each shade however black, with some hues including $1,000 and others bumping the value by $2,000. Upgraded wheels can value as a lot as $2,000 whereas choosing a white inside can add as much as $1,500 to the value. The excellent news is that Tesla has decreased the price of Full Self-Driving Functionality, making it $8,000 in April 2024.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Vary
The longest-range Mannequin 3 tops out at 341 miles within the Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive variant, whereas the Mannequin Y’s Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive configuration maxes out at 310 miles. These are each spectacular numbers, but it surely’s essential to notice that real-world vary typically varies from the marketed specs. Driving in excessive temperatures, including the bigger non-compulsory wheels, and driving quick can considerably impression vary.
The Mannequin Y Rear-Wheel Drive has a variety estimate of 260 miles, and upgrading to the speedy Efficiency AWD mannequin brings a 279-mile vary. Mannequin 3 RWD consumers get 272 miles of vary, whereas the brand new Efficiency AWD variant advertises a 296-mile vary. Tesla’s vary estimates are extremely aggressive, even for the cheaper fashions, making them glorious decisions for folks with longer commutes or sparse charging infrastructure.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Effectivity
Whereas Teslas don’t get gasoline economic system rankings like conventional inner combustion automobiles, the EPA charges them on MPGe, or miles per gallon equal. Utilizing that metric and the 2023 mannequin 12 months, which is the most recent information out there on fueleconomy.gov, the Mannequin 3 RWD is essentially the most environment friendly between the 2 automobiles and is the automaker’s most effective automobile total, at 132 MPGe mixed. The Mannequin Y RWD seems to be mislabeled on fueleconomy.gov as a primary AWD mannequin, which landed at 123 MPGe.
The Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary AWD returns an estimated 131 MPGe, whereas the Efficiency is estimated at 113 MPGe. The Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary AWD is rated at 122 MPGe and the Efficiency at 111 MPGe. It’s essential to notice that new automobiles from the 2024 mannequin 12 months might return completely different numbers.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Cost Time
Tesla doesn’t differentiate between fashions on its charging website, saying that its Supercharger community can add 200 miles of vary in quarter-hour. Its chargers provide as much as 250 kW of most pace, and the automaker states that charging a Tesla is cheaper than filling a gasoline automobile.
Whereas Superchargers have lengthy been the unique privilege of Tesla homeowners, the corporate just lately started opening the community to outdoors EV manufacturers. Utilizing an adapter or factory-installed port, the automobiles can make the most of Tesla’s lauded Superchargers, with many providing the flexibility to handle and monitor charging by way of their in-house apps.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: 0-60 MPH
Even the slowest Teslas are nonetheless fairly fast by gasoline automobile requirements, however the quickest between the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y is the brand new Mannequin 3 Efficiency AWD, which boasts a 2.9-second 0-60 mph time. Whereas “slower,” the Mannequin Y Efficiency AWD nonetheless rocks a wholesome 3.5-second 0-60 mph run.
On the low finish of the Mannequin 3 line, the RWD variant guarantees 5.8 seconds to 60 mph from a standstill, whereas the Lengthy Vary AWD takes simply 4.2 seconds to do the deed. The marginally bigger Mannequin Y RWD makes the run in 6.6 seconds, and the Lengthy Vary AWD gives a 4.8-second 0-60 mph time.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Prime Pace
Whereas there are not any public roads able to legally accommodating any of those high pace numbers, the Tesla Mannequin 3 Efficiency AWD is the quickest of the group, with a 163 mph most. The Mannequin Y Efficiency AWD’s high pace is a barely slower 155 mph, however once more, that’s far quicker than anybody is ready to journey on public roads with out placing their license and life in critical jeopardy.
Slowing issues down a bit, the 2 much less highly effective Mannequin 3 variants high out at 125 mph. Surprisingly, the comparable Mannequin Y choices are barely quicker, with a 135-mph high pace for each.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Driver-Help Programs
Tesla’s automobiles all come generously geared up with driver-assist options. The checklist consists of automated emergency braking, ahead collision warnings, aspect collision warnings, obstacle-aware acceleration, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure avoidance, and emergency lane departure avoidance.
Consumers can add Full Self-Driving (FSD) Functionality for a big upcharge, which brings autosteer on metropolis streets, visitors and cease signal management, auto-parking options, automated lane modifications, “sensible summon” options, and navigate on Autopilot, which suggests lane modifications and helps information the automobile on limited-access highways. As of this writing, FSD prices $8,000, and the subscription is now $99 a month.
And keep in mind, regardless of their names, they aren’t absolutely self-driving vehicles; these techniques require training on the way to use them and fixed monitoring from behind the wheel.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Inside
Tesla’s interiors are austere, relying closely on the central dash-mounted touchscreen for automobile controls, gauge shows, and infotainment options. Artificial leather-based heated and ventilated entrance seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic glass roof are customary options for the Mannequin 3, whereas the Mannequin Y misses ventilated entrance seats.
The brand new Mannequin 3 gained quite a few inside upgrades over the earlier automobile, together with an out there 17-speaker audio system and an eight-inch rear show.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Construct High quality
Tesla’s construct high quality has at all times been hit-or-miss, and the identical is true for the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y. Whereas it employs premium supplies and depends on enticing design, the automaker typically falls flat on core competencies like panel alignment and noise/vibration/harshness controls.
Relying on when the automobile was produced and the way it was offered (present stock vs. customized ordering), there could also be points with match and end, paint high quality, inside panel alignment, and squeaks or rattles. The excellent news is that the automaker’s supply course of permits for an preliminary purchaser inspection, and it gives repairs by way of considered one of its regional service facilities for issues that slid below the radar throughout supply.
The up to date Mannequin 3 is, by many accounts, higher on the standard entrance than ever earlier than, with fewer panel gaps and noticeable construct points.
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Driving Dynamics and Journey Consolation
The brand new Mannequin 3 is surprisingly sharp within the corners and gives a well-tuned experience in different conditions. Its batteries are mounted low within the flooring, giving it a low heart of gravity, which retains it planted and assured throughout spirited driving. Its brakes are clean and linear. Tesla improved on earlier vehicles in 2024 with higher noise insulation, making the inside quieter and extra enjoyable at freeway speeds.
Mannequin Y consumers get a reliable dealing with SUV with direct steering and responsive braking. That stated, the experience high quality is usually a bit too agency at instances, and the Y hasn’t gotten the Mannequin 3’s updates to its noise safety, so there will be extra wind and tire noise within the cabin than anticipated.
What Our Consultants Say
Pound for pound, the Mannequin 3 is now a greater automobile than it’s ever been. The standard has been improved, the experience is best, the brand new Efficiency variant appears extraordinarily spectacular, and even the seems to be are sharper. However there’s no getting round the truth that the Mannequin Y is the higher, greater automobile for households. Should you want the additional area, get that one. It’s not too arduous to determine. Hopefully, the Mannequin Y will get the identical updates the “Highland” Mannequin 3 received, however even till then it stays the EV crossover to beat. – Patrick George, Editor-in-Chief
The Mannequin Y feels roomier with a better seating place. Its weight is simply actually noticeable if you happen to’re attempting to drive it like a sports activities automobile. I believe most consumers will worth the additional seating and cargo area you get with the Mannequin Y; as a Mannequin 3 proprietor, I typically want I had that. –Rob Stumpf, Contributing Author, Tesla proprietor
Tesla Mannequin 3 vs. Tesla Mannequin Y: Conclusion
Tesla made quite a few refinements to the Mannequin 3 heading into 2024, making it a extra enticing purchase than the Mannequin Y in lots of regards. Even so, most configurations miss out on federal tax credit, so it’s dearer than the Mannequin Y, which just lately received a big worth lower. Each automobiles provide compelling vary estimates, and so they’re nonetheless on the cheaper aspect of the EV spectrum, even with the Mannequin 3’s current tax credit score loss.
Points with construct high quality apart, both would make a nice zero-emissions automobile at a principally affordable worth.