2023 Tesla Model Y Review, Pricing, and Specs

While it’s more popular with buyers than the Model 3 sedan on which it’s based, the 2023 Tesla Model Y is an altogether less satisfying offering. The electric crossover feels clumsier on a twisty road and offers less driving range, though it’s still a leader in that area among rivals such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Volkswagen ID.4. Like the Model 3, the Y’s interior is crafted from low-quality materials and all of the SUV’s controls are accessed through a singular infotainment display mounted to the dashboard. Its price also puts it into contention with luxury EV SUVs such as the Audi Q8 e-tron, the Cadillac Lyriq, and the Genesis GV60, all of which offer more panache and better build quality. But the Model Y can be had with a feature that those utes don’t offer, one which gives it a leg up with family buyers with small children: a third row of seats.

While Tesla quietly sold a base Model Y with 279 miles of range and all-wheel drive during the first half of 2023, that trim didn't make it through to the end of the year. An even less expensive rear-wheel drive Standard Range model with 260 miles of range was added in its place.

The price of the 2023 Tesla Model Y starts at $46,630 and goes up to $54,130 depending on the trim and options.

Buying an electric car is all about driving range, and the Long Range and Performance models offer 330 and 303 miles of range, respectively. We'd go with the Long Range, which maximizes driving range while offering plenty of performance. There are few ways to customize your Model Y, and only five colors for the exterior—four of which cost extra. Those seeking the optional third row of seats can add them for an additional $2500.

The Model Y lineup starts with the Standard Range rear-wheel drive cost-leader trim that comes with rear-wheel drive. The Model Y's Long Range and Performance models are more compelling thanks to dual motors that provide a higher combined horsepower rating and all-wheel drive. Thanks to a generous Car and Driver reader, we were able to test an all-wheel-drive Long Range, which zipped from zero-to-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, a mere 0.4 second behind our long-term Model 3 sedan. The Performance model delivered an even quicker 3.6-second blast to 60 mph in our testing. While the Model Y offers impressive acceleration, it doesn't deliver the same level of driving satisfaction as the Model 3. The SUV body creates a higher center of gravity, which dulls the sharp edge of the Model 3's handling, and the Y's ride is considerably rougher over road imperfections as well.

Rear-wheel drive Standard Range models with the 19-inch wheels carry driving range estimates as high as 260 miles. The all-wheel-drive Long Range offers 330 miles of range; the Performance model's estimated range drops to 303 miles. But the latter comes with 20-inch wheels, a lowered suspension, a higher top speed (155 mph), quicker claimed acceleration, and a dedicated Track mode.

The EPA estimates that the Long Range model is good for 127 MPGe in the city and 117 MPGe on the highway, while the Performance model's fuel economy estimates are 115 MPGe city and 106 MPGe highway. The Long Range model that we tested over our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route recorded just 94 MPGe and an estimated highway driving range of 220 miles, while the Performance model delivered a result of 98 MPGe and 230 miles of driving range. For more information about the Model Y's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

The Model Y doesn't come with the larger Model X crossover's complicated Falcon Wing doors; its interior is mostly carryover from the Model 3 sedan. Like that car, it is largely free of buttons and relies mostly on a large infotainment display centered on a simple dashboard. An all-glass roof lends an airy ambiance to the cabin but is heavily tinted to avoid roasting occupants in Sun Belt states. The optional third row of seats adds a steep $3000 to the Model Y's price—we can't imagine they'll be spacious enough for adults to ride in comfort.

In the Model Y, almost every function is managed through the large, slim infotainment display that's in the middle of the dashboard. Everything from climate control to the speedometer is shown on this display, which takes some getting used to. The Model Y offers the same entertainment functions as the Model 3, including embedded Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube apps as well as video games perfect for killing time while waiting for the battery to charge at the public charging station. Don't worry, drivers are locked out of using these distractions while the vehicle is moving.

Tesla is known for its very advanced Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system, and the Model Y offers the feature as standard. Even more advanced features such as a self-parking feature and a Summon feature are optional. For more information about the Model Y's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Warranty coverage for the Model Y mirrors that of the Model 3, Model S, and Model X models, which means four years or 50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and eight years or 100,000 miles of coverage for the battery and electric motors.

Specifications

2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range

VEHICLE TYPEfront- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED$57,190 (base price: $54,190)

MOTORS1 permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 1 AC induction, 272 and 212 hp; combined output, 384 hp, 376 lb-ft; 80.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack

TRANSMISSION1-speed direct-drive

CHASSISSuspension (F/R): control arm/multilinkBrakes (F/R): 14.0-in vented disc/13.2-in vented discTires: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, 255/40R-20 101W M+S TO

DIMENSIONSWheelbase: 113.8 inLength: 187.0 inWidth: 75.6 inHeight: 63.9 inPassenger volume: 106 ft3Curb weight: 4386 lb

C/D TEST RESULTSRollout, 1 ft: 0.3 sec60 mph: 4.4 sec130 mph: 17.2 secRolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 secTop gear, 30–50 mph: 1.7 secTop gear, 50–70 mph: 2.0 sec1/4 mile: 12.7 @ 114 mphTop speed (governor limited): 136 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 161 ftRoadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY75-mph highway driving: 94 MPGeHighway range: 220 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMYCombined/city/highway: 121/129/112 MPGe

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2020 Tesla Model Y Performance

VEHICLE TYPEfront- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED$72,190 (base price: $62,190)

POWERTRAINF: induction AC motor R: permanent-magnet synchronous AC motorCombined Power (C/D est)470 hp

CHASSISSuspension (F/R): control arms/multilinkBrakes (F/R): 14.0-in vented disc/13.2-in vented discTires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Elect, F: 255/35R-21 98W TO R: 275/35R-21 103W TO

DIMENSIONSWheelbase: 113.8 inLength: 187.0 inWidth: 75.6 inHeight: 63.9 inPassenger volume: 106 ft3Curb weight: 4439 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS60 mph: 3.6 sec100 mph: 9.1 sec1/4 mile: 12.1 sec @ 113 mph130 mph: 17.8 sec150 mph: 29.5 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 3.7 secTop gear, 30–50 mph: 1.4 secTop gear, 50–70 mph: 1.8 secTop speed (mfr's claim): 150 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 154 ftBraking, 100–0 mph: 324 ftRoadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.94 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY75-mph highway driving: 98 MPGeHighway range: 230 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMYCombined/city/highway: 111/116/106 MPGeRange: 291 miles

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