MODEL 3 VS. MODEL Y: 10 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TESLA'S BIG-SELLING EVS
Thinking of buying a Tesla? You're not alone – the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling car in the world last year, with 1.15 million units shifted in 2023. The Model 3 may not have captivated the globe with such massive sales figures, but it's still the second most popular model from the brand right now.
On the face of it, deciding between the two might seem tricky. They're both EVs, look like sensible family cars, and are priced very closely to each other. To help differentiate the two, we pit the Model 3 vs the Model Y in order to find the difference between the two.
Tesla
Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle manufacturer largely attributed to driving the EV revolution. Through the Model S and subsequent products, Tesla has innovated and challenged industry conventions on numerous fronts, including over-the-air updates, self-driving technology, and automotive construction methods. Tesla is considered the world's most valuable car brand as of 2023, and the Model Y the world's best-selling car in the same year, but the brand's greatest achievement is arguably the Supercharger network of EV charging stations.
CarBuzz has sourced all specifications and statistics directly from Tesla. As Tesla commonly tweaks its powertrains and pricing over the course of a single year, the specs indicated below may change, but are correct at the time of writing.
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The Tesla Model Y Is Available With Seven Seats
One of the main differences between the Model 3 and the Model Y is their passenger capacity. Although, as standard, the Model Y is a five-seater, Tesla does provide the option for an additional third row. It's not hugely practical, and is really only suitable for young children, but then again, the Model Y is no full-size SUV, and so a palatial third row is not to be expected. This option can only be specified on the Long Range All-Wheel Drive trim, and it costs $2,000 to add the extra row in. This sees the base MSRP rise from $47,990 to $49,900 – so still under $50,000, albeit only just. In comparison, the Model 3 is exclusively available as a five-seater, owing to its sedan body style.
If seating is a chief concern in this Tesla Model Y vs. Model 3 battle, the former takes it.
Tesla's Model 3 Is More Affordable
Tesla Starting Prices
- Tesla Model 3: $42,490
- Tesla Model Y: $44,990
Different models have different prices – so naturally, this is one way to differentiate these two Tesla models from one another. The Tesla Model 3 currently kicks off Tesla's lineup as the entry-level model, with a starting price of $42,490. Take into account Tesla's estimated gas savings of $5,000, and the $7,500 federal tax credit, and the Model 3's price drops to just $29,990. Despite packing more space and the option of seven seats, the Model Y is only marginally more expensive, with prices beginning at just $44,990.
If you're looking at saving some cash, though, and your head can't decide which wins in a Tesla Model 3 and Model Y battle, letting your bank balance decide could be an easy tie-breaker.
The Tesla Model 3 Boasts A Longer Range
| Tesla Model 3 & Model Y Range Comparison | |
|---|---|
| Model | Tesla's Claimed Range |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive | 363 miles |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive | 346 miles |
| Telsa Model 3 Performance All-Wheel Drive | 303 miles |
| Tesla Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive | 337 miles |
| Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive | 311 miles |
| Telsa Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive | 277 miles |
While batteries for EVs are still constantly improving, range is absolutely still one of the most important factors when shopping around for electrified transport. Both the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are available in three separate trims: Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, Long Range All-Wheel Drive, and Performance All-Wheel Drive.
For both models, it's the rear-driven trims that provide the most range, and the Performance trims which offer the shortest range. The Tesla Model Y offers up to 337 miles of range, whereas the Model 3 boasts a 26-mile advantage, for a total possible range of 363 miles.
More Cargo Space Is Available In The Tesla Model Y
| Tesla Model 3 & Model Y Cargo Space Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model Y |
| Cargo space behind first row | - | 72.1 cubic feet |
| Cargo space behind second row | 21 cubic feet | 30.2 cubic feet (five-seater model) |
| 26.6 cubic feet (seven-seater model) | ||
| Cargo space behind third row | - | 12.8 cubic feet (seven-seater model) |
| Frunk (front trunk) | 3.1 cubic feet | 4.1 cubic feet |
As is to be expected from the larger model, the Tesla Model Y provides more cargo space than the Model 3.
Respectable for the segment, Tesla's Model 3 has a trunk space of 21 cubic feet – not expansive by any stretch, but still ample for grocery trips and short holidays. In comparison, the Model Y boasts 30.2 cubic feet behind the second row in five-seater guise, and, with the second row dropped, this swells from 30.2 to 72.1 cubic feet. Both EVs also have a frunk, with the Model Y offering an extra cubic foot of space here.
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Tesla's Model Y Offers More Space For Passengers
| Tesla Model 3 & Model Y Passenger Space Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model Y |
| Headroom (first/second/third row) | 40.3/37.8/N/A inches | 41/39.4/N/A inches (five-seater model) |
| 41/38.7/34.6 inches (five-seater model) | ||
| Legroom (first/second/third row) | 42.7/34.5/N/A inches | 41.8/40.5/N/A inches (five-seater model) |
| 41.8/41.6/26.5 inches (seven-seater model) |
In addition to more cargo space, the Tesla Model Y also boasts more room inside for occupants as well. Not just in the sense that it can cram seven in, rather than the Model 3's capacity for five, but that occupants in the Model Y actually have more room to stretch out in, too. Front occupants in the Model Y will have 0.7 inches more headroom than those in the Model 3, which doesn't sound like much, but taller occupants will be thankful for it. The real benefit will be felt by those in the second row, though, as here the Model Y boasts 1.6 inches more headroom, and a palatial six inches more legroom.
Third-row legroom in the Model Y is seriously tight, but at least it offers the option for another two seats.
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The Tesla Model 3 Is Quicker To 60 MPH
Tesla sells both the 3 and the Y with Performance trims, which each benefit from a healthy dose of horsepower, and all-wheel drive. As with most electric cars, acceleration in both of these hot Tesla models is pretty brisk, but the Model 3 takes the crown.
Plant your foot in the Model 3 Performance, and this four-door family sedan will surge from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. The Model Y Performance is quick too, with a time of just 3.5 seconds, but the lighter and smaller 3 will win every time from a set of lights.
The Tesla Model 3 Has The Highest Top Speed
It's not just off of the line where the Model 3 impresses either. Keep your foot planted, and this rather unassuming looking Tesla will happily accelerate all the way to 163 mph in Performance guise. Top speed used to be an area in which these single-speed electric cars used to struggle with, but in recent years a plethora of high-speed EVs have hit the market, and the Model 3 Performance is one of the more humble among them. In comparison, the Model Y Performance can reach speeds up to 155 mph.
Tesla's Model 3 Is More Powerful Than The Model Y
Tesla Model 3 Performance Powertrain Specs
- 510 horsepower
- 547 lb-ft of torque
- Dual motors
- All-wheel drive
The secret of the Tesla Model 3's mighty performance? Its dual-motor powertrain, which produces a more than healthy 510 horsepower, alongside 547 lb-ft of torque. As is the case with most, if not all, dual-motor electric powertrains, power is sent to all four wheels, which helps to keep this sports-car-demolishing output in control. Even the base rear-driven Model 3 packs a respectable 257 horsepower, while the Long Range All-Wheel Drive model provides 295 horses.
Looking at the Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model Y specs, it's clear to see that the Model 3 is the most powerful. It's not by a huge amount, as the Model Y packs 455 horsepower, but that does give the Model 3 both a weight, size and horsepower advantage.
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The Tesla Model Y Is Available With 21-Inch Alloy Wheels
This is only a small detail, but it's still a detail that differentiates the Model Y from the Model 3. Flagship Performance trims of both models are sold as standard with the largest wheels in the range, and while the Model 3 makes do with 20-inch forged 'Warp' wheels, the Model Y takes it up a notch, with a set of rather unique 21-inch 'Überturbine' wheels. Not only does the extra size of the Model Y justify the larger wheel, to keep the design in proportion, but it's also a neat way of justifying the slight extra increase in asking price.
The Model 3 Has Recently Been Redesigned
Tesla doesn't often introduce redesigns or facelifts, but the Model 3 did receive a refresh which was introduced in late 2023. Highlights include a retooled front bumper, sharper head and taillights, a new rear spoiler and many interior changes. Not just visually, either – Tesla took this chance to address consumer complaints surrounding quality control, by upgrading the materials used inside.
It is assumed that the fresh new Model Y, codenamed 'Project Juniper', will be arriving in 2025, but as it currently stands, the original design is still the model on sale. This one reason alone could be enough motivation to choose a current Model 3 over a Model Y.
2024-12-26T07:50:48ZSources: Tesla