- If you want to purchase a Tesla immediately, the 3 is the better choice due to immediate availability and US federal tax incentives.
- The Y will arrive in 18 to 24 months, and longer for international sales.
Tesla’s obsession with simplistic futuristic design is perhaps best captured in almost terrifyingly similar stature of its two most important cars - the Tesla Model 3 and the recently revealed Tesla Model Y. Unraveled secrets of the new mid-size electric crossover led the world almost unanimously settle on the fact that the new Model Y is essentially an ideal conjugation between the reasonable Model 3 and the lush Model X.
| Positives | Model 3 | Model Y |
| SR | - Available for delivery immediately (US) and within 6 months for overseas markets
- Most affordable Tesla
- Eligible for up to $3,750 in US federal tax credit
- Chrome trim
- EV cars over 200 mile range have best resale value
- Tow hitch coming
- V3 Supercharger eligible
- Eligible for FSD chip upgrade
- Visit the Tesla factory in Fremont!
| - More cargo space than 3 SR
- More seating capacity with upgrade than 3 SR
- Slightly higher range than 3 SR
- Rear hatchback
- Standard chrome delete
- EV cars over 200 mile range have best resale value
- Tow hitch coming
- V3 Supercharger eligible
- Eligible for FSD chip upgrade
- Visit the Tesla factory in Fremont!
|
| LR | - Available for delivery immediately
- Longest range of any Model 3 or Y
- Eligible for up to $3,750 in US federal tax rebate
- Most affordable EV per mile of range
- Chrome trim
- Includes Premium Package
- EV cars over 200 mile range have best resale value
- Tow hitch coming
- V3 Supercharger eligible
- Eligible for FSD chip upgrade
- Fastest 0 to 60 mph times of the four Tesla models compared
- Highest top speed of the four Tesla models compares
- Visit the Tesla factory in Fremont!
| - More cargo space than 3
- More seating capacity with upgrade than 3
- Rear hatchback
- Standard chrome delete
- Includes Premium Package
- EV cars over 200 mile range have best resale value
- Tow hitch coming
- V3 Supercharger eligible
- Eligible for FSD chip upgrade
- Faster 0 to 60 mph compared to Y SR
- Higher top speed compared to Y SR
- Visit the Tesla factory in Fremont!
|
| Considerations | Model 3 | Model Y |
| SR | - Lowest Tesla range
- No items from Premium Edition
- No 7-seat option
- Less cargo space than Y
- No rear hatchback
| - Available for delivery in Spring 2021 (US)
- No items from Premium Edition
- Unknown safety ratings (but will lead class)
- Unknown order backlog
- About 10% more than Model 3 SR
|
| LR | - More expensive than SR
- No 7-seat option
- Less cargo space than Y
- No rear hatchback
| - Available for delivery in Fall 2020 (US)
- Most expensive of the four Tesla models compared
- More expensive than Y SR
- Lower range than 3 LR
- Unknown safety ratings (but will lead class)
- Unknown order backlog
- About 5.5% more than 3 LR
|
Completely devoid of any chrome decorations, but garnished with subtle dark plastic protection surfaces on the fenders, bumpers, and skirts, the Tesla Model Y tries to demonstrate its utilitarian qualities. Yet, without clear visual distinction against the Model 3 it is based on, it is hard to imagine it to be an all-new crossover. It is more like a special version of the Model 3. An almost perfect analogy to describe the relation of the Model 3 and the Model Y is to compare it with the BMW 3 Series Sedan and the pseudo-MPV that is the BMW 3 Series GT badge.
