Cars
Elon Musk Unveils The Long-Awaited Tesla Model Y Crossover
Three years after the introduction of the Tesla Model 3, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has delivered on his promise, introducing the world to their all-electric, mid-size SUV, the Tesla Model Y.
As you can see, the Tesla Model Y borrows pretty heavily from the Model 3, with the compact SUV sharing the same chassis, battery, and about 75% of its components. It’s essentially a Model 3 on steroids, ideal for customers who want an SUV but don’t need something quite as big (or expensive) as the Model X.
Honestly, the timing could not be better on this, as other electric competitors rush to market with electric SUV offerings of their own, seeing as how the SUV market is red hot right now. What Tesla has going for them is their experience in the electric space, and their extensive supercharging infrastructure, which the competition can’t compare with.
The Tesla Model Y will start at $39,000 for the Standard Range version (230 miles range, top speed of 120 mph, 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds), and will also come in Long Range, Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive, and Performance variants.
Stepping up to the Long Range version will set you back $47,000, but it increases the range to 300 miles, with a top speed of 130 mph, and a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds. The Dual-Motor AWD version starts at $51,000, and while its range takes a minor hit (280 miles), it has a top speed of 135 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds.
Last but not least is the Performance model, which delivers sports car like performance (0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, top speed of 150 mph, 280 mile range), for $60,000. This model also gets performance brakes, 20-inch wheels, a carbon fiber spoiler, lowered suspension, aluminum alloy go-pedal, and Tesla’s track mode.
The Model Y is spacious enough to carry seven adults (with optional third row configuration), and offers a total of 66 cubic feet of cargo space. Inside, the Model Y’s panoramic glass roof and high seating creates a feeling of spaciousness and offers an expansive view from every seat in the vehicle. The spartan dash layout is much the same as the Model 3, with a single 15-inch touchscreen interface for all of the car’s controls.
As with the Model 3, the Model Y requires no keys, but instead connects to your smartphone for seamless entry and exit. The Model Y also connects with the Tesla Mobile app for unique, easy-to-access features. It also gets the same self-driving hardware that’s standard on all Model 3s, which can be unlocked for a fee and will be upgraded over-the-air.
Deliveries are expected to begin in Fall 2020 for the Model Y Performance, Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, and Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive variants, and Spring 2021 for the $39,000 Model Y Standard Range. Visit Tesla.com to pre-order your Model Y today!
Aaron Turpen
March 16, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Looks to be as useless as the Model X is.
Sujeet Patel
March 17, 2019 at 8:55 am
Not sure what’s useless about a $40K all-electric SUV that has class-leading range and a built-out charging infrastructure.. Haters gonna hate. 🙂
Aaron Turpen
March 17, 2019 at 9:28 am
You ever driven one? You can’t even fit a bicycle in the back. Let alone anything else useful. And the Model X starts at $82k. The Model Y is smaller and has the same design, thus it’s even less useful.
Sujeet Patel
March 17, 2019 at 9:40 am
The Tesla Model Y is the same size as the rest of the small-to-midsize SUVs on the market, you know, the ones that are dominating car sales right now. One might argue that all compact SUVs are useless from a utility standpoint (have you ever seen how small an Infiniti QX30 is?!), but people are still buying them for whatever reason.
As for your gripe about fitting a bike in the back, if people plan on carrying a bicycle with them, there are rack like this one (https://www.teslarati.com/installing-tesla-model-x-bike-rack-hitch/) that will easily do the trick.
My Dad has a Model 3, so I’m all too familiar with their cars.
Aaron Turpen
March 17, 2019 at 9:46 am
https://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-x/2018/review/
Aaron Turpen
March 17, 2019 at 9:50 am
I talked with Dan Edmunds at length not long ago about the Model X. He did thorough video reviews of it during their year of ownership and he was very unimpressed. I agree with all of his assessments. Especially with towing. Given the body shape of the Y, I don’t see it’s improved that any.
Sujeet Patel
March 17, 2019 at 10:02 am
While I’m not discounting Dan’s assessment of the Model X (my friend owns one, and he’s had his fair share of glitches with it), keep in mind that the X is an old car by today’s standards (designed way back in 2012), and they’ve made lots of improvements since then, most of which were introduced with the Model 3 and now the Model Y.
As for shape and utility, the same could be said for the vast majority of SUVs out there. I couldn’t fit a bike that I bought in a Lexus RX, and I had to borrow a friend’s minivan to get it home..
Aaron Turpen
March 18, 2019 at 12:45 pm
The Model Y has 66 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and including the frunk. Since Elon didn’t say how big the frunk is, we’ll give the Y the benefit of the doubt and say it’s got 66 cubes of space. The CR-V has 75.8. The RAV4 and Forester have 73.4. The Rogue has 72 and the Rogue Sport, which is smaller than the Y, has 61.1. All of these have a more square-shaped, wider opening than does the Y as well.