Tesla has a bit of a head start on the competition. Say what you will about panel gaps and its CEO, there’s no denying that Tesla made the electric car cool — and all in the pursuit of making them affordable enough to mass produce. And, while its lowest-priced cars aren’t cheap, Tesla largely achieved that goal. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are its most affordable cars right now, and they offer that unmistakable Tesla design, with good battery and charging tech, plus a focus on a high-tech infotainment system.
But which of the two cars is actually better? Or, if neither is better, which is right for your needs? We put the two head-to-head.
Design
Tesla uses a relatively uniform design language across its lineup, and the result is that the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y look very similar. In fact, the Model Y looks exactly like what it is: a larger version of the Model 3.
The Model 3 is a sedan, with a closed trunk at the back and a relatively low ride compared to some other EVs — especially the larger crossovers. The exterior design in general is relatively minimalistic, with slanted headlights at the front and a curved roofline.
The Model Y stretches those proportions and does away with the closed trunk. It has a much larger, open trunk that those looking for more storage space will appreciate.
Things are changing a little with the design between the cars. Tesla has announced a redesign of the Model 3 that gives it a more aerodynamic front, and less bulbous headlights on the front. It’s expected that a similar refresh will eventually come to the Model Y, however, that refresh has yet to be announced, and is likely at least a year away.
Ultimately, it’s hard to award one of these a “win” in the design category; it’s strictly a matter of preference.
Winner: Tie
Interior and tech
The interiors of the cars are also very similar. As mentioned, the Model Y has more storage than the Model 3 — 34.3 cubic-feet versus 22.9. The storage space does shrink considerably if you buy a seven-seat Model Y, down to 17 cubic feet.
Therein lies another difference. The Model Y, by default, has five seats like the Model 3. However, you can purchase an optional third row of seats, bringing the total number of seats to seven. The third row is pretty cramped, and probably only suitable for children, especially for longer road trips, but extra seats could come in handy if you have a larger family.
At the front of both cars, you’ll find a large tablet-style infotainment display, and the experience is the same regardless of the car you get. You’ll get Tesla’s reasonably well-designed infotainment system, which can show feeds from the numerous cameras around the car, mapping information, and more. Neither of the cars support Android Auto or CarPlay, unfortunately.
The cars have the same overall interior experience, but the Model Y scores a win here by offering more space on the inside, along with an option for a third row of seats.
Winner: Tesla Model Y
Performance
The level of performance on offer from these two cars is pretty similar, too. The base Model 3 is a rear-wheel drive car, though there are two all-wheel drive variants: The Model 3 Long range and Model 3 Performance. The base Model 3 can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds, while the Model 3 Performance can hit that mark an impressive 3.1 seconds.
The Model Y, on the other hand, is only available with all-wheel drive. There are three drivetrain options: standard Model Y, Model Y Long Range, and Model Y Performance. The acceleration ranges from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 to 5 seconds.
While the Model Y comes with all-wheel drive by default, the Model 3 is faster, so it’s getting the win here.
Winner: Tesla Model 3
Range and charging
The range and charging on offer by these cars is near identical. The standard Model 3 has a range of 272, while the Model 3 Long Range steps that up to 333 miles. On the other hand, the standard Model Y has a range of 279 miles, while the Model Y Long Range caps out at 330 miles.
Both cars charge at 250 kilowatts, which should allow them to get 200 miles of charge in around 15 minutes. That’s pretty fast.
The ranges are close enough to make this category too close to call.
Winner: Tie
Pricing and availability
Electric cars are still relatively expensive, but the Model 3 and Model Y are on the lower end of electric cars that are actually high quality. The Model 3 starts at $40,240 for the base model, ranging up to $53,240 as a base price for the Model 3 Performance. The Model Y is a little more expensive, coming in at $47,740 for the standard Model Y, or up to $54,490 for the Model Y Performance.
Plain and simple: The Model 3 is the cheaper car.
Winner: Tesla Model 3
Overall winner: Tesla Model 3
It feels almost like the Model 3 won on a technicality, but the fact that it’s cheaper does matter for many buyers. But when you remove price, these cars tie, and that makes sense. They’re extremely similar, and while the Model 3 can technically perform a little better, most will be deciding between the “bigger, more expensive one,” and the “smaller, cheaper one.”
If you have a family and need a larger car, the Model Y is probably the way to go — and if you could stand to save some cash and don’t quite need a crossover-size vehicle, the Model 3 will do perfectly fine.
