2021 Tesla Model Y Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Tesla Model Y is the brand’s entry-level electric crossover. As such, it competes with the Ford Mustang Mach E, Volkswagen ID.4, and...

The Tesla Model Y is the brand’s entry-level electric crossover. As such, it competes with the Ford Mustang Mach E, Volkswagen ID.4, and Volvo XC40 Recharge. This year, it gets a new base model.

Tesla splits the Model Y into Standard Range, Long Range, and Performance variants, and these determine what motivates the car. The Standard Range is new for 2021, and comes with a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive (RWD). That gets you 244 miles of range, a 135 mph top speed, and a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds. The Long Range features dual motors and all-wheel drive (AWD), enough for 326 miles of range, and it’ll hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Performance tops the lineup, and also comes with dual motors and AWD. While the range drops to 303 miles, the top speed goes up to 155 mph, and it blazes to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Maximum towing capacity across the range is 3,500 pounds. On the efficiency front, the Long Range is rated for 131 MPGe city, 117 MPGe highway and 125 MPGe combined. Meanwhile, the Performance comes in at 115 MPGe city, 106 MPGe, and 111 MPGe combined. The new Standard Trim has not yet been rated.

In keeping with Tesla’s reputation, all Model Ys come with a fierce tech tack, including a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system that controls most of the car’s functions, voice recognition, a key-card based access and start system, and over-the-air updates. Other than that, 19-inch wheels and five-person seating are standard, with the ability to upgrade to 21-inch wheels and 7-person seating.

The Model Y comes with Tesla’s Autopilot function as standard equipment, which encompasses automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated lane centering. The optional Full Self-Driving Capability lets the car automatically navigate highway interchanges, on- and off-ramps, change lanes, parallel and perpendicular park, stop and go based on traffic signals, and Tesla's "Summon" feature. Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has ever crash-tested the Model Y.

Tesla’s Model Y is a class-leading electric SUV that embraces the future.

Thinking about buying a Tesla Model Y? Find out more in our detailed Tesla Model Y Reliability Guide, and our look into Tesla Model Y Motor Longevity.