Model 3 vs. Model Y: Which Tesla should you buy?

Trying to decide which Tesla is right for you? We can help.

Feb 17, 2025 - 07:43

Model 3 vs. Model Y: Which Tesla should you buy?

EV buyers are flush with options. The industry is shifting to an electrified future, and those in the market for a new vehicle now have an entirely new list of considerations to make.

Range anxiety is real, and access to charging networks is vital for EV owners. As cars become electric, interiors have become vapid; modern EVs lack charm.

If you’re looking to buy a new car in 2025, chances are the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y have made your shortlist. If you’re trying to determine which of these is best for you, we’ll help you make the right choice.

Price

Here is the most current pricing for the Model 3 and Model Y without Tesla’s gas savings estimate:

Tesla Model 3 pricing

Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD: $42,490

Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: $47,490

Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD: $54,990

Tesla Model Y pricing

Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD: $44,990

Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD: $47,990

Tesla Model Y Performance AWD: $51,990

Tesla NEW Model Y Long Range AWD Launch Edition: $59,990

Consider that options like paint color, wheels, the tow package, interior color, full self-driving, and charging equipment can affect the final sale price.

While pricing is a major factor when buying a vehicle, depending on your needs, you may have a good reason to spend a few extra bucks on the Model Y. The price difference for the Long-Range AWD versions is only $500, which is a huge win for the Model Y.

Range, charging, and performance

You’ll get the same 250kW charging on both models, so that’s a moot point. You’ll also have access to Tesla’s robust charging network, which continues to grow.

Here’s how range and performance stack up:

Tesla Model 3 range and performance

Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD: 363 miles of range, 125 mph top speed, 0-60 in 4.9 seconds

Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: 346 miles of range, 125 mph top speed, 0-60 in 4.2 seconds

Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD: 298 miles of range, 163 mph top speed, 0-60 in 2.9 seconds

Tesla Model Y range and performance

Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD: 337 miles of range, 135 mph top speed, 0-60 in 6.5 seconds

Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD: 311 miles of range, 135 mph top speed, 0-60 in 4.8 seconds

Tesla Model Y Performance AWD: 277 miles of range, 155 mph top speed, 0-60 in 3.5 seconds

The Model 3 has better range and acceleration on most versions but a reduced top speed. Top speed should not factor into a buying decision, though, since you don’t drive 100+ miles per hour routinely, and driving fast dramatically reduces your range.

There’s a noticeable range gap between models, though. While those 30-ish miles may not matter day-to-day, you should consider whether you want to take day trips or longer road trips in your new Tesla before making your final decision.

Interior

The Model 3 is a sedan, and the Model Y is a small SUV. This difference may not mean much to you as the driver, but it’s meaningful elsewhere.

The Model 3's rear storage space is a respectable 15 cubic feet. The Model Y has more than double the rear storage space at 36 cubic feet. In other words, the Model 3 will give you fits if you're transporting anything significant.

The Model Y is also seven inches taller and two inches longer overall. Both vehicles seat 5, but rear passengers will be far more comfortable in the Model Y. If you really need to pack people in, the Model Y Long-Range AWD model has a third-row option for two extra seats.

Design

Tesla’s design language is relatively staid. The Model 3 and Model Y look like siblings and have similar styling.

The Model Y recently underwent a slight design change, adding a Cybertruck-esque light bar across the front and rear of the vehicle and some interior tweaks.

X factors

Both vehicles have Autopilot or supervised Full Self-Driving. You can purchase the unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) package for either model, but it will cost $8,000.

Both have a 15-inch center-mounted control panel, a wireless charging pad, and Tesla’s “advanced climate control,” a fancy HVAC system controlled via the touch screen.

Both vehicles get eight years of Tesla Standard Connectivity, which includes Tesla’s bespoke navigation system. If you want other options, like traffic visualization or media streaming, you’ll need Premium Connectivity, which is $99 per year. Neither model supports Android Auto or CarPlay.

We also suggest getting an insurance quote for the model you want, as Teslas are sometimes more expensive to insure.

If you don’t think you’ll own your Tesla for more than five years or so, it’s also a good idea to reach out to dealerships in your area to find out if they take Teslas as trade-ins. Some won’t take them, so it’s better to know ahead of time if you think you’ll someday want a different make of vehicle.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 05: Elon Musk embraces Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 05, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. This is the first time that Trump has returned to Butler since he was injured during an attempted assassination on July 13. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The elephant in the room

It’s important to note that while the Model 3 and Model Y are both respectable EVs, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a polarizing figure, and Tesla has become a proxy target for those who deride Musk.

Some Tesla owners have even put stickers on their cars saying, “I bought this before Elon went crazy.” Whatever your opinions, some who find Musk contemptible focus their frustrations on Teslas and their owners.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MAY 31: Tesla Model Y vehicles sit on the lot for sale at a Tesla car dealership on May 31, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Tesla's Model Y has become the world's best selling car in the first quarter of 2023. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Final thoughts

Both vehicles sell well, and it’s easy to see why. They have best-in-class range, are supported by an impressive charging network, and do the job.

If you need to haul people or anything more than groceries, we suggest the Model Y. It's a bit more spacious and has a comparable range.

And hey, if you can’t bring yourself to purchase a Tesla, other automakers have great EV sedan and SUV options, with more launching all the time.

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