2021 Tesla Model Y Review

　　

2021 Tesla Model Y Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The 2021 Tesla Model Y is a small SUV that slots below the larger Model X in the company's lineup. It's a Tesla, so of course it's all-electric. It also has a lot in common with the Model 3 sedan, including similar design inside and out. Compared to the 3, the Y gives you more space for rear passengers and greater cargo capacity. You can even order a 2021 Model Y with a third row of seats. Just know that the third row of seats is strictly for small children because the rear window glass directly intrudes on passenger head space.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2021 Tesla Model Y EV Insights

Trim:Model Y Standard Range

　　Standard Range 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 02/21 (electric DD) - $39,990 MSRPLong Range 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $57,990 MSRPPerformance 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $62,990 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

　　230 milesThe range for a used 2021 Tesla Model Y is estimated to be 230 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 230 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　8 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　Tesla SuperchargerProprietary Tesla charging standard. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$55/mo

　　Model Y

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Overall, the Model Y has many redeeming qualities. Its Long Range and Performance variants offer impressive range, each rated by the EPA at more than 300 miles on a full charge. They also feel great to drive thanks to quick acceleration and nimble handling. However, new challengers have entered the EV arena in the past year. In particular, you should check out the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUVs. Audi's e-tron is another viable pick if you want something more luxurious. Need help deciding on the Model Y? Check out our Expert Rating below for our in-depth evaluation.

　　

What's it like to live with?

Our car experts lived with a 2020 Tesla Model Y Performance and drove it for thousands of miles as part of our long-term evaluation fleet. Recurrent to learn about long-term reliability, energy efficiency and our take on what it's like to own a Model Y.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Model Y drive? Acceleration isn't a weak point here. During zzdcar' testing, the Model Y Long Range needed just 4.8 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. And despite being equipped with all-season tires, which are typically designed more for wear resistance than road grip, our test vehicle still managed a very impressive stopping distance from 60 mph in just 112 feet. Both of those numbers are better than we expected and impressive for the EV segment.

　　Steering and handling are also laudable despite the Model Y's heavy weight. The steering feels light and is quick to respond to inputs, giving you a sense of control and connection through a corner. There's minimal body roll too, especially for an SUV. In-town drivability is excellent. Seasoned EV drivers will appreciate the adjustable regenerative braking that allows you to drive nearly exclusively using just the right pedal.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Model Y? The Model Y's cabin provides good comfort in some areas and disappoints in others. The seats are well padded and provide ample support and the seat heaters warm quickly. But the simulated leather upholstery doesn't breathe particularly well and can feel stifling in hot weather. The climate control, like everything else, is touchscreen-operated. It can cool and heat the cabin well, but it has to work extra hard if the sun is out and beaming through the Y's expansive glass roof. You can remotely precondition the cabin before you get in, which is convenient.

　　The Long Range model is a huge step up in ride quality over the Performance model. The ride of the Long Range is much more livable, though we still wouldn't call it plush. Smaller bumps and cracks tend to make their way into the cabin. That said, the Model Y still does a pretty commendable job of filtering out wind and ambient noise, creating a pretty serene cabin experience.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Model Y's cabin is spacious, with lots of headroom and legroom for all occupants. Getting in and out is easy thanks to the wide-opening doors, tall roof and low step-over height.

　　Alas, the large touchscreen, while it looks cool and modern, is the Y's single gateway to controlling nearly everything. There's a learning curve to using the controls, and the system is generally distracting to use while driving. Another issue: If the touchscreen flakes out, you lose the majority of access to the Model Y's controls.

　　Forward visibility is impressive thanks to the tall and wide windshield and short hood. There's only a bit of obstruction from the large front windshield pillars when making turns. Rear visibility, however, is like what you get in a sport coupe. The slim rear window and high rear beltline greatly restrict what you can see out of the back.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? There are significant pros and cons when it comes to the Model Y's technology features. The big center screen is easy to see and has crisp-looking graphics. The navigation system, which is Google-based, is also clear and easy to read. But the system can be slow to update in spotty service areas, leaving you temporarily mapless. The sound quality from the 14-speaker audio system is immersive.

　　The biggest downside is the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration. Bluetooth is the only way to connect your phone, and it's a poor substitute compared with the more feature-packed capability of CarPlay and Android Auto.

　　As for the voice controls, you can theoretically use them to do many things, such as set the cabin temperature or open the glovebox. Yet we found them largely ineffective in real-world use. Making simple requests, such as "call Mom," failed to work on multiple occasions in our testing.

　　The Model Y's advanced driver aids perform great in slow stop-and-go traffic, but they have proved slightly annoying at highway speeds or along roads with parked cars. We've experienced a number of false alarms with the system riding too close to another car on the highway or mistaking a parked vehicle on the shoulder for a stopped vehicle in our lane, making for a rude awakening for the car behind us. Few competitor vehicle systems share these issues.

　　On the upside, you'll have access to an internet browser that allows you to do stuff like watch Netflix or scroll through YouTube videos — while parked, of course, and provided you're up-to-date on your Tesla data plan ($9.99 a month) or connected to Wi-Fi. One of the greatest innovations from Tesla is constant over-the-air updates that can add features and system optimizations.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Model Y's cargo space is massive. Tesla cites 68 cubic feet of maximum capacity, though it's unclear whether that number includes the front trunk. The rear seats don't fold entirely flat, but there's a wide opening and an easy load-in height. The removable cargo floor provides even more rear storage underneath. Tesla updated the center console storage for the Model Y for 2021 with a new sliding bin cover and sueded smartphone charging spaces. This is a much better organized setup than the older flip lids, but storage space remains largely the same.

　　Child safety seat accommodation is average for an SUV of this size. There's sufficient space for even the largest of child seats. The lower car seat anchors, however, have small access points and are hard to loop through. The top tether points are on the lower side of the rear seats and can be hard to reach.

　　

Range and Efficiency

8.0/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? The EPA estimates the 2021 Model Y Long Range has a maximum range of 326 miles and uses 27 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles of driving, making it the next most efficient luxury EV behind the Tesla Model 3. Both are very impressive for an electric SUV.

　　In zzdcar' real-world testing of the 2021 Model Y Long Range, we observed a total range of 317 miles at a consumption rate of 26.2 kWh/100 miles running in the max-range battery mode, which charges the battery to full capacity. This mode is not recommended for daily use and should be reserved for longer trips. While the Model Y didn't quite match its range estimate in our test, its 300-plus mile range is more than sufficient for most buyers as long as you're driving conservatively.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Model Y a good value? The Model Y Long Range model is less expensive than the Performance but still well into luxury SUV pricing territory with an as-new starting price of around $53,000. Also know that the $7,500 federal tax credit for Tesla's vehicles has officially run out.

　　Is that a good deal? The appeal of the Model Y depends on what you value. If it's speed and space for its size, the Model Y is a relative bargain compared to other luxury SUVs and its most obvious EV competitor, the Ford Mustang Mach-E. But if interior design and comfort features are priorities, the Model Y is slightly disappointing.

　　The Model Y Long Range has a 11.5-kW onboard charger and the usual assortment of charge cord options. It also works with Tesla's proprietary Supercharger network, which provides reasonably priced recharging that's best suited for times when you need a bunch of range quickly (such as on road trips).

　　In terms of warranties, the Y's is a bit below average for a luxury SUV but comparable to coverage for a luxury EV. You get four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and roadside assistance. Tesla covers the battery for eight years/120,000 miles and guarantees 70% retention of the battery life over that period.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　The Model Y Long Range may lack the theatrics of the Performance model, but it's still properly quick and provides a similar level of fun behind the wheel. Pair that with a better ride quality and we think the Long Range is the preferred model of the two. It still checks off the "fun-to-drive" boxes with fewer compromises to comfort. The Y's sleek stance also makes it good to look at, and you can still get the big wheels to give it some Performance model flair.

　　

Which Model Y does zzdcar recommend?

Our choice for most EV shoppers is the Long Range. It's properly quick and has an impressive EPA-estimated range of 326 miles. Actual real-world range isn't usually that good because Tesla recommends charging to 90% to avoid shortening battery life, but even so this is among the longest-driving electric vehicles out. The Model Y Performance is crazy fast, but its overly stiff ride is too much of a drawback.

　　

2021 Tesla Model Y models

The Tesla Model Y is a fully electric small crossover SUV with seating for five passengers. An optional third row increases seating capacity to seven. It comes in two main trims: Long Range and Performance. You might have also heard about the Model Y Standard Range. Tesla offered this introductory trim briefly on its website at the start of 2021 only to discontinue it a month later. It had a purported 244 miles of range. Feature highlights for the Model Y include:

　　Long Range

　　This trim is optimized for maximum driving distance and comes with:

　　326 miles of range Dual motors and all-wheel drive Touted 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds 19-inch wheels Panoramic glass roof Dual-zone automatic climate control Simulated leather upholstery Power-adjustable front seats Heated front and rear seats 15-inch central touchscreen Streaming services (navigation and entertainment; subscription required) Wireless device charger 15-speaker sound systemThis safety equipment comes standard on every Model Y:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Model Y and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the Model Y back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)Performance

　　This sportier version offers the following:

　　303 miles of range Touted 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds 21-inch wheels Performance brakes Lowered suspension Aluminum alloy pedalsMain options for the Tesla Model Y include:

　　Third row of seats increases capacity for up to seven passengers Tow hitch (adds a Class II tow hitch for lightweight trailers up to 3,500 pounds) Full Self-Driving Capability (provides additional semi-automated driving assistance features, such as summoning the Model Y out of parking spaces and automatic lane changes on the highway. Tesla promises this feature will support fully automated driving in the future but so far the Model Y's "self-driving" capability doesn't exist.)

　　

2021 Model Y Highlights

Type: SUVPerformanceSUV

　　Trim: Standard RangeLong RangePerformanceStandard Range

　　

Base MSRP	$39,990
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	244 miles
Cost to Drive	$55/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	8.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles