Best Year Tesla Model Y

‍Tesla Model Y Overview

The Tesla Model Y was introduced to fill a gap in the market for a high-quality electric crossover. The Model Y is one of the most popular vehicles in its class and also a best-seller for Tesla. The vehicle is sold in both the United States and China and comes in a five-door SUV configuration.

Tesla Model Y Generations

The Tesla Model Y was originally introduced in 2019. However, deliveries of the Model Y didn’t officially commence until March of 2020, making it one of the most recent Tesla vehicles on the market.

Since its introduction, the Model Y hasn’t changed much at all. Some new features have been publicly discussed for ongoing model years, though nothing concrete has been established yet.

Tesla Model Y Variations

The main difference between various Tesla Model Y vehicles is their configuration, which varies and has a lot to do with resale value. Since its inception, there have been three primary variations available. A fourth, which was a rear-wheel-drive long-range model, was canceled.

Power and Speed

The standard base-model Tesla Model Y is a rear-wheel-drive standard-range model which originally retailed for $43,190. This model has an EPA-estimated range of 244 miles (393km), a 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds, and a limited top speed of 135mph.

The next available Model Y trim features all-wheel-drive and retailed at $58,190. It has an extended-range battery pack for a total EPA-estimated range of 326 miles (525 km). It has a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds from the factory, but a $2,000 software upgrade increases acceleration to 4.2

Interior and Features

The Model Y features Tesla’s futuristic interior across its entire line. There haven’t been any appreciable changes yet, and most Tesla drivers find the Model Y interior to be spacious and functionally familiar.

One feature that’s worth noting is the lack of traditional air vents in the dash. Tesla opted for a sleek, low-profile vent that spans the length of the dashboard instead of traditional cutouts.

Additionally, the new Model Y features a landscape-oriented touch screen (similar to the Model 3) as opposed to the standard portrait-oriented screen found in the Model S.

Best Year for the Tesla Model Y

So far, the best year for the Tesla Model Y is 2022. Very little has changed since the vehicle’s introduction two years prior—though, by now, the vast majority of the bugs and recalls have been resolved for the current model year.

High resale value has always been a benefit of owning a Tesla—but it’s not so much of a benefit if you’re in the market for a used model. The cheapest Model Y SUVs on the market are not much less expensive than brand new vehicles, so for many people, it makes more sense just to buy a new one.

Tesla Model Y Pricing

So, what’s the most affordable Model Y on the market? Well, that’s a difficult question to answer. The Model Y itself hasn’t been around very long—only a couple of years.

Additionally, the resale value of most Tesla vehicles is very high. That means you won’t spend a whole lot less on virtually any new Model Y than you would on a new one.

However, there are some base-model Tesla Model Y SUVs that are more affordable than the majority. These vehicles are usually from the first model year and have mileage exceeding 50,000 or 100,000, which is less consequential with an electric car.

Average Cost of Used Tesla Model Y

The average price of a used Tesla Model Y varies based on model year, model type, and mileage. The average price for a used long-range Model Y hovers between $59,000 and $62,000, and the typical mileage ranges between 15,000 and 30,000 miles.

The standard-range Model Y can be found at a lower price point. It’s generally available for between $56,000 and $60,000 at the same mileage. Some models with higher mileage (50,000+) are even less expensive.

At this time, the most affordable Tesla Model Y we found was a 2020 all-wheel-drive model with 29,000 miles for $54,000. Numerous Model Y SUVs are available around the $55,000 price point, with mileage varying from 2,500 to 50,000 and above.

Future Changes to the Tesla Model Y

Tesla is known to speculate about future changes to its vehicles, and the Model Y is no exception. One of the most anticipated upgrades that we expect is what Elon Musk calls “full self-driving” capabilities.

While it’s true that the Model Y already comes with many self-driving features, the future editions of the company’s software are anticipated to allow for safer and less involved self-driving in a much wider range of conditions.

As it stands, Tesla says that all Model Y SUVs already have all the sensors they’ll need to prepare them for upgrades down the line. However, it’s likely that additional functionality will be added to the next generation Model Y.

But as it stands, any year of the Tesla Model Y should be able to enjoy these self-driving features once the company makes them available to the public. This is an advantage over the Model S, which has a much longer history and lacks some of the standard features of the Model Y.