2021 Tesla Model Y

2021 Tesla Model Y Overview

Is the 2021 Tesla Model Y a Good Used SUV?

Yes, the 2021 Tesla Model Y is a fantastic used SUV. The luxury electric SUV class is a small yet very competitive segment, but the Model Y holds its own. One of its greatest strengths is its performance, with a torquey electric powertrain and a performance-tuned suspension that give this Tesla stunning power and poise. The Model Y also has an impressive all-electric range. Step inside, and you’ll find plenty of passenger and cargo space, making this a practical electric vehicle too.

There are a few quirks that might cause some shoppers to cross the Model Y off their shortlist, however. For example, this SUV has a firm ride and an over-reliance on touch controls. Additionally, many critics complain about Tesla's poor build quality and lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can find better ride quality and an easier-to-use infotainment system with more smartphone connectivity features in rivals like the 2021 Audi e-tron and 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Compare the Model Y, e-tron and Mustang Mach-E »

Pricing

How Much is a 2021 Tesla Model Y?

Based on listings for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, the average list price is $32,306. Prices range from $32,306 to $39,869 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.

See the Best Used Car Deals »

2020 vs. 2021 Tesla Model Y: What's the Difference?

For 2021, Tesla added a third-row seating option for the Model Y. Otherwise, this SUV carried over unchanged from 2020, its debut model year.

Compare the 2020 and 2021 Model Y »

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2020 Model Y review to help make your decision. You can learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles on our Best Used Car Deals page. Also, check out our review of the new Tesla Model Y, and take a look at our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to see how much you can save on a new vehicle.

Which Used 2021 Tesla Model Y Trim Is Right for Me?

The 2021 Tesla Model Y comes in two trims: Long Range and Performance. Choose the Long Range if you want to go longer between charges and don’t mind giving up the quicker acceleration of the higher trim. Pick the Performance trim if you’re OK with giving up some range to accelerate quicker.

• Tesla Model Y Long Range: The Model Y is equipped with two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery pack and all-wheel drive, and it has a driving range of 326 miles. Standard features include a 15-inch touch screen, navigation, Bluetooth, four USB ports, HD Radio, a 14-speaker stereo, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hot spot, synthetic leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, heated side mirrors and dual-zone automatic climate control. Standard safety features include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist and a surround-view parking camera system with parking sensors. The base Model Y also comes with keyless entry, a panoramic glass roof, a power liftgate and 19-inch wheels.
• Tesla Model Y Performance: The Performance trim features a larger rear electric motor, giving it quicker acceleration and a higher top speed but a shorter range by 23 miles. This trim also comes with larger wheels, performance brakes and a lowered suspension. Otherwise, all features match what you get with the base model.

When the vehicle was new, it was available with alternative upholstery colors, a Class II tow hitch receiver, third-row seats, automated lane changing, automatic parking, and Summon, which allows you to park and retrieve the SUV while outside of it.
See 2021 Tesla Model Y trims and specs »

2021 Tesla Model Y Safety

Score: 9.9/10

2021 Model Y Crash Test Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Tesla Model Y the highest rating of Good in all six crash safety tests, and models built after April 2021 were awarded a Top Safety Pick+ designation. Long Range models received the second-highest rating of Acceptable for how well their headlights illuminate the road ahead, while the Performance trim earned a Good rating for forward visibility.

The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The Model Y received the highest rating of Superior for its standard front crash prevention systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2021 Tesla Model Y an overall safety rating of five out of five stars. This Tesla earned five stars in the frontal crash, side crash and rollover tests.

Standard driver-assistance features:

• Forward collision warning 
• Forward automatic emergency braking 
• Pedestrian detection 
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Lane-departure warning
• Lane-keep assist
• Surround-view parking camera system with parking sensors 

Available driver-assistance features:

• Automated lane changing 
• Automated parking
• Summon (allows you to pull the car in or out of a parking space from the key fob or with a smartphone app)

2021 Tesla Model Y Recalls

There are no major recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model Y at this time.

See more information on Tesla Model Y safety recalls »

2021 Tesla Model Y Versus the Competition 

2021 Tesla Model Y vs. 2021 Tesla Model 3

There are many similarities between the 2021 Tesla Model 3 and its stablemate, the Model Y. These Teslas share the same all-electric powertrain and touch-reliant infotainment system, and they have similar standard features and driving ranges. Both EVs handle corners so well that they inspire confidence around even the twistiest back roads, and acceleration is respectable from both vehicles. The Model 3 has a lower seating position, and it has less rear-seat and cargo space. It also does not offer third-row seating like its SUV sibling.

Compare the Model Y and Model 3 »

2021 Tesla Model Y vs. 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Like the Model Y, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric SUV that will have you grinning from ear to ear from behind the wheel. These SUVs have similar zero-to-60 times, and both easily slice through corners with sharp agility. Unlike the Model Y, the Mustang Mach-E has excellent build quality, a user-friendly infotainment system and a smooth ride. The Mach-E can go anywhere from 211 to 305 miles on a full charge, depending on the trim. That falls below what you get with the Model Y, but not by much in some cases. Ford’s electric Mustang SUV wins this comparison by a nose.

Compare the Model Y and Mustang Mach-E »

Compare the Model Y, Model 3 and Mustang Mach-E »

2021 Model Y Performance

How Does the 2021 Tesla Model Y Drive? 

The 2021 Tesla Model Y is quick from a stop, and it surges ahead when passing other vehicles on the highway, or really whenever you need it to, thanks to loads of torque on supply. While the Model Y Long Range can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, the Performance trim can do it in 3.5.

Another highlight of the Model Y’s performance is its tight handling, which makes this SUV a blast to drive. The trade-off is that the ride is on the firm side, so we recommend taking a test drive to see if it’s right for you. The brakes are strong and allow for one-pedal driving. This is when the regenerative brakes aggressively slow the car when you lift your foot off the accelerator so there's no need to step on the brake.

2021 Tesla Model Y Efficiency

You can count on the Model Y for some of the best MPG-equivalent ratings in the 2021 luxury electric car class. The Long Range trim gets 125 MPGe in combined city and highway driving, whereas the Model Y Performance gets 111 MPGe. For some shoppers, that drop in efficiency is worth the increase in performance, but if the Long Range is fast enough for you, skip the Performance and save some money on charging and the purchase price.

For more information on these ratings, check out What Is MPGe?

2021 Tesla Model Y Driving Range and Charging

The Long Range trim can travel up to 326 miles on a single charge. The Performance trim loses 23 miles, giving it an estimated range of 303 miles. These ranges are impressive, but the Model Y’s big sibling, the 2021 Tesla Model X, can travel up to 371 miles on a full charge. That said, it costs significantly more than the Model Y.

The Model Y comes standard with a 48-amp onboard charger. Charging options include everything from a 120-volt household-style power outlet to public fast charging stations, like a Tesla Supercharger station.

The charging time depends on the method used:

• Supercharging station: 162 miles of range in about 15 minutes
• 240-volt charging station: about 30 to 44 miles per hour
• Household outlet: 3 miles of range per hour

2021 Tesla Model Y Towing Capacity 

When properly equipped, the 2021 Model Y can tow approximately 3,500 pounds.

Read more about Model Y performance »

2021 Model Y Interior

2021 Model Y Interior Quality

Like the rest of the Tesla lineup, the 2021 Model Y sports modern, almost futuristic interior styling. It certainly makes its mark in the increasingly crowded EV market, with high-end materials and soft-touch finishes. However, the cabin is plagued by uneven panel gaps and other build-quality issues.

How Many People Does the 2021 Model Y Seat?

In its standard two-row configuration, the 2021 Model Y seats five, and we suspect this is the most common configuration on the market. An optional third-row seat increases the seating capacity to seven. In either setup, the front seats are inviting, with good support and plenty of room. The second rows are accommodating as well, but the same can’t be said of the available third row. It’s tight, so you'll probably only want to use it in a pinch.

Standard seating features:

• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Heated and power-adjustable front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Heated side mirrors

Available seating features:

• Third-row seating

How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2021 Tesla Model Y? 

The Model Y has two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the second-row outboard seats and a tether-only connection for the second-row middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the second-highest rating of Acceptable for its ease of use. The lower anchors are set too deeply in the seats, but otherwise, the system is easy to use.

2021 Tesla Model Y Features

Stealing the show in the Model Y’s cabin is its 15-inch touch screen. It’s the hub of nearly all functions of the car, from controlling the heating and air conditioning to audio adjustments and even seat positioning.

If you prefer physical controls, this may not be the vehicle for you. The large display can be distracting, and the lack of buttons and knobs make quick adjustments trickier. Even worse, there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for smartphone connectivity. That said, the infotainment system’s menu structure is fairly easy to figure out.

• Standard infotainment features: a 15-inch touch screen, navigation, Bluetooth, four USB ports, HD Radio, a 14-speaker stereo, wireless device charging and a Wi-Fi hot spot
• Available infotainment features: additional USB ports
• Additional standard features: dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic glass roof and keyless entry

See 2021 Tesla Model Y specs »

Read more about Model Y interior »

2021 Tesla Model Y Dimensions

Tesla Model Y Cargo Space

The 2021 Tesla Model Y has a maximum cargo capacity of 68 cubic feet. That’s excellent for a luxury electric SUV, and it also beats many nonluxury electric SUVs on the market. A power liftgate comes standard, and the rear liftgate has a wide opening, making it easy to fit large items in the cargo bay. Two compartments underneath the cargo floor and a front trunk, or frunk, make the Model Y that much more versatile.

Tesla Model Y Length and Weight

• Length: 15 feet, 7 inches
• Curb weight: 4,416 pounds

Where Was the 2021 Tesla Model Y Built?

Tesla built the 2021 Model Y in California.

Why You Can Trust Our Reviews

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. This 2021 Model Y review combines 24 professional reviews with concrete data like performance specs, fuel economy estimates and safety ratings.