![]() One of an SUV’s defining characteristics is cargo room, and the Model Y has ample amounts of it, especially considering its compact proportions. Tesla Model Y as an SUV Cargo Room 2021 Tesla Model Y | photo by Christian Lantry Of course, a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 can make similarly priced competitors easier to swallow Tesla grew out of the volume-capped tax credit at the end of 2019, so no such discount applies to the Model Y. Its as-configured price of $54,290 makes it a modestly priced SUV among luxury competitors, without being out of reach for non-luxury EV buyers the last Mach-E First Edition we tested was almost $60,000. It had an EPA-rated range of 326 miles, a Tesla-rated 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, and optional 20-inch wheels instead of the standard 19s. Tesla didn’t have a Model Y available for our evaluation period, so we turned to a peer-to-peer rental to test a long-range 2021 Model Y five-seater with AWD. Related: Tesla Replaces Radar Sensors With Tesla Vision Camera SystemĢ021 Tesla Model Y | photo by Christian Lantry The Model Y is sized right in the heart of the soon-to-explode EV SUV class, which could see up to a dozen new luxury and non-luxury offerings in the next couple of years. The Model Y’s exterior footprint is almost identical to the BMW X4, which is a fastback “coupe” version of the popular BMW X3 SUV - an originator of the compact luxury SUV class. ![]() So - by today’s standards - yes, it’s an SUV. Looking at the Model Y, you might think, “That’s an SUV?” The Model Y is a higher-riding version of the Tesla Model 3, with a liftgate and open cargo area versus a trunk, and it has all-wheel drive. So what is it about the Model Y that’s so appealing? A lot, actually, even considering the latest competition from electric SUVs like the 2021 Volkswagen ID. The Tesla Model Y is the most popular EV today, with more registered in the first quarter of 2021 than any other EV, according to reports from Experian and Automotive News. Versus the competition: More than simply energy-efficient, the Model Y is space-efficient, with generous passenger and cargo room for its size, making it a perfectly usable and spacious small SUV. The verdict: The Tesla Model Y remains untouchable in its combination of efficiency, range and performance, but it’s not without a few potentially deal-breaking quirks.
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