Tesla

Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y is a battery electric compact crossover SUV produced by Tesla, Inc. since 2020. Presented in March 2019 as the company's fifth production model, the Model Y is the best-selling electric vehicle of all time, having sold more than 2.16 million units worldwide. After its 2019 introduction, the Model Y started production at the Tesla Fremont Factory in California in January 2020. Production at Giga Shanghai, China was added in December 2020, and at Gigafactory Texas since late 2021. Deliveries from Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany started in March 2022. The Model Y is based on the Model 3 sedan and serves as a larger variant, with around 76 percent of parts being shared between the two and identical exterior and interior styling. While most Model Y are configured with two-row seating, in the US the Model Y offered optional third-row seats for a seven-passenger seating capacity until the 2025 refresh. In 2023, Tesla delivered 1.2 million Model Ys, making it the world's best-selling vehicle that year, surpassing the Toyota Corolla and becoming the first electric vehicle to claim that title. In 2024 sales were second to the Toyota RAV4. A refreshed version of the Model Y was revealed in January 2025, with upgrades similar to the upgraded Model 3. In mid-2025, Tesla introduced the Model Y L, a long-wheelbase, six-seat variant of the Model Y.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Tesla Model 3

All Tesla Model Y data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

History

=== Pre-launch === In 2013, Tesla Motors filed to trademark the name "Model Y". Later in 2015, CEO Elon Musk teased a Model 3-based Model Y with falcon-wing doors. In 2017, a Model Y silhouette was teased to Tesla shareholders at the annual general meeting in June. Musk also announced that the Model Y would be produced in a new factory, as the Fremont plant would not have room to accommodate another production line. In June 2018, a new silhouette was revealed by Musk. He stated that the Model Y would be formally announced in March 2019. The Model Y announcement had been planned for 2018; however, production problems with the Model 3 resulted in it being pushed to 2019. In October 2018, Elon Musk revealed that he had approved the finalized design for the first production version of the Model Y, however production would not start until 2020. On March 3, 2019, Elon Musk published multiple tweets, announcing the unveiling event and confirming some specifications. Musk confirmed the vehicle would use standard doors, as opposed to the falcon-wing doors used on the Model X. Production. Tesla originally announced plans at the unveil to assemble the Model Y at Giga Nevada (in Sparks, Nevada), along with the battery and drivetrain for the vehicles, unlike the Model 3, where drivetrains and batteries are assembled at Giga Nevada, with final assembly completed at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. Two months later, in May 2019, Tesla said that they instead planned to shuffle production lines at the Tesla Fremont Factory to make space for Model Y production. On January 29, 2020, Tesla reported in its Q4 2019 earnings report that Model Y production had already started in the Fremont factory, that one can now place an order for their premium versions with all-wheel drive, and

Design

The Tesla Model Y featured a streamlined crossover design derived from the Model 3 sedan, adopting similar proportions and surface treatment while integrating a higher roofline and hatchback-style tailgate. The overall form emphasized aerodynamics, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.23, with smooth body surfacing and mechanical flush door handles. At the front, the Model Y retained the brand's grilleless fascia, with narrow LED headlamps and a sculpted bumper forming a continuous curve into the front fenders. The roofline followed a fastback silhouette tapering toward a short rear overhang, visually aligning the Model Y closer to a coupe SUV profile rather than a traditional SUV. The rear design incorporated a full-width tailgate with integrated LED taillights and a discreet lip spoiler on the liftgate edge. A black plastic lower diffuser contrasted the body color was added to reduce perceived height. The Model Y shares approximately 75% of its components with the Model 3 sedan, enabling streamlined production and reduced manufacturing costs. CEO Elon Musk stated that the high degree of component commonality with the Model 3 facilitates faster production scaling.

Technical details

=== Powertrain and battery === The Model Y is offered in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations. RWD variants use a single rear-mounted internal permanent-magnet synchronous reluctance motor, while AWD variants add a front induction motor, allowing the vehicle to disengage the less-efficient front motor when its output is not needed. Battery chemistry and capacity vary by market and trim. Standard-range variants use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, while Long Range and Performance variants use nickel-based (NMC) cells, with usable capacities ranging from approximately 60 to 81 kWh. Model Y vehicles have been produced with several cell formats over the vehicle's life, including 2170 cells, prismatic LFP cells in China-built standard-range cars, and structural battery packs using 4680 cells in some Texas-built vehicles. All variants support up to 11.5 kW AC charging and DC fast charging at up to 250 kW (225 kW on the Standard trim) via Tesla's Supercharger network and, in most markets, the Combined Charging System or North American Charging Standard. Heat pump. The Model Y is Tesla's first vehicle to use a heat pump instead of electric resistance for interior cabin heating. Electric cars using electric resistance heating can lose 40% or more of their range in ambient temperatures below 20 °F (−7 °C). The heat pump can be up to 300% more efficient than electric resistance heating. Some electric vehicles from other manufacturers, including the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, BMW i3, Jaguar I-Pace, Audi Q8 e-tron, and Kia Niro, had already implemented heat pumps. Tesla's heat pump has been praised for using far fewer parts. Tesla's heat pump system includes unique features including the "Super Manifold" and the "Octovalve". Inside the Super M

2025 refresh

=== Model Y Premium (originally Long Range) === On January 10, 2025, Tesla launched a refreshed Long Range version of the Model Y. Internally codenamed "Juniper", the new Model Y features a full-width light bar as its daytime running lights and tail light, as well as a touchscreen for passengers in the rear seat. Top speed of the non-performance versions was reduced from 135 to 125 mph (217 to 201 km/h). The long range version also increased the range from 428 to 447 miles (688 to 719 km). As customers of other models complained about the lack of the turn signal stalk, the 2025 Model Y refresh keeps the traditional turn signal stalk. Changes to the exterior of the new Model Y include a sleeker front design with a more streamlined nose and a thin light bar across the hood. Technical revisions include redesigned wheels and rear diffuser to reduce drag and to "optimise lift balance" between the front and rear wheels for less noise and improved stability at high speeds. The hood no longer includes a "T" badge in most markets for a minimalist aesthetic. Its cabin adopts design cues from the updated Model 3, including wraparound ambient lighting, a 15.4-inch central touchscreen, ventilated seats, and an 8-inch rear touchscreen for second-row passengers. It also received upgrades such as powered rear seats and improved suspension for a more comfortable ride. Cabin refinement has also been improved with double-layer acoustic glass applied to all windows, while the panoramic glass roof features a silver coating that limits UV and heat transmission into the interior. A limited-run Launch Series was also introduced to mark the start of production for the refreshed Model Y. This special edition is distinguished by a Launch Series badge on the rear liftgate, a puddle lamp logo, and

Markets and configurations

=== Pricing === Tesla's direct-to-consumer sales model allowed it to adjust Model Y prices frequently and without dealer negotiation, producing unusually large and rapid price swings. Through 2021 and 2022, amid strong demand and supply-chain constraints, Tesla raised Model Y prices repeatedly; the Long Range AWD rose to as much as US$65,990 by 2022. In January 2023, following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Tesla cut Model Y prices by as much as US$13,000 to bring variants below the US$55,000 cap required for the federal EV tax credit. The company then raised and cut prices several more times that year; by October 2023 the Model Y was at its lowest price since launch. The cuts pushed down used Model Y values and prices across the broader EV market, with new Model 3 and Model Y prices falling roughly 25% over 2023. The frequent changes drew complaints from recent buyers, including protests by owners in China after sudden cuts devalued newly purchased vehicles. United States. During its introduction, there were four planned powertrain configurations for the Model Y in the U.S., which are Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), Long Range RWD, Long Range with Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD), and Performance (with Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive). However, the Long Range RWD model was not produced until 2024. The Standard Range RWD configuration was initially canceled in July 2020 after being listed as to be announced in "spring 2021", due to the range (230 miles or 370 km) being unacceptably low to CEO Elon Musk. On January 7, 2021, Tesla once again released the Standard Range RWD configuration, alongside the seven-seat option for the Model Y. The Standard Range RWD features 244 miles (393 km) of EPA-estimated range. Tesla stopped taking orders for the variant in

Specifications

== Recalls == In July 2025, 2020–2024 Tesla Model Y, 2017–2024 Tesla Model 3, 2016–2024 Tesla Model X and 2013–2024 Tesla Model S were recalled for issues with open hood latch detection while in driving state. In January 2025, Tesla recalled some 2024–2025 Model 3 and Model S vehicles and some 2023–2025 Model X and Model Y vehicles for a software update to avoid shorting the car computer, preventing (among other things) the rear view camera from displaying. Software releases 2024.44.25.3, 2024.44.25.6, or later contain changes to the power-up sequence. Computers that were damaged had to be replaced under warranty to complete the remedy. In February 2025, more than 370,000 potentially affected vehicles (both Model 3 and Model Y) were recalled to address possible loss of power to electronic power-assisted steering. 48 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced between April 3, 2025, and May 7, 2025, were recalled due to improperly torqued seat fasteners. In July 2025, 5 Tesla vehicles of the 2026 Model Y, manufactured between March 27, 2025, and July 10, 2025, were recalled for an improperly secured horn ground wire, potentially rendering the horn inoperable. In August 2025, the Australian federal government recalled 7301 vehicles manufactured in the 2025 range over a software flaw that could result in the window closing on body parts. In August 2026, Tesla began recalling vehicles in China to replace electrically operated door handles following safety concerns over emergency access to the vehicles.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42298250CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_YCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377659058 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tesla_Model_Y_(Facelift)_%E2%80%93_f_05052026.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 de · Photo: © M 93 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.tesla.com/modelyLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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