The Tesla Model 3 once revolutionized the EV market upon its release in 2017, but the Tesla Model Y has since surged in popularity, becoming the world’s best-selling vehicle in early 2024. Having personally transitioned from a Model 3 to a Model Y, I’m sharing my direct experience to highlight the key differences and advantages of each model.
In early 2022, after a year of Model 3 ownership, an accident where another driver ran a red light resulted in my Model 3 being totaled. Thankfully, the Model 3’s safety features and emergency braking system worked effectively, and everyone involved was unharmed. The car itself, however, was beyond repair.
Image alt text: Image depicting a rear-end collision between two vehicles, symbolizing a car accident and the decision to replace a vehicle.
When the opportunity to replace my vehicle arose, I considered the Model Y. Initially, the Model Y was my preferred Tesla, but during my first test drive when it was newly in production, I was not satisfied with the perceived build quality. This led me to choose the more established Model 3 at the time.
Explore Vehicle Specs: Model 3 vs. Model Y
The waiting period for a new Model Y was considerable, around four to six months. To expedite the process, I learned that Teslas occasionally become available in inventory due to various reasons, such as customers not finalizing pre-configured orders. For about a week, I contacted Tesla daily to check for available Model Y inventory. Eventually, I discovered a Model Y Performance model available in Stockton, California, a few hours away. Having acquired a temporary car, an old BMW, from a friend, I was able to travel to Stockton and trade it in for my new Model Y.
Image alt text: A person using a laptop to check the value of their electric vehicle online, representing the process of evaluating a car for trade-in or sale.
I found the Model Y to be a significant upgrade, especially for my household’s needs. The most impactful improvement was the expanded cargo capacity, transforming the Model Y into a much more versatile vehicle. While only marginally larger than the Model 3 in overall length (approximately two inches), the Model Y is wider by 1.6 inches and taller by 1.3 inches. The interior offers about an inch more headroom and a substantial five inches of additional rear legroom. Crucially, the five-seat Model Y boasts significantly more cargo volume: 34.3 cubic feet compared to the Model 3’s 22.9 cubic feet. This difference is less pronounced in the seven-seat Model Y configuration.
This increased space allows me to transport a folded e-bike and a full-size road bike in the Model Y’s cargo area with the seats folded down, while still having ample room for luggage in the under-floor compartments and the front trunk, or “frunk.”
Image alt text: A dog comfortably sitting in a car trunk filled with luggage, illustrating the spacious cargo capacity of a vehicle suitable for travel and pets.
Beyond cargo space, the increased ride height and seating comfort were notable upgrades. Perhaps due to age, I found the lower seating position in sedans, like the Model 3, was starting to cause back discomfort. Although the seats themselves are the same in both models, the Model Y’s seats are mounted higher, resulting in a more upright seating posture. This simple change significantly improved my driving comfort, extending my comfortable driving time from about an hour in the Model 3 to three hours or more in the Model Y without back pain. The trade-off is a sensation of sitting “on” rather than “in” the car, but for me, the comfort benefit far outweighs this minor change in driving feel.
Furthermore, the Model Y Performance I acquired features the upgraded Ryzen infotainment chip, which noticeably enhances the touchscreen responsiveness and navigation speed compared to my previous Model 3. The increased power from the Long Range Model 3 to the Model Y Performance is also palpable. While the larger cabin volume of the Model Y does lead to slightly more road noise compared to the Model 3, it is not significantly bothersome.
I believe the Model Y’s family-friendly attributes – including its generous space, higher ride height, and overall ease of use – are key factors in its ascent to becoming Tesla’s best-selling model. If you are considering a new Tesla, I highly recommend test driving both the Model 3 and Model Y to determine which vehicle best aligns with your individual needs and preferences.
