The 2020 Tesla Model Y and On: Truly A Great EV?
The Tesla Model Y offers more than most electric vehicles. But with its entry price rising, is the added range and seating still worth it?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Teslas
might be getting more expensive, but they’re still dominating the EV market. The increase has left a few consumers wondering: are the automaker’s electric vehicles all hype or do they really offer something you can’t find in cheaper EVs?The result shows a comprehensive look at the evolution of Tesla’s second crossover since it appeared on the scene in 2020 and goes a long way in explaining why so many drivers choose a Tesla over other all-electric models.
2020-2021: the Model Y joins the Tesla family
When Tesla introduced the Model Y, its place on the automaker’s lineup seemed a little confusing. Other than a lower starting price and normal doors, it was hard to understand how the Model Y was different from its older sibling, the
Model X
. To justify the Model X’s continued existence, Tesla separated the two crossovers with a few significant features over 2020 and 2021.
From the beginning, the Model Y sat on a conventional coil suspension while the Model X continued to be held up by an air
suspension
unit. The Y was also slightly smaller than the X.Changes in 2021 added similarities and differences. While a seven-seater option became available in the Model Y, the automaker’s new
Plaid
badge became available for the X. This increased the more expensive EV’s available range and horsepower far beyond that of the more affordable Model Y.
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Today’s Model Y
Tesla constantly offers over-the-air software updates and makes mechanical improvements throughout the year, but one thing that stays the same throughout the
lifespan of a Tesla
is its dimensions.Since it was released in 2020, folding down the backseats in the Model Y has offered just over 71 cubic feet (cu ft) of cargo space.
With the second down, you get just over 30 cu ft in a five-seater and 26.7 cu ft with the third row down. In a fully occupied seven-seater, that number drops to a measly 17 cubic feet.
Legroom has also remained essentially the same. Front seat occupants have 42 inches of space to stretch out in, while second-row passengers get an almost-equal 41.5 inches. The 26.5 inches of legroom in optional third row makes it a kids-only row.
One thing that did change over the Model Y’s three-year career was its range. The maximum length of a one-charge journey in the EV grew from 316 to 330 miles, thanks completely to software tweaks.
The biggest change to the Tesla Model Y: cost of ownership
Tesla has offered a few tweaks and upgrades to the Model Y over its lifespan, but the 2020 Model Y and the 2022 Model Y are basically the same vehicle. The most significant change has been its price.
Supply chain issues and increased demand have pushed the entry price of a Model Y up from just over $54,000 to nearly $65,000.
Average
car insurance
for the EV has followed that upward trend. Right now, average coverage for a Model Y is $1,800. That’s a lot less than it is for other Teslas, but it still isn’t cheap. That said, you can lower that figure significantly by shopping for car insurance with Jerry. Jerry is your ultra-talented car insurance broker for life. No need to sit across from him at a desk: Jerry is an app! It takes less than a minute to sign up, and you’ll be presented with competitive rates from dozens of top providers. Don’t lose coverage—find savings with Jerry.
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