2021 Tesla Model Y

MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says it drove the Model Y in two output levels, a Long Range with 384 horsepower and 376 pound-feet and a Performance rated at 456 horsepower and 497 pound-feet, that the Long Range reached 60 mph in 4.1 seconds with a 12.4-second quarter mile, and that over-the-air software updates come without a dealer visit. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts the estimated range between 244 miles for the Standard Range and 326 miles for the Long Range. Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) notes the Model Y uses the Model 3's chassis, interior and powertrain with more cargo space, SUV styling and an optional third row that adds a steep $3,000.

Autotrader (opens in a new tab) describes the Standard Range as the choice for budget-minded buyers who do not need to go more than 200 miles between charges. EPA rates the 2021 Model Y at 111 to 129 MPGe with 244 to 326 miles of range and $600 to $700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns for the 2021 Model Y, and the mechanical ones matter most on a used car: 21V912000 covers front and rear suspension knuckles that may fracture and let the suspension links separate, 21V835000 front suspension lateral-link fasteners that may loosen, 21V387000 brake caliper bolts that may be loose so the caliper can separate and contact the wheel rim, and 21V388000 and 21V389000 second-row and front shoulder-belt retractor fasteners that may not be properly attached. The rest are largely software, including 22V037000 (Full Self-Driving Beta rolling stop), 21V846000 (false forward-collision warnings or unexpected emergency braking), 22V063000 and 22V235000 (Boombox speaker obscuring pedestrian warning sounds) and 22V050000 (a heat-pump valve).

Owners have filed 1,078 complaints with NHTSA on this model year: forward collision avoidance with 578, service brakes with 182, vehicle speed control with 161, electrical system with 148 and unknown or other with 136.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) lists used 2021 Model Y prices from $25,700 for the Standard Range to $28,800 for the Performance at a dealership, with trade-in values of about $20,900 to $26,100 and private-party values of about $24,200 to $26,900. It notes the Standard Range had a starting price of $41,190 when new and the Performance $61,190.

EPA rates the 2021 Model Y at 111 to 129 MPGe with 244 to 326 miles at $600 to $700 a year. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E rates 82 to 101 MPGe with 211 to 305 miles at $750 to $950, and the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 98 to 114 with 220 to 303 miles and the Kia EV6 105 to 117 with 232 to 310. On EPA figures the Model Y is the most efficient and has the longest range of the four.