2021 Tesla Model Y Review

Name: 2021 Tesla Model Y Review
Brand: Tesla

Price Range: $23,590 - $53,409

Tesla Model Y Performance 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

The 2021 Model Y is a stylish and roomy electric SUV with strong appeal. Of the two versions, we prefer the Long Range. It lacks the crazy acceleration of the Performance but is still pleasingly quick. It's also smoother-riding and a better value. Where the Y clearly lags the rest of the industry is smartphone integration.

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2021 Tesla Model Y Review

by the Edmunds Experts

6/7/2021

What's new

Introduced, and then discontinued, Standard Range version
Seven-seat configuration now available
Part of the first Model Y generation introduced for 2020

What is the Model Y?

The 2021 Model Y SUV slots below the larger Model X in the company's lineup and shares much with the Model 3 sedan, including a similar design both inside and out.

For 2021, Tesla is expanding the Model Y lineup with a new Standard Range version. It's less expensive than the preexisting Long Range and Performance versions and comes with an estimated 244 miles of maximum range. That's notably less than the 326 miles of the Long Range. It also comes with rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive. But the upside is that Tesla charges about $43,000 for the new Standard Range compared to about $51,000 for the Long Range.

Tesla is also now offering a seven-seat passenger option for the Model Y. The company announced this feature at the Model Y's debut but has not made it available until now. The two-passenger third-row seat can fold flat but reduces cargo capacity compared to the five-passenger Model Y.

Edmunds says

The new Model Y Standard Range makes this electric SUV affordable to a wider range of EV shoppers. Its 244 miles of range is sufficient enough for most people's daily driving and commuting, too. We like the Model Y a lot but also recommend checking out the new competition for 2021: the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. Our full review on the 2021 Model Y is in the works. In the meantime check out Edmunds' review of the 2020 Tesla Model Y.

2021 Tesla Model Y EV Insights

Trim:

Model Y Standard Range

Estimated Range Based on Age

226 miles^{The range for a used 2021 Tesla Model Y is estimated to be 226 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 226 miles.^{Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

Estimated range map^{This map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Boydton, Virginia. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | Leaflet} from

Charging

NACS^{North American Charging Standard (NACS). Supports Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging.}

Plug Type

8 hrs

240V Home Charging^{Estimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.}

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles^{The federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.}

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 4 years or 44,000 miles for this car.^{Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.}

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$4,125

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions:
Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer. Not every version of the vehicle models will necessarily qualify. Please check with the dealer/seller to determine the eligibility of your specific vehicle.

For the vehicle to qualify:
- Price cannot exceed $25,000.
- Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased.
- Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted.
- Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.
For individuals to qualify:
- Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status.
- Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle.
- Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle.
- Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.
To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit
Restrictions:
Dominion Energy offers EV owners a rebate of up to $125 towards the cost of a Level 2 charging station.
To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements:
- Receive electricity from Dominion Energy.
- Have an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
- Networked/Smart charging capabilities to program the station to off-peak periods and respond to managed charging events
- You also earn a $40 e-gift card on the anniversary of your enrollment every year you remain enrolled.
To learn more, visit https://www.chargingrewards.com/faqs/dominion-ev/

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Cost to Drive

$46/mo

Model Y

$173/mo

SUV Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work ^{This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.}
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station ^{With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.}
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more ^{If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.}

Learn more about EV charging

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Tesla Model Y Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.9

46 reviews

5(56%)

4(10%)

3(12%)

2(9%)

1(13%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Buy the Model Y

Dale, 04/19/2021

2021 Tesla Model Y Performance 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)

Overall we love our Model Y Performance. The "Long Range ... " model identified at the bottom of this review is misstated. The handling and performance are absolutely excellent. It is exhilarating to drive each and every trip. The front seats have copious adjustments and are very comfortable. We have had no returns to the dealer for problems in the 27,000 miles we have owned our … Tesla. People frequently stop and want to chat about our Model Y. Plan to pay full price. Factory fit and finish do not match most other vehicles. There will be a learning curve. Adjusting most car functions on a computer screen is a new experience. Driving it on the mostly flat interstates of the Midwest gives us a comfortable, realistic range of 225 miles - far short of the claimed 303 miles. Use the range metric of about 23 miles (less in cold weather) per 10% of battery energy to plan your recharge points. Around town, hilly or slow-speed driving may give you as much as 30 miles per 10% of battery energy. When reaching the risky limit of about 250 miles, you better be at the charging station. Note that due to regeneration of battery charging on deceleration, driving in stop and go traffic gives better mileage than highway driving. Our Model Y Performance came with "summer tires." That means you really do not want to drive in ice or snow and/or temperatures much below freezing. Trust me. Park it until Spring or change to all season tires. Installing mud flaps and applying the accessory plastic protectors on the front curve of the rear fenders is recommended. I also paid to have a plastic rap professionally installed over the entire front bumper. That flatish nose is an inevitable target for bugs and other road debris. As far as recharging is concerned, everyone always asks if I purchased the factory home charger. No. I just plug the car into a 115v 12amp wall or outside outlet using the factory mobile connector. This connector came with the car when I bought it but is now a $200.00 option. However using a regular outlet recharges the battery very slowly. Specifically, charging from a low battery up to 90% could take all weekend. An alternative with much faster results is using a home 240 volt outlet such as where your electric clothes drier is plugged in. If you live in an apartment or do not have a garage, see below. The next most common question is regarding concern finding recharging stations away from home. We drive our Tesla interstate all the time. There are copious Tesla-installed "Superchargers" nationwide, especially near Interstate Highways. However they still are not as common as gas stations and remaining charge-vigilant is necessary. Note that maintaining your electric vehicle battery at or near full charge is no more necessary than neurotically keeping the fuel tank in your gasoline car full. Should you be unlucky enough to experience a breakdown, such as exhausting the the battery or getting a flat tire (no spare), you will need to contact Tesla Road Assistance for rescue via the car's computer or your mobile phone. This service is available for the four years of factory warranty. I do not know anyone who used this service to speak of its efficacy. For those drivers not experienced with a high-performance vehicle, prudence may suggest reducing power from "sport" to "chill" on the control menu until mastery is achieved. Inexperience in this really fast vehicle can lead to a really bad outcome.

2021 Tesla Y dual motor long range at 25,000 miles

JRS, 02/02/2021

2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)

Now with 25,000 miles and through a New England winter in this vehicle. Pros: Great driving, tight on the road, excellent handling, fit and finish holding up no rattles, 300 plus miles range, superb in snow (using snow tires). Service has been excellent. A mobile unit showed up to replace a filter in the HVAC system due to a smell. The problem was resolved. Cons: The touch screen for …

Best car I have ever owned

electrolux, 03/30/2021

2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)

I have owned lots of different makes of vehicles. The technology and drive experience in the Model Y is second to none. The seats are the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in. I have only been getting about 280 miles of range in my normal driving but superchargers are plentiful and reliable.

Car from the future, but with problems

Valentin , 10/09/2021

2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)

This car drives like nothing else. Love the accelaration, lower center of mass, regen. braking. Love most of the tech. When driving it, you feel like the car was made in 2030s. Now the negatives: 1. Could not drive my car before accepting the delivery. Sure enough, there were multiple wheel and steering issues right from the delivery lot. In this respect, buying from a dealer is a …

See all 46 reviews of the Tesla Model Y

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2021 Tesla Model Y video

Electric SUV Comparison: Tesla Model Y vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. VW ID.4 | Pricing, Range & More

With the rise in popularity of electric vehicles, it's safe to say that 2021 is the year of the EV. But with so many manufacturers jumping into the EV game, it's getting harder to know which EV is the best choice for your lifestyle. In this video, Carlos Lago from Edmunds runs down a trio of top-rated electric SUVs: the Tesla Model Y, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the…

2021 Model Y Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Standard Range

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$39,990
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,125 Based on income
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	244 miles
Cost to Drive	$46/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	8.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Model Y models:

Automatic Emergency Braking: Warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time.
Active Cruise Control: Maintains a set gap between you and the car you're following. It comes to a complete stop and resumes following too.
Lane Keeping Assist: Warns if you are drifting out of your lane and will nudge the steering to get you back in line.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover7.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Tesla Model Y Review

Price & Payment

2021 Tesla Model Y Review

What's new

What is the Model Y?

Edmunds says

2021 Tesla Model Y EV Insights

Estimated Range Based on Age

Charging

EV Battery Warranty

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Cost to Drive

Am I Ready for an EV?

Tesla Model Y Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Buy the Model Y

2021 Tesla Y dual motor long range at 25,000 miles

Best car I have ever owned

Car from the future, but with problems

2021 Tesla Model Y video

Electric SUV Comparison: Tesla Model Y vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. VW ID.4 | Pricing, Range & More

2021 Model Y Highlights

Safety

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