04/10/2024
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? The Model Y's cargo space is massive. Tesla cites 68 cubic feet of maximum capacity, though it's unclear whether that number includes the front trunk. The rear seats don't fold entirely flat, but there's a wide opening and an easy load-in height. The removable cargo floor provides even more rear storage underneath. The center console has a sliding bin cover and sueded smartphone charging spaces.
Child safety seat accommodation is average for an SUV of this size. There's sufficient space for even the largest of child seats. The lower car seat anchors, however, have small access points and are hard to loop through. The top tether points are on the lower side of the rear seats and can be hard to reach.
Range and Efficiency
8.0/10
How are the range and efficiency? [Editor's note: The following relates to the 2021 Model Y Long Range, which is what we most recently tested. EPA range and efficiency estimates have changed slightly since then, but our general takeaways still apply.] The EPA estimates the Model Y Long Range has a maximum range of 326 miles and uses 27 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles of driving, making it the next most efficient luxury EV behind the Tesla Model 3. Both are very impressive for an electric SUV.
In Edmunds' real-world testing of the 2021 Model Y Long Range, we observed a total range of 317 miles at a consumption rate of 26.2 kWh/100 miles running in the max-range battery mode, which charges the battery to full capacity. This mode is not recommended for daily use and should be reserved for longer trips. While the Model Y didn't quite match its range estimate in our test, its 300-plus-mile range is more than sufficient for most people as long as you're driving conservatively.
One big advantage to the Model Y is access to Tesla's proprietary Supercharger network. It provides trustworthy and reasonably priced recharging that comes in handy when you need a bunch of range quickly (such as on road trips).