Tesla sells five models today, starting with the entry-level Model 3 sedan to the chunky Cybertruck. Each model offers something unique and has developed a niche of dedicated buyers. But if you’re wondering which Tesla model is the best for most buyers, the winner is the 2026 Tesla Model Y. Sure, it may not be as capable or luxurious as the Model X, but it does something that matters to the masses, not the affluent. It’s a do-it-all practical EV SUV that’s perfect for most buyers, especially families.
Perhaps that’s why, despite being on the market for just five years, the Model Y has managed to grab a significant chunk of the segment. It’s now Tesla’s bread-and-butter, and has grown to be the best-selling EV and the seventh best-selling car overall in the US. It has also held the title of the world’s best-selling car for the last couple of years. It’s safe to assume that, for the most part, EV buyers love this car. Here’s what makes the Model Y among the best Tesla models.
- Base Trim Engine
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Electric
- Base Trim Transmission
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Single Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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425 HP
- Fuel Economy
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120 MPGe Combined
- Make
-
Tesla
- Model
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Model Y
- Segment
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Compact SUV
The 2026 Tesla Model Y Is America’s Favorite EV
The Model Y’s secret to success is that it’s quite a practical fastback SUV that can suit different lifestyles. Sharing its platform with the Model 3 sedan, this SUV offers more interior and cargo space, with an optional third seat. The posh-looking interior also packs some nice features, including a massive touchscreen. And it’s powered by five powertrain options, all with respectable driving range and fast-charging times, checking the box for different driving styles, too. Put simply, the Model Y strikes a near-perfect balance for buyers looking for a practical, easy-to-live-with EV SUV in 2026.
The Tesla Model Y Gets A Makeover For 2026
For the 2026 model year, Tesla has finally facelifted the slightly aging Model Y, aligning it with the Model 3 stablemate, which was updated in 2024. This update brings new design and lights front and rear, which look much cleaner and sharper than before. On the inside, the cabin is updated with better interior materials, some extra features, like ventilated front seats and a rear passenger display, and more sound deadening. All of this brings the Model Y on par with its competitors and should make the SUV even more desirable in 2026.
The 2026 Tesla Model Y Starts At $39,990
The Model Y also gets cheaper this year, thanks to the new base Model Y Standard trim, which starts at $39,990. This new variant is a solid $5k cheaper than the Premium RWD (previously called the Long Range RWD), though it does cut out features like ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. It also features a single 300-horsepower motor and a smaller battery pack. On the other hand, the Premium trim starts at $44,990, and the Performance trim starts at $57,490. Across the board, the Model Y looks like value for money, especially in the new Standard trim.
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Perfectly Practical And Spacious For Families
Both the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are incredible EV options, but what makes the Model Y arguably the best Tesla model for families is its space. As standard, it can seat five, but you can outfit the Premium AWD with an optional backseat that can seat two for extra coin. At the rear, it can fit three adults with ease, with more than enough headroom and legroom. Don’t let the sloping roofline fool you, either; it has a surprisingly high seating position that shouldn’t make you feel like you’re sitting in a low-slung sedan.
Plenty Of Cargo Space For All Your Luggage And Groceries
Along with the cabin, the Model Y also has plenty of cargo space for all your family’s needs, whether you’re going grocery shopping or on a road trip. The SUV offers up around 29 cubic feet of cargo space, with some variants eating up a point or two here, which is plenty for multiple suitcases. You can also fold down the rear seats to open up the cargo space for larger cargo. Given the lack of an engine under the hood, the front trunk can also hold your groceries and everyday items with ease.
An All-Glass Roof That Gives The Cabin An Airy Feel
Another highlight of the car is its heavily tinted all-glass roof, which should give the cabin an airy feel and keep the interior from feeling claustrophobic, despite the sloping roofline. Weirdly, Tesla offers this glass roof on all models, but seals it up with soundproofing material and a headliner on the Standard trim. Tesla says the roofliner is supposed to keep the cabin cooler and reduce road noise, but most buyers will still find it a bit of a budget compromise.
Nails Safety For Your Family, Too
Despite being on the lower end of the Tesla lineup, the Tesla Model Y does not compromise on safety, either. While the 2026 model hasn’t been crash-tested by agencies, the 2025 model earned 5 out of 5 stars in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ title. Its bottom-heavy and solid structure is supported by a bunch of driver-assist tech, including Lane Departure Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and more. Tesla says it may also get some over-the-air software updates in the future that can make the car even safer.
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Decluttered Cabin That Focuses On Convenience And Entertainment
Space and comfort are only one side of the family-SUV coin; the other is convenience and infotainment. Buyers going for such cars are looking for a car that’s easy to use and clutter-free, and that’s exactly what the Model Y offers. As a result, the interior is largely free of buttons, moving the functions to the large 15.4-inch touchscreen placed in the center of the dash. These functions include most things, from front climate control to the speedometer, which may not be everyone’s favorite.
Keeps You Entertained When Waiting
The touchscreen also brings some entertainment features, including embedded Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube, as well as some video games, which should come in handy when you’re waiting for the car to charge up. Don’t worry, Tesla won’t let you use these entertainment functions when the car is moving. On the standard model, the rear center console has physical climate controls, which are replaced by an 8.0-inch display on the higher models.
Like many cars at this price range, the Model Y also gets the basics right with a power-adjustable steering column, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and more. It then goes a step further with features like Remote Climate Control, a Phone Key that eliminates the need for a physical key, Dog Mode that keeps the cabin cool, and Sentry Mode that keeps an eye on the SUV’s surroundings.
If that’s not enough, you can order your Model Y with a bunch of add-ons. Some of the best Tesla Model Y accessories include a center console tray, pet liner, all-weather interior liners, and a roof rack. Another one of the best Tesla Model Y accessories is the tow hitch, which is available on the Premium AWD model, which lets you tow up to 3,500 pounds with a class II steel tow-bar.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Takes The Wheel From You
Tesla also offers the Model Y with the available Full Self-Driving feature, which can drive your SUV almost anywhere. This is not a full self-driving feature, as it requires your attention and occasional intervention, but it should help reduce driver fatigue on long drives. You can either buy this feature fully or pay $99 per month for it. The car can also take the wheel from you in the parking lot, thanks to the Actually Smart Summon and Autopark features. These are small things that go a long way in making your ownership experience hassle-free.
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Multiple Powertrains To Suit Your Driving Style
The Tesla Model Y comes with multiple powertrain options to suit different driving styles. It starts with the RWD models; Tesla does not reveal their power figures, but they likely produce 295 to 300 ponies. Stepping up to the AWD models adds an extra motor to the front, taking the combined power output to 375 horsepower. These models offer a brisk acceleration of 6.8 to 5.4 seconds, depending on the model. Tesla says these models offer better driving dynamics for the 2026 model year.
Serious Performance On Offer, Pun Intended
|
Power |
Range |
0 to 60 MPH |
Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
460 HP |
306 miles |
3.3 seconds |
155 MPH |
Those looking for a bit more performance can go for the Performance model, which offers supercar levels of acceleration and performance. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.3 seconds and tops out at 155 miles per hour. That’s enough to put some serious sports cars to shame and scratch that itch for some on-road shenanigans. Despite its SUV body style, it also promises competent handling, thanks to its wider track, adaptive suspension, and unique 21-inch wheels.
A Respectable Range Of Up To 357 Miles
|
Standard RWD |
Standard AWD |
Premium RWD |
Premium AWD |
Performance AWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
321 miles |
294 miles |
357 miles |
327 miles |
306 miles |
The entire Model Y lineup offers a respectable driving range. The Standard model with its smaller battery pack offers up to 321 miles of range, and the Premium model’s Long Range battery pack takes it up to 327 miles. The Performance model trades in some of that mileage for horsepower, dropping the range down to 306 miles, which is still pretty good considering the SUV’s performance. According to FuelEconomy.gov, this range should translate to an annual “fuel” cost of just $550 to $600, depending on the model, considering you drive 15k miles a year.
Quick Charging And Access To Over 75k Superchargers
The Model Y is nothing to scoff at when it comes to charging time, too. According to the manufacturer, the Model Y Premium RWD can add up to 182 miles of range in just 15 minutes, while the Premium AWD can add 169 miles in the same time. For the Standard and Performance models, that addition stands at 160 miles and 144 miles, respectively. The Model Y also gets a Trip Planner navigation feature, which automatically routes to any of the over 75,000 superchargers in the country.
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Finally, It’s Cheap To Own And Dependable
Another thing that makes the Model Y perhaps the best Tesla model today is its reliability and low running costs. According to CarEdge, the SUV should only cost around $3,978 in maintenance and repairs in the first ten years of ownership, beating the industry average for luxury SUVs by $8,475. There’s an 18.79 percent chance that the Model Y will require a major repair in the first decade, which is 19.72 percent lower than the segment average.
- Reliability Score: 78/100 (J.D. Power)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,475 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 5
Put everything together, and you’ll see why the answer to “which Tesla model is the best” is the Model Y. It gets the balance right for an average buyer. On the inside, it’s spacious, comfortable, and packed with all the modern goodies. On the road, it has a respectable range and plenty of performance on tap that should suffice everyone but serious enthusiasts. That’s why the Model Y outsells other Tesla models and has become America’s favorite EV today.
Source: Tesla, J.D. Power, EPA, CarEdge, NHTSA, IIHS