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Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model Y
Selected trimRWDChange trim332 mi · 60 kWh · £37,990
Selected trimRWDChange trim314 mi · Not available · £41,990
At a glance
In this comparison, Tesla Model 3 leads on running costs and city driving, while the Tesla Model Y leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Tesla Model 3 if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model Y if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model Y edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
Model 3
6.4
Model Y
6.5
Too close to call
Motorway Range
Model 3
5.5
Model Y
5.8
Too close to call
FamilyModel Y
Model 3
7.1
Model Y
7.8
ChargingModel Y
Model 3
2.3
Model Y
7
Cost Per MileModel 3
Model 3
8.8
Model Y
7.7
City DrivingModel 3
Model 3
4
Model Y
3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,990 (better) | £41,990 |
| Official range | 332 miles (better) | 314 miles |
| Boot space | 682 L | 854 L (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 6.2 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
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Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model Y
Length
Tesla Model 34,721mm-73mm
Tesla Model Y4,794mm
Width
Tesla Model 31,933mm-48mm
Tesla Model Y1,981mm
Height
Tesla Model 31,440mm-181mm
Tesla Model Y1,621mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,721 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,933 mm (better) | 1,981 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,088 mm (better) | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.6 m (better) | 12.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 467 mm spare (better) | 419 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 682 L | 854 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 2118 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 117 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Tesla Model 3
- 2nd-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 682 L.
- At 4,721 mm, shorter than 90% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 130 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of saloon EVs we track.
Tesla Model Y
- 3rd-largest boot among SUVs in our catalogue at 854 L.
- A 117 L frunk, one of 6 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 117 L or more.
- Uses 138 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Tesla Model 3 RWD |  Tesla Model Y RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.79m+73mm |
| Width | 1.93m | 1.98m+48mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.09m | 2.13m+41mm |
| Height | 1.44m | 1.62m+181mm |
| Wheelbase | Not available | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | 137mm | 162mm+25mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 682L* | 854L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 2118L |
| Frunk | Not available | 117L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.6m (better) | 12.1m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,772kg (better) | 1,906kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60kWh | Not available |
| Range (WLTP) | 332 mi (better) | 314 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 175kW | 175kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,990 (better) | £41,990 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2025+ |
* Tesla Model 3: Tesla publishes 682 L as total cargo volume (boot + frunk, measured to roof) — not directly comparable to standard VDA figures used by other brands.
* Tesla Model 3: Not published by Tesla; verified from multiple independent sources.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 332 miles (better) | 314 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 229 miles | 251 miles (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 175 kW | 175 kW |
| Energy consumption | 130 Wh/km (better) | 138 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 57.5 kWh | Not available |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.2 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 208 kW | Not available |
| Torque | 340 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
8.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Auto Express4.5/5
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Tesla Model 3
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £26,699 | £38,121 |
| Average used price | £30,299 | £40,783 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 91 listings (better) | 7 listings |
| Saving vs RRP | £7,691 below new | £1,207 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Down 9.2% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model 3 RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users89%
Safety Assist87%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model Y RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
Owners love
- Excellent driving dynamics with responsive steering, handling, and smooth one-pedal regenerative braking
- Superior touchscreen interface that is intuitive, responsive, and readable in sunlight
- Growing Supercharger network offers reliable charging infrastructure with competitive pricing
Watch out for
- Removal of physical stalks for wipers and turn signals creates safety concerns and requires constant touchscreen interaction while driving
- Automatic windshield wipers frequently malfunction in light rain and drizzle due to camera-based Tesla Vision system
- Unreliable indicator stalk (on older models with stalks) frequently malfunctions or doesn't respond consistently
Owner tips
- Test drive the specific model configuration before ordering to experience controls, door handles, and touchscreen usability in real driving conditions
- Use home charging with EV-specific energy tariffs to maximize cost savings; home charging is significantly cheaper than public chargers
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Owners love
- Spacious interior with generous cargo capacity makes it practical for families, easily accommodating five passengers plus luggage
- Low running costs versus petrol and diesel, especially with home charging
- Outstanding Supercharger network makes long-distance travel effortless and enables trip planning comparable to petrol cars
Watch out for
- Depreciation concerns affect both purchase values and PCP lease terms as rapid model iterations reduce resale viability
- Autopilot struggles reliably with small roads, parked cars, junctions, and speed limit changes despite heavy marketing
- Harsh suspension ride remains problematic for some owners, though newer generation improvements are noticeable
Owner tips
- Consider a nearly new or pre-facelift car over new to limit depreciation
- Choose LFP battery models if available to avoid strict battery charging discipline and benefit from greater longevity
Buying options
Get a quote
Tesla Model 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model Y
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Tesla Model 3
- £33,8992024Car360View
- £32,6462025Car360View
- £30,2992025Car360View
Tesla Model Y
- £38,1212025Car360View
- £43,4442025Castle EVView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model Y worth the extra £4,000 over the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model Y costs £4,000 more than the Tesla Model 3. For that premium it adds 172 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model Y comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model 3 is £4,000 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Tesla Model 3 comes out roughly £4,040 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 229 miles for the Tesla Model 3 and 251 miles for the Tesla Model Y - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model Y goes roughly 22 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model 3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 48 mm narrower than the Tesla Model Y. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 467 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model 3 and about 419 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model Y. The Tesla Model 3 also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla Model Y?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 92% battery health for the Tesla Model 3 and 90% for the Tesla Model Y. That gives the Tesla Model 3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Tesla Model 3 comparisons
More Tesla Model Y comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best family EVsWhere the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y rank among long-range EVsWhere the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best city EVsWhere the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .