2020 Tesla Model 3 vs 2020 Tesla Model Y
Side-by-side EPA, NHTSA, and recall data. Winners highlighted in green when one car clearly leads.
- Best EPA combined MPG goes to the 2020 Tesla Model 3 at 130 MPG.
- Best highway MPG goes to the 2020 Tesla Model 3 at 123 MPG.
Car 1 2020 Tesla Model 3 | Car 2 2020 Tesla Model Y | |
|---|---|---|
Engine & efficiency | ||
| Cylinders | Electric | Electric |
| Displacement | Electric | Electric |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel type | Electricity | Electricity |
EPA fuel economy | ||
| City MPG | 136 | 127 |
| Highway MPG | 123 | 114 |
| Combined MPG | 130 | 121 |
| Annual fuel cost (EPA) | $600 | $650 |
| CO2 tailpipe | 0g/mi | 0g/mi |
NHTSA safety ratings | ||
| Overall | 5/ 5 | 5/ 5 |
| Frontal crash | 5/ 5 | 5/ 5 |
| Side crash | 5/ 5 | 5/ 5 |
| Rollover | 5/ 5 | 5/ 5 |
| Stability control | Standard | Standard |
Recalls, complaints, investigations | ||
| Recalls (NHTSA) | 20 | 23 |
| Complaints filed | 427 | 270 |
| Open investigations | 12 | 13 |
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
- SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
- + 17 more on file at NHTSA.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
- SUSPENSIONTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to separate.
- SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
- + 20 more on file at NHTSA.
Sources: US DOT NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov) for safety ratings, recalls, and complaints. US EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov for engine, fuel economy, and emissions data. Both are free public datasets, updated by the federal agencies that own them.
Shop real 2020 Tesla Model 3 listings
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Shop real 2020 Tesla Model Y listings
These links open a pre-filtered search on each marketplace. Compare prices and inventory in one tab each, then come back. The verdict above tells you what to ask the seller before you commit.
Outbound links may pay MotorJudge a commission via affiliate networks. Prices, availability, and dealer policies live on each marketplace. We do not control their inventory.
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