2023 Tesla Model 3 vs 2023 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 2023 Tesla Model 3 at 132 MPG.
- Best highway MPG goes to the 2023 Tesla Model 3 at 126 MPG.
Car 1 2023 Tesla Model 3 | Car 2 2023 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 | 138 | 129 |
| Highway MPG | 126 | 116 |
| Combined MPG | 132 | 123 |
| Annual fuel cost (EPA) | $550 | $600 |
| 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) | 11 | 16 |
| Complaints filed | 402 | 1066 |
| Open investigations | 11 | 12 |
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.
- 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."
- STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERINGTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
- + 8 more on file at NHTSA.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.
- SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKETTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model Y vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may not have been properly attached to the sub-frame.
- STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERINGTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
- + 13 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.
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