I wrote about the new Tesla Model Y coming to the US market last night, but at the end of the story noted that we’re lucky to now have multiple models to choose from at a similar size, range, and price. A reader commented that there are actually a handful of models now with essentially the same range as a Model Y but at a much lower price. I thought I’d jump in and write an article about that, but it’s actually a bit more nuanced.
You can get electric SUVs that are much cheaper, but they come with much less range. Alternatively, you can find electric SUVs with about the same amount of range as the Model Y, but they cost about the same. There’s one notable exception, which you’ll see below. Nonetheless, digging into the details, I collected the numbers (price and range) on 10 models — for each of their different trims. On 9 of these models, you find trims with very similar specs and pricing to the Model Y, but also some notable variations in some trim.
Well, we have to start with the Tesla Model Y.
- LR RWD = $44,990 — 337 miles
- LR AWD = $47,990 — 311 miles
- Performance AWD = $51,490 — 277 miles
- New LR AWD = $59,990 — 320 miles
Then there’s the hyper-competitive, much cheaper Chevrolet Equinox EV, 2024 CleanTechnica Car of the Year. The Equinox EV offers an amazing balance between range and price on the lower end (the LT trim). The RS trim, meanwhile, is extremely comparable to the Model Y.
- LT RWD = $33,600 — 319 miles
- RS RWD = $43,400 — 319 miles
- LT AWD = $40,295 — 307 miles
- RS AWD = $49,090 — 307 miles
Of course, there’s more to a car than its range and its price. The Tesla Model Y has certain features and characteristics that made it the best selling passenger vehicle in the world in 2023 and the second best selling passenger vehicle in the world in 2024 (the Toyota Corolla retook its top spot). However, my guess is that not nearly enough people realize you have choice on the EV market today and can get comparable electric SUVs/crossovers from a bunch of other companies. These other EVs often just need to be given a chance.
- LT = $44,600 — 283 miles
- RS = $49,900 — 334 miles
- Select = $39,995 — 300 miles
- Premium = $43,995 — 320 miles
- GT = $54,995 — 280 miles
- Rally — $58,995 — 265 miles
- SEL = $49,500 — 318 miles
- XRT (AWD) = $55,400 — 259 miles
- Limited = $54,200 — 318 miles
- Light RWD = $42,600 — 232 miles
- Light Long Range RWD = $45,950 — 310 miles
- Light Long Range AWD = $49,850 — 282 miles
- Wind RWD = $48,700 — 310 miles
- Wind AWD = $52,600 — 282 miles
- GT-Line RWD = $52,900 — 282 miles
- GT-Line AWD = $57,600 — 252 miles
- GT AWD = $61,600 — 218 miles
- Standard = $39,735 — 206 miles
- Pro = $44,875 — 291 miles
- AWD Pro = $48,755 — 263 miles
- Engage FWD = $39,770 — 216 miles
- Evolve+ FWD = $44,370 — 289 miles
- Engage Dual Motor e-4ORCE® AWD = $43,770 — 205 miles
- Engage+ Dual Motor e-4ORCE® AWD = $45,370 — 272 miles
- Evolve+ Dual Motor e-4ORCE® AWD = $48,370 — 272 miles
- Platinum+ Dual Motor e-4ORCE® AWD = $54,370 — 267 miles
- EX RWD = $47,400 — 296 miles
- Touring RWD = $51,700 — 296 miles
- Elite AWD = $57,900 — 273 miles
- $49,800 — 288 miles
- $44,900 — 253 miles
That’s quite a list of offerings in the highly popular Tesla Model Y range in terms of pricing and specs! Plus, most of these models also have or are getting access to Tesla Superchargers. There’s finally a great platter of options in the US!