2026 · Electric compact SUV

Tesla Model Y: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured

Battery in the floor, motors at the axles, no engine bay.

Figures are for the Model Y Premium AWD (4 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Sep 28, 2026.

Open the Model Y in the 3D lab

Where it stands among compact SUVs

#8 of 17Large suitcases, packed: 5
#1 of 17Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver: 11 ft
#2 of 17Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in: +4.4 in
#3 of 17Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver: +1.7 in
#2 of 10Cabin sound at 70 mph: 66 dBA
#1 of 17Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year: $753/yr
#5 of 13Fastest you can stop inside the low beams: 70 mph

Ranked against the default trim of every compact SUV in the catalog that has the figure.

At a glance

Starting price, this trim	$51,630PublishedTesla
Powertrain	Permanent-magnet rear + induction front motor · Dual motor AWD
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	3.9 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	174 ft (53.0 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA efficiency	123 MPGePublishedEPA
EPA range	327 mi (526 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	29.0 cu ft (821 L)TestedCar and Driver
Large suitcases, packed	5Simulated from Car and Driver
Seats	5PublishedEdmunds
Crash ratings	NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Acceleration

Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.

Power	397 hp (296 kW)PublishedCar and Driver
Torque	389 lb-ft (527 Nm)PublishedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	3.9 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	3.9 sSimulated from Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph	1.7 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	12.3 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.

Braking 70–0 mph, tested	174 ft (53.0 m)TestedCar and Driver
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	360 ft (109.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	277 ft (84.3 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	167 ft (50.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.

NHTSA rollover rating	5★ · 8.6% riskTestedNHTSA
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	13 mph (21 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.40Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.

EPA efficiency	123 MPGePublishedEPA
EPA range	327 mi (526 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$753/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	29 kWh/100 mi (18.3 kWh/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputs
Drag coefficient	0.22PublishedEVSpecs

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.

Skidpad grip, tested	0.88 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.88 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.26 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	39.7 ft (12.1 m)Estimate
Ground clearance	6.6 in (17 cm)PublishedEdmunds
Tires	Hankook iON evo AS SUV all-season · 255/45R19TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?

Seats	5PublishedEdmunds
Large suitcases, packed	5Simulated from Car and Driver
Carry-ons in the space left	3Simulated from Car and Driver
Cargo behind the second row	29.0 cu ft (821 L)TestedCar and Driver
Cargo, seats folded	71.0 cu ft (2,010 L)TestedCar and Driver
Front trunk	4.0 cu ft (113 L)TestedCar and Driver
Towing	3,500 lb (1,588 kg)PublishedEdmunds
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+1.7 in (4 cm)Simulated from Edmunds
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+3.9 in (10 cm)Simulated from Edmunds
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+6.8 in (17 cm)Simulated from Edmunds
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+2.2 in (6 cm)Simulated from Edmunds
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+4.4 in (11 cm)Simulated from Edmunds
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	−0.4 in head · +0.1 in kneeSimulated from Edmunds
Front head room, published	41.0 in (104 cm)PublishedEdmunds
Rear head room, published	39.4 in (100 cm)PublishedEdmunds
Rear leg room, published	40.5 in (103 cm)PublishedEdmunds

Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

How loud is it inside at 70 mph, and what exactly are you hearing?

Cabin sound at 70 mph	66 dBATestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?

Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	11 ft (3.2 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	65%Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?

IIHS headlight rating	GoodTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	332 ft (101.1 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	70 mph (113 km/h)Simulated from IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)	442 ft (134.7 m)TestedIIHS

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.

NHTSA overall	5★TestedNHTSA
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS award	2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHS
Curb weight	4,421 lb (2,005 kg)TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Impact

Model Y compared

Trims in the catalog

Model Y Standard · from $41,630
Model Y Premium RWD · from $47,630
Model Y Premium AWD · from $51,630 · figures on this page
Model Y Performance · from $59,630

Other compact SUVs

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.