What’s the difference between the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y?

The Tesla Model 3 and Y have countless similarities. Both cars share powertrains, platforms, batteries, and styling cues.

However, the Tesla Model 3 is slightly cheaper and offers more driving range from its Long Range variant. Meanwhile, the more popular Model Y is larger in size, with its SUV body style providing more interior space than the Model 3 sedan.

To help you narrow down which model is right for you, we've compared the Tesla Model Y and Telsa Model 3 across several criteria, including price, electric range, size and on-road comfort.

The Tesla Model 3 is cheaper than the Model Y, but not by much.

The Model 3 range starts at $54,900, while the Model Y line-up kicks off at $55,900. Both vehicles offer three model grades (the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive model, plus the mid-spec Long Range, and top-spec Performance), with a choice of rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive layouts.

It's worth noting that Tesla prices have been slashed several times in 2024, amid slowing international demand for the company's models. In fact, earlier this year the company reduced its prices three times within a two-month window.

All prices mentioned in this article exclude on-road costs.

The Model 3 Long Range variant has the most driving range, offering 629km, while the Model Y Long Range provides 533km. 

The variant with the least range is the Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y, which has 455km of range compared to 513km offered in the Rear-Wheel Drive Model 3. 

Both cars share the same battery packs. The rear-wheel-drive models are equipped with a single 59.7kWh battery, while the Long Range and Performance variants pack a 79kWh battery with dual motors. 

The Tesla Model Y is 30mm longer, 45mm wider, 183mm higher, and sits on a wheelbase that’s 15mm larger than the Model 3, offering a significantly larger boot. 

The Tesla Model 3 is 4720mm long, 1933mm wide, 1441mm high, and sits on a wheelbase of 2875mm. The Model Y is 4750mm long, 1978mm wide, 1624mm high, and sits on a wheelbase of 2890mm. 

The Model Y is a larger vehicle, therefore, as you'd expect it's heavier than the Model 3, and the weight differs for each variant depending on battery and number of motors. For example, the rear-wheel-drive Model Y has a single motor and a 59.7kWh battery, while the other variants in the range have dual motors and a larger 79kWh battery pack.

Boot space in the Model 3 is a minimum capacity of 594 litres, and a maximum of 682L with the rear seats folded, plus an extra 88L in the front trunk or frunk.

Meanwhile, the Model Y boasts 854L with the rear seats upright, 2158L with the rear seats folded, and an additional 117L in the front trunk.

Yes, the Model Y is more popular than the Model 3 in Australia.

Both vehicles have had significant success in the Australian market. In January 2024, the Model 3 became Australia’s top-selling passenger car, while the Model Y emerged as the best-selling car among private buyers throughout 2023 and ranked as the best-selling car in Australia in June 2024 – marking the first time an electric vehicle has held the top sales spot in Australia.

However, the demand for Teslas in Australia has fallen, and the American giant is set to drop out of Australia’s top 10 car makers for 2024, following seven consecutive months of declining sales.

According to the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia, Tesla sold 1464 vehicles in Australia in October, a decrease of 26.4 per cent compared to the same month last year. Additionally, the brand has not recorded a year-on-year sales increase since March.

The Model Y continued to be the more popular choice with 1042 deliveries last month, securing the top spot in its segment. However, it was also the model's second-lowest performance this year.

Despite a 64.2 per cent drop to just 422 units last month – its lowest performance since November 2022 – the Model 3 still led its class, ranking ahead of the BMW 3 Series.

Firstly, the Tesla Model 3 sits in the medium passenger vehicle class, while the Tesla Model Y competes in the medium SUV segment.

Both cars have the same powertrains and platforms. What's more, to save on manufacturing costs, they also share approximately 75 per cent of their components, including their motors, seats, and electronics.

It's difficult to give a definitive answer as both vehicles are different, and unique in their own ways.

The Tesla Model 3 received an update earlier this year, which brought upgrades to the suspension. There were also updates to the cabin, along with a boost to the driving range.

In terms of the ride quality, Drive's Alex Misoyannis reviewed the Rear-Wheel Drive variant of the Model 3 and praised the update, saying "The biggest improvement on the road has come in the suspension".

However, he also noted that the Model 3 "wasn't a magic carpet ride," and that bumps could still be felt in the cabin.

He applauded the way the car handled on a country road, declaring "The 2024 Model 3 retains the poise of its predecessor, with accurate and quick steering, a fast-acting traction-control system, and neutral handling that means the car doesn’t want to run wide (understeer) in corners".

Meanwhile, Drive's Tung Nguyen drove the Performance variant of the Model 3 in July, and commended its steering, saying it was "excellent, feeling sporty and agile thanks to a very responsive feel".

Tung noted that while adaptive dampers were added to the updated Model 3, in the softest setting he still experienced instances where large bumps could jiggle the car about.

You can read both reviews in full here.

The Model Y received minimal stylistic updates in 2024, with a more comprehensive update due next year.

Alex Misoyannis tested the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive in March 2024 and praised its precise steering, minimal body roll, sharp handling, and impressive traction-control system, which suppressed any wheel slip before it disturbed the car’s composure.

When giving feedback on the Model Y's suspension, Alex found both positives and negatives.

“While it aids handling, the suspension can be firm over potholed city streets. At high speeds, the body is composed and settled, but around town, occupants feel more of speed bumps, expansion joints, and ripples in the road than they ought to,” he said.

He also mentioned that the test vehicle Tesla Australia supplied to Drive was built in September 2022, so it missed out on the ‘comfort suspension’ upgrade introduced to vehicles built from early 2023 onwards.

Finally, he discussed the cabin noise, saying "Insulation from the outside world could be improved – there is a fair amount of tyre roar, as well as some suspension noise, and wind rustle from the mirrors".

Read Alex's review of the Tesla Model Y here.

It does. The Model Y is higher off the ground than the Model 3 with a ground clearance of 172mm for the Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range models, and 157mm for the Performance variant.

The Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range models sit 138mm off the ground, while the Performance has a ground clearance of 128mm.

Emma has been on our television screens for over a decade. Most of her time in the industry has been spent at racetracks reporting at major motorsport events in Australia - from TCR and Superbikes to Porsche Sprint Challenge and Supercars. Emma has also hosted various MotoGP and F1 events interviewing the likes of Daniel Ricciardo and Jack Miller. Having previously presented on an automotive show, she made her move to the Drive family in 2020. Fiercely proud of her Italian heritage, Emma is a coffee loving, stylish-black wearing resident of Melbourne.

Read more about Emma Notarfrancesco