The most anticipated electric mid-size crossover, the 2020 Tesla Model Y, was finally revealed at the dedicated event in Hawthorne, California, Thursday night. It immediately took the Internet by storm to reinvigorate a whole new variety of potential electric vehicle buyers. With the reveal of the new mid-sized crossover, the most ubiquitous and recognizable Tesla, the Model S, is threatened to lose that imaginary title to the new Tesla Model Y. Elon Musk, who showcased the new Tesla, predicted the Model Y’s demand to be double that of the Tesla Model 3. And that one is the best selling luxury sedan in the U.S.
However, the 2020 Tesla Model Y may not be as revolutionary, or even evolutionary, as some of us have hoped. Despite the Model Y’s clear similarities to the Model 3, the new electric crossover is quite exciting, and I’m here to give you all the astounding facts about it.
Tesla Y GIFs
The 2020 Tesla Model Y is 10-Percent Larger Than Tesla Model 3
While Tesla or Elon Musk himself, did not unequivocally reveal all the dimensions of the 2020 Model Y, we can infer its size thanks to a tweet Musk tweeted two weeks ago. He said "Model Y, being an SUV, is about 10% bigger than Model 3, so will cost about 10% more & have slightly less range for same battery"
Now, be advised that I am quite sure he did not infer that the Model Y will be longer, or wider, but higher, with a 10 percent more space inside the cabin.
Let me grab a calculator for a bit!
That would put the Telsa Model Y's height at 62.3 inch - exactly 4 inches lower compared to the Model X and pretty much the same height as the BMW X1.
Needless to say, I believe that it will be a tad higher than that. On the other hand, the cabin has to provide more room compared to the Model 3 as well. After all, Tesla managed to cram three rows of seats inside. How? Well, the seating position is a bit higher, and the seats must have been set in a bit more upright position to free up as much space inside as possible.
The 2020 Tesla Model Y Is Optionally Available With Seven Seats
The most surprising facet of the 2020 Tesla Model Y is the integration of the third row of seats. It is more of an exception to the mid-size crossover rule, and it is one of the strongest selling points for the Tesla Model Y.
Despite Elon Musk’s words that the third row will fit adults, I highly doubt that. Well, maybe Lannister could fit comfortably, but that’s just it. That can be enough, though. Imagine your kid having a soccer match, and she/he wants you to show your Tesla to the teammates. Well, many of them will fit and be more than grateful. You’ll end up on Snapchat, too.
As standard, the Tesla Model Y comes with five seats, but seven seats are available optionally.
Now, while I did find it surprising that Tesla would integrate the third row of seats into the Model Y, this is not exactly unheard of with vehicles of this size. Taking into account that the Model Y, most likely, has much the same length as the Model 3 (at 184.8 inches), then the third row of seats was a no brainer. The Mitsubishi Outlander, for example, has the same length as the Model 3, and it has had a third row of seats since like, forever. Fyi, adults can fit there. Not comfortably, mind you, but they can fit.
The 2020 Tesla Model Y’s Design Is Eerily Similar To The Model 3
In the years leading to the rise of the electric car segment, a new kind of a vehicle started to emerge. The striking design of the coupe paired with the classic skill of the SUV gave rise to the crossover-coupe. This design, first applied to some of the most luxurious vehicles on the planet, was scaled down fast. Now, it finally garnishes the midsize, sub-$40k Tesla Model Y.
As it looks like a jacked up and slightly inflated Model 3, the Model Y does seem to be a bit of a let down in terms of its design.
It is a hatchback, rather than a sedan tough.
To me, it looks a bit like the Sally Carrera from the movie Cars and, Porsche or not, that car is a character in an animated movie for kids. However, the cuteish exterior design contributes to solving some of the most critical functionality issues that vehicles face today. The Tesla Model Y is seriously aerodynamic - a vital characteristic for a successful electric vehicle. It is not as aerodynamic as the Model 3 tough. That means that the Tesla Model Y’s aerodynamic coefficient is a bit worse than the 0.23 Cd of the Tesla Model 3.
Not by much, though, as the Model Y bodes well in range compared to other Tesla cars. The long-range 2020 Tesla Model Y can cover up to 300 miles. I’d say that’s well enough, and the next fact shows why!
The 2020 Tesla Model Y Can Use the Supercharger Network
The Tesla Model Y will be able to make full use of the Tesla Supercharger network. Including the newest V3 Supercharger station. That one is known for its unique 250-kWh charging capability. In understandable terms, that translates to a charging capacity of 1,000 miles per hour. Not that you could ever do that. Nevertheless, the 12,000+ Supercharger stations throughout the network will ease any range anxiety you may have.
Tesla Model 3 owners had to update a specific firmware to access the V3 Supercharger.
I believe that the Model Y will come with the updated software upon delivery.
The 2020 Tesla Model Y Shares 75-Percent of its Parts with the Tesla Model 3
Tesla shares everything it physically can between the Model 3 and the Model Y. I find that not only smart and necessary, but essential for the Model Y’s success and customer satisfaction. See, Tesla continuously works on removing any hurdles and issues with the tech and features on its cars. Just imagine if the Model Y is dramatically different compared to Model 3. There’s no chance in hell that that would make any financial sense.
By sharing everything with the Model 3 and the rest of Tesla's vehicles, the Model Y comes with a slick infotainment system, Autopilot option, and a fantastic set of sensors.
Plus, the Tesla Model 3’s structure offers some of the best safety characteristics on the market with massive crumple zones and the lowest center of gravity. In that regard, the Model Y is likely to become the safest mid-size crossover.
The 2020 Tesla Model Y comes as standard with :
- emergency braking
- collision warning
- blind-spot monitoring
- lane-departure warning
It is available with the Full Self-Driving capability too. The self-driving ability is a $5,000 option on top of the $3,000 you have to pay for the Autopilot system.
The 2020 Tesla Model Y Works its Safety Trick Thanks to the Comprehensive Set of Hardware that Includes:
- rear, side, and forward facing cameras
- forward facing radar that can recognize anything up to 525 feet in front of the vehicle
- 12 ultrasonic sensors for accurate nearby detection
Apart from the same Model 3 DNA, the Tesla Model Y features a full steel body just like its sedan sibling.
Not a shell made of aluminum then, as on the Model S and the Model X. This is only reasonable, as the starting price for the Tesla Model Y is at $39,000.
All in all, Elon Musk previously said that the Tesla Model Y shares 75-percent of its parts with the Model 3. I believe that number may be a bit higher, but I did not make the car.
2020 Tesla Model Y Performance, specs, and Prices
| Standard Range | Long Range | Dual Motor AWD | Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | 230 Miles | 300 Miles | 280 Miles | 280 Miles |
| Top Speed | 120 MPH | 130 MPH | 140 MPH | 150 MPH |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.9 Sec | 5.5 Sec | 4.8 Sec | 3.5 Sec |
| Price | $39,000 | $47,000 | $51,000 | $60,000 |
| Initial Customer Deliver | Spring 2021 | Fall 2020 | Fall 2020 | Fall 2020 |
The full Black is the only standard color, with Tesla charging between $1,500 to $2,500 for the optional hues. Deliveries will begin in fall of 2020. Most expensive models will be available at first, of course.
For now, we know that the 2020 Tesla Model Y offers 66 cubic-feet of space with all seats folded down. The second row of seats can split-fold, and the folded third-row seats offer an entirely flat surface in the boot.
I like Tesla, But The Model Y Reveal Was All Too Cringy and Too Politically Correct
I wasn’t at the presentation of the new Tesla Model Y, but boy did I watch hundreds of Instagram and Facebook posts from the people who were!? I cringed so much, it hurts.
Do you know who was in the audience?
People were cursing like a mother and yelling stuff "Shut the front door."; saying "thank you" when Elon says that he does it all for them, and yelling "Ooooh My God" when doing 30 mph in the Model Y on a closed road, with a seatbelt on like they are on a roller coaster. I don’t want to sound all like a yokel, but I find all this just too hard to stomach? Don’t even get me started on all the staged "uuhhh’s and oohhh’s" from the audience every time Musk would say something not even remotely humorous or worth of an "oohhh."
And one more thing, s3xy people actually don’t have to say to anyone that they are sexy. They just are!
Further Reading
Elon Musk Debuts the 2020 Tesla Model Y With 230-300 Miles of Range and an Entry Price of $39,000
Everything We Know About The 2020 Tesla Model Y
Read our full review on the 2020 Tesla Model Y.
Read our full review on the 2017 Tesla Model X.
Read our full review on the 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Read our full review on the 2018 Tesla Model S.
