- The cheapest Tesla Model Y in the United States cuts some corners, but it all leads to impressive efficiency.
- Starting at $41,630, it has an EPA-estimated range of 321 miles.
- That figure takes into account both highway and city speeds, so let’s see how the Model Y Standard tackles the famous 70 mph range test, which typically results in a lower result.
The Tesla Model Y Standard is the cheapest version of the most popular electric car in the United States. Starting from $41,630 (including destination and order fees), the base-spec crossover cuts some corners to get to this price point, including leaving out FM radio and covering the glass roof with a headliner.
However, all this penny pinching has an upside: impressive energy efficiency. In a recent 70 mile per hour range test, Out of Spec Testing found out that the Tesla Model Y Standard has the same energy efficiency as the Tesla Model 3 Premium, which has traditionally been the class leader. That’s great news for taxi or ride-hailing drivers who need to closely keep an eye on their charging costs.
With a fully charged battery, the driver set the climate system to 70 degrees and turned off the passenger air vents to limit energy consumption. Then, the cruise control was set to 70 miles per hour, and the car was driven until it could no longer sustain this speed.
The entry-level Tesla Model Y is EPA-rated for 321 miles, but that figure factors in a mix of 45% city and 55% highway driving. But EVs are more efficient at lower speeds, so most EVs don’t match their EPA figures on pure 70-mph range tests. The Model Y still managed a commendable 268 miles of range at 70 mph, though, and limped on for another 18 miles below highway speeds.
To put things into perspective, the exact same car was used by Edmunds for its range test, and it went 337 miles, surpassing its EPA estimate. However, Edmunds’ range test that has an even higher proportion of city driving. The company’s route is 60% city and 40% highway driving. If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years covering the world of EVs, it’s that slowing down matters a lot for extending the driving range.
But let’s talk efficiency. The Model Y Standard used 69.2 kilowatt-hours of energy during the 70 mph range test, averaging 241.9 watt-hours/mile or 4.13 miles/kWh. That’s a great number, and it means that owners will pay less to recharge because the car just sips energy. It doesn’t mean it’s a great car overall, though, as our man Kevin Williams found out recently.
