2023 Tesla Model Y -VS- a Comparable Hybrid SUV

Tesla Model Y Long Range Test Drive

Someone test drove a 2023 Tesla Model Y long range and shared their thoughts about it. They viewed it as a powerful car, but that it wasn't worth the high fifty thousand + price tag even with the tax credit.

He also shared that it had an 81 kWh battery pack, a dual-electric motor, and has 384 horsepower and 376 pounds of torque. On a single charge, it is supposed to get 318 miles of range. This number is lower than the standard 330 miles of range, probably because the vehicle has upgraded wheels that give it less range.

He talked about Tesla and its FSD and that it is still in Beta and also talked about Tesla's running over mannequin's. This has been debunked many times.

There was definitely some bias against Tesla from what he was sharing, however, this got me thinking, and I did a comparison of the Model Y Performance and comparable SUV hybrid to see the pros and cons. You can decide for yourself which vehicle is better.

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Comparing a Tesla Model Y To a Similar SUV Hybrid

How does the Model Y long range compare to a hybrid SUV? We will compare the Tesla Model Y Long Range with a comparable SUV hybrid, listing the pros and cons of each.

Overview of Tesla Model Y Long Range

The Tesla Model Y Long Range is an all-electric, mid-sized SUV with an impressive range of up to 330 miles on a single charge. It has a sleek design, a spacious interior with plenty of cargo space, and is packed with technology features, such as Autopilot, which provides semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Model Y Long Range has a starting price of $54,990.

Overview of Comparable SUV Hybrid

For the purpose of comparison, we will use the Toyota RAV4 Prime, a hybrid SUV with a similar size and features to the Tesla Model Y Long Range. The RAV4 Prime has a range of 42 miles on electric power alone and gets an estimated 38 MPG in hybrid mode. It has a 14.5 gallon tank. It has a starting price of around $42,340 for the SE and goes up to $46,210 for the XSE. It has 302 horsepower, and 5.7 0-60 time.

Pros and Cons of Tesla Model Y Long Range

Pros:

Zero Emissions - The Model Y Long Range produces zero emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option compared to hybrid SUVs.

Quiet and Smooth Driving - Electric motors provide a quiet and smooth driving experience, with instant torque and acceleration.

Lower Maintenance Costs - Electric cars have fewer moving parts, which translates to lower maintenance costs and fewer trips to the mechanic.

Advanced Technology - The Model Y Long Range comes with advanced technology features, such as Autopilot, which provides semi-autonomous driving capabilities. It also wins in performance, horsepower, and 0-60 mph time.

Cons:

Price - The Model Y Long Range is a more upfront expensive option, with a starting price of $54,990.

Range Anxiety - While the Model Y Long Range has an impressive range of up to 326 miles on a single charge, range anxiety is still a concern for some drivers. With Tesla's Supercharger Network, this concern is not an issue.

Long Charging Times - Even with fast charging options, the Model Y Long Range can take up to an hour to charge fully, which can be inconvenient for some drivers. You can solve this by pre-heating your battery and charging between 10-90 percent, which will take 30 minutes or less.

Pros and Cons of Comparable SUV Hybrid

Pros:

Lower Cost - The Toyota RAV4 Prime is a more affordable upfront option, with a starting price of around $42,340.

Longer Driving Range - While the RAV4 Prime has a shorter electric range of 42 miles, it has a longer overall driving range thanks to its hybrid engine and 14.5 gallon gas tank.

Established Charging Infrastructure - Gas stations are ubiquitous and easy to find, making refueling a hybrid SUV convenient.

More Familiar Driving Experience - Drivers who are used to traditional gas-powered cars may find the driving experience of a hybrid SUV more familiar.

Cons:

Higher Emissions - The RAV4 Prime emits more emissions compared to an electric car, which can be a concern for environmentally conscious drivers.

Maintenance Costs - Hybrid cars have more moving parts than electric cars, which can result in higher maintenance costs.

Less Advanced Technology - While the RAV4 Prime has some advanced technology features, such as a touchscreen infotainment system, it does not have the same level of autonomous driving capabilities as the Model Y Long Range.

Limited Electric Range - The RAV4 Prime has a limited electric range of 42 miles, which can be a concern for drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Deciding which vehicle to drive is up to you. I personally like Tesla vehicles because over their lifetime, they will produce fewer emissions than a comparable gas or hybrid vehicle. They also perform better and have better software. I also see EVs becoming the gold standard for vehicles over time, and gas and hybrid vehicles becoming extinct over the next decade or two.

You can see their review HERE.

Which vehicle would you get?

In Related News: Tesla's 3-Part Ecosystem

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Jeremy Johnson is a Tesla investor and supporter. He first invested in Tesla in 2017 after years of following Elon Musk and admiring his work ethic and intelligence. Since then, he's become a Tesla bull, covering anything about Tesla he can find, while also dabbling in other electric vehicle companies. Jeremy covers Tesla developments at Torque News. You can follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow his Tesla news coverage on Torque News.

Image Credit, Tesla, Screenshot