Verified against primary sources
| Cost category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| 5-year depreciation | $24,434 |
| Insurance (annual) | $2,852 |
| Fuel or charging (annual) | $584 |
| Maintenance (annual) | $225 |
| Tires (annual) | $350 |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (MPG-equivalent combined) | 131 MPGe |
| Electric range | 321 miles |
| Horsepower | 295 hp |
| Torque | 302 lb-ft |
| Seating capacity | 5 passengers |
| Cargo space | 76 cu ft |
| Pillar | Score (0–100) | Class median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of ownership | 67 | 73 | -6 |
| Powertrain | 71 | 63 | +8 |
| Safety | 100 | 94 | +6 |
| Driver assistance | 30 | 43 | -13 |
| Livability | 46 | 49 | -3 |
The 2026 Tesla Model Y scores 67/100 on cost of ownership — 6 points below the compact suvs median. The Compact SUV class median 5-year ownership cost is $49,048 (15,000 mi/yr, national average rates). Largest annual recurring expense: insurance.
The 2026 Tesla Model Y scores 30/100 on driver assistance — 13 points below the compact suvs median. All scores reflect standard equipment at base MSRP; optional driver-assistance packages are not scored.
The 2026 Tesla Model Y scores 71/100 on powertrain — 8 points above the compact suvs median. Key figures: 131 MPG-equivalent combined, 321 miles electric range, 295 hp.
Verdict
The 2026 Model Y delivers exceptional efficiency and low per-mile energy costs that lead the compact SUV segment. Those strengths come with trade-offs: depreciation hits harder than most rivals, insurance runs above class average, and cargo practicality trails family-oriented competitors. For daily commuters who can charge at home and prioritize running costs over resale value, the Model Y makes a strong case.
Good fit for: Daily commuter
Best for
- 131 MPGe combined — excellent energy efficiency
- 321-mile electric range
Watch out for
- Steep depreciation — retains only 39% of value after 5 years
- Higher insurance premiums than the class median
- Less cargo space and practicality than family-oriented rivals
2026 Tesla Model Y
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
Verdict
Based on median-price trimThe 2026 Model Y delivers exceptional efficiency and low per-mile energy costs that lead the compact SUV segment. Those strengths come with trade-offs: depreciation hits harder than most rivals, insurance runs above class average, and cargo practicality trails family-oriented competitors. For daily commuters who can charge at home and prioritize running costs over resale value, the Model Y makes a strong case.
Good fit for: Daily commuter
Daily commuters seeking low per-mile energy costs and efficient performance
Cost of Ownership
Five-year cost is driven mostly by depreciation; maintenance is a minor share.
- Resale demand strong initially but drops sharply after three years.
- Depreciation is higher than most compact crossovers.
- Insurance costs are above average for the segment.
- Lower fuel costs offset some monthly burden.
- Home charging keeps energy costs low.
- Routine maintenance is minimal compared to gas vehicles.
Moderate ownership cost: low fuel and maintenance offset high insurance and depreciation.
Adjust for your situation
State
Ownership Cost
Powertrain
Electric-powertrain efficiency weighed with long-term ownership confidence.
Reliability from NHTSA complaint records, adjusted for how many were sold. How we measure it
Combines real-world energy efficiency (EPA-verified MPG or MPG-equivalent vs. class) with long-term ownership confidence (warranty coverage, platform maturity, and reliability data). Methodology →
Driver Assistance
Strongest in parking convenience, but highway support and hands-free automation are limited.
💡 Tracks where the car can drive itself (highways vs. local roads) and how much driver supervision is needed (up to fully driverless).
PoorStandard driver assist — no hands-free operation
Combines highway support, parking convenience, and hands-free automation capability into one score. Methodology →
Livability
Spacious, but its size makes it harder to maneuver.
Combines how comfortably this vehicle fits passengers and cargo with how easily it maneuvers in real-world conditions — normalized within its Compact SUV segment for fair comparison. Methodology →
Safety
Top crash-test results paired with a full crash-avoidance suite.
Combines crash-test protection — NHTSA frontal, side, and rollover ratings plus the IIHS crashworthiness sub-tests (small- and moderate-overlap front, side, headlights) — with standard crash-avoidance technology. New model years without published crash tests are scored on crash-avoidance features alone and capped until tested. Methodology →
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MotiveGrid Score for the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- The 2026 Tesla Model Y earns a MotiveGrid Score of 76 out of 100. The score combines five pillars — cost of ownership, powertrain, safety, driver assistance, and livability — into one number, so you can weigh a vehicle's all-round strength at a glance.
- Is the 2026 Tesla Model Y safe?
- The Tesla Model Y carries an NHTSA overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars. MotiveGrid's safety pillar pairs federal crash-test results with the standard active-safety equipment fitted at base price.
- How is the 2026 Tesla Model Y battery rated?
- MotiveGrid scores the Tesla Model Y on battery longevity and charging using published capacity, thermal management, and warranty terms rather than estimates. See the battery section on this page for the full breakdown and data sources.
- What is the 2026 Tesla Model Y safety score?
- The 2026 Tesla Model Y earns a MotiveGrid safety score of 100/100. The score combines NHTSA and IIHS crash-test results with the standard active safety equipment included at base price.
- What driver assistance features does the 2026 Tesla Model Y include?
- The 2026 Tesla Model Y scores 30/100 on driver assistance. MotiveGrid evaluates only standard equipment — features included at base MSRP — across four areas: highway automation, parking support, collision avoidance, and visibility aids. Optional driver-assistance packages are not scored.
- Is the 2026 Tesla Model Y reliable?
- The 2026 Tesla Model Y has an below average reliability profile for its class, based on NHTSA complaint data. MotiveGrid calculates a reliability proxy score of 45/100 from complaint rates per 1,000 vehicles sold over a trailing multi-year window.
- What is the 2026 Tesla Model Y fuel economy?
- The 2026 Tesla Model Y is EPA-rated at 131 MPG-equivalent combined with 321 miles of electric range. MotiveGrid uses this figure as the basis for its annual fuel or charging cost estimate.
- How does the 2026 Tesla Model Y rank among compact suvs?
- The 2026 Tesla Model Y is in the top 62% of compact suvs on the MotiveGrid composite score. All vehicles in the same segment are scored on an identical five-pillar framework, making the percentile a direct comparison.
- How does the 2026 Tesla Model Y compare to the Kia EV6?
- See the MotiveGrid side-by-side comparison page for a full breakdown across cost of ownership, safety, powertrain, driver assistance, and livability. Both vehicles are top-scored options in the compact suvs segment.
- Is the 2026 Tesla Model Y spacious and practical?
- The 2026 Tesla Model Y scores 46/100 on livability, which covers interior passenger space, cargo capacity, and maneuverability. This score is compared directly against other compact suvs in the same segment.
Analysis by the MotiveGrid Engineering Team · MotiveGrid Score last computed 2026-07-03