Tesla’s top-selling Model Y crossover has once again obtained recognition as the “Best Electric Car of 2024,” just after becoming the world’s top-selling car of any type last year.
Tesla Model Y bagged the “Best Electric Car of the Year” award
Consumer Reports choose a total of ten vehicles in different categories as “Best Car of the Year,” with the Tesla Model Y bagging the award in the “Electric Vehicle” segment.
The nonprofit organization cited Tesla Model Y’s top qualities for picking it as the “Best Electric Car of 2024” awardee, including generous passenger and cargo space, attractive midsized packaging, driving range, and Supercharger access.
“The Model Y tops the electric car platform shared with the Model 3; its SUV-like body provides more passenger and cargo space than the sedan does. It makes going electric easy, thanks to its appealing midsized packaging, long driving range, and robust Supercharger compatibility, allowing rapid recharging across a vast charging network.
The Model Y is stunningly quick in Long Range and Performance trims, going from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. Plus, it handles like a sports car, with responsive steering and minimal body roll in turns. Features are added and enhanced through over-the-air upgrades, so this already good car can get even better over time.”
Consumer Reports
Key specifications
Presented below are the key specifications of the Tesla Model Y:
| Tesla Model Y | Performance | Long Range AWD | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Battery | Long Range | Long Range | Standard Range |
| Range (est.) | 285 mi | 310 mi | 260 mi |
| ‡Acceleration 0-60 mph | 3.5 s with rollout subtracted | 4.8 s 0-60 mph | 6.6 s 0-60 mph |
| Drive | Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive | Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Weight | 4,398 lbs | 4,363 lbs | 4,154 lbs |
| Cargo | 76 cu ft | 76 cu ft | 76 cu ft |
| Wheels | 21″ | 19″ or 20″ | 19″ or 20″ |
| Seating | 5 Adults | Up to 7 Adults | 5 Adults |
| Displays | 15″ Center Touchscreen | 15″ Center Touchscreen | 15″ Center Touchscreen |
| Ground Clearance | 6.2″ | 6.8″ | 6.8″ |
| Overall Width | Folded mirrors: 77.9″ Extended mirrors: 83.8″ | Folded mirrors: 77.9″ Extended mirrors: 83.8″ | Folded mirrors: 77.9″ Extended mirrors: 83.8″ |
| Overall Height | 64″ | 64″ | 64″ |
| Overall Length | 187″ | 187″ | 187″ |
| Track – Front & Rear | 64.8″ & 64.2″ | 64.4″ & 64.4″ | 64.4″ & 64.4″ |
| Supercharging Max/Payment Type | 250 kW Max; Pay Per Use | 250 kW Max; Pay Per Use | 170 kW Max; Pay Per Use |
| Charging Speed | Up to 160 miles added in 15 minutes† | Up to 160 miles added in 15 minutes† | Up to 160 miles added in 15 minutes† |
| Basic Vehicle | 4 years or 50,000 mi, whichever comes first | 4 years or 50,000 mi, whichever comes first | 4 years or 50,000 mi, whichever comes first |
| Battery & Drive Unit | 8 years or 120,000 mi, whichever comes first | 8 years or 120,000 mi, whichever comes first | 8 years or 100,000 mi, whichever comes first |
10 best cars of the year
As mentioned, Consumer Reports rounds up 10 Top Picks annually for its Best Car of the Year selection. Some of the key criteria employed in the evaluation include “road-test performance, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety.”
It must also be noted that all picks feature a standard automatic emergency braking that functions both at low and highway speeds. For the low speeds, the system supports pedestrian detection.
Presented below are the 10 Top Picks of 2024:
| Category | Model | Price | MPG |
| Subcompact SUV | Subaru Crosstrek | $25,195-$32,195 | 29 |
| Hybrid/PHEV car | Toyota Prius/Prius Prime | $27,950-$39,370 | 51 for the hybrid, 43 for the PHEV with a 39-mile EV range |
| Compact SUV | Subaru Forester | $27,095-$37,395 | 28 |
| Small car | Mazda3 | $24,170-$36,650 | 30 |
| Midsized car | Toyota Camry Hybrid | $28,855-$34,295 | 47 |
| Small pickup | Ford Maverick/Maverick Hybrid | $23,815-$34,855 | 23 in the gas-powered Maverick, 37 in the Maverick Hybrid. |
| Electric vehicle | Tesla Model Y | $43,990-$52,490 | 330-mile range |
| Midsized SUV | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | $40,720-$53,125 | 35 |
| Luxury SUV | BMW X5/X5 PHEV | $65,200-$89,300 | 23 for the gas-powered X5, or 21 for the X5 PHEV with a 39-mile electric-only range |
| Plug-in hybrid SUV | Toyota Rav4 Prime | $43,690-$47,560 | 34, with a 42-mile electric-only range. |
Consumer Reports’ recognition of Tesla Model Y is indeed remarkable, considering that the organization is not really a Tesla fan. It highlights the all-electric crossover’s dominance in the entire auto industry, beating even its gas-powered counterparts in sales last year. One of the key qualities of the Tesla Model Y is its access to an enormous and reliable Supercharger network. However, it is now on track to face more intensified competition, given that Tesla is now opening its Superchargergers to other brands.
