In what is definitely a first world problem, what should you pick if you’re trying to decide between a Performance Tesla Model 3 or a Performance Model Y.
The Kilowatts attempts to answer that question, by putting both through a series of tests on handling, acceleration, and efficiency.
The first test is how each electric vehicle (EV) handles a series of S-turns with the host Ryan Levenson behind the wheel.
Unsurprisingly, the Model 3 handles the curves better when compared to the heavier Model Y, with Levenson noting that the Model 3 is a true sports car, while the Model Y is a “sports oriented compact SUV.”
In the 0-60mph test, the two EVs on paper should be close, with less than half a second separating the two. When the results are in, the difference between the two is exactly the same as the differences officially listed on Tesla’s website.
For the all-important range test, the two cars are driven from San Francisco to the Kettleman City Superchargers and back, the same route used when The Kilowatts tested the range on a Long Range Model Y and Performance Model Y.
Again, the results showed the Model 3 coming out on top at 264wh/mi (164wh/km), achieving about a 5% better efficiency rating than compared to the Model Y at 285wh/mi (177wh/km).
In the end the Performance Model 3 won all three of the tests it was put through against the Performance Model Y. But despite the lopsided victory, the electric SUV was close behind nipping at the heels of its little brother.
As Levenson notes, it comes down to how much you value the extra space in the Model Y, as they are both great cars.
If you had to pick, would you go with the Performance Model 3, or Performance Model Y? Let us know in the comments below.
