This 1 Best-Selling EV SUV Outsold the 2023 Tesla Model 3 By a Massive Margin
In this article:
While the smallest cheapest offering in the 2023 Tesla lineup, the Model 3, is popular, it can’t quite compete with the success of its larger EV SUV sibling, the 2023 Tesla Model Y. The Model Y isn’t just outselling the Model 3; it is the No. 5 best-selling vehicle in the United States. So, just how unstoppable is this EV SUV in 2023?
What is the number one best-selling electric car?
The 2023 Tesla Model Y tops the list of the best-selling electric vehicles for 2023 so far. Sales estimates report that American buyers bought 284,498 Model Y EV SUVs in the first three quarters of the year, nearly 60,000 more than its entire 2022 sales year.
| Model | 2023 sales YTD (units) | 2022 sales (units) |
|---|---|---|
| Model Y | 284,498 | 225,799 |
| Model 3 | 173,501 | 195,698 |
| Model S | 22,500 | 90,473 |
| Model X | 17,501 | 24,099 |
As expected, the Model Y’s sales successes put it well ahead of the posher, pricier Model S and Model X. In fact, if estimates are to be believed, it’s unlikely that EV buyers will take home as many Model S sedans as they did last year. As for the other two offerings, the Model 3 and Model X, figures suggest higher sales year-over-year (YoY).
How did Tesla’s cheapest EV SUV fare against other popular vehicles?
According to Car and Driver, the Tesla Model Y came in just behind the popular Toyota RAV4 compact SUV and three perennial favorites in the pickup truck flavor.
| Model | 2023 sales YTD (units) |
|---|---|
| Ford F-Series | 573,370 |
| Chevrolet Silverado | 411,758 |
| RAM | 332,441 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 302,831 |
| Tesla Model Y | 284,498 |
Despite the popularity of the Chevrolet Silverado and RAM pickup trucks, the Ford F-Series continues its reign as the best-selling vehicle in the United States. The family of pickups, which includes the ubiquitous F-150, is responsible for 573,370 of the Blue Oval’s year-to-date (YTD) sales, per GoodCarBadCar.
How much cheaper is the Tesla Model Y now?
The 2023 Tesla Model Y enjoys price cuts and a $7,500 federal tax credit. As a result, a Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive starts at around $32,890, about $4,500 more than an entry-level Tesla Model 3.
| Model | Starting price (after federal tax credit) |
|---|---|
| Model Y | $32,890 |
| Model 3 | $28,490 |
| Model S | $71,090 |
| Model X | $68,590 |
Is a Model Y worth it in 2023?
The Tesla Model Y takes the affordability of the Model 3 and adds more space and ride height. However, the Model 3’s interior space is surprisingly comparable and, at times, more generous. For instance, the Model 3’s legroom is just under 1.0 inch more accommodating than the EV SUV.
Moreover, at $4,500 more than the comparable Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive, fans might consider an AWD dual-motor 2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range over a Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive. The Model 3 Long Range’s impressive 333-mile range is a far better respite from the horrors of range anxiety than the single-motor Model Y’s 260-mile stretch.
Keep up with MotorBiscuit for the latest electric vehicle content!
