The two Model Ys differ by 15 kWh, one motor and a battery chemistry. The RWD’s 60 kWh lithium iron phosphate pack takes it 380 km in observed driving; the Long Range’s 75 kWh of nickel cells take it 455. That is 75 km, for about a fifth more money, and the smaller pack is the one you may fill to the top every night.
What actually differs
- Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD goes 75 km further on the observed real-world figure than the Tesla Model Y RWD.
- Tesla Model Y RWD is 4% more efficient than the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, which is what the electricity bill follows.
- Tesla Model Y RWD charges from 10 to 80 per cent 3 minutes faster than the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD.
- Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD carries 15 kWh more usable battery than the Tesla Model Y RWD.
- Tesla Model Y RWD is 91 kg lighter than the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD.
- Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD is 2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the Tesla Model Y RWD.
Every line above is computed from the table below, not written: a difference is only stated where both cars carry that figure from a named source.
| Specification | Tesla Model Y RWD Tesla | Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Market & identity | ||
| Curb weight | 1,981 kg | 2,072 kg |
| Battery | ||
| Cell chemistry LFP tolerates daily charging to 100% and is the most thermally stable; NMC and NCA pack more energy per kilogram. | LFP | NMC |
| Usable capacity The figure every range and cost calculation on this site is based on. | 60.0 kWh | 75.0 kWh |
| Thermal management Active liquid or direct-refrigerant cooling is the strongest single predictor of slow degradation and repeatable fast charging. | liquid-active | liquid-active |
| Pack voltage 800 V architectures hold high charging power for longer and waste less energy as heat. | — | 357 V |
| Capacity loss per year Rate for this vehicle class from published fleet datasets, not a measurement of this model and not a manufacturer claim. | 2.7% / year est | 2.7% / year est |
| Projected state of health at 8 years Modelled from the observed degradation rate at average annual mileage. An estimate, not a measurement. | 78% est | 78% est |
| Range & efficiency | ||
| EPA range US EPA combined cycle, the most conservative of the three official tests. | — | 526 km |
| EPA range, city The city half of the EPA combined rating. Usually the higher of the two for an electric car. | — | 555 km |
| EPA range, highway The highway half of the EPA combined rating, and the figure to plan a long drive around. | — | 491 km |
| WLTP range European combined cycle, typically 15 to 25 percent more optimistic than EPA for the same car. | 534 km | 586 km |
| Observed real-world range Mixed-conditions figure from independent testing. This is the number that matters on a road trip. | 380 km | 455 km |
| EPA consumption | — | 17.1 kWh/100 km |
| Real-world consumption | 158 Wh/km | 165 Wh/km |
| Charging | ||
| Peak DC power Held briefly, often only inside a narrow state-of-charge window. | 175 kW | 250 kW |
| 10 to 80 percent DC charge time The honest measure of fast-charging speed. | 24 min | 27 min |
| AC onboard charger Sets how fast the car fills up overnight at home. | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| DC connector (Europe) | CCS2 | — |
| DC connector (US) The plug fitted to the car as sold in the United States. Blank where we have not sourced it for that market. | — | NACS |
| Performance | ||
| Peak power | 220 kW | 378 kW |
| 0-60 mph | — | — |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.2 s | 4.8 s |
| Cost of ownership | ||
| Base MSRP (US) | — | — |
| Base price (EU) | €40,970 | €52,990 |
| Est. out-of-warranty pack replacement (US) | — | $12,400 est |
| Battery warranty | 8 yr | 8 yr |
| Est. 5-year residual value | — | — |
| Safety & risk | ||
| NHTSA overall rating | — | 5/5 |
| Euro NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Battery or high-voltage recalls | — | 7 |
| Battery safety score | ||
| Composite score Our own composite of thermal management, cell chemistry, crash rating and recall record. Formula | 10 / 10 | 6.5 / 10 |
highlighted marks the better figure for that row. Where a car is not sold in a market, its price and official range for that market are blank rather than converted. est marks a modelled value, explained on the methodology page.
75 km, mostly battery
380 km observed against 455. The RWD is the more efficient car at 158 Wh/km against 165 — it is 91 kg lighter and drives one axle — so the gap is almost entirely the pack: 60 kWh usable against 75. On the WLTP cycle both cars score higher, 534 km and 586, and the gap narrows to 52 km, which is the cycle being kinder to the smaller car than the road is.
Against the same pairing in the Model 3, the SUV body costs both versions about 70 km. Same batteries, taller car, shorter range: the clearest demonstration on this site of why efficiency, not capacity, sets range.
Charging: three minutes, either way
The Long Range peaks at 250 kW and takes 27 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent; the RWD peaks at 175 kW and takes 24. The smaller pack wins on the clock and loses per kilometre added — the Long Range recovers about 52 km more in its window. Both take 11 kW at home; the RWD fills from empty in a little under six hours, the Long Range in a little under seven.
The chemistry
The RWD’s lithium iron phosphate cells are meant to be charged to 100 per cent — Tesla asks for a full charge at least weekly — while the Long Range’s nickel pack prefers to live between about 20 and 80 for daily use. Follow both instructions and the everyday gap closes: 60 kWh used freely against roughly 45 of the 75. The full trade, including the cold-weather penalty LFP carries, is on the LFP page.
Everything else
The Long Range makes 378 kW to the RWD’s 220 and reaches 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds against 7.2, and it drives all four wheels, which in snow is worth more than the acceleration. Both are five-star Euro NCAP cars with the same connector, network and eight-year battery warranty.
In Germany the RWD lists at €40,970 against €52,990, and in the UK at £41,990 against £51,990 — the RWD is about a fifth cheaper.
Which one should you buy
Buy the RWD if you charge at home, your days fit inside 300 km and you do not need all-wheel drive. You keep a fifth of the price, charge to full every night, and give up little you will notice on a school run.
Buy the Long Range if you tow, live with winter roads, or regularly drive 350 km and more between stops. The second motor and the 75 km are what the money buys, and for a family SUV used as one they are the more defensible spend.
Frequently asked questions
How much more range does the Model Y Long Range have than the RWD?
About 75 km in observed driving — 455 km against 380 — and 52 km on the WLTP cycle (586 against 534). The difference is the battery: 75 kWh usable against 60.
Which Model Y charges faster?
The RWD on the clock — 24 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent against 27 — because the pack is smaller. Per kilometre of range recovered, the 250 kW Long Range is ahead.
Does the Model Y RWD have an LFP battery?
Yes — 60 kWh usable of lithium iron phosphate, the same pack as the Model 3 RWD. Tesla recommends charging it to 100 per cent regularly. The Long Range uses nickel cells and is meant to be kept below about 80 per cent day to day.
Is the Model Y Long Range worth the extra money?
If you need all-wheel drive or regularly cover 350 km between charges, yes. If the car is a home-charged family runabout, the RWD is a fifth cheaper and its LFP pack is the easier one to live with.
Where these numbers come from
Every figure is credited on the Model Y RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD pages, with its source and the date it was read.