Under the leadership of its charismatic and controversial founder, Elon Musk, Silicon Valley startup company Tesla Motors shook up the automotive industry. In short, Tesla made it cool to own an electric vehicle (EV). And with the expansion of Tesla's Supercharger charging network, EV ownership has become almost convenient.

Most Tesla buyers select the 2022 Tesla Model 3 electric compact premium sedan or the 2022 Tesla Model Y electric compact premium crossover SUV. Neither is priced low enough to talk you out of buying a mainstream model like a Honda Civic or Toyota RAV4, but they cost far less than the Tesla Model S and Model X.

If you're trying to decide between Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y EVs, this 2022 Tesla Model 3 vs. 2022 Tesla Model Y comparison should help.

Consumers will find that 2022 Tesla Model 3 pricing ranges from $46,990 to $62,990, not including the $1,200 destination charge. Teslas no longer qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit (which, under current legislation, expires once an automaker has sold 200,000 EVs), but state rebates may still apply.

A 5-passenger compact sedan, the 2022 Model 3 comes in three trim levels: Standard RWD (rear-wheel drive), Long Range AWD (all-wheel drive), and Performance AWD. The RWD Tesla Model 3 has a single electric motor that drives the rear wheels, while the AWD trims have both a front and a rear electric-drive motor and wear a "Dual Motor" badge.

The RWD Model 3 offers merely acceptable acceleration in trade for its reasonable price tag. For $11,000 more, you can have the dual-motor Model 3 Long Range and enjoy the most possible range on a single charge. If you spend another $5,000, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance moves out like a bullet train but gives up some range.

Consumers researching 2022 Tesla Model Y pricing will find that it ranges from $59,990 to $69,990, not including the $1,200 destination charge. As of this publication, the Tesla website shows only Model Y Long Range and Model Y Performance trim levels for this electric premium compact SUV. Both are AWD.

In late Spring 2022, Tesla added a base Model Y AWD trim level. It's the first version of the Model Y the automaker will build at its newest Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. Although the company is not yet taking retail orders for the Texas-built Model Y, some customers with existing orders reportedly have been offered an opportunity to change their order to the new base trim level.

Five-passenger seating is standard on every 2022 Tesla Model Y. For an additional $3,000 you can have 7-passenger seating in the Model Y Long Range. Remember that the third-row seat is not roomy since the Y is a compact crossover.

You can expect strong resale value from the 2022 Tesla Model Y. It's the top-ranked model in the Premium Electric category of the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards.

The 2022 Tesla Model 3 and 2022 Tesla Model Y offer a large selection of connected services. Emergency Call (eCall) can notify emergency responders in the event of a collision. Remote Access lets you remotely open the windows, trunk, and "frunk" (front trunk) and give keyless access so a friend can drive the car. Tesla's Phone Key allows you to use your phone as a digital key instead of your key fob. Similarly, the company's PIN to Drive adds an extra layer of security by requiring drivers to enter a PIN before setting out.

There are also several modes you can use when you park your Model 3 or Model Y. Sentry mode records video footage of potential break-ins and parking-lot incidents. Dog mode keeps the cabin at a set temperature while your dog is waiting in the vehicle and displays a message on the infotainment screen for concerned human onlookers that advises them that your dog is comfy and you'll be back soon. Finally, if you spend $3,000 on the Enhanced Autopilot package, you'll have Smart Summon, which allows your vehicle to pick you up if you don't want to walk to your parking spot.

Teslas do not require maintenance at specific mileage intervals, and the company does not offer a complimentary maintenance plan. Tesla recommends tire rotations "every 6,250 miles or if the tread depth difference is 2/32 inch or greater."

Neither the Tesla Model 3 nor the Tesla Model Y are officially ranked in the J.D. Power 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Both Tesla models took part in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), but they are ineligible for awards because Tesla Motors does not allow J.D. Power access to owner information in the 15 U.S. states in which the law requires the automaker's permission.

The Tesla Model 3 ranks highest among Premium Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, which examines satisfaction among EV owners. The Tesla Model Y ranks second in the Premium BEV category of the study.

The 2022 Tesla Model 3 comes with the following warranty coverage:

The 2022 Tesla Model Y comes with the following warranty coverage:

Tesla guarantees that the 2022 Model 3 and 2022 Model Y will retain 70 percent of their original battery capacity for the duration of the battery warranty period.

Tesla Motors does not publish full specifications on its EVs. Some owners have approximated battery capacity based on charging performance or used a dynamometer to calculate horsepower and torque. You can also look at instrumented testing results from automotive media. Otherwise, the best way to select a Model 3 or Model Y is to look at Tesla's zero-to-60-mph acceleration estimates and compare them to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) range and energy consumption ratings.

The base 2022 Tesla Model 3 uses a 192-kilowatt, rear-drive electric motor and reaches 60 mph in a claimed 5.8 seconds. It has a top speed of 140 mph. It's EPA-rated for 272 miles of range. That's less range than other Model 3 sedans, but the base sedan has the lowest energy consumption rating at 25 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles, which works out to a 132 MPGe rating.

Next up is the dual-motor 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range. The EPA rates its motors at 98 kW (front) and 195 kW (rear). The Model 3 Long Range can sprint to 60 mph in an estimated 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 145 mph. It provides an EPA-rated 358 miles of range and rates 26 kWh/100 miles (131 MPGe) for energy consumption.

If you're looking for one of the quickest EVs on the road, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance can deliver you to 60 mph in a claimed 3.1 seconds with its 130-kW and 190-kW electric motors. Claimed top speed is 162 mph. The Model 3 Performance has 315 miles of EPA-rated range. The Performance has the highest energy consumption rating at 30 kWh/100 miles (113 MPGe), so you'll spend a bit more to charge it.

Tesla has not released acceleration and top-speed estimates for the Texas-built, base 2022 Tesla Model Y AWD. Dual electric motors rate 91 kW (front) and 200 kW (rear). In addition, the redesigned battery pack on the base Model Y forms part of the SUV's structure and uses a new 4680 cell design that Tesla will apply to other models. The EPA rates the base Model Y for 279 miles of cruising range and 28 kWh/100 miles of energy consumption (123 MPGe).

The Tesla Model Y Long Range uses the same electric motors as the base model but has a longer-range battery pack. Tesla claims it will hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 135 mph. The EPA rates it for 330 miles of range and 28 kWh/100 miles (122 MPGe).

Finally, there's the 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance, which uses 133-kW and 179-kW electric motors. Tesla claims it will hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. Expect 303 miles of range with energy consumption of 30 kWh/100 miles (111 MPGe).

All versions of the 2022 Model Y are available with a tow package with a 3,500-pound rating.

If you own either of these Teslas, you will want a 240-volt outlet within close proximity of your garage or driveway to enable Level 2 charging at home. Expect anywhere from 6 to 12 hours for a full charge, depending on the trim level and charger option. You'll also have access to the extensive Tesla Supercharger network, which provides Level 3 DC fast charging and essentially eliminates range anxiety.

Both Teslas are plenty quick. The Model 3 wins for range and energy consumption, but only the Model Y has a tow hitch.

Consumers will find the exact same advanced driving assistance systems in the 2022 Tesla Model 3 and 2022 Tesla Model Y. Both come with an Autopilot package that provides basic Level 2 semiautonomous driving assistance via adaptive cruise control (ACC) with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. You also get forward-collision warning (FCW) with automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot warning (BSW), lane-departure warning (LDW), and lane-keeping assistance (LKA).

The Enhanced Autopilot option package provides automatic lane-change capability and Autopark automatic parking assistance. The top rung of the ladder is the Full Self Driving (FSD) package, which adds traffic-light and stop-sign control. This package of features slows your vehicle for red lights and stop signs on surface streets. Tesla's FSD has attracted criticism (and federal investigations) after several serious accidents involving drivers who might have relied too heavily on its supposed capabilities. Tesla frequently releases over-the-air (OTA) updates.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not published crash-test ratings for the Tesla Model 3 since 2019, when it earned the highest-possible 5 stars across the board. The 2022 Model 3 is structurally similar and should perform as well in similar crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the 2022 Tesla Model 3 a Top Safety Pick+, its highest accolade for safety.

The NHTSA has not published ratings on the Tesla Model Y since the 2021 model year. It earned 5 stars in all categories, including rollover resistance (unusual for an SUV). The 2022 Model Y Long Range and Performance should perform similarly to that car, but the new structural battery pack design on the base Model Y might affect its performance in these tests. The IIHS rates the 2022 Tesla Model Y a Top Safety Pick+; this rating may not apply to the recently released base Model Y.

At the brand level, Tesla achieved the highest score in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Tech Experience (TXI) Study, which surveyed owners of new 2021 model-year vehicles on 36 technologies divided into four categories: convenience; emerging automation; energy and sustainability; and infotainment and connectivity. However, since J.D. Power can only collect data from owners in 35 of the 50 U.S. states where the EV maker sells vehicles, Tesla is not officially rank-eligible.

The Model 3 and Model Y offer identical safety systems and similar crash protection.

Inside the 2022 Model 3 and 2022 Model Y, everything centers on the massive 15-inch touchscreen display. You will use it for everything. It takes the place of a traditional instrument panel and many secondary controls; among other actions, you will use it to adjust the side mirrors and turn on the wipers. It's also your infotainment hub, of course. Its slick navigation system uses multiple parameters to predict your vehicle's state of charge throughout a trip and integrates the process of finding charging locations.

Tesla's natural language voice-recognition system is also impressive, but the lack of support for smartphone mirroring via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay might put you off. Instead, Tesla offers built-in apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Twitch, plus various music-streaming apps and an internet browser. There's also a gaming mode you can access while parked.

The company rolls out frequent OTA updates for the infotainment interface. A standard wireless charging pad is large enough to accommodate two phones simultaneously.

These EVs have the same setup.

If you ever imagined the interiors of future cars, they probably looked like the 2022 Tesla Model 3 and 2022 Tesla Model Y. Apart from the oversized screen, their design is clean and free of overdone details. Compared to other premium-brand sedans and SUVs, the Model 3 and Model Y might not feel luxurious enough for the asking price, especially with their vegan synthetic upholstery (instead of genuine leather).

Nevertheless, you'll probably love the seats in both vehicles. If the rear bench in the 2022 Model 3 is too low for your liking, the taller 2022 Model Y should solve that problem. Both Teslas have their suspensions tuned for sharp, athletic handling. The downside to this approach is that neither the 3 nor the Y absorbs bumps and ruts with the grace you'd hope for when transporting passengers.

As premium compact sedans go, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 offers ample cargo space with a 19.8-cubic-foot trunk and a 3.1-cubic-foot frunk. Of course, the 2022 Tesla Model Y offers way more utility. You'll find 30.2 cubic feet in the cargo bay behind the second-row seats (26.6 in 7-passenger models) and a seats-folded maximum of 72.1 cubic feet (67.9 in 7-seaters). There's also a 4.1-cubic-foot frunk. A power liftgate is standard. Tesla has added a rear cargo cover to Texas-built Model Ys, and all trims will likely get this feature eventually.

To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.

Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on June 30, 2022, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.

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© 2022 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.

© 2019 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.