2023-04-08 07:29:19 -0700

New 2023 Tesla Model Y: Release, Updates, and More

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The New 2023 Tesla Model Y

The new 2023 Tesla Model Y is currently in production and is set to outcompete its sibling, the 2023 Tesla Model Y. What can we expect to see for the new and improved version from previous generations?

2023 Tesla Model Y Release Date

Tesla is notoriously known for their prolonged wait times. However, all great things take time, and it may be well worth the wait. Initially, Tesla announced that the estimated release date for the 2023 Model Y was February-May 2023. As of recently, Tesla shows estimated deliveries of the vehicle to be between February-March 2023.

Demand for the 2023 Tesla Model Y has increased tremendously and the company has had some challenges keeping up with this. To add on, the economy's inflationary period and supply shortage continues to intensify this matter.

If you are considering a 2023 Tesla Model Y, it would be best to order a reservation as early as possible to decrease the chance of experiencing delays. If this is your first time ordering a Tesla, it would not truly be a “Tesla experience” if you did not encounter a delay in delivery dates.

2023 Tesla Model Y Price

According to Tesla's website, the 2023 Tesla Model Y starts at $53,490 for the Long Range version and $56,990 for the Performance edition.

At launch, the average cost for a new 2023 Tesla Model Y started at $72,000. Since then, Tesla has slashed their prices by 10.96%, leading to the median 2023 Tesla Model Y to be $62,515.

This price is associated with the announcement by Tesla stating that they will decrease starting prices for their vehicles globally by up to 20%. The price decrease has caused infuriation among the Tesla fanbase for those who bought in 2022 during the pandemic. Many of these new owners feel duped, such as a woman who missed out on a $13,000 price cut for her Tesla vehicle. While current Tesla Model Y owners may be upset, these price reductions make the Model Y even more attractive to prospective buyers.

Tesla Model Y price trend since January 2022
Graph Illustrating Tesla Model Y price trend since January 2022 courtesy of CarGurus

2023 Tesla Model Y Competitors

Although electric vehicles are far from mainstream, a 60% rise in new-EV registrations is a sign that EV’s are taking over. However, is the 2023 Tesla Model Y a “better decision” than Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, and all the other big names joining the electric vehicle industry? 

With this rise of Volkswagen, the basic version of the ID.4 would have a price of about $42,084, shorter range, less than 400 liters of load capacity, and lack of the signature components that have contributed to Tesla’s ecosystem. In addition, the newly built Model Y has premium interior selections, new exterior color options, and all the add-ons of the top-of-the-range ID.4 model. Therefore, more money would have to be added to equip an ID.4 at the same level. The same applies for the Audi E-tron or Skoda Enyaq twins, which are also owned by Volkswagen.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge ($44,027) remains more competitive. The basic version has a 67 kWh battery and great autonomy, but still loses a lot of cargo space topped at only 419 liters. 

The new Model Y can even jeopardize the sales of more compact models, such as the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric ($48,919) which if equipped at the same level would still reach close, albeit with much less power, slower charging and, again, much less load capacity. 

To learn more about potential competitors, read here.

In conclusion, the 2023 Tesla Model Y will have more competition due to the wider selection of big name brands that are transitioning into the EV scene.

2023 Tesla Model Y Red
2023 Tesla Model Y Racing Down Speedtrack

2023 Tesla Model Y Accessories and Improvements

If you own a Tesla, chances are you have experienced one of the following: defective paint from factory, panel gaps, quick battery degradation, etc. These and plenty of other factors are in the general consensus for improvement. Although there are no confirmed statements, Tesla owners have stated that these issues are amongst the greatest annoyances for the current Tesla Model Y. 

Aside from the ADAS system (explained in more-depth below), there are some rumors that Tesla may also implement carbon fiber accessories for the new 2023 Tesla Model Y, along with an improved automatic windshield wiping system. Many current Model Y owners have expressed their concern for the quality of the automatic windshield wiping system. Though Tesla is rooted by their pledge to safety, driving in the rain with faulty windshield wipers is a major drawback. Hopefully, Tesla will improve on this.

For refreshed versions (2021 - present), Tesla has included matching wood/white door-trim replacements to resemble the OEM wood/white dashboard. This add-on increased the ambiance of the interior, however not all owners adore the white/wood OEM dashboard/door-trim combo. Many owners have expressed their appeal to a carbon fiber look (both matte and glossy) and Tesla may include the following interior accessories for the 2023 Model Y: carbon fiber dashboard replacement/door-trim replacement and more. 

2023 Tesla Model Y Changes

Tesla is great at prioritizing the minimalist design on their vehicles. Unfortunately, Tesla has not stated that they will make any drastic changes to the exterior or facelift for the 2023 Tesla Model Y. At the moment, the most important technological change that Tesla has decided for both the 2023 Model Y and 3 models is that Tesla’s ADAS systems will be solely based on Tesla Vision architecture: on-board cameras will take the place of physical sensors and radar. 

The elimination of Tesla's ultrasonic sensors will also involve a series of changes in active features until they are restored with a future update. The new Tesla without ultrasonic sensors will keep almost all functions even with Tesla Vision. "For a short period of time during this transition, Tesla Vision vehicles that are not equipped with Ultrasonic Sensors will be delivered with some functionality temporarily limited or inactive."

In particular:

- Park Assist: warns of the presence of surrounding objects when the vehicle is traveling at less than 8 km / h;

- Autopark: performs automatic maneuvers in parallel or perpendicular parking lots;

- Summon: manually move the vehicle forward or backward through the Tesla app;

- Smart Summon: move the vehicle to the owner or to a location chosen via the Tesla app.

Tesla has accelerated this transition since October 2022, announcing that the new Model 3 and Model Y will no longer have ultrasonic sensors on the bodywork. A novelty that temporarily but for an undefined time disables some driving assistance functions, including parking assistance.

Elon Musk Speaking at a Tesla Release Event

What is Tesla Vision?

Tesla explains in its release that compared to vehicles equipped with radar, the Model 3 and Model Y equipped with Tesla Vision have maintained the same level of safety in the evaluations of the AEB system for pedestrians or have even increased it. This prerequisite is a step to adopting Tesla Vision across the entire range globally. It will start with the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y from October 2022 produced in the various plants, and then include the Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X from 2023. "This approach offers the autopilot a high-definition spatial positioning, visibility at long range and the ability to identify and differentiate objects,” Tesla promises.

How to know if my Tesla has Tesla Vision?

The simplest and most obvious way to know if a new Tesla is among those with the Vision system, is to check if there are 12 ultrasonic sensors on the bumpers. However, Tesla specifies that the sensors will be removed from the beginning of October 2022, on all Model 3 and Model Y’s built for North America, Europe, the Middle East and Taiwan. Subsequently, the plan foresees expanding Tesla Vision to the Model 3 and Y for the global market and then including the Model X and Model S in 2023.

To those who ask if the update can also be carried out on Tesla cars already delivered, the company explains that, "At present, we do not plan to remove the functionality of the ultrasonic sensors in our existing fleet.”

2023 Tesla Model Y Performance and Long Range

The 2023 Tesla Model Y will come in a Performance trim along with a Long Range trim. These variations are shown with the current Model Y and Model 3.

The 2023 Model Y Performance will contain aggressive 20-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded sound system, lowered suspension, and a blazing 3.5 second 0-60 mph time. The Standard Long Range will have a 4.8 second 0-60 mph time, still very quick for its class.

With 303 miles of range, the 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance is less efficient than the Long Range version (330 miles). These values are about the same metrics as the 2022 Model Y.

2023 Tesla Model Y Performance and Long Range

The 2023 Tesla Model Y will come in a Performance trim along with a Long Range trim. These variations are shown with the current Model Y and Model 3.

The 2023 Model Y Performance will contain aggressive 20-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded sound system, lowered suspension, and a blazing 3.5 second 0-60 mph time. The Standard Long Range will have a 4.8 second 0-60 mph time, still very quick for its class.

With 303 miles of range, the 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance is less efficient than the Long Range version (330 miles). These values are about the same metrics as the 2022 Model Y.

What date does the 2023 Tesla Model S/3/X/Y start on?

According to an internal communication sent to Tesla employees earlier this month, Model 3’s built on or after October 4, 2022 will be a 2023 model year, while the same applies to Model X’s built on or after October 3, 2022. For now, the Model Y and Model S are still on 2022 production, with the email stating more information will be coming soon on these two vehicles.

In case you receive a VIN for your new car, you will know it is a 2023 model year by looking at the 10th digit, which will now be P (2023) instead of N (2022).

Should I get a 2022 Model Y or wait for the 2023 Model Y?

In our opinion this depends on your preferences as a consumer: if you already have a Tesla and have deep pockets, waiting for the 2023 model could be the right thing to do. On the other hand, if you still do not own an EV and want to try the Model Y, opting for the current model could be a good deal. You’ll likely be able to get all of the same features, performance, and range now-for possibly at a lower price and early delivery!

White Interior of a 2023 Tesla Model Y