Tesla is one of the most controversial car brands of late – but love it or not, the EV maker has made a huge ripple in the car market through its minimalist designs and bold interior choices. The Model 3 and Model Y are some of the best Tesla models, and the Long Range all-wheel-drive versions of both will set you back under $50,000 each.

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That isn’t a small amount of money to spend, however, so which sub-$50k Tesla should be on your list? We’ve compared their design, performance and other elements in this article so you can make an informed purchase of the best Tesla to buy.

This comparison takes into account manufacturer-supplied specifications as well as test drive experience, where available. In cases where the MSRPs are quoted, note these prices exclude additional fees such as the destination fee, applicable taxes, title, and dealer charges.

We have compared the latest available Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Tesla Model Y Long Range, as these two offer the most performance and capability in the Tesla range for under $50,000.

Tesla Model 3 And Model Y Overview

The Tesla Model 3 is the company’s compact sedan introduced in 2017. Within a week of its unveiling, Tesla had 325,000 reservations as it tried to position itself as an affordable electric alternative to gas-powered cars. To extend its range, the company developed one of the most aerodynamic bodies of any production car ever.

The Model Y took the affordable family car philosophy and sized it up, expanding to a compact crossover size. It’s built on the same platform as the Model 3 and shares lots of parts.

The slightly bigger body makes it less efficient than the Model 3, but it’s the more practical car thanks to greater cargo space.

Don’t expect massive differences between the two Tesla models – the Y is simply a bigger version of the 3 built on the same chassis. The Model Y does lend itself better for family usage, though, but the Model 3 may offer a better driving experience. Now that both cars have received a significant mid-cycle update, it’s the perfect time to compare them, specifically the best two models that start at under $50,000.

Design: Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Our comparison of the best Tesla cars for under $50k starts with the design category. With Tesla, you know what you’re getting. Both vehicles feature the trademark minimalist design that non-Tesla fans call boring but allows the cars to slip through the air to maximize range.

The refreshed 2025 Tesla Model Y is one of the best-looking Tesla cars currently on sale, with a light bar across the front and an even bigger, gradient-style one at the back. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but the higher roofline gives the car a bigger cargo area and the ability to accommodate a third seating row.

The Tesla Model 3 looks somehow even more plain from all angles – there’s no light bar at the front or rear. We’d recommend going for the ‘Nova’ wheels to give it a sportier look, but this does cost a few miles of range. The standard ‘Photon’ rims are more aero-efficient due to the bigger spokes.

With both cars though, you’ll have to be a big fan of the no-nonsense modern design that Tesla is famous for.

Interiors: Controversial, But Classic Tesla

We could’ve used the same images for both the Model 3 and Model Y here, and you probably wouldn’t notice; they’re almost identical on the inside in terms of design.

Both cars come with a huge 15.4-inch touchscreen at the front and an eight-inch touchscreen for passengers at the back. The front touchscreen is the only discernible feature in these cars – and it’s the way you control almost all the features. Your speed is shown in the top left-hand corner (as there’s no gauge cluster), as well as all your frunk and truck releases. In terms of interior space, the Model Y’s crossover body makes it the more practical vehicle.

The Model Y is bigger in every way inside, particularly in terms of rear-seat legroom and cargo space, where it convincingly trumps its sedan sibling. This makes the Model Y the nicest Tesla model for families, even if you can’t spec seven seats in the latest model.

You get your usual modern features you’d expect, plus some extras, like heated and ventilated seats, blind spot monitoring and keyless entry through a smartphone app, which you can also use to preheat the cars. Both cars are well-equipped for under $50,000.

There’s one difference between these cars, and it’ll be a game-changer for many drivers. The latest Model Y features an indicator stalk, while the Model 3 keeps the buttons on the steering wheel. This seemingly small difference can be very annoying for some drivers who prefer a traditional stalk.

Performance And Efficiency: More Than You’ll Ever Need

Being electric, these cars will accelerate much easier and sharper than most of their gas alternatives. Tesla states 4.2 seconds to 60 miles per hour in the Model 3, and 4.6 in the Model Y Long Range. If you told someone 20 years ago that these were normal family cars, they wouldn’t have believed you.

These cars aren’t geared for performance, though; that’s what the Plaid trim is there for. The range is what’s important here. Both vehicles are estimated to get well over 300 miles of EPA-estimated range, and buying a Tesla means you’ll be optimized to make use of the Supercharger network.

Superchargers are usually more reliable than their publicly available counterparts and feature much higher speeds too. A 15-minute recharge in the Model 3 gets you 195 miles while the Y will get about 169, which is plenty for most trips.

“On the road, the new 3 is a revelation. Its new frequency-adaptive dampers address the old car’s often harsh ride, resulting in better bump absorption without feeling sloppy. The Model 3 feels responsive, and it’s a lot quieter on the move.”

– Cobus F. Potgeiter, CarBuzz

The smaller dimensions of the Model 3 make it an easier car to drive quickly, but both Tesla Models have their batteries under the floor, meaning the center of gravity is low and they feel grippy. You’ll just have to manage more weight than in an equivalent gas car, as both of these top Tesla models are quite heavy.

Pricing: Lots Of EV Incentives For Both

Both of these sub-$50k Teslas are eligible for a $7,500 tax incentive for certain customers, making their base price closer to the $40k mark. Not having to use gasoline will also cut the annual budget as many will be able to charge at home overnight.

Both cars are all-wheel drive, and the option for a cheaper rear-wheel-drive option is only available for the Model 3. The RWD option on the Model 3 increases its range a small amount, but the AWD will be better in harsh conditions as well as in performance driving. There is also a performance variant of the AWD Model 3, but it costs almost $55k and hurts the range quite a bit to under 300 miles.

Tesla is limiting your options with the Model Y, as currently there is only an AWD long-range variant. We expect there to be a performance derivative soon as Tesla increases its portfolio.

There is a slight difference in price between these cars and their cheaper rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 6, but the Tesla is usually seen as a status symbol as well as a car.

* Excludes options, destination, and any rebates

For $1,500 more, the Model Y offers a lot more space for a family. However, the Model 3 is expected to remain the better car to drive, plus it has a better range and stronger acceleration.

Summary: The Model Y Is The One We’re Buying

We’re picking the Tesla Model Y as the best Tesla car for under $50,000. Its stylish looks, long range and massive amounts of legroom make it the one you should invest your money in, if you can look past the current politics around the brand.

Even though there is no longer a seven-seat variant (buyers will have to look at a Model X for that option), it’s a better family car and most will never need the slightly better range of the Model 3. The AAA found that the average trip length in the US was 12 miles, so unless you’ve got a particularly long commute, you’ll never notice the extra few miles.

If we were to get a Model 3, the base $42,490 RWD model would be our pick. It boasts a longer range and more speed than most people will ever need, so there’s not much point in going for the AWD variant. You may as well go for the next model up, which is the Performance AWD.

Sources: Tesla, AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety