Head-to-head
2026 Tesla Model Y vs 2026 Toyota bZ
The Toyota bZ wins clearly, 94.8 to 76.3, on safety, tech & comfort, price. The Tesla Model Y is ahead on warranty and fuel & range.
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2026 Tesla Model Y
The 2026 Tesla Model Y is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model Y Long Range RWD, is…
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B2026 Toyota bZ
The 2026 Toyota bZ is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the bZ (energy capacity 191 Ah), i…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Toyota bZ
Clear winThe Toyota bZ wins clearly, 94.8 to 76.3, on safety, tech & comfort, price. The Tesla Model Y is ahead on warranty and fuel & range.
Safety 2026 Toyota bZ leads by 48.6
Tech & comfort 2026 Toyota bZ leads by 48.6
Warranty 2026 Tesla Model Y leads by 26.5
| Category · weight | 2026 Tesla Model Yoverall 76.3 | 2026 Toyota bZoverall 94.8 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 87.3 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 98.2 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 42.4 | 91 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 51.4 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantyw 2 | 100 | 73.5 | ||||||||||||
Basic and powertrain coverage in years and miles. | ||||||||||||||
| Overall | 76.3 | 94.8 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Tesla Model Y: base trim Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD · Toyota bZ: base trim XLE FWD FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Toyota bZ wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (23 against 439 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists 17 standard driver-assist features against 2.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (37 points against 19 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 Tesla Model Y answers
- It is covered for 50,000 miles basic against 36,000.
- It is covered 4 years basic against 3.
What they share
- The same EPA fuel cost ($550 a year).
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
34 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $39,990 | $34,900 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Engine type (full description) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electric Motor FWD |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 168 hp |
| Transmission | ||
| Transmission type | — | Single-speed direct drive |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 6.4 in | 8.2 in |
| Overall height | 63.8 in | 65 in |
| Overall length | 189 in | 185 in |
| Overall width | 78 in | 73.2 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 112 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 27.7 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 94.4 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 38.6 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 37.1 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 42.1 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 35.3 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 4,057 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,061 lbs | 4,057 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 5,435 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | Independent MacPherson strut-type with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | — | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Electric Power Steering (EPS); electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 40 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 328 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 318 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | — | 18 in |
| Wheel material | — | forged alloy |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Grok | Toyota |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 60 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 36 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 57.8 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 55.8 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
113 features · differences first, then sharedSafety19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Backup camera with projected path | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | — | std |
| Safe Exit Alert | — | std |
| 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts | — | std |
| 8 exterior cameras | std | — |
| Adjustable front shoulder anchors | — | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | — | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver and passenger seat knee airbags, and front and rear curtain shield airbags | — | std |
| Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB) | — | std |
| Full Self-Driving (Supervised) capable; Traffic-aware cruise control | std | — |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense 3.0™ — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Road Sign Assist (RSA), and Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) | — | std |
| Traction Control (TRAC) | — | std |
| Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) | — | std |
| Anti-theft system with immobilizer | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert | — | std |
Infotainment21 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Collision Notification | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance Button | — | std |
| Remote Connect — start and stop the vehicle via app | — | std |
| Digital Key capability — Digital Key enables smartphone to be used instead of a physical key (Remote Connect subscription required) | — | std |
| Remote Connect — lock/unlock doors via app | — | std |
| Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming compatibility | — | std |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch | — | std |
| 14-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia with six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial | — | std |
| 15.4" Center Touchscreen | std | — |
| 16'' First-row touchscreen | std | — |
| 3 USB-C ports | std | — |
| 7Speaker audio system | std | — |
| Basic Vehicle Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 mi, whichever comes first | std | — |
| Cellular data, Wi-Fi, ultra-wide band and Bluetooth connectivity | std | — |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. 3-year trial subscription | — | std |
| Four USB-C ports — two 15W front/two 60W rear | — | std |
| Grok voice assistant | std | — |
| Heated leather-trimmed manual tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with regenerative braking paddle switches | — | std |
| MSRP (starting price, USD): $39,990 / $41,990 / $45,990 / $49,990 / $57,990 / $61,990 | std | — |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. 5-year minimum trial subscription | — | std |
| Two Qi-compatible wireless smartphone chargers with charge indicator light | std | std |
Convenience6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key System on all doors and rear hatch with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, power back door, panic functions and remote air conditioning controls | — | std |
| Hands-free power open on approach | std | — |
| Height-adjustable, foot-activated power liftgate with jam protection | — | std |
| One 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet in bottom storage tray | — | std |
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature | — | std |
| Power windows with auto up/down and jam protection in all positions | — | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dual zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter, and rear-seat vents | — | std |
| Particulate and odor filter; First-row touchscreen-adjust air vents; Second-row manual-adjust air vents | std | — |
Seating7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 60/40 split, reclining fold-flat rear seats with center armrest and cup holders | — | std |
| 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support | — | std |
| Dual tone with textile and vegan leather | std | — |
| Fabric/SofTex®-trimmed seats; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support; 6-way adjustable front passenger seat | — | std |
| First-row power recline | std | — |
| Five-seat interior | std | — |
| Second-row manual-folding seats | std | — |
| Heated front seats | std | std |
Interior14 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® | — | std |
| Black carpet flooring with driver-side footrest | — | std |
| Center console with covered storage compartment, two cup holders, two Qi-compatible wireless chargers and front lower storage tray | — | std |
| Dial-type shift knob | — | std |
| Front and rear ambient lighting with 64 available colors | — | std |
| Front-door storage pockets with bottle holders | — | std |
| LED front-seat reading lights, dome light and cargo area light | — | std |
| Manual-adjust heated steering wheel | std | — |
| Open center console | std | — |
| Overhead console with maplights and Safety Connect® button | — | std |
| Seatback pockets on driver and passenger sides | — | std |
| Top-mount Multi-Information Display (MID) with indicators and 7-in. LCD display | — | std |
| Two front and two rear cup holders; two front and two rear bottle holders | — | std |
| Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Heated leather-trimmed steering wheel | std | std |
Exterior27 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Panoramic fixed-glass roof with power sunshade | — | opt |
| LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, Automatic High Beams (AHB), and auto on/off | — | std |
| Heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators, and power-folding feature | — | std |
| 18-in. alloy wheels with covers | — | std |
| Black window trim | — | std |
| Color-keyed outside door handles with touch-sensor lock/unlock feature on all doors | — | std |
| Ducktail rear spoiler | — | std |
| Ground Clearance: 6.4" | std | — |
| Heated power outside mirrors | — | std |
| Knit textile roof | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | — | std |
| LED headlights; Auto high beams | std | — |
| LED taillights and stop lights | — | std |
| Manual-folding side-view mirrors | std | — |
| Outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators | — | std |
| Overall Height: 63.8" | std | — |
| Overall Length: 188.7" | std | — |
| Rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers with de-icer function | — | std |
| Rear lower diffuser | — | std |
| Roof-mounted shark-fin antenna | — | std |
| Spare Tire/Wheel — Tire Repair Kit | — | std |
| Unique color-keyed center bumper; thin lower grille | — | std |
| Unique hammerhead hood with black-painted accent | — | std |
| Weight (Curb Mass): 4,061 lbs | std | — |
| Wheels: 18" or 19" | std | — |
| Privacy glass on all rear side, quarter and liftgate windows | — | std |
| Rear liftgate window defogger | — | std |
Powertrain10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | — | std |
| 0-60 mph: 6.8 sec | std | — |
| Battery & Drive Unit Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 mi, whichever comes first | std | — |
| DC charging maximum input 150 kW | — | std |
| Drive Modes: Chill, Standard | std | — |
| North American Charging System (NACS) charging port | — | std |
| Onboard AC Charger 11 kW | — | std |
| Range (EPA est.): 321 mi | std | — |
| Supercharge in 15 min: 160 mi | std | — |
| Supercharging Max: 225 kW; Pay Per Use | std | — |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Passive shock absorbers | std | — |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area tonneau cover | — | std |
| Total Cargo Space: 76 cubic feet | std | — |
| Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPTesla Model Y
Safety Signal 65 D
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 8
Owner complaints 439 · 95 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (170), Unspecified (141), Lane Departure (65)
Top recalls
- high Suspension 26V558000 · 19 vehicles
- high Structure 26V445000 · 15 vehicles
- high Electrical System 25V690000 · 12,963 vehicles
- high Seats 25V410000 · 48 vehicles
- moderate Exterior Lighting 25V658000 · 260 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V490000 · 6 vehicles
Toyota bZ
Safety Signal 85 B
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / ★★★★☆
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 23 · 1 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (15), Unspecified (5), Forward Collision Avoidance (4)
Top recalls
- high Electrical System 26V512000 · 407 vehicles
- high Electrical System 26V393000 · 20,991 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota bZXLE FWD FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39,990 (base trim) | $34,900 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $39,990 – $61,990 6 trims | $34,900 – $45,300 5 trims |
| Powertrains | BEV | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) | bZ (energy capacity 191 Ah) |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 138 | 131 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $550 | $550 |
| EV range | 321 mi | 314 mi |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | 2 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Tesla Model Y or the 2026 Toyota bZ?
The Toyota bZ wins clearly, 94.8 to 76.3, on safety, tech & comfort, price. The Tesla Model Y is ahead on warranty and fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota bZ scores 94.8 and the 2026 Tesla Model Y 76.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Tesla Model Y or the 2026 Toyota bZ?
The 2026 Toyota bZ starts lower — $34,900 against $39,990, a gap of $5,090 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Tesla Model Y or the 2026 Toyota bZ?
2026 Tesla Model Y: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 8 recalls. 2026 Toyota bZ: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Tesla Model Y and the 2026 Toyota bZ?
Where the 2026 Toyota bZ wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (23 against 439 filed with NHTSA), lists 17 standard driver-assist features against 2, and lists more comfort and tech equipment (37 points against 19 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 Tesla Model Y answers: it is covered for 50,000 miles basic against 36,000 and is covered 4 years basic against 3. What they share: the same EPA fuel cost ($550 a year) and 5 seats.