2026 Tesla Model Y vs 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Too close to call: Toyota Corolla Cross 83.3 vs Tesla Model Y 82.9 with these weights. The Tesla Model Y is ahead on fuel & range and warranty. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.2 and it flips.
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…
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Corolla Cross…
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Toss-upToo close to call: Toyota Corolla Cross 83.3 vs Tesla Model Y 82.9 with these weights. The Tesla Model Y is ahead on fuel & range and warranty. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.2 and it flips.
| Category · weight | 2026 Tesla Model Yoverall 82.9 | 2026 Toyota Corolla Crossoverall 83.3 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 62.6 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 25.2 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 64.2 | 94.4 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 95 | 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 | 82.9 | 83.3 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Tesla Model Y: base trim Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD · Toyota Corolla Cross: base trim L FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.2 and the answer flips.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (29 against 439 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists 17 standard driver-assist features against 2.
- It starts $14,955 lower ($25,035 against $39,990 base MSRP).
Where the 2026 Tesla Model Y answers
- It is rated 138 combined against 32 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,550 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,100).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 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
49 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $39,990 | $25,035 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | — | 4 |
| Engine displacement | — | 1,987 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 2.0-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head |
| Fuel injection system | — | D-4S |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 169 hp |
| Torque | — | 151 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 31 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 32 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 33 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 4.014 |
| Transmission type | — | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 6.4 in | 8.1 in |
| Overall height | 63.8 in | 64.8 in |
| Overall length | 189 in | 176 in |
| Overall width | 78 in | 71.9 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 104 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 46.9 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 24 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 94.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 39.5 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 39.1 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 42.9 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 32 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 3,097 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,061 lbs | 3,097 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,290 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 1,165 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | Independent MacPherson strut suspension with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | — | Torsion-beam suspension with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Electric Power Steering (EPS); electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 35.4 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | — | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 282 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | — | 17 in |
| Wheel material | — | steel |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 215/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 12.4 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Grok | Toyota Safety Connect / Wi-Fi Connect / Remote Connect / Service Connect / Drive Connect |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 52.7 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 52.4 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
90 features · differences first, then sharedSafety19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Nine airbags —includes driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger outboard seat-mounted side airbags; driver and passenger side curtain airbags, rear side airbags (right and left), and driver knee airbag | — | std |
| Nine airbags —includes driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger outboard seat-mounted side airbags; driver and passenger side curtain airbags, rear side airbags (right and left), and driver knee airbag | — | std |
| Nine airbags —includes driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger outboard seat-mounted side airbags; driver and passenger side curtain airbags, rear side airbags (right and left), and driver knee airbag | — | std |
| Nine airbags —includes driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger outboard seat-mounted side airbags; driver and passenger side curtain airbags, rear side airbags (right and left), and driver knee airbag | — | std |
| 8 exterior cameras | std | — |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | — | std |
| Backup camera with static gridlines | — | std |
| Collapsible steering column | — | std |
| Crumple zones/side-impact door beams | — | std |
| Full Self-Driving (Supervised) capable; Traffic-aware cruise control | std | — |
| Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on rear seats | — | std |
| Nine airbags —includes driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger outboard seat-mounted side airbags; driver and passenger side curtain airbags, rear side airbags (right and left), and driver knee airbag | — | std |
| Rear-Seat Reminder | — | std |
| Star Safety System™ —includes Enhanced 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 |
| Star Safety System™ —includes Enhanced 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 (TSS 3.0)—Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Road Sign Assist (RSA) | — | std |
| Anti-theft system engine immobilizer | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert | — | std |
Infotainment14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2 wireless phone chargers | std | — |
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Apple Music® and Amazon Music) compatibility | — | std |
| 15.4" Center Touchscreen | std | — |
| 16'' First-row touchscreen | std | — |
| 3 USB-C ports | std | — |
| 7Speaker audio system | std | — |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, 6 speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription | — | 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 | — |
| Grok voice assistant | std | — |
| MSRP (starting price, USD): $39,990 / $41,990 / $45,990 / $49,990 / $57,990 / $61,990 | std | — |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance button, enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports | — | std |
Convenience3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-free power open on approach | std | — |
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature | — | std |
| Two front USB-C charging outlets | — | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Manual air conditioning with air filter and rear-seat vents | — | std |
| Particulate and odor filter; First-row touchscreen-adjust air vents; Second-row manual-adjust air vents | std | — |
Seating8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated front seats | std | — |
| 6-way manual driver's seat | — | std |
| 4-way manual passenger seat | — | std |
| 5-passenger seating with fabric-trimmed 60/40 split fold-flat second-row seats with adjustable outboard headrests | — | std |
| Dual tone with textile and vegan leather | std | — |
| First-row power recline | std | — |
| Five-seat interior | std | — |
| Second-row manual-folding seats | std | — |
Interior12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated steering wheel | std | — |
| 7-in. digital gauge cluster | — | std |
| Black door interior handles | — | std |
| Center console with armrest | — | std |
| Dual sun visors and vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Four cup holders | — | std |
| Manual-adjust heated steering wheel | std | — |
| Open center console | std | — |
| Overhead console with map lights, Safety Connect® button | — | std |
| Passenger-side glove compartment | — | std |
| Standard shift boot | — | std |
| Standard tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio, Bluetooth® hands-free phone voice-command, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) controls | — | std |
Exterior22 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights with Automatic High Beams (AHB) | — | std |
| All chrome badging | — | std |
| Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights with Automatic High Beams (AHB), and bulb turn signals | — | std |
| Black grille | — | std |
| Black rocker body panels and black overfenders | — | std |
| Color-keyed outside door handles | — | std |
| Ground Clearance: 6.4" | std | — |
| Heated power outside mirrors | — | std |
| Intermittent windshield wipers | — | std |
| Knit textile roof | std | — |
| LED combination taillights | — | std |
| LED combination taillights with bulb turn signal and stop lamp | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | — | std |
| LED headlights; Auto high beams | std | — |
| Manual-folding side-view mirrors | std | — |
| Matte-black heated power outside mirrors | — | std |
| Overall Height: 63.8" | std | — |
| Overall Length: 188.7" | std | — |
| Tire Repair Kit | — | std |
| Weight (Curb Mass): 4,061 lbs | std | — |
| Wheels: 18" or 19" | std | — |
| Color-keyed rear spoiler | — | std |
Powertrain7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| 0-60 mph: 6.8 sec | std | — |
| Battery & Drive Unit Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 mi, whichever comes first | std | — |
| Drive Modes: Chill, Standard | 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 Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Passive shock absorbers | std | — |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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 Corolla Cross
Top recalls
- critical Hybrid Propulsion System 25V869000 · 55,405 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | Toyota Corolla CrossL FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39,990 (base trim) | $25,035 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $39,990 – $61,990 6 trims | $25,035 – $33,430 9 trims |
| Powertrains | BEV | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) | Corolla Cross |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 138 | 32 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $550 | $2,100 |
| EV range | 321 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 Corolla Cross?
Too close to call: Toyota Corolla Cross 83.3 vs Tesla Model Y 82.9 with these weights. The Tesla Model Y is ahead on fuel & range and warranty. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.2 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross scores 83.3 and the 2026 Tesla Model Y 82.9. 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 Corolla Cross?
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross starts lower — $25,035 against $39,990, a gap of $14,955 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 Corolla Cross?
2026 Tesla Model Y: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 8 recalls. 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 1 recall. 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 Corolla Cross?
Where the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (29 against 439 filed with NHTSA), lists 17 standard driver-assist features against 2, and starts $14,955 lower ($25,035 against $39,990 base MSRP). Where the 2026 Tesla Model Y answers: it is rated 138 combined against 32 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $1,550 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,100). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.