2021 head-to-head · Small SUV
2021 Tesla Model Y vs Volvo XC40
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2021 Tesla Model Y is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $702 a year to fuel (129 MPGe), versus $1,788 for the 2021 Volvo XC40 (26 MPG). That's roughly $1,086 a year, or about $5,432 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Tesla Model Y
- Volvo XC40
Side by side
| Tesla Model Y | Volvo XC40 | |
|---|---|---|
| $702 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,788 |
| 129 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 26 MPG |
| 140 MPGe | City | 23 MPG |
| 119 MPGe | Highway | 32 MPG |
| 26 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 244 mi | Driving range | — |
| — | Passenger volume | 98 cu ft |
| — | Cargo volume | 25 cu ft |
| 0 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 340 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| 8 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Electric | Powertrain | Gas |
| Electricity | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| Electric motor (209 kW) | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| Single-speed | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Tesla Model Y vs Volvo XC40 across model years
- Tesla Model Y
- Volvo XC40
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 92 2021 small SUVs, the Tesla Model Y ranks 1st and the Volvo XC40 44th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Tesla Model Y is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Volvo XC40; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Tesla Model Y or the 2021 Volvo XC40?
Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model Y. The Tesla Model Y is rated 129 MPGe combined and the Volvo XC40 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Tesla Model Y vs. the Volvo XC40 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $702 for the Tesla Model Y and $1,788 for the Volvo XC40.
Tesla Model Y vs Volvo XC40 in other years
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