Subaru Trailseeker vs Tesla Model Y: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Tesla Model Y costs about $3,257 less

That's $45 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Trailseeker Touring$1,264/moTrue cost

Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive✓ $1,219/moTrue cost

2027 Subaru Trailseeker

Closest matching trim: Trailseeker Touring

Sticker (MSRP)$49,995

+$10,043→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$60,038

+ running costs→↓− $18,647 resale

True cost$1,264/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Tesla Model Y

Closest matching trim: Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive

Sticker (MSRP)$49,990

+$4,771→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$54,761

+ running costs→↓− $17,016 resale

True cost$1,219/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$49,995	✓ $49,990	Model Y by $5
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,136	✓ $2,896	Model Y by $240
Sales tax (HST)	$6,907	✓ $6,875	Model Y by $32
EV rebate	—	−$5,000	—
Drive-away price	$60,038	✓ $54,761	Model Y by $5,277
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$3,060	✓ $2,590	Model Y by $470
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $15,705	$19,862	Trailseeker by $4,157
Maintenance (estimate)	$6,853	✓ $5,682	Model Y by $1,171
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$11,575	✓ $10,466	Model Y by $1,109
Lost return on your money	$12,319	✓ $11,301	Model Y by $1,018
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$18,647	−$17,016	Trailseeker by $1,631
Total
True cost	$90,994	✓ $87,737	Model Y by $3,257
True cost a month	$1,264/mo	✓ $1,219/mo	Model Y by $45
You pay each month	$1,282/mo	✓ $1,228/mo	Model Y by $54
Practical
Fuel type	Electric	Electric	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	Not published	Not published	—
Fast charge, minutes	30 (10-80%)	—	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	Not published	—
Range, km (winter about 70%)	446 (312)	✓ 463 (324)	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 37%	34%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—
European crash test	—	✓ 5★ (2025)	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Trailseeker Touring $49,995Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $49,990Cheaper by Model Y by $5

Freight and fees, before tax

Trailseeker Touring $3,136Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $2,896Cheaper by Model Y by $240

Sales tax (HST)

Trailseeker Touring $6,907Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $6,875Cheaper by Model Y by $32

EV rebate

Trailseeker Touring —Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive −$5,000Cheaper by —

Drive-away price

Trailseeker Touring $60,038Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $54,761Cheaper by Model Y by $5,277

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Trailseeker Touring $3,060Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $2,590Cheaper by Model Y by $470

Insurance (estimate)

Trailseeker Touring ✓ $15,705Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive $19,862Cheaper by Trailseeker by $4,157

Maintenance (estimate)

Trailseeker Touring $6,853Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $5,682Cheaper by Model Y by $1,171

Loan rate

Trailseeker Touring 6.5%Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Trailseeker Touring $11,575Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $10,466Cheaper by Model Y by $1,109

Lost return on your money

Trailseeker Touring $12,319Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $11,301Cheaper by Model Y by $1,018

Resale after 6 yrs

Trailseeker Touring ✓ −$18,647Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive −$17,016Cheaper by Trailseeker by $1,631

Total

True cost

Trailseeker Touring $90,994Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $87,737Cheaper by Model Y by $3,257

True cost a month

Trailseeker Touring $1,264/moModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $1,219/moCheaper by Model Y by $45

You pay each month

Trailseeker Touring $1,282/moModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ $1,228/moCheaper by Model Y by $54

Practical

Fuel type

Trailseeker Touring ElectricModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive ElectricCheaper by —

Seats

Trailseeker Touring 5Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Trailseeker Touring Not publishedModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive Not publishedCheaper by —

Fast charge, minutes

Trailseeker Touring 30 (10-80%)Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive —Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Trailseeker Touring Not publishedModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive Not publishedCheaper by —

Range, km (winter about 70%)

Trailseeker Touring 446 (312)Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ 463 (324)Cheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Trailseeker Touring ✓ 37%Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive 34%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Trailseeker Touring 5★Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive 5★Cheaper by —

European crash test

Trailseeker Touring —Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive ✓ 5★ (2025)Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Trailseeker typical for its type and brand, the Model Y from its own. Their stickers differ by $5.