Tesla Model Y vs Ford F150
What's the difference?

Tesla Model Y

$58,900 - $89,400

2026 price

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Ford F150

$106,950 - $163,950

2026 price

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Summary

2026 Tesla Model Y

2026 Ford F150

By Andrew Chesterton

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.5L

Fuel Type

Electric

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

13.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Seriously practical
A seating layout that makes perfect sense
Long-distance driving range

Roomy cabin
Smooth driving on-road
Reasonably capable off-road

Dislikes

Ride might be too firm for some
Compromised vision from driver's seat
Lack of Apple CarPlay a turn-off

Price tag
Not quite premium enough
Underwhelming payload

2026 Tesla Model Y Summary

This is the new Tesla Model Y L, of course, but before we even start I need to ask you a very important question.

How often, honestly, do you use all seven seats in your seven-seater? Or if you only have five seats, how often is there a human in every single one?

Rarely, if ever?

Yep, me too. So stick around, because this is, by far, the best family SUV seating layout. And one where there’ll finally be no fighting over who gets stuck with the dodgy seat.

And as a result, the six-seat Tesla Model Y L might just be among the best all-electric SUV offerings around.

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2026 Ford F150 Summary

The Ford F-150 Platinum – the new top-shelf variant in the company’s F Series truck range – has arrived in Australia as part of the a refreshed line-up.

This full-sized dual-cab ute has a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, myriad drive modes and 4500kg towing capacity and, as such, is regarded as a rival for the likes of the Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra.

But with a price-tag tickling $164,000 before on-road costs and at a smidge under six metres long, is this big rig simply too big and too expensive?

We’re testing the short wheelbase (SWB) version this time, so let’s get into it.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Tesla Model Y 2026 Ford F150

Verdict

If you like the five-seat Model Y, then you'll like the six-seat L version even more. I think this the best example of Tesla's electric SUV to date, and the cabin layout just makes a lot of sense, and would suit plenty of families who don't need to squeeze someone into a compromised middle seat.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number of automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Verdict

The Ford F-150 Platinum SWB is good but not great.

It has plenty of standard features onboard and some handy touches, it’s nice to drive on-road, and is adequately capable off-road but it lacks the overall plushness its price-tag promises.

The F-150’s smaller sibling, the Ranger Super Duty, does all of this F Truck’s jobs better, has more general appeal and all-round driveability, and it costs much less than the F-150.

Yet I can still see the appeal of the Ford F-150 Platinum SWB. As a potential purchase, it might make a lot more sense to you than me.

Tesla Model Y vs Ford F150 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Tesla Model Y vs Ford F150
What's the difference?