Tesla Model Y Review
The Tesla Model Y has most of the advantages of the Tesla Model 3 such as a long driving range and access to the Tesla Supercharger network, and it also has a hatchback and more space.
This is a review for the Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y at a glance...
More spacious than the Tesla Model 3
Long driving range
Ease of charging at the Tesla Supercharger network
The normal Tesla minimalistic interior
Tesla Model Y Design & Powertrain
The Tesla Model Y lease option looks similar to a Tesla Model 3, but with a higher SUV body and a bigger rear end. The main difference is that the Model Y has a hatchback and a larger boot – 854 litres versus the 425 litres of the Model 3. There’s space under the boot floor as well as additional space under the bonnet – which is ideal for storing the charging cable. There’s also more space in the rear seats of the Model Y for three people.
The interiors of the two cars are virtually identical. This means a dashboard with no controls apart from the central touchscreen.
The Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive has an 82 kWh battery (with 75 kWh usable capacity) and two electric motors delivering all-wheel drive and producing a total power output of 433hp.
What is the Tesla Model Y like to drive?
It may come as no surprise that the Tesla Model Y driving experience is similar to that of the Model 3 in many ways. So there’s no start/stop button, you just select drive using the gear selector on the right-hand side of the steering column, press the accelerator and you’ll be accelerating quietly and, with a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds, quickly.
The Model Y is ideal for motorway use, being refined on long journeys, having a 300-mile plus range - which is even possible at motorways speeds - and you’ll be able to charge easily using the Tesla Supercharger network.
The Model Y has all-wheel drive, giving good grip; combined with its weight of around two tonnes, it feels more secure to drive rather than light and agile. The suspension is quite firm, and so the standard 19-inch wheels will give the best ride quality; the 20-inch wheels will make the firm ride even firmer.
The dashboard has no buttons, with all car controls accessed via the central 15-inch touchscreen (including the adjustment of mirrors, steering wheel position, windscreen wipers etc). This also means that there is no display in front of the driver showing information such as speed.
The Model Y features Autopilot, which enables the car to drive itself, as far as legal restrictions allow. The central screen shows the position of other vehicles around you, which is more useful to give you confidence in the Autopilot system than it is in providing useful information when you’re driving.
There are also a number of ‘toys’ accessible via the touchscreen including ‘party mode’ which puts on a show of the doors opening and closing, accompanied by music, and, along with more essential aspects of the car, new features are likely to appear via over-the-air software updates.
Tesla Model Y Review | DriveElectric
What's the range of the Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y Long Range has an official combined WLTP driving range of 331 miles. Along with other Teslas, the real-world range doesn’t drop as much as some other EVs, and this is especially the case at motorway speeds. A real-world range of 280-300 miles should be possible with normal driving.
One key selling point for Tesla is the Tesla Supercharger network. Since the very early days of Tesla in the UK, the company has invested in an excellent charging network, which has generally always kept ahead of Tesla sales and ahead of the UK public charging network as a whole. This means that on long motorway journeys you can virtually always drop into a charging area and get a reliable rapid charge.
The Tesla Model Y has a maximum ultra-rapid charging rate of 210 kW. This can theoretically deliver up to 370 miles of charge per hour, or 150 miles of range in 15 minutes. However as with all EVs and all chargers, the rate of charging will slow as the battery becomes full. Read more on electric car range in our handy guide.
Conclusion
Tesla has disrupted the established car manufacturers by bringing an all-electric line-up to market, and the brand continues to be a success story. The Model 3 is now a common sight on UK roads, and with motorists’ love of SUVs, the Model Y is also likely to be a sales success. This is because it takes the basic recipe of the Model 3 – all-electric, good performance, long range, easy to charge – and adds a more practical body, with a boot that’s twice the size of the Model 3. If you also like the idea of a minimal interior, then the Model Y could be ideal for you.
Model Y offers
Tesla Model Y Performance AWD 5dr Auto
- £5,777.84 Initial rental (ex. VAT)
- £6,933.41 Initial rental (inc. VAT)
- 48 Month term
- 5000 Annual mileage
- Offer expiry Friday 8 November 2024
- Subject to status and conditions + arrangement fee