The Model Y is between the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model X. It looks like the Model 3 from the outside, but it is bigger than the Model 3. The best of both worlds?
It has been a big hit, but if you look at how people buy cars that run on gas or diesel, it might be better for Tesla to make the Model Y. A lot of electric vehicles have been competing with each other in this category over the last few years. This one fits into the crossover category.
Is the Model Y an excellent electric car for you to put on your shortlist?
Design
Initially, many people thought the Tesla Model Y was just a Model 3 with a different trunk (trunk, if you’re reading in the US). Instead, it had a hatchback-style opening instead of a sedan’s.
The Model 3 and the Model Y look very similar, but the size is very different. The Model Y is taller than other cars, so it doesn’t look low, sleek, or sporty. Instead, it rolls as other SUVs do.
With that, it has right away a lot of appeals. You can see better through all the other SUVs, and it looks like a big coupe with its lowered roofline.
As time goes on, Tesla’s design has become sleeker and more minimalist. When you compare it to something like the Audi Q4 e-tron, with its folds and details, it’s less striking, but there’s still something elegant about its simplicity.
On the 20-inch Induction Wheels, you can see how it looks. This is how it looks: We prefer bigger black wheels, but Tesla says that smaller wheels use less energy and could make for a quieter ride.
Minimalist interior
The Tesla Model Y’s interior is nearly identical to that of the Tesla Model 3. It follows a minimalist approach, with simple panels and finishes and no buttons or controllers.
There are only two colour options for the interior: light or dark, and eccentric ornamentation are kept to a minimum. That may appeal to specific drivers – freedom from the plethora of buttons and switches found in other vehicles – while it may appear foreign to others.
The 15-inch monitor in the centre of the car is the focal point, and there’s a sense that this car isn’t made around the driver – there’s no driver display, and the centre display isn’t directed toward the driver either – it feels like you’re a passenger regardless of where you’re seated.
There’s a reason for this: Elon Musk has stated many times that the car, not the human, should be driving, which explains a lot of what you’re seeing. The Model Y has fewer controls because it wants to do everything for you – it wants to be an automatic experience. However, on UK roads and under UK rules, this is still a long way from being a completely driverless car, and the driver must maintain control at all times.
It may be unnerving for a rookie driver to tap around the display to adjust the steering wheel’s height using the unlabeled controllers on the steering wheel or to look for a start button (there isn’t one). Instead, you’re essentially encouraged to change to D and continue on your way. It’s temptingly simple just to jump in and drive once everything is set up and you’re used to it.
In fact, the Tesla Model Y’s interior quality falls short of that of its competitors. Whether you like the clean design or not, it can’t match the quality of premium rivals: for example, the stitching on the seats puckers around the curves; there’s no parcel shelf in the boot to hide the contents; the rear seatbacks appear to be a little flexible at their ends where they are unsupported, and the center armrest doesn’t seem to fit flush when closed.
Depending on what you’re used to driving, these elements may or may not be necessary to you, but they do give the impression that the Model 3’s interior is more appropriate than the Model Y’s. Of course, the counter-argument is that you’re paying for performance and range rather than old-world interior charms, which is also a reasonable point to make.
The boot doesn’t give the same amount of space as other SUVs at first appearance, but that’s partly due to the decision to install a fake flat floor. There’s a lot more space if you lift that up. In that sense, the lack of a parcel shelf may not be a problem because you can store items beneath the floor.
It also means there’s a lot of room in the back – 854 liters if you pack it to the top – and an extra 117 liters in the front under the bonnet (that’s the hood, for our American friends), so practicality is still a plus. Read also; Tesla Cybertruck 2023 Release Date Announced by Elon Musk.
Furthermore, having a car designed as an electric vehicle eliminates the need to fit antiquated combustion architecture found in some competitors, such as the BMW iX3. That means the interior is roomy, with enough leg and headroom for the back passengers. The backbench isn’t the most comfortable, but there’s plenty of room.
All of this adds up to the Tesla Model Y having a lot of practicality when it comes to hauling around the kids, plenty of space on more extended travels, and heating for both the front and rear seats, which more brands should offer.
The Technology Offering
Yes, Tesla is recognized for bringing electric cars to the masses and promoting Autopilot, but before we get to that, let’s speak about the other technology.
The 15-inch display is the key to everything; it’s where you can modify anything from the wiper speed to all of the other fun stuff, like accessing the entertainment selection.
At its most basic level, the display is split into thirds, with the third closest to the driver showing real-time detection of objects around you (cars, people, street furniture) as well as driving details (speed, speed limit, turn signal, lights), and the other two-thirds devoted to navigation or media.
Although having to look into the centre of the car to view basic details is a hassle, if Tesla wants to maintain the thin line devoid of physical screens, we’d much prefer to have a heads-up display (HUD) providing navigation and speed.
When it comes to navigation, this has a minor knock-on impact. The directions are straightforward, and the route assistance is also decent, but you don’t receive the 3D mapping view that other companies provide. If you rely on the map, you’ll notice that it’s essentially a top-down view, which isn’t always the most user-friendly.
It all makes sense when you consider that Tesla wants to drive you rather than the other way around. That also explains why there are no dials or additional driving information. It’s made so that you put your trust in the vehicle.
Although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t supported, Bluetooth will enable calling functions when connected to your phone, with the car’s connection handling the rest. Tesla’s platform is relatively solid and provides almost everything you’ll need and a lot more you didn’t realize you needed.
On The Road
Tesla is known for its speed, and the Model Y (in the UK) is only available with a dual-motor option, either Long Range or Performance, at writing. There is no slower version, and the Tesla Model Y Performance, with a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds, will leave practically everything in its wake.
In real-world driving, even the Long Range’s 4.8-second time is shockingly quick, and you’ll be excused for switching to chilled acceleration instead to make the throttle less sensitive.
The Tesla Model Y has a large battery, rated at 75kW, and a range of 331 miles on the Long Range. It would have to average roughly 4.4 miles per kWh to achieve this. Tesla doesn’t publish data based on this metric, but a conversion shows that recent travels averaged between 2.9 and 5.5 miles per kWh, equating to 217 to over 400 miles. Read more; 2023 Tesla Roadster: What We Know So Far.
The actual range is determined by various factors, including how you drive, how the car is loaded, and the temperature. The disadvantage of operating a media test car is that reviewers are frequently interested in performance and thus drive aggressively, resulting in poor ranges and averages. In contrast, typical traffic going with plenty of stop-start – and avoiding those fast acceleration bursts – is much more economical.
Verdict
The Tesla Model Y follows the key Tesla concepts that have made the brand famous: it’s quick, long-range, it has the best charging network currently available, and there’s a lot of fun to be had thanks to the interior entertainment technology.
However, it currently has far more competition than the Tesla Model 3 did at its launch since vehicles such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6 offer viable alternatives, often at lower prices.
However, part of Tesla’s allure is that, well, it’s a Tesla. There’s no denying that the brand has a lot of caches, and for many consumers, the fact that other electric cars exist is irrelevant. The Tesla Model Y is a car you’ll be drawn to if you desire a Tesla. At the same time, the Tesla Model 3 is more inexpensive and provides a similar experience, making it a more tempting option.
