The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV that offers some of the best driving range in its class. It’s also quick and agile, and has access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network.
Most electric cars feel nippy around town, but run out of puff on the motorway. The Model Y is no different, and the optional Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability can make motorway travel effortless.
Features
The Model Y is a smart SUV that feels roomy inside. It has two trunks and seats for five, but buyers can add a third row for seven people. There’s also a tow hitch with a 3,500-pound hauling capacity.
Almost every function in the cabin is controlled via a large, slim infotainment display that sits in the middle of the dashboard. This takes some getting used to and can be distracting while driving. Even functions such as power mirror adjustments have to be accessed through this screen.
Standard features include a panoramic glass roof, 15-inch central touchscreen, heated front seats, power-adjustable steering wheel and power tailgate. A 13-speaker audio system, sat nav and wireless phone charging are also included. Upgrading to the Performance version brings 21-inch wheels, performance brakes and a lowered suspension.
Standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Upgrading to Autopilot adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and automated parking. The Model Y doesn’t come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but Tesla’s own operating system is very intuitive and works well.
Design
The Model Y takes the performance, technology and style people love about Tesla’s sedan models and packages them into a small crossover SUV. It’s no surprise that it became the world’s best-selling electric car in 2023.
It’s a comfortable, practical and well-equipped car too. Standard features include a fixed glass roof, synthetic leather seats, a 15-inch infotainment system that dominates the cabin, power-adjustable front seats, sat nav, dual-zone climate control and wireless phone charging. There’s also Autopilot, an advanced form of adaptive cruise control that combines steering and braking.
The minimalist interior carries over from the Model 3 with a large central display and few physical switchgear. This is smart without feeling sparse, but it’s worth noting that there’s no driver diap;ay and, in a surprising move for a tech-first car, no head-up display either.
Performance
There’s a lot to love about the Model Y. It’s a great family car when you need it to be, it’s devastatingly quick, it offers innovative technology that other carmakers are still playing catch-up with and it has an impressively extensive supercharger network.
But while it’s hard to complain about any of those points, the Model Y does feel a little lacking in some areas. Its ride is a little fidgety over uneven surfaces, while steering feels dead with no real feedback. It’s also difficult to access some of the vehicle’s functions, from adjusting the power mirrors to opening the glovebox, because almost everything is accessed through the central infotainment display screen.
This is a shame, as the Model Y’s big touchscreen is perfect for displaying the car’s speed and other essential data. Plus, it’s got a few entertaining video games embedded that you can use to pass the time while waiting at a charge station. The only other thing missing is a head-up display to put important information in your line of sight.
Economy
Despite its SUV design, the Model Y is one of the most efficient electric vehicles around. Both the Long Range and Performance models can cover up to 326 miles on a single charge, thanks to an advanced battery pack using liquid-cooled LFP technology.
If you do need to travel further, Tesla’s expanding network of Superchargers can replenish a battery in about an hour. The car also has a heat pump to help save energy, which is great in cold weather when EVs have to use resistance heating to keep the cabin warm.
A Full Self Driving option lets the Model Y make lane changes for you, steer itself into parking spaces or even be “summoned” via smartphone app at low speeds. You can also monitor the battery’s state of charge, with a power meter on the touchscreen providing feedback on your drive’s efficiency. It is normal for estimated range to decrease over time, but a simple way to reduce that impact is to charge the vehicle overnight at home, says Gjeebs. This will also save you money on electricity rates.
Safety
The Model Y is one of the safest cars you can buy. It scored a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, including an impressive 97% for adult occupant protection. Its high-tech features include a digital fart sound generator, video games and an energy-consumption graph, but Tesla also provides practical tools such as an app that can turn your phone into a key fob to unlock your car.
The Performance Dual Motor AWD version we tested has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from zero to 60 in just 3.5 seconds. Linear acceleration is a real pleasure, and the car feels stable on twisty roads.
Autosteer is nigh-on perfect on the motorway, keeping the car within its lane markings and allowing you to change lanes without touching the steering wheel. But it’s less confident on secondary roads, often becoming confused by faded lane markings and wanting to veer across two lanes of traffic. You can restrict the functionality of some of Autosteer’s features by touching Controls > Safety > Parental controls on the touchscreen.