Model Y
Mention the name ‘Tesla‘ to someone and, unless they happen to be an electrical engineer or a historian with insight into the man behind the name (Nikola Tesla), they’ll more than likely have a basic knowledge of the car brand. Mr. Musk would no-doubt come up, but that fact that this is a car company that’s only ever utilised electric power is also pretty well known.
Tesla’s only been building cars on a grand scale for 12 years and yet it’s quickly become the brand synonymous with the electric car revolution: think electric car, say Tesla – a bit like think vacuum cleaner, say Hoover.
Yet, despite this global fame, Tesla’s cars retain a certain air of exclusivity. Tell someone you drive a Tesla and they can’t help but be a little impressed.
Biggest selling electric car?
That’s quite strange, when you think about it, because the car we’ve been spending some time with recently is this; the Tesla Model Y, and last year it was the world’s biggest-selling car. Not just the biggest-selling electric car, by the way, the biggest-selling car. Full stop.
It’s not the biggest-seller in the UK, though, that crown sits firmly atop the head of Ford’s Fiesta spiritual successor – the Puma, but the Model Y was in the top ten here too. That popularity in both the UK & globally is despite the Model Y starting at over £40K and the local equivalent, so what makes it such a big seller?
The Model Y is based on the smallest Tesla currently on sale; the Model 3 – the outgoing model, by the way, not the new one. It’s longer and taller than the 3 but look at it head on and you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference. No engine means no need for a grille but I’ve always felt that takes some of the character of the car’s ‘face’ away – note that the new 3 is far more determined looking, maybe the Model Y will go in the same direction.
Tesla interior still impresses
Inside is where the Model Y stands apart from the 3 and is where it possibly impresses most thanks to its clever use of space. Batteries and electric motors tend to take up less room than the equivalent fuel tank, internal combustion engine and all the ancillaries they come with so the Model Y is positively cavernous inside compared to the more traditional opposition.
That sense of roominess is amplified by the clean Tesla dash we’ve become accustomed to now. The only physical controls you’ll find are two multi-purpose click-wheels on the rather diminutive steering wheel, plus the controls for the electric windows. Opening the door requires you to push a button too, but that’s far less clumsy than an old-fashioned handle.
The minimalist dash with its aged-effect wood contrasting the crystal clear, oversized central tablet display still has a certain wow factor in the Model Y but I still long for an actual speedo behind the steering wheel and a smattering of buttons and switches.
Useable range, and it’s accurate
Two huge selling points for Tesla have always been performance and range and the Model Y doesn’t disappoint in either field. The base model RWD version which starts at £44,990 has a 283 miles range and will do 0-60 mph in 6.6s, going on to a max 135 mph. Go for the dual motor, AWD Long Range model like we have here and possible range goes up to 331 miles and 0-60 mph drops to 4.8s, that’ll set you back £52,990. The most powerful Model Y is the AWD Performance. It starts at £59,990 but for that you get a 155 mph top speed and 60 mph comes around in an impressive 3.5s. You do sacrifice a bit of range, though, that drops to 319 miles.
Tesla’s Supercharger network for rapid, on-the-go charging is still a huge draw for potential customers. The Model Y may not get free access but it does accept rapid charging, adding a potential 150 miles in under 15 minutes. Tesla’s clever usability in the shape of over the air updates, self-driving where permitted, sentry mode, dog mode and of course, the always amusing fart mode also set the Model Y apart from the competition.
One aspect of the Model Y that’s had an upgrade recently is in terms of refinement. Obviously engine noise isn’t a Model Y kind of problem but that can accentuate any tyre road and wind noise from mirrors etc and that becomes irritating, especially at high speed. Thankfully it’s been all but eliminated in the Model Y and occupants can just enjoy the light, airy feel inside that the standard glass roof brings.
Is the Model Y perfect, then?
So, the Model Y is a great car, no doubt about it, but is it perfect? The short answer is no. The ride for one loses out to some of the competition who’ve realised there’s more to an electric car than simply being electric. The Tesla key-card is an invention for the sake of invention. It can only unlock and lock the car by physically pressing it against the driver’s side B-pillar; not great if you want to access the passenger side or your hands are full and it’s raining. The car can be controlled via an app, admittedly but a key-fob would have been adequate back up.
The rear visibility is absolutely dreadful thanks to the size and angle of the rear windscreen. This isn’t helped by not having a rear wiper. We do still feel that some more controls should be physical buttons and dials rather than options buried in a touchscreen, too. The 15” screen taken from the Model 3 looks impressive and the clean lines of the dash are very Instagram friendly but heat controls etc that you want to access quickly should just be on hand. As should a physical speedometer.
Should I buy a Model Y?
In the big scheme of things these points are minor, though, and they don’t really detract from how impressive the Model Y is as an overall package. Is it cheap? No, but it’s competitively priced in the same ballpark as cars such as Skoda’s Enyaq and Nissan’s Ariya. If Tesla did what they’ve been threatening to do for some time and brought out a seven-seat Model Y, it’d probably be untouchable.
By Ben Harrington
The Tesla Model Y is available now, priced from £44,990. For full details go to: www.tesla.com
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