Tesla Model Y: Review of the Most Family-Oriented Tesla

Larger than the Model 3 which serves as its base and up to 656 km of range, the Tesla Model Y is the best realization of the Californian manufacturer.

For several months now, Tesla Model Y Performance and Long Range sold in Europe come from Tesla’s new factory in Berlin (Germany). But currently, the Propulsion units delivered in France come from the company’s Chinese Gigafactory. This allows Elon Musk’s new SUV to maintain a higher assembly quality than what can be seen in cars built in the United States, even if the level of finish and materials used still lag behind the price asked.

Tesla Model Y: a more expensive Model 3

The Model Y is an SUV that pushes all the parameters more than a Model 3, the saloon on which it is based technically. It is 6 cm longer (4.75 m), 7 cm wider (1.92 m), and 18 cm taller (1.62 m). Its entry-level version currently features the motors and batteries of the “Long Range” Model 3. With its energy reserve of 74 kWh, the Tesla Model Y claims a homologated WLTP range of 533 km with 20-inch wheels from a recent update. At least, that’s on the wheels on our test model, as the American reaches 565 km in 19-inch wheels (standard fit). That’s quite impressive for a car equipped with two motors and four-wheel drive.

Very spacious and benefiting from a record-breaking trunk volume, this Tesla family SUV is priced from €64,990. That’s €2,000 more than the Model 3 with similar technology, but this price does not include the bonus, which disappears if the price exceeds €60,000.

The Tesla Model Y influences its followers

Buying a Tesla prompts users to adopt new habits. For example, there is no longer a physical key but a bank card-sized access card that allows them to unlock and start their car. They will quickly forget about it because most functions are accessible via a smartphone app, and the card is mainly used in case of breakdown (or if the phone is forgotten or out of battery). The Model Y even lacks a start button. You just need to take your seat and drive.

But choosing Tesla also means facing certain constraints. For example, the Tesla Model Y does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity, features that are common with competitors. However, its infotainment system includes Google Maps, which is displayed prominently on the central screen. You can send an address via the Tesla app, and navigation will activate when you arrive onboard. For music, the Model Y includes Spotify and (since November) Apple Music, but not Deezer, which it refuses to display on the screen. Disappointed drivers can console themselves with fireplace mode or, more fun, the “fart cushion” feature, which will surely liven up their trips with friends.

Overall, Tesla owners still benefit from some of the most innovative automotive computing features. They discover interesting alternatives to “mainstream” solutions, but they sometimes serve as guinea pigs to finalize the development of these technologies.

Controlling everything at your fingertips from inside the Model Y

The massive 15-inch (38 cm) touchscreen is undoubtedly the car’s main feature. Without it, almost nothing can be done — not even opening the glove box… However, its operating system is very smooth, ergonomic, enjoyable to handle, and offers shortcuts that make life easier. For example, it can lead you home or to work with a simple finger swipe on favorites. Like all Tesla vehicles, the Model Y SUV is essentially a computer, which becomes easy to use in an automotive context once well configured and familiarized with its universe.

Moreover, using the car is interesting. Setting aside its high-level performance (0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds) and good handling for such a large vehicle, it’s less nimble than a Model 3 due to its height and weight (two tons, with over 500 kg of battery), but offers a good level of comfort and driving enjoyment. Inside, the driver can explore a range of features, though there is little to manipulate in this minimalist universe: only a turn signal stalk and another for gear shifting. Everything else happens on the steering wheel (such as mirror adjustments), but mostly on the screen.

It’s also necessary to get used to the fact that the Tesla Model Y does not have a cluster of instruments. The driver has nothing to look at directly, nor a head-up display. You need to take your eyes off the road to access functions grouped in this large digital dash, which is quite easy to do.

Automatic Pilot and single-pedal driving

Another hallmark of Tesla is the autonomous character of its vehicles. The Tesla Model Y offers this in three levels:

• Standard Autopilot includes adaptive cruise control and active lane centering.
• Enhanced Autopilot (€3,800) adds assistance with lane entry and change. Simply activate the turn signal, and the car takes over. It does not exempt the driver from keeping hands on the wheel, but the maneuver is performed safely. It also assists with parking and can even move forward or backward automatically.
• For €7,500 (€3,700 more than enhanced Autopilot), full autonomous driving doors are available. But given current restrictive regulations in Europe, it’s better to avoid this costly and inappropriate option and enjoy what the car does best.

Then you can experiment with the new “squeeze” mode, which mostly allows driving using a single pedal (engine braking to a stop), or watch Netflix comfortably while the car is charging.

No fear of electric breakdown

It is also important to highlight that the app, the car, and its dedicated charging network form a triptych allowing you to fully enjoy your Tesla Model Y, especially on long trips. The vehicle receives a route planner that considers the charge level and automatically selects Superchargers for the trip. It is even possible to see available outlets and power before arriving at a station, and estimate stop times. Once plugged in, the car is recognized and charging starts automatically. There is nothing to do, and the cost is billed at the end of the month from the owner’s account. In this regard, nobody does it better.

During our test, we recorded an average of 21.3 kWh/100 km, an excellent score for the Tesla Model Y, despite enthusiastic driving on fairly flat roads in northern Denmark. At no point was range a concern since we instinctively knew Tesla is among the best regarding batteries and charging networks. This is also why the American manufacturer is now one of the sector’s references, having simultaneously worked on both vehicle software and deployment of its charging network. A feat that traditional automakers have yet to accomplish, even as the market rapidly grows and infrastructure is lacking.

Verdict: Our opinion on the Tesla Model Y Long Range

The Model Y is undoubtedly one of Tesla’s most refined models and the one best suited for families. Its good-range performance, excellent interior space, and driving pleasure check all the boxes for a trendy family SUV. But it remains expensive, and its build quality, especially finish, puts it far from German benchmarks such as the Audi Q4 e-tron or the BMW iX3. Nonetheless, nothing should prevent the Tesla Model Y from reaching the peak of its career.

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