Tesla Model Y Real World Review – It’s A Bit Marmite and You Might Love It
There is Marmite
Then Croc shoes
Let’s not forget Black pudding
And lastly Apple products, which people very rarely sit on the fence about.
And then there is Tesla. See before I had a Tesla Y the only people I met, all told me how great Teslas were. I hadn’t driven one since the Tesla S came out and I then sat on a panel at an event and told the head of Europe for Tesla that it reminded me of a Ford Mondeo with an Ipad in the middle. So when I saw mycardirect had added the Tesla Model Y to its fleet, I thought let’s give it a go, see what all the hype is about, and while I am at it, try the new Model Y as I can get the dog crate in the back.
The first thing we should get straight, you will hear people call the Model 3 and Y very similar. Yes, they share a lot of the same floor plan, drive train, etc but they are quite different experiences.
The range –
So Tesla claims 300 miles plus range with the Model Y, and in the real world the Model Y comes close. Claimed range and real world range will always differ. I don’t do the biggest mileage and make lots of short journeys, the cold winter weather will also have some bearing. But in general, I was finding even on a long run, that the range was in the late 200s.
The ride The Drive –
When I swapped the Tesla for an Audi Q4 Etron, my 8-year-old’s first comment was, “well at least it’s not as noisy as the Tesla daddy”. The Model Y does not quite offer the vision of ghost quiet electric motoring the industry would like to sell us on, but the road noise isn’t intrusive. Then there is the rear suspension which unless you live somewhere with perfectly smooth roads, you are definitely going to notice when you are driving on B roads around the Cotswolds. Not sure how these issues were missed by the same Tesla product development department, that installs sonic the hedgehog in your car, or an external fart noise.
It’s quick and like all-electric cars, it delivers a lot of torque and instant power. The brakes are particularly good on it and with the auto brake function and find yourself never actually using the brake pedal. I managed 7 roundabouts in Milton Keynes without hitting the brake pedal.
In inclement conditions the Model Y performed admirably, with the dual motor all wheel drive set up making short work of the recent snowfall. The steering is light, and there is a sport setting to heavy the steering up, but in general easy to drive.
The Looks –
Tesla’s Model 3 has the Model Y on looks, they share the same front end, and it fits the saloon bodied Model 3 better than the Y. It is however a very practical shape, and the slight rear spoiler and smooth lines give it some sporty flair. Definitely one of those cars that looks better from the back.
The Cockpit experience –
Very few controls and most things are controlled via the central screen. This is fine, except that you find yourself having to take your eyes off the road at times. Even the speedo is in the center so again it takes some getting used to. I would love to see how the fittings and dashboard age in the next few years, the Model Y features almost exclusively digital controls, and as Tesla release frequent over the air updates the experience could change rapidly.
One thing Tesla has done well is provide space. It has a lot of space inside it when you compare it to say the Audi Q4 Etron.
The autonomous mode is very good, and on the motorway the Model Y more or less drives itself. Currently I think BMW does it a bit better, certainly in the iX50 I had, but Tesla’s gets better with time, a new traffic light update was released while I had the vehicle.
The Competition –
If we looked at the direct range at mycardirect and AAM Group then it would have to be the Audi Q4 Etron and the BMW ix3. Both strong competitors to the Tesla Y if you want an electric vehicle that feels more traditional.
Living with it –
Tesla is getting there with build quality, but still a small way to go. However, if you have a family then it’s an easy car to live with. The boot is cavernous, and the screen does a fantastic job of entertaining the little ones. The only complaint I had was the credit card key can only lock the car from the driver’s door pillar. This is another lovely gimmick however until you have a 5-year-old standing on the pavement next to a busy road waiting for you to lock the car. The Tesla app is good and easy to use, it’s always welcome to step into a car that can warm itself up before you get into it. The Tesla charging station is amazing it has to be said, not cheap to use but good nonetheless.
You will hate the rear view out the back window of the car, or should I say the lack of it. It really is quite bad, which is why you end up with cameras everywhere on the Model Y and find yourself deciding which one to look at when in reverse.
My Verdict –
Tesla has done an amazing job with their brand. In some ways, they have become a bit like Apple products and once you are locked into the brand it might be hard to move away. If you don’t need the space (The Model Y is configured as a 7 seater in the US market), then you might want the Model 3, which solves the ride and rear visibility issues the Model Y suffers from.
I love marmite, and I love black pudding, love Apple products but cannot stand crocs. I have not converted to being a Tesla true believer, but I have stepped foot in the church, and can see where the Tesla fanatics get their zeal.
David Murray-Hundley