Tesla recently rejigged the specifications of its Model 3 and Model Y EVs, offering new rear-wheel-driven, long-range variants of the best selling duo. For the Model Y in particular, that means the entry level model is now designated as a long-range variant – with a starting price of £46,990 and a claimed range of up to 373 miles.
With this new £46k entry to the Model Y range, it’s got a number of all-electric alternatives around the same price point – such as the Ford Explorer, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Hyundai IONIQ 5. But how does this latest Model Y stack up against its competition?
First Impressions
You won’t notice any visual changes compared to older Model Ys, with Tesla instead focusing their effort on the technical side – including a higher-density battery pack, more efficient tyres, all while still providing more power than the previous entry to the Y range.
Unlike the facelifted Model 3, the Y, for now at least, retains physical stalks for indicators, windscreen wipers, autopilot, and the gear selector, rather than smaller buttons on the wheel – which I’m sure many, including myself, will see as a plus point. The two wireless charging pads under the central screen are a nice touch, with this sans-cable phone charging helping keep the clutter-free look of the interior.
In the past, Tesla interior quality has been criticised – but I’m pleased to report that this latest example was squeak and rattle-free. Compared to a 2019 Model X I was recently in, this Y feels far ahead when it comes to fit and finish.
Sitting in the front seats you’d be hard pressed to tell whether you were in the Y or the 3, other than the higher driving position. However, the rear seats and boot area are where the Y shines over the more affordable 3. Rear legroom is impressive, thanks to the completely flat floor and large footwells that reach under the front seats. Boot space is impressive as it stands, but folding the rear seats down turns the Y into a serious cargo hauler.
It’s also great to see EV-specific tyres on the car from the factory – specifically, a set of EV-tuned rubber from Hankook. Not all EV manufacturers are using such rubber from the factory, but the Model Y certainly benefits from these. Foam inside the tyre helps eliminate tyre noise that, in a conventional ICE car, would be unnoticeable over the hum of an engine, while tyres like these have lower rolling resistance, increasing efficiency for maximum range and are designed to cope with the relatively higher level of power EVs push onto the tarmac. As a side note, if you’ve purchased a cheap used EV recently, it might be worth getting a fresh set of EV-specific rubber like these.
On the road
Road noise on the Y is minimal, while the vegan leather seats offer plenty of support – which makes it an easy car to cover significant distance in, backing up its ‘Long Range’ model name. The suspension is a little firm at lower speeds and on rough roads, but on motorways and faster roads, the ride gets smoother.
Performance, even on this entry to the range, is way more than adequate, offering up a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds. This sounds impressive on paper, but it’s that 30 to 60 mph acceleration that impresses the most. Sure, something like the Model Y Performance can beat supercars when it comes to number comparisons, but a model like this gives performance that is actually usable in the real world.
Charging and Efficiency
Owing to both the Y’s large battery capacity, and my ability to charge up at home every night, I only needed to use a public charger once during my week with the car, making use of one of Tesla’s Supercharging sites along the M5. While public charging tends to be more expensive than at home, the price per kWh on Tesla Superchargers tends to be lower than the competition, particularly if you’re plugging in a Tesla – which are granted an additional price discount on this.
When I did need to use a public charger, the Tesla’s screen did a good job of highlighting nearby charging stations – with a filter ability helping you to only highlight the fastest charging stations, for example, which you’ll really want to be using on a long journey. Like the majority of new EVs these days, the navigation routing automatically highlights chargers along the route, recommending places to stop and recharge if required.
When it came to range, over multiple trips adding up to 158 miles, my energy consumption stood at about 3.77 miles per kWh. This included motorways, short trips, and city driving (where its efficiency is more apparent). Calculate that against the Y’s usable battery capacity of 75kWh, and you’d be looking at a range of around 282 miles. That’s below the 373 miles quoted, but about the same shortfall you’d see with other EVs in comparable conditions. If you stuck to lower-speed driving, it’s easy to see the Y hitting that figure.
I wasn’t trying to eke efficiency out of the car either, still using energy-zapping features like the heated seats, heated steering wheel, air conditioning, and sticking to 70mph on the motorways – rather than a more efficient 50 or 60. It’s great to know that there are now EVs that can top near 300 miles without having to constantly keep an eye on your consumption figures, nullifying the argument that ‘EVs don’t have enough range’. Who can really drive for more than 300 miles without a recharge for both yourself and the car, anyway? Not me, that’s for sure.
Conclusion
With the Model Y range now starting at £46,990, it’s reminds me of the Ford Explorer I tested a couple of weeks ago. In its Extended Range form, it quotes a near identical 374 miles of range in Extended Range form, and starts at a very similar on the road price of £45,875. Both models offer very similar levels of comfort and performance, and the Explorer certainly stands out against the Model Y’s more conservative design. However, the Tesla’s infotainment system, along with the intuitive Tesla phone app, pips the Explorer when it comes to the technology department.
Being the most efficient Model Y ever launched is an impressive feat, but if it’s all out range you’re looking for and you still want the Tesla brand, then the updated Model 3 Long Range is a better option – with a higher quoted range of 436 miles, albeit with less room on the inside.
The Model Y is becoming an increasingly common sight on the road, and gone are the days where spotting a Tesla was a rare moment. The Y was the best selling car in the world last year, and continues to be the best selling EV in Europe. After my week’s trial with it, despite a few minor complaints, when you consider the overall package, it’s clear to see how it has achieved this sales record.
