Tesla’s Y raises the bar
After a few years of waiting, the Model Y has finally landed in New Zealand. Nile Bijoux tests it out on our roads.
Tesla hasn’t exactly been hurting for a lack of medium SUV offerings. It has consistently been at the top of the monthly registration lists (although that’s partially because it orders and ships in bulk), and as a result you see plenty of Model 3s out on the road. That means the Model Y, which has only just landed after a few years of waiting, should be hugely successful, based on the fact that everyone and their mum wants an SUV.
Outside
The Model Y is based on the Model 3, sharing around 75% of the same components, and that’s evident in its styling. The two look basically the same, but the Y is taller. They carry the same fastback roofline, sloping down towards the rear, and the same funny front end that I’m still unsure about. It’s almost certainly to do with aerodynamics and maximising range, but a fully covered nose doesn’t quite sit right with me. . . Looks better in the metal though, by quite a margin, especially the profile and rear end.
That extra height doesn’t translate into much more actual ride height, although there is a bump there. It seems to be mainly in the roofline, which means there’s more interior space.
Tesla has also widened the Y compared to the 3, allowing for a bigger boot and boot opening.
Our tester here is dressed in Deep Blue metallic paint, a $1700 option. White is standard. The wheels here are too, 19-inch ‘‘Gemini’’ rims, upgradeable to 20-inch ‘‘Induction’’ style units.
Much has been made of flushmounted door handles like the Model Y has, largely in regard to safety and getting people out in the event of a crash. I couldn’t say if the emergency functions for popping the handles out work or not, but I wouldn’t mind a light to find them at night.
Inside
More Model 3 here – in fact, it’s almost entirely the same. There’s a big central touchscreen, a minimal steering wheel, wood and artificial leather trim, a pair of wireless device charger slots, a fantastic audio system (the 13-speaker system that’s optional on the 3 is standard here) and five comfy seats with plenty of space for passengers.
I’m still yet to be convinced by the touchscreen approach. You definitely get used to it as time goes on but there are so many options and things to tap, read and swipe, it feels quite messy. A head-up display would alleviate a few issues, like looking down for speed, music and navigation, but, annoyingly, Tesla doesn’t currently offer that in the Y or 3.
It would also be nice to have a drive mode selector, but that’s less important in a family SUV.
Rearward vision is also poor, but there are plenty of cameras and sensors to help out. You also sit higher than I remember sitting in the 3, a product of sharing components but jacking the ride height. Rear passengers will be much happier here than in the