Tesla Model Y Long Range
UBIQUITOUS EV COMBINES POPULARITY WITH GENUINE ABILITY
THE COUPE-CROSSOVER carves keenly into the long left sweeper, settling onto its outside tyres with a neutral midcorner attitude before riding a syrupy tidal wave of torque from apex to exit.
We haven’t previously been that enamoured with the Model Y’s dynamics, previously tested in base RWD and flagship Performance guises, yet the ride and handling of the mid-spec Long Range is proving to be surprisingly good – at least on our long country test loop.
We’d love to explain why this variant seems better to drive, but it would be easier to stage our own mission to Mars in a SpaceX rocket than extract specific information out of Tesla.
It’s almost impossible to escape Australia’s best-selling electric medium SUV, probably in ubiquitous Deep Blue like our test car – in a traffic jam, at the shopping centre, or in your neighbour’s driveway. The Model Y was private Aussie buyers’ favourite car in 2023.
In this trim, it produces 286kW and 510Nm unofficially (did we mention that Tesla is not big on providing specs), does 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.0sec, and unofficially draws from a 75kWh (usable) nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery to provide a claimed WLTP range of 533km. Our testing suggested a real-world 424km.
Taking advantage of 250kW DC fast-charging capability, the Model Y is said to add 261km of range in 15 minutes, and our pit stop at a suburban Sydney Supercharger suggested this claim is on the money.
Highly equipped from the $65,400 (plus ORC) rear-drive range-opener, North America’s Shanghai-built SUEV brings a 15.0-inch touchscreen display, dual wireless smartphone charging, a glass roof, synthetic leather, a 13-speaker sound system, powered front seats, heated seats and steering wheel, powered tailgate, a dashcam, and 19-inch alloys.
To this, the $13K-pricier Long Range adds dual-motor AWD and … LED fog lights. Our tester came in extra-cost Deep Blue Metallic (of course) with a white interior for $1500 apiece.
On the safety front, every Model Y packs seven airbags including a front-centre unit, and safety tech such as AEB, blind-spot assist, lane-keep assist, reverse and side-view cameras, tyre-pressure monitoring, automatic high beam, and an intelligent speed limiter.
The Tesla offers out its neat flush door handles by way of an introduction and, with the brand’s reputedly rising build quality, they’re increasingly unlikely to come off in your hand.
Cool frameless door glass provides a fleeting nostalgia hit because, from here on in, futuristic minimalism pervades.
The brand-signature central infotainment display dominates the cabin by virtue of its sheer size, and the fact you need to interact with it to do anything in a Model Y. The Tesla’s is certainly not the most intuitive interface if you’re fond of, say, wiper stalks or climate-control buttons, but it may be okay if you were raised by an iPad.
Think of the whitest thing you can, then add a bottle of White King, and you have the Y’s optional upholstery. It’s bright! And highly unlikely to hold up to the ravages of family life. It’s also non-ventilated and unperforated vinyl, so expect to suffer some form of builder’s crack on baking summer days.
There’s more matte-white on the dash and door trims – which also feature Alcantara inserts – and, just to brighten up the place, that massive glass roof (which also does a fine job of heating up the cabin).
A three-position backrest, a flat floor and central air-con outlets feature in the spacious second-row, with a huge cargo bay behind – accessed through a generous aperture – featuring a shallow loading lip and an Esky-sized bin beneath. There’s also a 117-litre front boot.
Driving the Model Y is as easy as tapping your key card behind the console cupholders, then selecting Drive using the column stalk (now gone from the updated Model 3 sedan twin) while pressing the brake. The Tesla conquers city driving effortlessly, though its fixed-rate regen is overly draggy for some tastes and its low-speed ride is often busy – and noisy. At suburban speeds, the Model Y’s poise, grip, and quick, crisp steering satisfy. It carries these qualities into its back-road behaviour while confidently despatching all but the biggest hits, which ruffle the chassis’ composure.
Like them or not, the most potent EVs have twin-turbo-V8-grade torque, and shifting the Tesla from 60km/h to 110 simply requires a brief stretch of your right foot’s toes. It’s impressive performance.
Yet Tesla’s attempt to simultaneously status signal and virtue signal surely violates one of the fundamental laws of nature.
If its popularity is any guide, the Tesla Model Y is the height of automotive fashion. It’s not, however – it’s merely a reminder that we are herd animals. I mean, how else do you explain why 28,769 buyers last year overlooked cooler and more polished alternatives to choose this stylistic nod to the Little Tykes Cozy Coupe? JW
Think of the whitest thing you can, add a bottle of White King, and you have the Y’s interior trim