Y the long wait?
£54,990
FOR Clever interior space, seamless performance
AGAINST Handling and detail oversights smack of immaturity
Eighteen months after Tesla’s fourth four-door went on sale in the USA, the entry level Tesla crossover is beginning to trickle into Europe. But even now we’re stuck with a left-hand-drive Dutch-registered demonstrator, as fully fledged European Model Y deliveries don’t kick off until Tesla’s brand new Berlin ‘Gigafactory’ is up and running. So, 2022 then. Barring any supply chain disasters.
The Model Y is longer and wider than the Model 3 it looks like a somewhat ungainly, Photoshop-made-real stretched version of, but the new slope-roofed hatchback crossover shares 75 per cent of its parts with the hugely popular notchback saloon. Including, at launch, a single option of a 75kWh battery with dual motor AWD, offering 434bhp. A 563bhp Model Y Performance comes next year, snipping the 0–60mph time from 5.0secs dead to an internet pleasing 3.5 seconds.
If you’re holding out for the seven-seater, maybe buy a Merc EQB instead. Tesla says it has “no timeline for other seat configurations”. So, as per the Cybertruck, the Semi, the Roadster, the quad bike (and the Y itself), expect a wait.
If you’ve pre-ordered one of these based on the Model 3’s hype, you’ll like it. Same 15in touchscreen for all functions and features, whether you like it or not. Same inert, arcade game lightness to the controls. Same actual video games built into the monitor. Better build quality than the last few 3s we’ve had, on the evidence of this particular Y – a Long Range Dual Motor with a claimed WLTP range of 314 miles.
The Performance drops that to 298 miles. With only one day in the car it’s impossible to be definitive, but 270 miles should be a safe bet, easily trumping the VW ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E Extended Range runs it closer, but doesn’t have 6,500 dedicated rapid chargers in Europe as a deal sweetener.
Inside there’s room for five adults and all their luggage. The glass roof carves out impressive headroom that negates the swooping roofline, though rear visibility is appalling and there’s no back wiper. Odd really: in some ways this is a deeply practical car. But spotting the extremities while parking or simply adjusting the mirrors is a royal pain.
The ride’s unsettled too: lazily sprung, as if Tesla thinks its audience won’t care about dynamic polish because they’ll be too distracted by the gimmicks, foolproof infrastructure, clever packaging and sublime performance. It may well be correct. Been a while coming, but these hunched teardrops are going to be everywhere within months.