Tesla Model Y Review

Range

Just like the Model 3, there are three versions of the Model Y to choose from. The Long Range, as its name implies, offers more miles between charges and is claimed to return 351 miles (when fitted with 19-inch wheels or 331 with 20-inch alloys). The extra oomph you get from the Performance does have a negative impact on its range, but Tesla says it'll still be able to travel up to 319 miles – not bad for a car that can get from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds!  The standard Model Y, with its single electric motor, is no slouch either. The brand claims 0-60mph in just 6.6 seconds, and a maximum range of 267 miles for this version. 

Battery 

The Performance version or the Long Range and both come with one of Tesla’s big batteries. At 75kW it’s a simplified version of the power pack that’s been used in the big Model S for some time, so it’s been perfected over the years and can be relied upon. Unlike plenty of other rival electric cars which tend to use underpinnings converted to carry batteries, the Model Y has been designed from the outset to be an electric car. So the space between the wheels is where the batteries are, and they are nice and low down to improve the car’s weight distribution. The regular Model Y's cell is smaller, at 55kWh. 

Charging 

Flip open the charging port – which is neatly on the left wing within the rear lights – and there you’ll find a Type 2 port with CCS charging. So that means you can charge at home from a 7kW wallbox or a 50kW rapid charger and the Model Y will take around eight hours and one hour respectively. But, of course, buying a Tesla opens up so much more opportunities than any other electric car. Tesla owners can take advantage of the Supercharger network, and when you plug in a Model Y, an 80% charge will take around 30 minutes. You have to pay to use Superchargers with the Model Y, but the ability to use them is a priceless part of owning a Tesla.