2020 Tesla Model Y: What's It Like to Live With?
We bought a 2020 Tesla Model Y Dual Motor Performance. How is the build quality? How fast is it? Is it a true performance small luxury SUV? Follow our ownership experience to find out.
| Miles Driven | Average Electricity Consumption (kWh/100 mi) |
| 33,358 | 40.9 |
Latest Highlights
- More firmware updates
- Ride comfort is still an issue
- NEW VIDEO: Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Tesla Model Y
- Welcome our Model Y to the 25,000-mile club!
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What We Bought And Why
• Our test vehicle: 2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive Performance
• Base MSRP: $61,125
• MSRP as tested: $68,700
• What we paid: $68,700
Our 2017 Tesla Model 3 Long Range had a rocky start. At one point we had so many problems that we dedicated a channel in Slack to it just to document it all. But then last year, we named the 2020 model our Top Rated Electric Car. Clearly, things can improve.
So when Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the Tesla Model Y, which essentially appeared to be an SUV version of the Model 3, we paid close attention. We also put a pre-order in as soon as the website would accept it. The Tesla Model 3 is great. Wouldn't one with a larger interior and more cargo space be an even better electric vehicle? Buying a Model Y was the best way to find out.
What Did We Get?
After owning two single-motor and rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3s back to back, we decided to go big with our Model Y. Doing so meant ordering the All-Wheel Drive Performance trim, as it's described on our sales documents. When we ordered it, this trim level had a starting price of $61,125 (including destination), though Tesla Model Y prices have changed since we placed our pre-order in March 2019.
We also selected the Model Y's no-cost Performance Upgrade that adds 21-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, a lower suspension and the all-important aluminum alloy pedals. This upgrade drops Tesla's range estimate from 315 miles to 280 miles, but it increases the top speed from 145 mph to 155 mph. The 0-60 mph claim of 3.5 seconds is unaffected.
All the previous Teslas we've owned have muted exterior colors (including our Signature Red Model X), so for the Model Y we went with the Red Multi-Coat paint ($2,500 at the time of our order). It's the fastest color there is, OK? And judging by everyone's reactions so far, this was the right color choice.
Lastly, we went one step above Autopilot and checked the box for Full Self-Driving Capability ($5,000 at the time of our order). Whether this capability will actually be realized during our ownership of the Model Y is a subject of much discussion (and a fair amount of eye-rolling), but we wanted to be ready just in case.
Why Did We Get It?
After owning a Model S, a Model X and two Model 3s, it seems silly to stop now. (We also have a Cybertruck on order.) In all seriousness, Tesla continues to provide one of the most fascinating vehicle ownership experiences out there, electric car or otherwise, and the Tesla Model Y represents an even stronger mainstream offering than the Model 3. With that in mind, we want to see how well it measures up to daily life with our staff. We're also interested in assessing build quality, which has been an issue with the majority of Teslas we've owned. Lastly, the Model Y is a small luxury SUV that Tesla says can do 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and 155 mph. What's not to like?
Edmunds purchased this vehicle for the purpose of evaluation.
2020 Tesla Model Y: Real-World Fuel Economy
It's been two years since we first took ownership of the Model Y and we're not close to the EPA-estimated 30 kWh for combined driving. Remember, a lower number is better when it comes to electric vehicle fuel economy figures. We've only beat the EPA estimate on a handful of occasions. We'll chalk this up to the lead feet on staff, as our Performance model has gone through a number of drag tests and spirited driving.
Average lifetime consumption (kWh/100 miles): 40.9
EPA rating (kWh/100 miles): 30 combined (29 city, 32 highway)
Best consumption (kWh/100): 25.6
Best range: 242.8
Average range: 105.1
Current odometer: 33,358
"One of the perks of owning an electric vehicle is that sometimes you can park in special parking spaces in commercial centers, that are for EVs only. Often they are paired with a charging station so that you can top off while running your errands. This weekend I went to the Getty Center, located high on a hill, facing the west side of Los Angeles. The parking lot seemed full, but I was able to find the EV spaces, which were in a prime spot close to the elevators. This may be an LA thing, because there was a separate section for Teslas (since they have a proprietary charge cord) and then one of other EVs. After my visit to the museum, I returned to find the Model Y on a full charge. The cherry on top was that the charge was free!" — Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
The Edmunds test team has evaluated a 2021 Tesla Model Y on our real-world EV range loop. It fared better than our long-term performance Model Y but still failed to meet its EPA estimated range. This has been a common trend when with other Teslas we've tested. Read this story to find out more:
TESTED: 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range Falls Just Short of EPA Range
"Tesla's proprietary DC fast charging network — aka, the Supercharger network — is a huge advantage for driving long distances. It's far and away the most convenient system in my experience. First of all, there are way more charging locations than what other third-party charging networks (such as Electrify America) currently have. These locations are all nicely integrated into a Tesla's onboard navigation system, too. To use a Supercharger, you simply back into the space, connect the charger cable and let it do its work. You don't have to fiddle with a charging unit touchscreen, a mobile app or anything else. The per kWh charges for electricity are reasonably priced and are automatically applied to a credit card that you keep on file. Tesla also does a better job of building its stations near convenient locations with shopping and bathrooms." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
The SuperCharger network is great
"I finally used the Supercharger network for the first time and ... it's pretty great. The chargers work, there's no messy interface to screw around with, and they charge the vehicle quickly. As a selling point for an electric vehicle goes, you can do worse!" — Jake Sundstrom, editor
Our Model Y is starting to show some wear
"Recently the carbon-fiber spoiler began to detach from the liftgate, and we didn't know at what rate it would continue. In order to prevent it from disconnecting more or completely, we taped it until we had it repaired. We made an appointment through the Tesla app for body work and explained exactly what our issue was. About two weeks later, we drove our Model Y to the West Los Angeles Tesla service center where an adviser inspected the spoiler and its flaw. The adviser told us it was a quick fix and that it would be covered under warranty. Our Model Y was ready that same day, but we picked it up the following day. The spoiler was reattached and looked sturdy. Our spoiler and liftgate were cleaned up from any residue left behind from adhesives and the repair. Our experience was fantastic, and kudos to the adviser for being so kind, knowledgeable and quick." — Albert Hernandez, editorial assistant
We received notice of a recall for our Model Y but as of yet have not received any updates to address the problem. Here's the recall notice in full:
NHTSA Recall Number 22V702
Summary
on certain model year 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles, model year 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles and model year 2019-2022 Model Y vehicles to correct performance of automatic window reversal systems to comply with regulatory standards
Safety Risk
We are not aware of any crashes or injuries related to this condition. Before closing a window, ensure that the window travel path is clear of any obstructions.
Remedy
A software update which includes the remedy that ensures compliances of the vehicle's automatic window reversal system to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 118, Section 5 is expected to deploy over-the-air (OTA) beginning October 2022
"The right side foglight on our long-term Tesla Model Y had sunken into the bumper. It was something my colleague Carlos Lago pointed out in our one-year summary video 'How Reliable Is a 2020 Tesla Model Y After a Year?' (go to minute 9:07). Yes, that video was shot roughly a year ago, but I think it 'hibernated' sometime before we shot our 'Drag Race! Tesla Model Y vs. Porsche Taycan' video in January 2021. That video marks the first time I was able to spot it on film. So, yeah it's been a while. But there was no rush to get it fixed, so it slid down our priority list until now.
"I requested a service appointment, through the Tesla app, in February of this year (2022). The soonest appointment available was nearly a month later, on March 17. It was a mobile service appointment, so I didn't have to leave home. Pretty convenient. Tesla gives you a five-hour window for their technician to show up. Mine was 7 a.m.-12 p.m. The mechanic arrived at about 9 a.m. or so.
"I also used this appointment to address other outstanding items. The trim on the interior of the B-pillar [door pillar], where the seat belt attaches, had not only become loose, but it was also affecting the operation of the sliding seat-belt adjusting mechanism. Finally, the driver's side sun-visor clip had come apart from the headliner. Kurt had pointed this out in April 2021, which we chronicled on this page, in the interior section.
"One problem I realized with Tesla mobile service is that while it is convenient, the repair guy doesn't have access to other parts that might be needed. For example, I was asked to send in a photo of the sunken foglight, before the appointment. Presumably, their techs looked at it and made a prediction of what would be needed. Our guy brought a new foglight assembly.
"But once the mechanic got a look at it in person, a new bracket is what was needed, which is something that is glued to the bumper. He mentioned that it needed a high-strength glue that he had in the shop. But to his credit, he said he'd check what he had in his truck to see if he could find a workaround.
"I went back into my apartment and about an hour later, I received a call from the technician. He was able to install the new foglight and glued the bracket with whatever he had in his truck. He also performed an "Interior Component/Trim/Seal Adjustment" on the door pillar trim and sun visor clip. The work was covered under the factory warranty, so we were not charged for the service.
"Days out of service: Zero
Total cost: $0
"So far the repairs on the foglight and door pillar trim have held up, but the sun-visor clip popped back out a few weeks later. It'll have to wait until the next service." — Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
"My co-worker Ron Montoya and I were wondering how our Model Y's tires are holding up now that we've got, as I write this, about 11,800 miles on the odometer. Our editorial team has certainly done more performance driving than what you might expect from the typical Model Y owner. Pleasingly, the Pirelli P Zero performance tires still have a respectable amount of tread left. I didn't notice any abnormal wear on the inner or outer edges, either." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
"We had a front tire go flat on us recently. Luckily, I was at home when I noticed it. The culprit was a nail stuck in the tread of the tire. I called Tesla's roadside service and they gave me a two options: Get towed to the Tesla service center, where they'd provide a 'loaner wheel' while they repaired our actual wheel. This option would get me back on the road that same day. Or wait for the following day, when there was an opening for Tesla's tire repair service. The latter seemed more convenient and I didn't have anywhere important to go that day, so I opted for the mobile repair service.
"Tesla gave us a three-hour window and the repair main arrived on time. He drove a Ford cargo van that was practically a tire shop on the inside. It was fully stocked with all the tools needed to repair and mount a tire.
"Lucky for us the puncture was repairable. The Tesla repairman was able to patch it and our Model Y was drivable within the hour. The repair fee was $78, which is pretty good, considering we never had to go anywhere.
"If it had needed a new tire, we called America's Tire for comparison and the cost was going to be around the $350 range plus labor. Tesla's roadside price would be comparable, but we'd have the convenience of having them come to us. It was a good experience overall." — Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
"During the Model Y's last service appointment, the technician tipped me off to a service bulletin on the A/C system that this Tesla might qualify for. Around that same time, I did note a musty odor coming from the vents, and it served as a reminder to get that looked at. This one required a visit to the Tesla service department, rather than the mobile service. Luckily, there was one about 10 miles away from my home. I booked an appointment and took the car in.
"There were about three people ahead of me in the service drive, and the place seemed to be busy. I counted at least 20 Teslas parked outside, plus another eight to 10 in the service bays. While I was there, I figured I'd mention a couple other issues that were worth looking into.
"I've been noticing a rattling sound coming from the driver's side window, when lowered. Lastly, I told our service adviser about a clicking noise coming from the front passenger left side at low speeds. Our service adviser had no idea about the service bulletin, though he later looked it up and and found it in the system.
"Not mentioning these extra items during the initial appointment booking turned out to be an issue as our service adviser noted that they book the time slots based on the issue you report and having the tech look at something else would "put you at the bottom of the list. But I'll see what we can do."
"I dropped off the Model Y on Friday morning and let him know I needed it by Tuesday morning at the latest. This would give them about three working days (Friday, Saturday and Monday). He didn't seem confident that they'd be able to address all the issues.
"There were no loaners available at this location, so instead they were giving customers $400 Uber vouchers. Flush with credits that would expire in five days, I called up my ride and paid extra for the solo Comfort option. The voucher did not cover the tip for the driver, so I had to pay out of pocket for those. The following day I took the liberty of taking a few Uber rides to do some beer tasting with a friend.
"9:30 a.m., Monday: I've yet to hear any update from the service adviser. I use the Tesla mobile app to send a message to the service department, asking about the status and reminding them that I need the car on Tuesday.
"11:04 a.m.: 'Good morning, Model Y is currently in queue for diagnosis. I will follow up this afternoon with status.'
"3:52 p.m.: I ask for another status update and add that 'I am coming to pick up the vehicle Tuesday morning, whether it is fixed or not.' We needed the Model Y cleaned and charged for a video shoot the following day.
"4:03 p.m.: 'Good afternoon, our tech is addressing the concerns on the Model Y now.'
"In other words, the car was sitting all weekend and hadn't been looked at until Monday afternoon.
"I arrive back at the service department on Tuesday morning. The car is not ready. I ask if I can wait for it, hoping it will put some pressure on them to wrap it up quickly. Our adviser tells me it won't be done until 5 p.m. or so. I politely tell him that I need the vehicle for work and I had let them know from the beginning that I'd need it by Tuesday.
"Two of the three action items were addressed:
1. Air conditioner
-The high and low refrigerant pressure temperature sensors were replaced. (warranty)
- "Kool-It" foam evaporator cleaner was used to get rid of the foul odors plus they replaced the cabin filter. (customer pay)
2. Rattling window
- The left front window regulator was replaced. (warranty)
"The third issue regarding the clicking noise called for them to 'reseal the upper control arm ball joints.'
"It would be covered under warranty, but I'd have to return at a later date. The dealer porter pulled the Model Y up a few minutes later and I was back on the road.
Total parts cost: $50.50
Total labor cost: $96.75
Final cost with sales tax: $152.05
Days out of service: 4
Due to Tesla's delay in repairing the items from our last maintenance appointment, I had to take the car out of the shop so that I could go to work. This meant that there was one outstanding repair to be taken care of. There was a clicking noise coming from the front right-side suspension.
Here was the diagnosis:
Concern: Customer states: Clicking sound coming from the front passenger side wheel, when I go over bumps and move the steering wheel.
Diagnosed and Replaced LH (Includes Alignment Check) Front Upper Control Arm. Replaced RH (Includes Alignment) Front Upper Control Arm. Replaced LH (Dual Motor) Front Hub. Replaced RH (Dual Motor) Front Hub.
Correction: Control Arm - Upper - Front - LH (Includes Alignment Check) (Remove & Replace)
Parts Replaced or Added
Part Quantity
FR UPR CTRL ARM 1.00 ASSY, LEFT
HAND(1044321-00-J)
Correction: Control Arm - Upper - Front - RH (Includes Alignment Check) (Remove & Replace)
Parts Replaced or Added
Part Quantity
0.00
1 of 4
Service Center hourly rate: USD 215
FR UPR CTRL ARM 1.00 ASSY, RH(1044326-00- J)
Correction: Hub - Front - LH (Dual Motor) (Remove & Replace)
Parts Replaced or Added
Part Quantity
HUB ASSY, 1.00 DRIVEN(1044121-00-E)
Correction: Hub - Front - RH (Dual Motor) (Remove & Replace)
Parts Replaced or Added
Part Quantity
HUB ASSY, 1.00 DRIVEN(1044121-00-E)
Pay Type: Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty
TLDR: They replaced the front left and right upper control arms and hubs in the suspension, plus the left and right hubs. Lastly, they threw in an alignment to make sure everything was properly set up.
This was repaired free of charge and, while it isn't listed on the receipt, this repair seems to be a common issue and is part of a service bulletin.
Total cost: $0
Days out of service: 1
"Senior Consumer Advice Editor Ron Montoya took our Model Y in for service ahead of an upcoming video shoot.
"Our Tesla Model Y is going compete in an upcoming U-Drag race, so we needed to make sure the tires and brakes were in good shape. Safety first, right? I made an appointment via the Tesla app, and found an opening for the following week. This service qualified for a mobile service, so I didn't have to leave home.
"The technician arrived midway through the 4 hour window I was given. I thought that the wheels would need to come off in order to get better access to the brake pads, but the Tesla guy was able to fit his brake pad measuring tool through the spokes of the wheels. The front pads had 8mm remaining and the rears had 6mm remaining. We were in good shape. He also examined the brake fluid, as the owners manual calls for an inspection every two years. The reservoir was located just behind the front trunk, under a soft, plastic cover. The brake fluid looked clean and it was at the max level. Our technician said he'd seen some Teslas go about 10 years without needing to replace the brake fluid.
"The last item was to check the tread of the tires and a possible rotation, since we'd never had it done. But it wasn't necessary, as Model Y performance models have staggered tires and according to the technician, a lateral rotation would not provide much benefit.
"Our paperwork says the tread depth on the tires were estimated to be 6/32 inches and that no replacement is needed at this time. For reference, tires with a tread depth below 2/32 inches are generally considered unsafe and should be replaced. We were only charged a nominal fee for the brake inspection and the appointment took roughly 20 minutes at most."
Total cost: $21.50
Days out of service: 0
Producer and Video Host Lauren McCay has a couple bones to pick with the Model Y.
"I've driven the Model Y several times and each time I think I'm going to get a different experience and I get let down. It's not that it's a horrible vehicle, no, it has smooth acceleration, great space to put all my things, and I usually have a lot of stuff, and I appreciate the charging network Tesla has, because it makes having one without a charger at home, so much more efficient. That said, the ride quality is just so bad.
"I feel every bump in the road, as if it's right under my seat. It's uncomfortable and is just annoying because in California there's speed bumps everywhere, so I've found myself having to basically tip toe around each one just to prevent a rough experience on the back end. The technology/infotainment screen is also annoying. The fact that everything, including air and heat, is controlled solely on the large laptop looking screen is pretty distracting while driving. Those two things have really stuck out to me as deal breakers for me and the Model Y."
"I spent a couple days in the Model Y to kick off 2022, marking the most time spent in a Tesla. It remained an incredible acceleration machine, but it struck me how poor it is at being a pseudo-luxury car. Our Model Y cost north of $68,000 and its ride quality, handling, and overall lack of features speak to an economy car.
"That hasn't kept the Model Y from becoming ubiquitous around Southern California, of course, but it does make me wonder what the main draw is for consumers — and what vehicle they purchased right before they got into a Tesla." — Jake Sundstrom, editorial assistant
"I've commented about our Model Y's performance before but it's worth bringing up again. This thing is fun. Like, put a capital F cuss word with an 'ing' before 'fun' and that works for me, too. I like that I don't have to seek out some deserted road to enjoy it. The steering is quick, and the whole vehicle is impressively nimble.
"Plus, I can use the prodigious power just about anytime, and it's near instantaneous. There's no bellowing exhaust sound, either. Now, I realize that could be seen as a downside; there are times when uncorking a big V8 is neat. But again, for just driving around side streets on my way to the grocery store or whatever, I prefer the stealthy acceleration of our Model Y." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
"It's crazy to me that our Model Y offers such a high mix of performance, utility and efficiency. As for the performance part, just check out our recent videos. First, we drag raced it against Germany's best small super sport SUVs, the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63. Then we raced it against the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. It effectively tied them all in our official instrumented testing, ripping from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and clearing the quarter mile in 11.7 seconds. Yet from a 'just floor it and go' standpoint, the Y is the clear winner." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
"Driving the Hyundai Nexo for a week gave me pause. It made me think, 'If hydrogen were more easily available, would electric cars like the Model Y be much less popular?' The Nexo is Hyundai's new hydrogen fuel cell SUV. It's a bit of an odd duck (it's the only hydrogen SUV currently available) but it's really well-built and it's excellent to drive. Then, as that train of thought left the station, I thought, 'Well, why not drive the Model Y and see which one you like more, regardless of fuel availability?' So I did. Tuesday I drove the Nexo on our 120-mile evaluation loop, then Wednesday I hopped in our Model Y and drove the same loop. I like them both, they're both good in their own ways, but the Nexo is much more user-friendly. It's quieter, more comfortable, has more features for the money and has much nicer seats. The Model Y is sexy to look at and it's remarkably quick, but it's not the daily driver I'd choose." — Travis Langness, reviews editor
"Like with all powerful Teslas, the acceleration is hilarious. Stomp on that go pedal and the resulting thrust pins your head back to the headrest. The effect makes me laugh just about as much as the on-board whoopee cushion.
"Steering and handling are likewise impressive for a compact SUV. Like all EVs built this way, keeping all that mass nice and low returns enjoyable handling to the driver.
"Combine the acceleration with the handling and our Model Y ends up being very quick on mountain roads. Such that part of the fun is the contrast between what your understanding of an SUV is and how fast you're actually going." — Carlos Lago, manager, feature content
"I was really looking forward to some seat time in the Tesla Model Y. Living in L.A., you see them everywhere and they have quite the reputation! I've also never driven an EV before, and with my longer commute to Santa Monica, I'm considering purchasing one.
"My experience in the Model Y wasn't quite as I'd expected. To be fair, our Model Y is the Performance model, so it delivers a sportier, stiffer ride than your average EV. However, after 90-plus minutes in the car, I was feeling a little beat-up when I got home. I also wasn't expecting such a noisy cabin. It seemed like every turn or brake caused loud creaks or rumbles. It sounded like the inside of an airport shuttle and not the smooth, futuristic ride I'd imagined.
"I was very interested in the adaptive cruise control and Autopilot features, as my focus is on the commute, and I will say that adaptive cruise control worked as expected. My combined three hours on the freeway were softened by the fact that the Model Y could handle the stop-and-go for me. But the Autopilot feature had some issues. At times, it would just quit on me. Once, it struggled to recognize that I was crossing through a wide intersection, didn't quite know what to do, so it disengaged.
"I look forward to spending more time with the Model Y to see if the experience is more pleasant the more familiar the car becomes. There's a steep learning curve to handling all applications — everything from navigation to unlocking the trunk — on the single center display screen.
"Overall, I'd say my experience with the Tesla Model Y was surprising. I was shocked by the squeaks and creaks and plastics of it all, especially at $68K. I was also disappointed by its stark interior — I expected a little more poshness at that price point." — Carrie Kim, creative services project manager
"Is the ride quality of our Model Y stiff? Yes. But is it uncomfortably stiff? The answer to that depends on what your expectations are. If you think about it in broad luxury SUV terms, then yes, our Y's ride is rough and jittery. But what about from a performance SUV standpoint? This is where I can easily justify it. After all, our Y is responsive and impressively hunkers down when you're driving around turns. If I bought a Model Y Performance — knowing that I wanted performance out of it — I wouldn't mind the ride quality at all." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
"While driving home from the Edmunds test track, I was attempting to roll up my front two windows and happened to roll over a semi-bumpy section of road. The bumps in the road weren't that big, but they were enough to trigger the anti-pinch safety mechanism in the Model Y window. I tried it over several other patchy spots of pavement and could replicate the issue. Just goes to show how stiff the Model Y suspension is (or overly sensitive pinch sensors?)." — Jonathan Elfalan, senior manager, test team
"Ride quality has never been a Tesla strength, but it's perpetuated in the Performance upgrade version of the Y by the retuned suspension and huge (21-inch) wheel rims. Put simply, the Y never feels settled, to the point where my wife complained of being slightly nauseous while riding in the rear about town. It will be interesting to learn whether others have the same experience." — Alistair Weaver, VP, editorial & editor-in-chief
"I've heard mixed things about the ride quality. The mass of the 21-inch wheels is certainly noticeable, but I didn't find the impacts to be too bad. I've heard though of other complaints — both on staff and external — that makes me want to spend more time driving in it. I swear the ride was less busy than our first Model 3, but a guy who goes to the same gym as me is actually returning his Model Y because he found the ride to be that poor." — Carlos Lago, manager, feature content
"Our Model Y is equipped with the Performance package, a free upgrade on the Performance trim level. It adds 21-inch Überturbine wheels, performance brakes, a lowered suspension, aluminum alloy pedals and it increases the top speed from 145 mph to 155 mph. Not bad for a free update. The only drawback is that it reduces your max range from 315 to 280 miles, a decrease of 11%. It's a pretty cool value, but I'd honestly skip it. I love the way the 21-inch wheels look, but they make the car ride a little rougher. It doesn't 'beat you up' per se, but you definitely feel every imperfection on the road. For my needs, I'd gladly sacrifice some speed and performance in favor of a cushier ride and longer range. In this case, maybe the Long Range model is really the one for me." — Ronald Montoya, Senior Consumer Advice Editor
"To add to the chorus: The Model Y's suspension is quite stiff. This may be one of the quickest SUVs you can buy, but if you're not looking to take this to your local drag strip to embarrass a Dodge Challenger ... well, it's not the commute I'd want to have." — Jake Sundstrom, editor, CarMax
"I found the glass roof in the Y to be worse than our Rivian in direct sunlight while driving. It felt warmer and I had to crank the air conditioning up higher in the Y on a two-hour drive to San Diego more than I did in the R1T.
"My girlfriend noted that she got less carsick in the Model Y than in the Model 3, most likely because the taller cabin allows for better visibility and it feels airier. I would echo this impression. I actually made myself carsick the last time I drove a Model 3 aggressively and the Model Y didn't make me want to hurl." — Brian Wong, senior editor
Adaptive cruise control has been spotty
"The adaptive cruise control, much like our Rivian R1T, is merely okay; and at times doesn't work at all when driving on highways that curve too much. Tesla's reliance on cameras rather than radar limits this feature's functionality." — Jake Sundstrom, editor
Is the blind spot camera an upgrade?
"Our Model Y has a camera that display's a realtime image of your blind spot when you activate the turn signals. This is not the same thing as a blind spot monitor, which I vastly prefer. A traditional blind spot monitor will usually have a small light up icon that appears when a vehicle in in said blind spot. If you then turn on your blinkers, you'll also get an audio cue that there's a vehicle you might need to be aware of. Tesla's system does neither. I find it too distracting to look at a small image in the lower corner of the screen, then identify what I'm seeing, when a simple beep would suffice. Tesla recently added the ability to move the blind spot image to a different corner of your choice, but I still prefer a traditional blind spot monitoring system." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
Autopark is better in theory than practice
"Senior Consumer Advice Editor Ron Montoya experimented with Tesla's Autopark feature. It left a little to be desired.
"Tesla's "Autopark" functionality is a very cool feature, that makes it convenient to park perfectly into both parallel and perpendicular spaces. Trouble is, it doesn't always work. You're supposed to pull up slowly near the space you want, then a parking icon should appear that confirms that the vehicle sees the space and tells it to proceed. But I rarely see the icon. A quick internet search revealed that there are a number of parameters that must be met, in order for the Autopark to function. Here's what the owner's manual says:"
Perpendicular Parking
-Your driving speed must be below 13 km/h. If driving too fast, Autopark may not be able to accurately detect your desired parking space.
-The parking space must be at least 2.2 meters wide.
-The parking space must have at least three visible lines for the vehicle to park into, such as parking lines, road markings, or distinct curbs. Autopark may not work in a garage, for example, without three visible parking lines.
-Autopark may not work with textured road surfaces such as cobblestone or brick.
Parallel Parking
-Your driving speed must be below 21 km/h. If driving too fast, Autopark may not be able to accurately detect your desired parking space.
-There must be a vehicle in front of the space you want to park in.
-A distinct curb or edge must be visible. Autopark may not correctly identify the parking space if the curb is not distinct, such as grass or dirt.
"This past weekend, the system managed to get me into a space, but then it got stuck in the final stage. All it needed to do was straighten out the steering wheel, then indicate it was done, but it froze with the tires pointed away from the curb. I tugged at the wheel and I was able to regain control. I'm chalking this up to a bug in the software."
Are charging changes coming to Tesla?
"Tesla announced in November that it is opening up its proprietary charge standard to the world. This means that third party companies that produce EV chargers, can now spec out their stations to work with Tesla charge cords. And in theory, automakers could choose to put Tesla's plug, now called the North American Charging Standard (NACS), on their vehicles. I doubt this would happen, but it is good news for Tesla owners, as it will potentially give them even more options for charging their vehicles." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
Tesla Firmware Update 2022.20.19
"Tesla's latest firmware update, version 2022.20.19, arrived for our model Y. It took about 25-30 minutes to install and added a number of items of note. At a glance, the update looks nearly identical to 2022.20.18. The only difference I could spot was a change to the "Full Self-Driving" Beta, which went up a fraction of a point in version number. It is now FSD Beta v10.69.2.4, up from v10.69.2.3 last month. All of the other text appears to be the same as the prior version. My guess is that this update addressed bug fixes in the FSD beta, but weren't significant enough to mention.
"We seem to be lagging behind in terms of getting the most current software updates from Tesla. According to the "notateslaapp" website, which tracks firmware updates, only 20.6% of Tesla vehicles are on our 2022.20 version at the time of writing. Compare that to 58.6% of vehicles that are on version 2022.40. Are these things randomly pushed out? Or is Tesla keeping us at the back of the queue? Part of me wonders if the newer vehicles are prioritized, given that our Model Y is going on three years of age." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
Senior Consumer Advice Editor Ron Montoya's cautious driving finally unlocked the Full Self Driving Beta. Here's what that all entails.
"Tesla's latest firmware update, version 2022.20.18, arrived for our Model Y. It was a fairly quick and painless update to install and added a number of items of note. The headliner was this update allowed us to enter the "Full Self Driving" (FSD) beta. Looks like my old man driving style finally paid off, as we needed a Tesla driving score of 80+ for an unspecified amount of time. Here are the patch notes for the remaining items."
Full Self Driving Beta v10.69.2.3
Bug fixes and tweaks to FSD Beta v10.69.2.2. Full Self-Driving is in early limited access Beta and must be used with additional caution. It may do the wrong thing at the worst time, so you must always keep your hands on the wheel and pay extra attention to the road. Do not become complacent. When Full Self-Driving is enabled, your vehicle will make lane changes off highway, select forks to follow your navigation route, navigate around other vehicles and objects, and make left and right turns. Use Full Self-Driving in limited Beta only if you pay constant attention to the road, and be prepared to act immediately, especially around blind corners, crossing intersections, and in narrow driving situations. Your vehicle is running on Tesla Vision! Note that Tesla Vision also includes some temporary limitations, follow distance is limited to 2-7 and Autopilot top speed is 85mph.
FSD Beta Suspension
For maximum safety and accountability, use of Full Self-Driving (Beta) will be suspended if improper usage is detected. Improper usage is when you, or another driver of your vehicle, receive five 'Forced Autopilot Disengagements'. A disengagement is when the Autopilot system disengages for the remainder of a trip after the driver receives several audio and visual warnings for inattentiveness. Driver-initiated disengagements do not count as improper usage and are expected from the driver. Keep your hands on the wheel and remain attentive at all times. Use of any hand-held devices while using Autopilot is not allowed.
Driving Visualization Improvements
To view an expanded driving visualization with FSD enabled, drag the light gray visualization bar to the right. (This is essentially a widescreen mode for the simulated view of the road from the vehicle's perspective).
Cabin Camera
The cabin camera above your rearview mirror can now detect and alert driver inattentiveness and provide you with audible alerts to remind you to keep your eyes on the road when Autopilot is engaged. Camera images do not leave the car itself, which means that the system cannot save or transmit information unless you enable data sharing. Cabin Camera does not perform facial recognition or any other method of identity verification.
Seat Belt System Enhancement
This enhancement builds upon your vehicle's superior crash protection - based upon regulatory and industry standard crash testing- by now using Tesla Vision to help offer some of the most cutting-edge seat belt pretensioner performance in the event of a frontal crash. Your seat belts will now begin to tighten and protect properly restrained occupants earlier in a wider array of frontal crashes.
Roughly two weeks from when I last updated our Tesla Model Y, we received another another firmware update. This one also took about 30 minutes to complete.
2022.12.3.6 Tesla Release Notes:
Additional Bottom Bar Customization
You can now add vehicle controls such as defrost, windshield wipers and seat heaters to the bottom bar. Long press any app icon to enter edit mode, then drag the desired control to the bottom bar.
Child Lock
Child Lock can now be enabled for a single rear door. Tap Controls > Child Lock, and select Right, Left, or Both.
Additional Mobile App Controls
Dog Mode and Camp Mode can now be enabled from the Tesla app. Note: This functionality requires mobile app version 4.7.0.
New Language Support
Your touchscreen is now available in Turkish. To switch your language setting, tap Controls > Display > Touchscreen Language.
That's it for this week, Görüşmek üzere! (See you later in Turkish) — Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
I updated our Tesla Model Y to its latest firmware the other day. It took about 30 minutes and added a few fixes, quality of life improvements and a nerf to the Boombox feature. I like to geek out over patch notes to my favorite video game and I imagine the same goes for Tesla owners and fans.
2022.8.3.5 Tesla Release Notes
Cabin Camera
Help Tesla improve the intelligence of features that rely on the cabin camera by sharing analytics from your vehicle. When enabled, cabin camera data will be shared with Tesla if the vehicle experiences a safety critical event like a collision, or if cabin camera functionality requires diagnostics to perform. This data includes short cabin camera video clips to help us further develop future safety features and software enhancements such as collision avoidance updates. As usual, you can adjust your data sharing preferences by tapping Controls ⇒ Software ⇒ Data Sharing ⇒ Allow Cabin Camera Analytics.
Charging Time Estimation
Estimated charging times are now more accurate by taking the current battery pack temperature into account when a vehicle is connected to a Supercharger, or a third-party fast charger.
Vehicle Preconditioning
Vehicle preconditioning accessed via the Tesla app will now remain active up to 30 minutes after a door is opened, making it easier load your vehicle without affecting climate control.
Active Phone Calls
You can now hide your phone call card, allowing you to see the next turn when the navigation turn list is covered. Tap the phone icon on the status bar to show the card again.
New Language Support
Your touchscreen is now available in Czech. To switch your language setting, tap Controls ⇒ Display ⇒ Touchscreen Language.
Boombox
Boombox features are now only available while parked.
"Tesla's operating system software version 11.0 was released just over the Christmas holiday. It was a fairly substantial update and gives the main screen a new look and added features. These over-the-air updates are something that Tesla owners often praise as one of the features they like best.
"Tesla's blog post, quoted below, details what's new:
Tesla Light Show: Anybody with a computer can now create their own unique Tesla Light Show, no Tesla vehicle required. Using xLights, free open-source software, you can create a light show to perform with any music of your choice. You can then download your show, or shows from other creators, onto a USB flash drive and upload it to your car. Light Show also comes pre-loaded with one song for you to enjoy, and works with all new Model S, new Model X, and any Model 3 or Model Y.
New User Interface: Every Model 3 and Model Y, along with legacy Model S and Model X fitted with an Intel Atom Processor, will receive a fresh digital look that carries over design elements from our new generation Model S and Model X. Several notable features include a customizable app launcher, simplified controls menu and support for a dark mode appearance.
Updated Navigation: Our new navigation allows you to hide map details for a clean, simplified look, and you can now add and quickly reorder multiple stops on your route. Your Tesla will automatically update arrival times and battery levels at each destination.
Games: We've added the original Sonic the Hedgehog to Tesla Arcade for even more excitement and a bit of nostalgia during charging stops. You can now also give your brain a workout with Sudoku, or challenge your friends with The Battle of Polytopia multiplayer.
Entertainment: TikTok is now available on the touchscreen and our new Boombox Megaphone allows you to project your voice via your car's external speaker — perfect for announcing to your friends when it's time to load up and head out!
Audio: For an even better audio experience, there are now five levels of Immersive Audio, including an Auto setting that adapts to the content you're playing, and you can adjust subwoofer output independently to get just the right amount of punch from the bass.
Blind Spot Camera: When signaling to change lanes or make a turn, a live camera view of your blind spot will activate on your touchscreen.
Sentry Mode Live Camera Access: Already live in the United States, we're introducing our Sentry Mode Live Camera Access feature for the rest of North America and the majority of Europe. This feature allows you to view the live feed from the Autopilot cameras directly on your Tesla app.
Cold Weather Improvements: For even more convenience, cold-weather features can now be activated via the Tesla app or center touchscreen at a lower state of charge, allowing you to access features like cabin preconditioning and heated charge port when you may need them most. For every Model 3 and Model Y, we've also added automatic seat heater functionality: first-row seat heaters will automatically adjust based upon cabin conditions and climate control settings.
— Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
"Plugging the Model Y into a Supercharger gets you this informative and attractive charging status screen. And once you know how much time you've got to kill, I love having the option of settling in for some good YouTube content to pass the time. My pick? Historic racing at Le Mans with the volume turned up, of course." — Kurt Niebuhr, vehicle test editor
"There was a firmware update recently that was released for the Model Y. Version 2020.48.30, to be exact. In the past, we needed to be within range of a Wi-Fi signal, but this one updated over the air, which was a nice plus. This updated added driving visualization improvements, quicker access to the wiper and backup camera controls, more detail at Supercharger locations (you can see how many stalls are available), improvements the the 'scheduled departure' battery precondition feature and three arcade games were added (Solitaire, Cat Quest and Battle of Polytopia)." — Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
"The Tesla Wall Connector is one of the fastest ways to recharge your vehicle at home. It is capable of charging up to 42 miles per hour on our Model Y, assuming you have a 60-amp circuit breaker. But it also costs $635, plus it needs to be installed by a qualified electrician.
"If you have a NEMA 14-50 outlet (typically used for RVs and electric stoves) at home, you can save some money by opting for Tesla's Gen 2 NEMA adapter and have a quick setup process, assuming you're willing to deal with a slightly slower charging speed. Wouldn't you want to take advantage of that?
"The NEMA 14-50 is essentially a 240-volt outlet on a 50-amp breaker — it's an option that Tesla recommends and it can charge our Model Y at about 29 miles per hour. For reference, the Tesla wall connector would have a charging speed of 36 miles per hour on the same 50-amp circuit breaker.
"Going back to our situation, an editor reached out to us saying that he had a NEMA 14-50 outlet at home and asked if we had an adapter for it. Unfortunately, we did not. We went to Tesla's online store and saw an adapter bundle for around $220. This includes seven adapters for all the NEMA plug variations — good for road trips that may include charge stops at an RV park. Or, you can opt for a single adapter, for $35.
"The adaptor bundle was on backorder, however, so we took a two-pronged approach to the solution. We ordered the single 14-50 NEMA adapter from Tesla's website and then contacted our local Tesla service department about the adapter kit.
"A couple of days later, we were surprised to see that the 14-50 plug had shipped from Tesla. However, to this day we still have yet to hear back from the parts department ... It has been over four weeks. Glad we took the two-pronged approach but we admit that we're a little disappointed that the local parts department never really got back to us. — Rex Tokeshi-Torres, vehicle test technician
"I was driving our Model Y on our EV range test drive loop. The loop snakes along the coast from Edquarters until you get to the southern edge of Orange County. You then turn around and snake your way back north inland. I'm unfamiliar with the area, so I was using the Model Y's nav system to mark my turns. It was working well enough using both the keyboard and voice commands, and having the map up on that big screen was great. Then it decided to shut off on me.
"I was stopped at an intersection and scrolling through the map when the whole thing just sort of faded out. That meant I had no information. I couldn't tell you how fast I was going. I couldn't adjust the radio or the the temperature. The Model Y drove just fine, so I pulled over in a parking lot to call Mike Schmidt, who told me about the 'hard reset' fix. Foot on the brake, and hold down both dials on the steering wheel for 10 seconds. After a few minutes, the screen slowly came back to life. I spent another few hours behind the wheel and didn't have any more issues.
"I heard that a couple other editors had screen issues, too, though neither one of them had to perform a hard restart. At least I know what to do in the future, and this is a potential issue for any car with a digital interface, but it's particularly troublesome when literally everything is tied to this one screen." — Reese Counts, vehicle test editor
"Without fail, every Tesla I've ever driven breaks. Every model we've had in our long-term fleet has had some sort of major technological or physical failure. From our early Model S to our $144K Model X, then onto our Model 3 that literally fell apart in my hand, and now our Model Y — everything breaks in some way — and it's not minor enough to overlook at any price point.
"It's been months since I've driven our Model Y, but I got back in it for a few days this week and it didn't disappoint ... to disappoint. In a strange neighborhood, while I was trying to plug an address into navigation, the entire screen and HVAC system quit on me. Total blackout.
"This means I can't track range, I can't find the nearest Supercharger and I can't navigate my way back to the freeway. Not to mention the lack of tunes, the lack of air conditioning and the general anger of having a brand-new car that operates like a $68,700 beta test. Like pretty much everyone else these days, I have a smartphone, so I was able to use that while I waited for the system to self-reboot, but from any automaker, this is unacceptable." — Travis Langness, reviews editor
"Not too surprisingly, our Model Y's central touchscreen failed to fire up for about the first minute of my drive into the office. It was still just a blank dark expanse when I got out to the street, so I pulled over and waited for it to boot up, which it eventually did. Why wasn't I surprised? Because the same thing happened to me in our long-term Model 3. Not a deal-breaker for a Tesla fan, I imagine, but given that literally all of the vehicle information appears on that screen, it's pretty disconcerting when it fails to report." — Josh Sadlier, director, content strategy
"A few of my neighbors have new Model 3s and both emit sounds from the pedestrian warning system (that sound hybrids and EVs make at speeds below 20 mph) Our Model Y does not make this sound for some reason. So I looked into it and apparently manufacturers like Tesla are only required to put it in half the vehicles they make. Eventually by September 2020, all 'quiet vehicles' will have to have the system in place. I don't particularly like the noise as it's kind of loud, but it is useful in warning people nearby that a large vehicle is on the move." — Jonathan Elfalan, senior manager, test team
"Wireless charging is a nice addition, but phone integration remains lacking. No Android Auto and no Apple CarPlay. While Tesla keeps adding features and improving the screen experience, I'd rather just use what's available on my phone." — Carlos Lago, manager, feature content
2020 Tesla Model Y: Utility
The Model Y's cargo area is very spacious. Tesla cites 68 cubic feet of maximum capacity, most likely with the rear seats folded down, but it's unclear whether that number includes the front trunk. The rear seats don't fold entirely flat, but there's a wide opening and an easy load-in height.
"After spending the previous weeks in the Rivian R1T and the Volkswagen ID.4, I came to really appreciate Tesla's charging ecosystem. It's just so much easier to use than those vehicles, no fumbling with apps or cards for payments, the navigation does a great job of telling you how many chargers are free, what the max charge rate is, and then handling all of the payments. Plug and charge is great, and hopefully comes to more charging services/vehicles in the future." — Brian Wong, senior editor
"I recently used our long-term vehicle for a family road trip and came away impressed with how much stuff I could fit in it. In the back, I fit five suitcases (two bigger suitcases and three carry-ons) plus a few other bags and items. I also stashed some stuff in the Model Y's sizable rear cargo bin beneath the rear cargo floor as well as the front trunk." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
"It's my first time actually living with the Tesla for more than just a trip here or there or to a video shoot. It definitely took a rethink and shift of my automotive habits. Similar to driving a diesel in L.A., planning ahead is necessary since popping into any Shell or Chevron isn't an option. Coordinating a meal or a coffee break with a Supercharger stop was a new concept. Admittedly it wouldn't be much of an issue if an owner had a charger at home.
"Also admittedly I'm so used to using Google Maps via my phone and shunning any OEM nav help that it took me a while to realize how helpful the Tesla interface is when giving estimates of arrival and return trip battery levels and estimated ranges.
"When it came to loading up the family — I agree with Jonathan's opinion that the rear seat tether anchor is JANKY. Had to do a side twist to get it on and locked. The reclinable rear seat did make it easier to adjust and recline the car seat — and easier for a toddler to snooze." — John Adolph, supervising producer
"I was installing my daughter's forward-facing convertible car seat and noticed something peculiar about our Model Y's upper tether anchors. I'm not sure if it's an intentional design, but the anchors seem to be installed upside down, which means they don't really have sufficient clearance for the hook to clip in easily. I managed to still get the hook in but it took much more effort than its supposed to. For people that leave their car seats installed for long periods of time, this is not a huge issue. But because it have to constantly move our car seat in and out of cars, this makes the install more cumbersome. That said, I'm not sure Tesla is alone in this. It is a rare occurence, but I have run into another car that had funky positioning too. — Jonathan Elfalan, senior manager, test team
"It was time for my annual tune-up on my road bicycle and the shop isn't near my home, so I had to load it into the back of our Model Y. I don't like taking off the front wheel on my bike, so it tends to take up more room in cars I've been in. I wasn't worried about it not fitting, but I was interested in seeing how easy it would be. I'm pleased to report that it was very easy to fit my bike into the Model Y. It was simply a matter of a button press on each seat back and they quickly laid flat. I had a few inches to spare and it probably could've accommodated two bikes, provided you had a blanket or something to separate them." — Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
It's interesting to me how the vibe of Tesla ownership has changed from when we first tested our Model S to now with our Model Y. Back in 2013, it was a Big Deal to see another Model S owner while driving or when pulling into a Supercharger station. I'd often exchange waves or nods with them. We knew we were driving the future, and it was neat to be at the start of it. Flash forward just seven years. Tesla ownership is decidedly less special. There are way more Teslas at the Supercharger stations, and nobody acknowledges one another. You just plug in, hop back in your car and stare at your phone. — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
Tesla's are EVERYWHERE in California and especially within Los Angeles County. A friend of mine calls them the "California Camry," since they're so ubiquitous, but based on my experience I'm twice as likely to see a Tesla over a Camry. This isn't good for someone who wants their car to stand out. A 2022 Model Y looks the same as all of its prior model years. And if you're not paying attention or aren't into cars, they can easily be mistaken for a Model 3. It reminds me of that old Audi commercial from 2012, in which everyone had a silver Lexus RX in their driveway. That's what it's like to own a Tesla out here, only swap silver with white, since it's the "free" color.
I don't want to blend in with everyone else. I want someone to look at what I'm driving and say "huh, that's an interesting car. I wonder what it is?" New EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq5 and Kia EV6 have interesting designs that don't look like anything else on the road. Those are the type of EVs I'd want to buy."
"The road manners of the Model Y remind me of the BMW X3 M40i. Given the Model Y's performance numbers (quicker from 0 to 60 than the M40i, both are performance SUVs — welcome to the future), that's not necessarily a problem. Where the X3 separates itself from the Model Y is interior quality; the Tesla is, frankly, not all that nice. The screen is solid and the software is excellent, but this is far from a luxury interior, albeit at a premium-to-luxury price" — Jake Sundstrom, editorial assistant.
"The dreaded right sun visor clip on our Model Y has come loose again! I had thought our Tesla mechanic had taken care of it after its last service visit, but less than a week later, the clip slipped out of place again. My colleague who was driving it at the time said he might have found a temporary fix. The clip has a a pair of pliable plastic teeth on each end of it (see photo below). He was able to bend them back in place, then turned the clip around, with the hopes that it would grip better. It managed to stay in place, for now. Fingers crossed that it stays that way." — Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
"Well, I'll follow up on Kurt's previous comment about the sun visor by noting that I also pulled it out as well when trying to adjust it. Oops. Plus, I think our Model Y's interior has even more rattles in it than it did the last time I drove it, which was in the fall of 2020 (it's May 2021 when I write this). This shoddy construction really does put a damper on the Model Y from an ownership standpoint. It'd be my number one pick for an EV that I'd buy if it wasn't for this." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
"Whoops. I went to pull the sun visor out of its clasp only to pull the clasp right out of the headliner. It snapped back in without issue, but it takes two hands to release it from the clasp without it happening again. If this were my Model Y, I'd probably just figure out a way to fix it myself and move on with my life." — Kurt Niebuhr, vehicle test editor
"I'm going to echo the sentiments of my colleagues in noticing a pronounced rattling noise in the Model Y. You hear it at low speeds and particularly over bumpy roads. That's thing about not having an engine to make noise, it makes all other sounds stand out. But that said, once you're up to speed and have your music playing, you don't really hear it much." — Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor
"It seems like our Model Y has developed some interior rattles. While driving on bumpy roads I'll occasionally hear them from the middle roof pillars (the B-pillars, where the front seat belts attach) and the rear hatch area. The rear hatch rattle sounds like it's related to the removable cargo shelf, but I've checked it and it's installed properly. I'd wager that these rattles are because of our Model Y's sport suspension and the corresponding stiff ride." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
"The driver's door on our Model Y rattles significantly when you close it. It sounds like the window is shaking around inside there and it's really, really annoying. I'm not sure if this is something that's developed over time (I'll check with some other staffers that have spent more time in the Y) but it's worth noting that this 'luxury' SUV has serious build quality problems after just a few months." — Travis Langness, reviews editor
"I'm not enthused about our Model Y's build quality, which is of course a well-known Tesla foible. Check out the rear seatbacks, for example. It looks like the passenger-side seatback isn't latched in place, right? But it is! That's a profound misalignment if it came that way from the factory, which I have to assume it did. Yikes." — Josh Sadlier, director, content strategy
"There's plenty of rear legroom in our Y. Headroom is pretty good, too. Anyone under 6-foot-2 tall should be comfortable. The rear seats recline, and there are rear climate air vents mounted in the center console. Whether you're carpooling with friends or schlepping your kids to school, the Model Y's big rear seat should come in handy." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content
"I spent a few days in the Model Y to prepare for a video comparison with the Model 3 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. My wife owns a Model 3 and I was particularly interested in how it would compare as a family car (we have a baby daughter).
"No doubt as she grows up, our daughter will appreciate the extra rear legroom of the Y, but for now there's ample space for a child seat in either. The extra versatility of the hatchback is useful in the Model Y for throwing in the stroller, but I find the absence of a load cover irritating. Anyone peering through the glass can see what's inside." — Alistair Weaver, VP, editorial & editor-in-chief
"Outside of driving, it appears that the Model Y has three primary attributes: 1) a taller seating position for the perception of improved visibility, 2) a massive second row and 3) much more storage capacity than the Model 3.
"Visibility: The forward view appears strong, but for some reason I have a heightened awareness of the overhangs. My theory is that is has to do with how I can't see the hood from my ideal sitting position. The A-pillars [windshield pillars] are pretty thick. But worse, the rear view is abysmal. I'm calling it Camaro-like. Other coupe-style SUVs have similar problems, but that doesn't forgive the poor rearward view. You really have to rely on the array of sensors and alerts to safely reverse in this thing.
"Second row: It's massive. Tons of head- and legroom. Really like the reclining second row as well. USB-C charging ports will be great for those who have phones/devices that use them; otherwise you'll have to get an adapter. Standard heated rear seats is something you won't find standard in other small luxury SUVs, but there are no physical controls back there — odd. Also, you can adjust the rear vents but three-zone climate is not available.
"The second row can be folded down from the cargo area, but in our car only the passenger side drops without a nudge. The second row is also pretty darn heavy too, especially the driver side. My wife actually might have trouble putting it back in place — still need to test." — Carlos Lago, manager, feature content
Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds takes an in-depth look at the 2022 Ioniq 5 and compares it with our very own Model Y to see how well Hyundai's newest electric SUV matches up with Tesla's popular electric car. Ryan breaks down the biggest differences and similarities between the two. Does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 have what it takes to compete against one of the best electric SUVs, the Tesla Model Y? Ryan answers this and a whole lot more.
The Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E are two of the most popular, and two of our favorite, luxury electric SUVs. In this electric SUV comparison, Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds hits the track with the high-performance versions of these EV SUVs: the 2020 Tesla Model Y Performance and the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT. Ryan talks about which of these electric SUVs has the better 0-60 time, reveals their real-world range numbers, takes a look at the interiors and much more. How does the new Mach-E stack up to the mighty Model Y? Watch to find out. This is our electric SUV comparison test of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. 2020 Tesla Model Y.
Our 2020 Tesla Model Y Performance has been a drag race champ. Over the past year, our Model Y electric SUV has taken down the likes of the BMW X3, Porsche Taycan and Ford Shelby GT500, just to name a few. But today brings a new competitor in the form of the quickest Tesla available: the Model S Plaid. This Tesla touts 1,020 hp and a 0-60 time of 2.3 seconds. So we obviously had to get the Model S Plaid out to the track to see for ourselves just how much quicker it is than the Model Y Performance in a drag race. It's Tesla vs. Tesla, Model Y vs. Model S, electric SUV vs. electric sedan in today's drag race of the Tesla Model Y Performance vs. Tesla Model S Plaid.
Edmunds took ownership of a 2020 Tesla Model Y Performance last year as part of our long-term test program. Now, one year later, Carlos Lago shares the team's experience after approximately 9,000 miles of use.
With a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-60 mph time of around 3 seconds, the Lamborghini Urus is one of the quickest SUVs on the planet. Can the Tesla Model Y possibly keep up with that kind of power? It's Tesla vs. Lamborghini and electric vs. supercar in this very special drag race of the Tesla Model Y vs. the Lamborghini Urus.
We take EV testing seriously. Like you, we want to know how the range figures provided by the EPA and auto manufacturers match what happens in the real world. To find out, every electric car we evaluate undergoes a real-world range test. You can read more about the test and the results here.
Another week, another drag race with our long-term 2020 Tesla Model Y Performance. Over the past few months, you've seen the Model Y drag racing the BMW X3, Porsche Taycan, Chevy Corvette and Jeep Trackhawk. This time out, we've brought along another car from our long-term fleet, the 2020 Ford Shelby GT500.
We hit the track with our very own 2020 Corvette and 2020 Model Y to see how well a high-performance EV SUV can do against America's iconic sports car. Which one has the better 0-60 time? Can the Model Y keep up against the Corvette? How fast can the Model Y go on a full charge? We answer these questions and more in this very special gas vs. EV drag race.
Which is the fastest EV for $70,000 to $80,000? Is it the base model Porsche Taycan or the Tesla Model Y Performance? Alistair Weaver and Carlos Lago find out in this EV drag race.
The 2020 Tesla Model Y and the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk are some of the fastest SUVs available today. We took both to a test track, to have a good old-fashioned drage race. It's gas versus electricity, can you guess who won?
It's been a frustrating few months of ownership with our Tesla Model Y for one reason: We haven't been able to test it. While you normally wouldn't expect that to be the case for an SUV, especially an all-electric one, ours has the word "performance" twice in its name: It's a Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive Performance with the Performance Upgrade. Now that our test track has reopened, we finally get to see how it lives up to its lofty name by measuring how quickly it can stop, how hard it can corner, and how fast it can accelerate.
We've owned nearly every vehicle Tesla has ever sold. While we have — and have outlined — our complaints and criticisms, in this video Carlos Lago explains the things we think the rest of the industry could learn from Tesla.
Edmunds experts Alistair Weaver and Carlos Lago compare the pros and cons of Tesla's Model 3, Model Y and Ford's Mustang Mach-E. Which is the best between the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, and how do the Model Y and Model 3 compare to the Ford Mustang Mach-E? Watch to find out as Alistair and Carlos discuss key differences in electric car price, range, interior, specs and more.
We had plans for a much bigger comparison, but then the coronavirus pandemic hit. We still drove each high-performance luxury SUV, so in this video the Edmunds editorial team discusses the merits of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, the BMW X3 M, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe and the Tesla Model Y Performance.
Tesla fans had a lot to say about our first impressions video on Edmunds' new long-term test car: a 2020 Tesla Model Y Dual Motor Performance. Here, Carlos Lago addresses an error or two, adds clarity to the first video, and answers some of your most frequent comments, including those about price, storage, phone integration and additional controls.
Our 2020 Tesla Model Y has arrived! In this video, Edmunds' Carlos Lago takes delivery of our new long-term test car and gives a brief review.