Tesla Model Y review

The biggest news for the Model Y is undoubtedly the fact that the driving experience has improved immeasurably. Or measurably, if you’ve got ears and a sense of touch. It’s still a heavy car at around two tonnes, but it doesn’t feel too hefty, at least in terms of EVs. The initial impression is one of quiet, compliance and sophistication that was missing from gen one. It’s a car that feels more expensive.

Most of that is down to new manufacturing practices around the core of the car that cut down components and add rigidity. Different kinematics to allow the suspension to do its job, softer anti-roll bars, tyres with bespoke compounds, acoustic glass all-round, even better layers of wheelarch sound-deadening. It’s all in there.

So the car rides better, smothers bumps and holes with more authority. And the steering has been slowed slightly to make the car feel calmer from initial turn-in. It’s not diving at a curve now, and that helps the car feel more mature. There’s plenty of grip and it’s reliable, repeatable and predictable – perfect for a family car. If only the brakes had a bit more feel and bite. 

Is it fun to drive then?

It’s nice, but you won’t go hooning for the sake of it. But really, who does that in what usually ends up as a family hack? Still, this AWD Launch car gets from 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds, and has the usual EV ‘in-gear’ shove, even though it obviously only has one gear to push with.

The typical overtaking speeds you use are very healthy. That’s 364lb ft of torque doing the work, but 507bhp for a family SUV isn’t slouchy. So you can still be childish at the lights.

But it does mean that the one you probably want is either of the less aggressive Long Range versions, be that AWD or RWD. The latter is the rangiest of all, returning 387 miles in the lab. The Model Y really doesn’t need a Performance line. This is a family car for the most part, and suits this more relaxed demeanour – and the extra range won’t hurt that. 

But that’s not to say that the Y can’t hustle, it’s just that it’s not at the centre of its mission statement. Once you push, you find generous grip edged out with progressive – very four-wheel drive-feeling – understeer. But you’ll end up in the traction-control systems way before anything gets too out of hand. At speed it’s rock solid and very quiet, even for an EV.