► Tesla Model Y is a baby electric SUV
► Completes Tesla S, 3, X, Y range
► Crossover-ish partner to Model 3
The cheapest Tesla Model Y is more affordable than ever after price cuts in January 2023 reduced the RRP from £51,990 to £44,990. That’s for the single-motor model.
The Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive arrived in the UK in late 2022. A maximum range of 283 miles is quoted on the WLTP protocol.
Although decontented from launch models, the Tesla Model Y RWD comes with Autopilot, the premium interior (which includes heated seats front and rear, plus a hand-warming steering wheel) and the premium audio pack bringing 13 speakers, a sub-woofer and two amps.
Tesla Model Y review
Tesla Model Y: what you need to know
The Model Y is the more crossovery derivative of the Model 3 saloon, in essence. Its design won’t surprise you much, as it follows the usual Tesla schtick: sloping rooflines, grille-less front-ends and chrome details are pretty much the norm, now.
It’s natural, then, that the Model Y doesn’t stray from the family look – it just looks like a slightly taller Model 3. The rear half is arguably better proportioned than a Model X, though, and its shape hides a party trick we’ll come on to later.
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It’s not just looks the Model Y shares with the Model 3. The Tesla Model Y slots underneath the Model X in terms of size, but CEO Elon Musk said the new crossover shares 75% of its parts with the current Model 3.
This is most evident when it comes to the interior – it’s pretty much exactly the same design as the 3’s cabin, complete with a large central touchscreen display providing all of your required information in one place. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing depends on your thoughts on touchscreens…
Tesla says Autopilot is still a thing, as is remote unlock via an app (a key is so 20th century), the usual summon function and preconditioning.
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The Model Y is a seven-seater
So that party trick? The Model Y can be a seven-seater. The brand says its baby SUV has ‘room for up to seven adults’ with its optional third row.
The second row also split-folds and total storage space is claimed at more than 1800 litres (or a whopping 2158 litres, if you count the front boot (or frunk). Now we’ve sat in the rearmost row we can fairly describe the Model Y’s sixth and seventh seats as occasional pews, designed more for young children and short hops, rather than full seven-seater family bus duties.
What will the electric range be? How far will the Model Y go on one charge?
The Model Y has two battery and range options in the UK: Long Range AWD and Performance. The Long Range model has a claimed 315-mile range, while the Performance option claims 298 miles. The RWD model, meanwhile, has 283 miles of range and take up to 170kW of rapid charging.
As for other performance specs, the Long Range AWD will take 4.8 seconds to get to 62mph and hit 135mph; the Performance takes 3.5 seconds and will manage 150mph.
Like every Tesla, the Y can access the Supercharger network including the latest V3 ones for superior fast charging.
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Okay… when can I buy a Tesla Model Y and how much will it cost?
After long delays, the Tesla Model Y went on sale in the UK in spring 2022 and the RWD model is due off the UK boat in December 2022. Prices have already risen by £3000 in the space of six months and as of summer 2022 the cost of a Model Y was:
- Tesla Model Y £51,990
- Tesla Model Y Long Range £57,990
- Tesla Model Y Performance £67,990
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