Pros: 300+ mile range available; rapid acceleration; abundant interior space; easy and expansive Supercharger network Cons: Infotainment system has steep learning curve; common features not available; stiff ride; iffy build quality; fluctuating prices not great for resale value; 'Full-Self Driving' feature can be dangerous The Tesla Model Y is a value-packed compact SUV that has some truly high highs, but its lows could be deal-breakers for lots of potential buyers.
What are the Model Y’s interior and in-car technology like? The Model Y’s interior is minimalistic to a fault. The centerpiece is a 15-inch touchscreen that looks more like a tablet mounted horizontally on the dash. Missing are the banks of buttons, switches and knobs found in many of its competitors ... and just about any other car you've ever been in. There's no instrument panel in front of the driver, either, meaning you see your speed and other vitals over on the touchscreen.
How big is the Model Y? The Model Y is classified as a compact SUV even though its footprint isn’t much bigger than the Model 3, which in turn is about the size of a BMW 3 Series sedan. The Model Y is only about 1 inch longer and a half inch wider than the Model 3, but the big difference is height. The Model Y stands just over 7 inches taller.
The slowest version is the Long Range RWD model that gets to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The dual-motor AWD version drops this to a quick-feeling 4.8 seconds, and the Performance is shockingly-quick, getting to 60 in only 3.5 seconds. Unlike virtually every other car company, Tesla does not list official output figures for its various trims, nor does it list official battery or charging specs.
Since there’s no internal combustion engine, the Model Y is mostly quiet, but that makes other noises more noticeable. Road noise is ever present, and road bumps often emit low thuds – a recent rental with over 40,000 miles on it was especially bad with constant suspension crashing and banging over poor roads. In our experience, after only a few thousand miles, the Model Y’s interior panels begin to creak and squeak with annoying regularity.