Tesla Y: Car and Driver Review

The all-electric subcompact SUV from the eminent electric car manufacturer, the Model Y from Tesla, allows you to experience the punchiness of an electric vehicle and the convenience of a sport-like utility vehicle. Car and Driver brings a detailed review of this crossover SUV.

With various features, an advanced infotainment system, promising range, and stunning acceleration, the Model Y has quickly become a crowd's favorite. Its sporty appearance and the ability to opt for an all-wheel drive (AWD) system add more appeal to the already extensive features of this Tesla vehicle.

In this comprehensive review, Car and Driver delves deep into the specifications, performance, and overall driving experience of the Model Y to help potential buyers weigh the pros and cons. We'll explore the Model Y's comfort level, interior design, and safety aspects.

tesla y car and driver

An electric SUV with style and substance.

Impressive acceleration
Smooth and quiet ride
Spacious interior
Advanced infotainment system
Long driving range
Available all-wheel drive
Eye-catching design
Autopilot driver assistance
Over-the-air updates
Extensive Supercharger network

The Tesla Model Y is an electric crossover SUV that combines practicality with performance. With its sleek design, spacious interior, and long driving range, the Model Y is a compelling choice for environmentally-conscious drivers.

Impressive acceleration

One of the most exhilarating aspects of the Tesla Model Y is its blistering acceleration. With its electric motors, the Model Y can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds (for the Long Range AWD model). This is faster than many sports cars and is sure to put a smile on your face every time you step on the accelerator.

Instant torque:
Electric motors produce torque instantly, which means that the Model Y can accelerate quickly from a standstill. This is in contrast to gasoline-powered cars, which have to rev up their engines to produce torque.
Linear acceleration:
The Model Y's acceleration is smooth and linear, without any jerking or hesitation. This makes it easy to control the car, even at high speeds.
All-wheel drive:
The Model Y's optional all-wheel drive system helps to improve acceleration by providing traction to all four wheels. This is especially useful in slippery conditions, such as rain or snow.
Ludicrous Mode:
For those who crave even more acceleration, Tesla offers the Ludicrous Mode upgrade. This reduces the 0-60 mph time to just 3.5 seconds, making the Model Y one of the quickest cars on the road.

The Tesla Model Y's impressive acceleration is one of its most appealing features. It makes the car fun to drive and provides a sense of exhilaration that is unmatched by most other vehicles.

Smooth and quiet ride

The Tesla Model Y provides a remarkably smooth and quiet ride, thanks to several factors:

Electric powertrain: Electric motors are inherently smooth and quiet, and the Model Y's powertrain is no exception. There is no engine noise, vibration, or harsh shifting, making for a serene driving experience.

Advanced suspension: The Model Y's suspension is well-tuned to absorb bumps and imperfections in the road. This results in a comfortable ride, even on rough roads.

Aerodynamic design: The Model Y's sleek aerodynamic design helps to reduce wind noise and turbulence. This makes the cabin even quieter, especially at highway speeds.

Active noise cancellation: The Model Y also features active noise cancellation technology, which uses microphones to detect unwanted noise and then emits sound waves to cancel it out. This helps to further reduce noise levels in the cabin.

The result of all these factors is a car that is incredibly quiet and comfortable to drive. You can easily hold conversations with passengers or enjoy your favorite music without having to raise your voice.

The Tesla Model Y's smooth and quiet ride is one of its most appealing features. It makes the car a pleasure to drive, especially on long road trips.

Spacious interior

The Tesla Model Y offers a surprisingly spacious interior for its size. Here are some key features that contribute to its roominess:

Panoramic glass roof: The Model Y's large panoramic glass roof creates a sense of airiness and openness. It also lets in plenty of natural light, making the cabin feel even more spacious.
Flat floor: The Model Y's lack of a transmission tunnel means that the floor is completely flat. This provides more legroom for both front and rear passengers.
Fold-flat seats: The Model Y's second-row seats can be folded flat to create a large cargo area. This makes it easy to transport bulky items, such as furniture or sports equipment.
Optional third row: The Model Y is available with an optional third row of seats, which can accommodate up to two additional passengers. This makes the Model Y a versatile choice for families or those who frequently need to transport larger groups of people.

Overall, the Tesla Model Y's spacious interior makes it a comfortable and practical choice for a variety of uses. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or taking a road trip, the Model Y has plenty of room for passengers and cargo.

Advanced infotainment system

The Tesla Model Y's infotainment system is one of the most advanced and user-friendly systems on the market. It features a large 15-inch touchscreen display that is mounted in the center of the dashboard. The display is bright and crisp, and it responds quickly to inputs. The system is also very intuitive to use, with a simple and straightforward interface.

The infotainment system includes a variety of features, including:

Navigation: The Model Y's navigation system provides turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic updates. It also allows you to search for points of interest, such as restaurants, gas stations, and hotels. Music: The Model Y's infotainment system can play music from a variety of sources, including AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and your own music library. You can also connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and stream music from your favorite apps. Video: The Model Y's infotainment system can also play videos from a variety of sources, including Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu. You can also watch live TV if you have a subscription to a streaming service. Games: The Model Y's infotainment system includes a variety of games that you can play while you're charging your car or waiting for someone. There are games for all ages and interests, so you're sure to find something you'll enjoy.

The Tesla Model Y's advanced infotainment system is a major selling point for the car. It provides a wide range of features and functionality, and it's easy to use. Whether you're using it for navigation, music, video, or games, the Model Y's infotainment system is sure to impress.

Overall, the Tesla Model Y's advanced infotainment system is a major selling point for the car. It's easy to use, has a variety of features, and is sure to keep you entertained on long road trips.

Long driving range

The Tesla Model Y offers an impressive driving range on a single charge, making it a great choice for long road trips or daily commutes. Here are some key factors that contribute to its long driving range:

Efficient powertrain: The Model Y's electric powertrain is very efficient, which means that it uses less energy to travel the same distance as a gasoline-powered car.
Large battery pack: The Model Y has a large battery pack that provides plenty of energy for long drives. The Long Range AWD model has a battery pack with a capacity of 75 kWh, which gives it a range of up to 326 miles on a single charge.
Aerodynamic design: The Model Y's sleek aerodynamic design helps to reduce drag, which also helps to improve its driving range.
Regenerative braking: The Model Y uses regenerative braking to capture energy that would otherwise be lost when braking. This energy is then used to recharge the battery, which helps to extend the driving range.

Overall, the Tesla Model Y's long driving range makes it a great choice for drivers who want an electric car that can travel long distances on a single charge.

Available all-wheel drive

The Tesla Model Y is available with an optional all-wheel drive (AWD) system. This system provides traction to all four wheels, which can improve stability and handling in slippery conditions, such as rain, snow, and ice. Here are some key benefits of the Model Y's AWD system:

Improved traction: The AWD system provides traction to all four wheels, which helps to prevent the car from slipping and sliding. This is especially beneficial in slippery conditions, such as rain, snow, and ice.
Better handling: The AWD system also helps to improve the car's handling. By providing traction to all four wheels, the AWD system helps to keep the car planted on the road, even when cornering at high speeds.
Increased stability: The AWD system also helps to increase the car's stability. By providing traction to all four wheels, the AWD system helps to prevent the car from fishtailing or losing control.
Improved acceleration: The AWD system can also help to improve the car's acceleration. By providing traction to all four wheels, the AWD system helps to get the car off the line more quickly.

Overall, the Tesla Model Y's AWD system is a valuable option for drivers who live in areas with inclement weather or who simply want the added peace of mind that comes with having all-wheel drive.

Eye-catching design

The Tesla Model Y is a striking and stylish SUV that is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. Here are some key elements of its eye-catching design:

Sleek silhouette: The Model Y has a sleek and aerodynamic silhouette that is both sporty and elegant. Its low roofline and curved lines give it a futuristic look.
Large wheels: The Model Y comes standard with large wheels, which give it a more aggressive and athletic stance. The wheels are also available in a variety of styles, so you can choose the ones that best match your taste.
Panoramic glass roof: The Model Y's panoramic glass roof floods the cabin with natural light and gives passengers a feeling of spaciousness. It also provides a great view of the stars at night.
Unique lighting: The Model Y has unique lighting features, such as LED headlights and taillights. The headlights are designed to provide excellent visibility at night, while the taillights are designed to be highly visible to other drivers.

Overall, the Tesla Model Y's eye-catching design is sure to make a statement wherever you go. Its sleek silhouette, large wheels, panoramic glass roof, and unique lighting features all contribute to its head-turning appeal.

Autopilot driver assistance

The Tesla Model Y is available with Autopilot, a suite of driver assistance features that can make driving safer and more convenient. Autopilot includes features such as:

Adaptive cruise control: This feature automatically adjusts the car's speed to maintain a safe following distance from the car in front of you.
Autosteer: This feature helps to keep the car centered in its lane. It can also automatically change lanes when you signal.
Traffic-aware cruise control: This feature combines adaptive cruise control and Autosteer to automatically adjust the car's speed and steering in response to traffic conditions.
Autopark: This feature helps the car to park itself in both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces.
Summon: This feature allows you to call your car to you from a distance, so you can park it in tight spaces or retrieve it from a parking lot without having to get in the driver's seat.

Autopilot is a valuable safety feature that can help to prevent accidents and reduce driver fatigue. It is also a convenient feature that can make driving more enjoyable.

However, it is important to note that Autopilot is not a fully self-driving system. The driver is still responsible for paying attention to the road and being prepared to take over control of the car at any time.

Overall, Autopilot is a sophisticated driver assistance system that can make driving safer and more convenient. However, it is important to use it responsibly and to be aware of its limitations.

Over-the-air updates

One of the unique features of Tesla vehicles is their ability to receive over-the-air (OTA) updates. These updates can add new features, improve performance, and fix bugs. Here are some key benefits of OTA updates:

Convenience: OTA updates are very convenient. They can be installed while the car is parked at home or at work. You don't have to take your car to a service center to get them installed.
Speed: OTA updates are also very fast. They can be installed in a matter of minutes or hours, depending on the size of the update.
Safety: OTA updates can help to improve the safety of your car. For example, Tesla has released OTA updates that have fixed safety issues, such as problems with the Autopilot system.
New features: OTA updates can also add new features to your car. For example, Tesla has released OTA updates that have added features such as new games, streaming services, and even the ability to control your car with your smartphone.

Overall, OTA updates are a valuable feature that can help to keep your Tesla vehicle up-to-date with the latest features and improvements. They are also very convenient and easy to install.

Extensive Supercharger network

Tesla has built an extensive network of Superchargers, which are fast-charging stations that can charge a Tesla vehicle in as little as 30 minutes. This network is a major advantage for Tesla owners, as it makes it easy to travel long distances without having to worry about running out of range.

Number of Superchargers: As of January 2023, Tesla has over 30,000 Superchargers worldwide. This number is constantly growing, as Tesla is adding new Superchargers all the time.
Location of Superchargers: Superchargers are located in a variety of places, including urban areas, rural areas, and along major highways. This makes it easy to find a Supercharger no matter where you are.
Charging speed: Superchargers can charge a Tesla vehicle at a rate of up to 250 kW. This is much faster than a typical home charger, which can only charge a Tesla vehicle at a rate of up to 11 kW.
Cost of charging: Charging at a Supercharger is relatively affordable. The cost varies depending on the location of the Supercharger and the time of day, but it is typically around $0.25 per kWh.

Overall, Tesla's extensive Supercharger network is a major advantage for Tesla owners. It makes it easy to travel long distances without having to worry about running out of range.

FAQ

If you're considering buying a Tesla car in Indonesia, you may have some questions about the price and availability of these vehicles. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you out:

Question 1: How much does a Tesla car cost in Indonesia?

Answer 1: The price of a Tesla car in Indonesia varies depending on the model and configuration you choose. The Model 3 starts at around 1.5 billion rupiah (approximately $104,000 USD), while the Model S starts at around 2.5 billion rupiah (approximately $172,000 USD). The Model X starts at around 3 billion rupiah (approximately $207,000 USD).

Question 2: Are there any additional costs associated with owning a Tesla car in Indonesia?

Answer 2: Yes, there are a few additional costs associated with owning a Tesla car in Indonesia. These costs include the cost of electricity to charge the car, the cost of insurance, and the cost of maintenance. However, the cost of these things is typically lower than the cost of owning a gasoline-powered car.

Question 3: Where can I buy a Tesla car in Indonesia?

Answer 3: Tesla cars are not currently sold in Indonesia through Tesla's official website or showrooms. However, there are a few authorized Tesla dealers in Indonesia that import and sell Tesla cars. You can find a list of these dealers on Tesla's website.

Question 4: What are the benefits of owning a Tesla car in Indonesia?

Answer 4: There are many benefits to owning a Tesla car in Indonesia. These benefits include the low cost of electricity to charge the car, the low cost of maintenance, the high performance of Tesla cars, and the environmental benefits of driving an electric car.

Question 5: What are the challenges of owning a Tesla car in Indonesia?

Answer 5: There are a few challenges associated with owning a Tesla car in Indonesia. These challenges include the limited number of Supercharger charging stations in Indonesia, the high cost of Tesla cars, and the lack of government incentives for electric cars.

Question 6: Is it worth buying a Tesla car in Indonesia?

Answer 6: Whether or not it is worth buying a Tesla car in Indonesia depends on your individual needs and budget. If you are looking for a high-performance, environmentally friendly car and you are willing to pay a premium price, then a Tesla car may be a good option for you. However, if you are on a tight budget or you are not interested in electric cars, then a Tesla car may not be the best choice for you.

Overall, Tesla cars are a great option for those who are looking for a high-performance, environmentally friendly car. However, the high cost of Tesla cars and the limited number of Supercharger charging stations in Indonesia may be a deterrent for some potential buyers.

In addition to the information provided in the FAQ section above, here are some additional tips for buying a Tesla car in Indonesia:

Tips

Here are a few tips for buying a Tesla car in Indonesia:

Tip 1: Do your research. Before you buy a Tesla car, it's important to do your research and learn as much as you can about the different models and configurations available. You should also compare the prices of Tesla cars in Indonesia to the prices of similar cars from other manufacturers.

Tip 2: Consider your budget. Tesla cars are relatively expensive, so it's important to consider your budget before you make a purchase. You should also factor in the cost of electricity to charge the car, the cost of insurance, and the cost of maintenance.

Tip 3: Find a reputable dealer. If you decide to buy a Tesla car in Indonesia, it's important to find a reputable dealer. You can find a list of authorized Tesla dealers in Indonesia on Tesla's website.

Tip 4: Test drive the car. Before you buy a Tesla car, it's a good idea to test drive the car to see if it's the right fit for you. You should also take the car to a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection.

Overall, buying a Tesla car in Indonesia can be a great experience. However, it's important to do your research, consider your budget, find a reputable dealer, and test drive the car before you make a purchase.

Now that you know more about Tesla car prices in Indonesia and have some tips for buying a Tesla car, you can make an informed decision about whether or not a Tesla car is the right choice for you.

Conclusion

Tesla cars are a great option for those who are looking for a high-performance, environmentally friendly car. However, the high cost of Tesla cars and the limited number of Supercharger charging stations in Indonesia may be a deterrent for some potential buyers.

If you are considering buying a Tesla car in Indonesia, it is important to do your research and consider your budget. You should also find a reputable dealer and test drive the car before you make a purchase.

Overall, Tesla cars are a great option for those who are looking for a high-performance, environmentally friendly car. However, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a purchase.

If you are willing to pay a premium price for a high-quality electric car, then a Tesla car may be the right choice for you. However, if you are on a tight budget or you are not interested in electric cars, then a Tesla car may not be the best choice for you.