Tesla Model Y
Can you separate man and machine?
This is the question that customers must ask themselves before looking at a Tesla. For some people, they can't, and the CEO will always be the roadblock. However, by doing so, they may be missing out on an EV that has some really good points and a standout in the sector.
Basics first. This is the 2025 facelift of the Tesla Model Y which launched in the UK back in 2022 to sit alongside the 3, S and X in the lineup. The Model Y then went on to become the best selling vehicle in the world in 2023.
Exterior
Externally, the facelifted Model Y derives its front DRL style from the Cybertruck with an uninterrupted white light spanning the width of the car. Tesla has also decided to forgo the badges leaving a very clean look. At the rear, there are reshaped lights with a reflective red light strip across the tailgate. The lower tailgate is now a simple curved sheet of metal. luckily the lower valance protrudes from the car a couple of inches to protect this panel.
The exterior changes are subjective but I would give it a thumbs up over the rounded, bubble look of the older version.
Tesla has still stuck with the door handles found on the original and Model 3. These sit flush on the bodywork and can leave people scratching their heads on how to use them. it's as simple as push on the back and pull on the front.
Tesla have also added a front bumper camera to the Model Y which is available to view through the touchscreen. The camera has been added to assist the Autopilot/Full Self Driving software. The other cameras are the same high quality ones found in the post Feb 2024 old style Model Y.
When Tesla first launched the Model 3, the general conversations hinged around build quality and panel gaps. Having spent some time with the Model Y and looked round. These new German built models are fantastically solid. Panel gaps are consistent from front to back and all doors close with a resounding thud.
Interior
Interior quality has certainly been uplifted. Tesla have removed the wood trim which always looked out of place in such a minimalist interior. The material quality has been uprated too with more Alcantara on the door panels, new design and textured material on the centre console, and an ambient light strip around the dash which can be colour customised and set to only come on at night. The interior keeps the synthetic leather of the old model but now includes the welcome addition of cooling on the front seats.
The rear seats have also seen changes with redesigned synthetic leather coverings but are also now powered. When the seat release button is pressed in the boot, the seats with fold down and fold up. Tall driver? No problem. The Model Y will move the front seats forward to ensure the rear seats fold down flat completely unimpeded.
The centre screen now has smaller bezels, brighter screen and improved graphics. Plus, like the Model 3 refresh, the Model Y now comes with a screen for rear seat occupants. This screen allows those in the back to adjust their climate vents, watch Netflix and Youtube, aswell as play games.
Unlike the facelifted Model 3, the Model Y retains the indicator stalk. Unfortunately, that’s now all it is. On the older version, there was a button on the end to activate the wipers and wash the windscreen. This has now been moved to a steering wheel button. Tesla had the right idea to include haptic feedback on steering wheel buttons so you can tell if something has been pressed without looking down.
Autopilot is now engaged by clicking the right wheel and the gear selector is now on the screen. In other reviews, the presenter has just wildly flailed their hands at the screen and then complained about it. The gear selector is simple and intuitive to use. Swipe in the direction you want and press the centre to park. Or just activate the Autoshift function that’s now built in. By using the cameras and previous driving data about how the car was parked, the system can now predict which direction that car will need to go and automatically selects it. It can be corrected with a simple swipe on the screen so the user always has the last word.
Folding the rear seats down create a massive load area. The large, low-lip aperture makes loading things easily and uses UWB (Ultra Wideband Bluetooth) to detect the phone key of the user to open the boot without needing to press a button.
Driving
The overall interior size has not changed as the car is built on fundamentally the same platform as the previous version but has had some tweaks to the chassis. This includes repositioning mounting points for the suspension, better sound proofing, and adjusted spring and damper rates. The car was driven on some rough concrete dual carriageway and was still able to hold a normal volume conversation. Wind noise is nicely suppressed with all door glass now being double glazed instead of just the fronts on the older version.
The steering ratio has been relaxed from 2 to 2.6 turns lock to lock which can help this 2 ton SUV feel less darty and more composed. Overall the steering feels solid if a little devoid of feel. Turn in is good with the Model Y responding well to driver inputs. It’s not the most engaging SUV overall but it doesn’t feel wallowly when cornering or floaty on motorway which should help alleviate motion sickness.
The version I drove was the Launch Edition which came as the dual motor, large battery version on the 20" Helix 2.0 Wheels. As this was a demonstration model, it was also equipped with the Enhanced Autopilot and Acceleration Boost.
Enhanced Autopilot gives access to features such as:
Actually Smart Summon
Dumb Summon
Autopark
Navigate on Autopilot (kind of)
Autopark works quickly with the car easily identifying spaces in a cramped supermarket car park and parking itself with high accuracy. The car will auto select drive or reverse to ensure it is placed correctly.
Navigate on Autopilot is fine but very limited. It will work on dual carriageways and motorways with simple indicator taps necessary when the car requests a lane change. The vehicle will take over most driving from an on-ramp to off-ramp with ease. Sometimes it's a bit eager to change lanes but can be cancelled by a simple indicator tap. It will deactivate when not on motorways which limits the appeal if you done spend all day on a motorway making it difficult to justify the £3,400 asking price.
Acceleration boost, however, makes the Model Y a damn sight faster that it really needs to be. It drops the 0-60 time from 4.6 seconds to 4.2 seconds but the response is otherworldly. The car shoots forward with force. Away from traffic lights, very few cars, especially family SUVs, will keep up.
Charging
All versions of the Model Y come with the ability to charge at up to 11kW AC if the chargepoint has 3 phase capability. This would charge the car between about 6.5 and 8.25 hours to recharge depending on the model. More common for homes and public charging is 7kW single phase which increases that time to between 9.75 and 12 hours for the RWD and Long Range AWD.
DC charging is between 175kW and 250kW depending on model which can do a 10-80% in under 30 minutes. If navigating to a charge point through the in-built navigation, the car will pre-condition the battery to achieve those maximum charging speeds.
Tesla App
The Tesla app is the benchmark to which all EV apps should be built. It is always able to connect to the car, wake it, and perform the requested action. It gives useful features such as opening doors, boots, venting windows, and unlatching the driver’s door in the event of ice buildup.
Real time information such as charging speed, state of charge along with the ability to request service and view sentry mode dash cam clips are all available as well as the ability to set the phone as the vehicle key.
It has been very well designed and integrates seamlessly with the car.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the new Model Y shows how incremental improvements in many areas can add up to a massive impact overall. The car is quieter, more refined, faster, more efficient with small touches to ergonomics and usability that keep the Model Y highly recommendable in its class.
Prices for the Model Y begin at £44,990 for a base RWD in Stealth Grey. This version will do 0-60 in 5.6 seconds with a range of 311 miles. The longest range model is the Long Range RWD which can do 373 miles. A performance model is coming up later this year.
Thanks to Tesla Exeter for allowing me to have use of the Model Y!
Overall: An iPad amongst Microsoft Zune. Tech heavy, streamlined usability, now with better looks, efficiency and small features that make you wonder why every car doesn’t have them.
