Tesla Model Y Review

Price: £46,990 to £59,990

Electrifying.com score

9/10

  • Lightning
  • Lightning
  • Lightning
  • Lightning
  • Lightning

The Model Y is the SUV sibling to the Model 3 saloon. With great finance offers, long range, a spacious interior and the benefit of the Tesla charging network, it's no surprise that it's consistently one of the best-selling cars in the UK. 

Play

  • Battery size: 75kWh
  • Miles per kWh: 4.20
  • E-Rating™: A+

    Click here to find out more about our electric car Efficiency Rating.​

  • Max charge rate: 250 kW
  • Range: 319-373 miles
Play

Find your perfect car today through our carefully selected partners

  • Battery size: 75kWh
  • Miles per kWh: 4.20
  • E-Rating™: A+

    Click here to find out more about our electric car Efficiency Rating.​

  • Max charge rate: 250 kW
  • Range: 319-373 miles
  • Red Tesla Model Y driving front
  • Tesla Model Y interior front
  • Red Tesla Model Y driving right side
  • Tesla Model Y boot space
  • Electrifying.com E-Rating A+

Ginny Says

“Forget colonies on Mars and missions to the Moon, the Elon Musk project we’re most excited about right now is the Model Y.  It's been a long time coming and rival cars are catching up fast, but they struggle to match the all-round appeal of the Tesla.”

Nicki Says

“Tesla has a knack of knowing what people want, and they’re spot on with the Model Y.  We buy compact crossovers in droves and it’ll be a huge hit. Think of it as a family friendly version of the superb Model 3, with a 3.5 sec 0-60 time that will shake up the school run, a high-tech interior and that brilliant charging network to rely on.”

Driven and reviewed by 

Ginny Buckley

 - 
3 Oct 2024


The Model Y is a perennial favourite in the UK. Hardly surprising, given a long range, hugely spacious interior, world-class tech and great prices. But it's also getting a bit old now, and rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Skoda Enyaq, Renault Scenic E-Tech and more, have all started to chip away at Tesla's family-favourite. So is it still one of the best, or is starting to feel outdated? 


Read on for our verdict on the Tesla Model Y, or click through for a more in depth look at the rangepracticalityperformance and pricing.

  • Pros:Long range, tech, space, supercharger network
  • Cons:Firm ride, anonymous looks
ADVERTISEMENT

But as recognisable as the shape may seem, the format is completely new. At 4,751mm, the Model Y is 61mm longer than the Model 3, 70mm wider and, above all, 180mm higher. As a result the Model Y offers noticeably more space for rear seat passengers and luggage, even though it is not as chunky-looking as most other SUVs. Thanks to the few centimetres more ground clearance and the correspondingly higher seat position, it is easier to get in and out of the car too. 

While passengers will notice the change from 3 to Y, the driver won’t. And this is a good thing – it’s not quite as fast as the saloon, but it will casually leave behind all electric rivals in this price bracket - and most petrol cars too. 

The Model Y isn’t a sports car of course, and a few bends will soon see the Tesla trail behind a well-driven supercar. But it doesn’t mean the Model Y isn’t rewarding to drive. It’s certainly more sporty feeling than an Audi Q4 e-tron or Nissan Ariya, both of which are tuned to be relaxing. The Tesla wants to be driven with more commitment and has a road-holding that, despite its high centre of gravity, does not lose its composure even in tight corners. In this respect it is much closer to the Model 3 than the Model X.

If Ferrari-trouncing speed isn’t needed, the Long Range version is vastly cheaper than the Performance version - and yet is still properly fast by any family SUV standards, and still racks up an impressive maximum range of 373 miles (up from the 331 miles it managed before a 2024 range update). 

With the Model Y, Tesla undoubtedly has a car which is hugely desirable, but it's no longer the unique proposition it once was. Cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and a raft of German rivals are also appealing.

Fancy a used Tesla? Check out the approved, used electric cars for sale on Electrifying.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Reviews...

“Added to your showroom”
Showroom:
Icon

You currently have no cars in your showroom. Browse our reviews here to start.

Icon

Please fill out your contact details below.