The Tesla Mannequin Y could also be about to get replaced by a new mannequin codenamed Tesla Mannequin Y Juniper, however for now in case you want more room and a bigger boot than the Mannequin 3, then Tesla’s Mannequin Y is the automotive for you. The Mannequin Y now comes with the added bonus of an additional couple of seats as an choice: for £2,500 you will get two small seats that fold out of the boot ground for a bit of additional practicality.

The Mannequin Y doesn’t journey as easily as its shut relative, we’d suggest a check drive over acquainted roads to be sure you can reside with the bumpy journey (which is even worse within the again), however the Mannequin Y nonetheless has entry to the perfect charging community there’s, whereas providing good vary and effectivity, loads of efficiency even in its base specification, and a bunch of know-how that betters nearly each different automotive on the highway.

We suggest avoiding the Efficiency model, since it’s dearer and has much less vary than the much less highly effective dual-motor automotive. But additionally as a result of this family-orientated SUV isn’t an EV that advantages from ballistic acceleration. Save your cash and go for both of the lengthy vary fashions and revel in a automotive that nails virtually each facet of being an EV.

How we examined

We’ve pushed many various Mannequin Ys, most not too long ago the seven-seat Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive mannequin which we put to the check with seven folks on board – together with adults within the third row. We drove in and round London and the South East, taking in motorways, A- and B-roads plus loads of city work.

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Impartial ranking: 8/10

Battery, vary, charging, efficiency and drive

As of the most recent face-lift in October 2024, there are three variations of Tesla Mannequin Y, referred to as Lengthy Vary Rear-Wheel Drive (a brand new addition to the line-up with, because the identify suggests, the longest vary we’ve but seen in a Mannequin Y), Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive, and Efficiency All-Wheel Drive. The entry-level automotive has a variety of 373 miles and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The mid-range automotive has a variety of 331 miles and a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, and eventually the flagship Mannequin Y Efficiency has a variety of 319 miles and completes the dash to 60 in a supercar-like 3.5 seconds.

All three have entry to Tesla’s implausible Supercharger charging community, which fills the Y’s battery at as much as 210 kW.

All variants really feel lots fast sufficient throughout on a regular basis driving, whereas the Efficiency is significantly fast; truthfully, it’s stronger than a automotive like this ever must be, so we expect you might be finest saving your cash and going for one of many Lengthy Vary fashions as a substitute. Even these automobiles are swift with instantaneous acceleration and one-pedal driving with the automotive beginning to sluggish as quickly as you elevate off the accelerator (serving to to ship vitality again to the battery by means of the brakes).

Visibility ahead is great, however the shallow rear display means the view out of the again window isn’t nice. Nevertheless, there are a great deal of cameras that assist when manouvring, whereas the Tesla will do a few of that itself with its enhanced autopilot semi-autonomous know-how.

Being taller and heavier, the Mannequin Y doesn’t drive as properly  because the Mannequin 3 on which it’s primarily based, with the journey being overly agency for our liking – do take the automotive for a protracted check drive to be sure you can reside with the automotive over bumps.

Inside, practicality and boot area

In commonplace type, the Mannequin Y’s inside is huge, with lots of area for all 5 occupants and an enormous, 854-litre boot, plus an additional 117 litres of area below the bonnet. Including the seven seats doesn’t diminish the boot area, the seats are hidden within the boot ground and you’ll nonetheless fold the second row of seats flat on the contact of a button for van-like area.

The center row within the seven-seater automotive will slide ahead, which you’ll must do if you wish to use the rearmost seats; with out that compromise there shall be zero legroom within the third row. It’s potential to get adults into the again row and second row concurrently, however there’s not a lot legroom in both row then. And headroom for adults is extraordinarily restricted within the third row with heads touching the glass of the rear display – as you may see in our video under.

Assuming you’re solely going to permit children to make use of the third row, issues shall be nice – they’ll most likely discover it simpler to clamber over the center seats, which slide and tilt ahead with electrical help. You’ll nonetheless have to maneuver the center row ahead utilizing the bar beneath the seat, although, to present anybody within the again row a minimum of a bit of legroom. It’s finest to consider the rearmost seats as for infrequent use solely.

In any other case, the spacious inside feels much more so because of the standard-fit panoramic glass roof, and the way Tesla’s minimalist design ethos strips the cabin again to the fundamentals. It’s sensible with out feeling sparse, with a very good quantity of storage together with cubby holes, cup holders (within the third row, too) and a few wi-fi telephone chargers under the massive, central dashboard show. There isn’t a driver diaplay or instrument panel behind the steering wheel and, in an uncommon transfer for a tech-first carmaker, no head-up show both. Inside trim choices are restricted to black seats with wooden particulars, or white with silver for an additional £1,100.

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Know-how, stereo and infotainment

That is the place the Mannequin Y actually will get into its stride. The one, 15-inch touchscreen within the centre of the dashboard handles every little thing from mapping and music, to the air con, windscreen defrosting and car settings. It additionally offers entry to video games and video streaming companies to make use of whereas parked at a charger.

Tesla automobiles don’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which will be irritating if that’s what you’re used to, however their very own working system works very nicely. That is very true of the navigation, which tells you which of them Tesla Supercharger stations to cease at, and for precisely how lengthy, to succeed in your vacation spot – your automotive shall be prepped to simply accept an instantaneous quick cost, too. How the Supercharger community is built-in with the automotive (together with its low value and ease of use) will for a lot of be a ok motive to purchase a Mannequin Y over its closest rivals.

Though unbranded, the 14-speaker stereo can also be fairly good, and there’s an entire vary of music streaming apps inbuilt, together with Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal, plus Apple Podcasts, Audible and a traditional radio. There are additionally quite a few video games and enjoyable issues to do by means of the infotainment system to maintain you amused whilst you’re ready for a cost.

Costs and operating prices

The construct high quality problems with Teslas appear to be prior to now now that almost all UK automobiles are constructed within the model new manufacturing facility in Germany, so the automobiles signify higher worth than ever. This stays true with the Mannequin Y, which begins at £46,990 for the single-motor mannequin with 373 miles of vary. The all-wheel-drive (331 miles) model prices an additional £5,000, whereas the a lot faster Efficiency variant is priced from £59,990.

As at all times, electrical automobiles will be very low cost to run in case you cost them at dwelling on a low-cost vitality visitors. Tesla’s Supercharger community prices extra, however can nonetheless be considerably cheaper than most different high-speed networks, at round 30p to 50p per kWh, relying on location and time of day

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Tesla Mannequin Y rivals

FAQs

How lengthy does it take to cost?

As with all EVs, cost speeds range relying on how full the battery is, in addition to its temperature and the ability of the charger getting used. When plugged into Tesla’s Supercharger, the Mannequin Y can fill at as much as 210 kW. Usually talking, that’s sufficient so as to add about 150 miles of vary in quarter-hour. A full cost from an 11 kW charger at dwelling takes about 10.5 hours.

How a lot does it value – is it price it?

Priced from £46,990, the Tesla Mannequin Y delivers a number of bang on your buck. The spacious inside, huge boot, lengthy vary and implausible Tesla Supercharger community are all stand-out causes to think about this EV as your subsequent automotive. Nevertheless, except cabin and boot area are your greatest priorities, look as a substitute on the Mannequin 3; it’s a bit smaller, cheaper and rides higher.

The decision: Tesla Mannequin Y

The Tesla Mannequin Y is spacious, environment friendly and straightforward to drive, with entry to Tesla’s class-leading navigation and cost community integration. The brand new seven-seat model offers it added practicality – though the rearmost seats are finest for youngsters quite than adults. We nonetheless have reservations over the journey high quality, which could be very agency, in any other case it’s one other vastly tempting mannequin from Tesla.