The Tesla Mannequin Y is underneath assault from all sides.
There are new electrical automotive rivals coming to steal gross sales away from this widespread mannequin – they usually’re arriving within the type of mainstream manufacturers in addition to premium gamers.
With the Mannequin Y being plentiful by way of availability, nevertheless, it does appear to have a stronghold on the electrical SUV phase – for now, no less than.
It’s simple to see why. Go on the configurator and, when you imagine the display, it is best to be capable to specify, order, pay for, and have your new Mannequin Y arrive inside about 12 weeks.
Some manufacturers are solely capable of open their order books as soon as each few months, and the allocations are exhausted inside hours.
So is the ‘go-to’ standing that the Tesla Mannequin Y presently enjoys a warranted place? Or do you have to contemplate it, however store round for one thing a bit extra… particular?
Learn on to seek out out.
How a lot does the Tesla Mannequin Y RWD value?
Pricing for Tesla fashions modifications so repeatedly, that it’s arduous to pin down an actual record value from one week to the following.
Certainly, the Mannequin Y is considerably cheaper than when it launched in Australia in June 2022 – it’s $3000 much less for the bottom grade, and greater than $7000 much less for the Efficiency.
Nevertheless, on the time of writing, the prices listed under are what Tesla is charging for the 2 completely different fashions within the Mannequin Y vary.
2023 Tesla Mannequin Y pricing:
Mannequin Y RWD: $69,300Model Y Efficiency AWD: $95,300
Costs exclude on-road prices
The automobile examined here’s a base Mannequin Y RWD, although it had the elective 20-inch Induction wheels ($2400) and Crimson Multicoat Paint ($2400).
Different obtainable choices embody a Black & White inside for $1500 (this one was simply the plain black, which I want), after which after all there are the so-called “Autopilot” choices.
Enhanced Autopilot ($5100) provides:
Navigate on AutopilotAuto Lane ChangeAutoparkSummonSmart Summon
Then there’s the large fib, “Full Self-Driving Functionality”, for $10,100, which takes the Primary Autopilot (which is adaptive cruise management with steering help) and Enhanced Autopilot packages and adverts additional performance.
Full Self-Driving Functionality ($10,100) provides:
Visitors Gentle and Cease Signal ControlUpcoming: Auto steer on metropolis streets
I don’t suppose I’d be ticking both of these packing containers, however hey, let me know what you suppose!
Now, rivals. The plain ones embody the Kia EV6, which ranges from $72,590 for the bottom Air RWD, by means of to $99,590 for the GT, which instantly rivals the Efficiency model of the Mannequin Y.
Then there’s the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which has been up to date for 2023 and past. It prices from $72,000 for the bottom Dynamiq RWD, by means of to the range-topping Epiq AWD at $85,000. There’s a go-fast Ioniq 5 N coming, too.
For those who can take care of a barely smaller choice, you may additionally need to contemplate the Volvo XC40 or C40 Recharge Pure Electrical, or the Genesis GV60. Or ,in case your finances is malleable, the BMW iX3 is superb.
There are heaps of different choices, however would you select considered one of these, or the Y?
What’s the Tesla Mannequin Y RWD like on the within?
For those who like minimalist inside design, you’re going to dig the Mannequin Y – there’s actually not rather a lot happening within the cabin.
That’s, till you delve deeper into the 15.0-inch touchscreen media system, which is basically the management hub for your complete automotive.
It’s not simply the place you hearken to music or search the sat nav for charging spots; it’s additionally the place you open the glovebox, regulate the steering wheel, play video video games, verify your pace, and even loosen up by the fireside.
Critically, there are such a lot of capabilities on this display, it’s considerably overwhelming. It’s undoubtedly distracting whenever you’re driving, in my view.
There is no such thing as a conventional instrument binnacle, so it’s important to look away from the straight-ahead to verify your pace, or the state of cost.
Whereas there are quantity controls on the steering wheel, the display is mainly the mind of the automotive, so that you’ve received to make use of your mind to alter something (air-conditioning temperature, fan pace, seat heating, and so on). Sure, there’s a voice management system, however who can say they’ve ever had a terrific time utilizing a kind of?
Add to that, there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the display might be one of many fundamental causes you’d take a look at another automotive. I do know it’d take some convincing for me to signal on the road for a Mannequin 3 or Mannequin Y for this actual purpose.
Other than that, although, the inside affords some glorious and sensible options, particularly for household consumers.
There are twin wi-fi cellphone chargers up entrance, USB-C chargers entrance and rear, and a bunch of nice storage choices; together with a large centre console space with a number of storage bins, large cup holders, lined door pockets, rear cup holders, rear map pockets, a flip-down armrest, and first rate rear door storage, too.
Occupant area is nice entrance and rear. With the motive force’s seat set to my sitting place – I’m 182cm or 6’0” – I had ample area for my head, shoulders, knees and toes (grasp on, I’ve been singing that to my daughter all week, however it’s the reality).
The flat ground means three throughout is a correctly doable factor, and becoming a baby seat? No problem.
I had my 21-month-old daughter’s forward-facing child seat within the automotive throughout my time within the automotive, and he or she completely liked the large glass roof. For these questioning, there are window-seat ISOFIX factors, and three top-tether factors as properly.
A few different quirks I wasn’t so scorching on? The important thing card factor looks as if a foolish gimmick. You swipe it on the B-pillar to get entry to the cabin – if it really works, it failed on the passenger aspect for me a few occasions
Then, swipe it on the centre console close to the cupholders. Or use your cellphone. I a lot want the previous car-shaped key fob of the Mannequin S.
And, the door handles are dumb. Inside and outside, they’re foolish. Battle me.
As for storage, the boot is big. With 854 litres of rear boot cargo capability, there’s simply sufficient area for the bags of a household of three or 4.
My daughter’s cumbersome pram slot in with room to spare for groceries or backpacks, and there’s a intelligent storage properly within the boot ground for extra stowage.
Which means, then, there’s no spare wheel. If that issues to you, you possibly can be in for a shock, as loads of EVs don’t include a spare, because it provides ‘pointless’ weight.
Oh, and there’s a ‘frunk’, too – 117 litres of cargo capability underneath the bonnet means you possibly can retailer your charging cables, or perhaps chuck your moist towels and swimmers in there after a day on the seaside – it’s a plastic-trimmed bin, the place the boot is carpet-lined.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
You gained’t discover a lot however some black plastic shielding, a storage compartment, and a spot to replenish the washer fluid.
However in relation to what powers the Tesla Mannequin Y RWD, there’s extra to it.
It has a single rear-mounted electrical motor, producing roughly 220kW of energy and 350Nm of torque. It’s fed by a 60kWh battery pack. The RWD’s 0-100km/h time is sprightly however not particular, at 6.9 seconds.
Relating to recharging, the Mannequin Y is able to AC charging at a most charge of 11kW. On DC, the RWD has a max cost charge of 170kW. It makes use of a Kind 2 AC, CCS DC plug.
Driving vary on the WLTP customary is 455km.
How does the Tesla Mannequin Y RWD drive?
It will be a cop-out to say it drives like an electrical automotive, however that’s a truth.
Which means you get the hallmarks of EV driving – near-silent motion; punchy, immediate acceleration; and easy responsiveness at virtually all (authorized) speeds.
The entry mannequin isn’t going to be as dramatic because the Efficiency AWD, with a 6.9s 0-100 time versus the latter’s 3.7s declare. However when you don’t care about that, you can be proud of how responsive and simple the acceleration is within the base Mannequin Y.
It additionally has a few of the finest regenerative braking you will get. It’ll coast and sluggish the automotive to a halt when you’ve got the system arrange to take action, and it may both Creep (the place there’s nonetheless some torque utilized to the motor, so it’ll act like a standard automotive and creep ahead whenever you launch the brake) or Maintain (stays nonetheless, no brake required).
It actually is straightforward to get used to the braking response, and that may’t be stated of all EVs.
The steering is fast to reply and has a little bit little bit of really feel to it, although the turning circle is sort of giant – it’s a giant automotive with an extended wheelbase, however I used to be caught off-guard in a few tight streets.
For those who’ve learn every other Mannequin Y opinions you’ve most likely seen some criticism of the journey high quality, and it’s frankly warranted. It doesn’t journey nice – it feels clumsy and lumpy at occasions, although it does deal with itself properly in corners.
The larger concern that I had was that it was fairly noisy on the highway, and floor modifications and lumps and bumps will be heard within the cabin.
That’s much more noticeable as a result of it’s an EV and all the things else (other than the fan, which is fairly bloody loud) is quiet.
The opposite large factor that you have to contemplate is your interplay with the in-car methods.
The centre display being the one display means it’s important to look away from the highway much more than in a extra conventionally-designed automotive, and which means you’re innately extra distracted.
Having a lot data and so most of the automotive’s vital controls by means of that display takes some studying, particularly whereas driving.
The gear selector doubling because the cruise management (or, Primary Autopilot) activation swap additionally requires some mind rearrangement.
What do you get?
Mannequin Y RWD highlights:
19-inch alloy wheelsAdaptive LED lightingBlack vegan interior5 seats15-inch touchscreen infotainment systemSide and rear-view camerasAll-around parking sensorsSatellite navigation with cost community mapping, stay pricingDual wi-fi cellphone chargers4x USB-C ports (2 x entrance, 2 x rear)128GB transportable storage for Sentry digicam system13-speaker sound system12-way energy adjustable entrance seats Heated entrance seatsHeated rear seats (all three)Heated steering wheelTinted glass roof HEPA air filtrationDual-zone local weather controlPower folding, auto-dimming, heated aspect mirrorsCustom driver profilesKey card entrySmartphone app connectivityElectronic fold-flat rear seat releases
Mannequin Y Efficiency provides:
21-inch wheelsPerformance brakesLowered suspensionAluminium pedals
Is the Tesla Mannequin Y RWD secure?
The Tesla Mannequin Y was labelled the “high performer” by ANCAP in 2022, scoring a five-star security ranking but additionally managing the best common rating (weighted throughout the 4 standards) of all automobiles examined throughout that yr.
It achieved a 97 per cent rating for grownup occupant safety, 89 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 82 per cent for weak highway customers, and 98 per cent for security help.
Unsurprisingly, it’s loaded with customary security know-how.
Commonplace options embody:
7 airbags incl. front-centre airbagAutonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)Ahead, ReverseCar, Pedestrian, Bike owner detectionJunction assistBackover preventionBlind-spot assistLane maintain assistReversing, aspect view camerasFront, rear parking sensorsAdaptive cruise management with cease/goTyre strain monitoringAutomatic high-beamIntelligent pace limiter
Oddly, it doesn’t formally have rear cross-traffic alert like most different new vehicles.
It does, nevertheless, have a system that may detect shifting obstacles (folks, different vehicles) and brake for them, however it is not going to warn you of passing site visitors when you’re in reverse and never shifting, like most automobiles with RCTA will.
How a lot does the Tesla Mannequin Y RWD value to run?
The guarantee stakes is arguably the place Tesla falls behind in modern-day Australian motoring, because the model solely affords a four-year, 80,000km guarantee.
Nevertheless, there’s a battery and drive unit guarantee that spans eight years/160,000km for the RWD (eight years/192,000km for AWD), which can assure no less than 70 per cent battery retention to that time.
There aren’t any particular servicing intervals, however the Tesla web site does have some really helpful objects to take care of – a brake fluid well being verify each 24 months, cabin air filters each two years, HEPA filter substitute at three years, and air-con service each 4 years, in addition to the standard tyre rotation and wheel balancing.
Relating to effectivity, the Mannequin Y RWD has a fairly spectacular claimed quantity – 14.6kWh per 100 kilometres. For those who can obtain that, you’re doing very properly, and it is best to be capable to recharge it at house for about $13 off-peak from empty (primarily based on NSW common charges of 20.5c/kWh).
For those who’re questioning what I noticed throughout my time within the Mannequin Y RWD, the determine was 15.9kWh/100km throughout a mixture of city, suburban and freeway driving. I used to be impressed.
Charging occasions will differ relying on how a lot energy you’re placing into it. For those who simply plug into a regular 220V outlet at house, it’s going to take a really, very very long time. Get your self a 7kW house charging station on single-phase electrical energy, and it’ll take someplace within the area of 11 or 12 hours to fill.
That’ll drop to about 60 minutes from 0-80 per cent at a 50kW quick charger, or extra like 18-20 minutes at a Supercharger or any charging station pumping out 150kW or extra.
And the opposite large profit of shopping for a Tesla can be the truth that you get entry to the Supercharger community, Australia-wide. There are greater than 50 super-fast stations throughout the nation, however a whole lot extra of Tesla’s slower vacation spot chargers too.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Tesla Mannequin Y RWD
The Tesla Mannequin Y actually does deserve its stranglehold on the EV SUV market.
It ticks so many packing containers that, when you can study to stay with the bizarre inside minimalist quirks, it is going to little doubt suit your necessities if you would like an electrical automotive that gives loads of worth, area, and cred in your cash.
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MORE: Every little thing Tesla Mannequin Y
