[MUSIC PLAYING]
You probably heard a lot about the Tesla Model Y
from how fast it is to how far you can go on a single charge
and everything in between.
But how much of it is true?
Well, we're here to give you our expert analysis along with test
results and experience from real-world ownership,
all so you can decide whether or not the Tesla Model
Y is right for your lifestyle.
Hi, I'm Travis from Edmonds.
We painstakingly test and review hundreds of cars, trucks,
and SUVs each year while CarMax buys, sells
and expertly appraises thousands upon thousands.
We've combined our testing knowledge
with CarMax's experience to help find the right car for you.
Before we get into the video, I need
you to switch into ludacris mode and tap that like and subscribe
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For an in-depth article on the Model Y
and all of its competitors, click, the link
in the description below.
Now, it's time to go fast.
[LAUGHS] Woo hoo hoo hoo!
The Tesla Model Y was introduced in 2020
after a little hullabaloo, some equivocation,
and a slight bit of kerfuffle.
But what's important is that it's here now,
and there are lots of used models showing up
on the market.
So what is the model Y?
It's an electric car, which means
it uses no gasoline at all.
Just plug it in, charge it up, and go.
It stores that power in batteries
underneath the floor, which then power motors that
move the wheels, and what you've heard about that part
is definitely true.
This thing is quick.
At its core, the Model Y is a compact crossover,
so it seats five or seven passengers
in some configurations.
And there are a number of different styles
with standard or long-range batteries,
but the one we've got here is the performance model.
CarMax sells the Tesla Model for about $58,000.
Those prices depend on things like the trim level, mileage,
options, and other factors.
But there's so much more to this electric SUV
than meets the eye--
pros, cons, and some negative ownership
experiences we've had.
Yes, this Tesla Model Y is part of the Edmunds long-term test
fleet, where we buy, drive vehicles for over a year,
and then write about the experiences,
so you can rest assured that, especially on this one,
we talk from experience.
So let's jump right in.
First thing's first, it's easy to get in and out of the Tesla
Model Y. The doors open wide, and, thanks to a nice ride
height, you can just slide right into the front seats.
Behind the wheel, there's plenty of
adjustability from the steering wheel and the front seats,
so you can find your driving position easily.
Up front, there's lots of headroom and, in the rear,
plenty of leg room.
But let's talk about a few of the gripes
we have with this vehicle.
The forward visibility is good, but rear visibility
is pretty limited with that slim rear window
and the slim windows on the back doors.
It means you'll be relying on Tesla's blind-spot monitoring
system, which we'll talk more about later.
And then when it comes to the front seats,
they're relatively comfortable.
But the padding is pretty firm, and, in my opinion,
I'm not a big fan of the way they Look.
It doesn't really match the price point of this vehicle.
At Edmunds, we've owned pretty much
every Tesla we could get our hands on over the years,
and they've all got something in common--
issues with fit and finish.
Even the early production models like the Model S,
we could forgive a little bit, but build quality
was pretty bad.
Thankfully, they've gotten a little bit better
on models like this Model Y, but there are still some problems.
What we recommend is that you take a close look at fit
and finish before you drive off the lot.
Now, let's talk about this touch screen.
Every Model Y gets a 15-inch tablet-style touchscreen
in the center console, and it's really aesthetically pleasing.
But when you look closer and think about it for a minute,
there's no buttons to touch here or really anywhere
except for a couple of stocks on the steering wheel
and a couple of buttons up front.
Now, that's nice to look at, but it
means that you'll want to spend a lot of time practicing
with the screen before you take it out on the road.
There are a number of features that you
have to swipe and pull and pinch for to find,
and you don't want to be going 70 miles an hour
trying to adjust the air conditioning via the touch
screen.
Thankfully, in lieu of a lot of buttons,
you do get a pretty good voice control system.
It does cool stuff like open the glove box
or adjust the temperature of the interior,
but it's not very good at receiving navigation addresses.
This navigation is run by Google as is the map,
but you can't connect Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
You can connect via Bluetooth for audio and phone calls.
Then there's the issue of the screen
itself being the hub for all your controls.
Sure, it's nice to have something centralized,
but what happens when it goes out?
I've personally been driving this car when
the screen has gone out in the middle
of an unfamiliar neighborhood.
I was relying on maps that I had gotten on this system,
and I was lost.
I had no idea where to go or how to get out
of the neighborhood I was in.
Luckily, I wasn't really in any danger.
I just pulled over and waited for the system to reboot,
and, honestly, that's what we recommend you do.
So here's something fun.
We're in the middle of shooting this video in the Tesla,
rehearsing the parts about how sometimes the screen goes black
and you lose control.
I'm chilling in the air conditioning,
having it blow full blast while the wonderful crew is standing
outside in the hot California sun.
The screen has gone black, and, oh, look, it's
rebooting on me now.
The car's running, and the AC is unchangeable.
So if I was cold, I couldn't turn the heat up
because those controls are based in the screen.
Oh, look, it's coming to life again.
Try to have a little bit of patience
and not let it ruin your day.
So now, let's take a look at the cables and the cords.
One of the benefits of owning an EV is no engine,
so that means extra storage space up front
in the frunk, or front trunk.
It's enough for a couple of suitcases,
and that's a lot, considering the Model Y already
has excellent cargo space in the back.
If you have the two row version, the rear trunk
is extremely spacious with a flat floor that even
has a hidden space underneath.
This is a lot of room for the class,
and it's right up there with the Audi e-tron and the Jaguar
I-Pace.
Speaking of EVs, let's talk about charging.
Sure, you can charge the Tesla at home using your standard 110
volt outlet, but that's going to take a really long time.
The better idea would be to get an electrician
to come to your home and install a level 2 charging solution.
Or you can use Tesla's wide-ranging supercharger
network, which are public locations just
like gas stations.
Just like gas stations, though, you have to pay.
I repeat, these are not free.
But for the most part, these stations are conveniently
located, and the Model Y is able to point you to the nearest one
any time you need.
Once there, just plug in, and the system automatically
charges your account.
You can go from 0% to 80% charge in as little as 45 minutes.
Charging is one of the most appealing parts
of Tesla ownership.
If you can plan your driving schedule around your charging
schedule, we think that can be pretty endearing, too.
And I can hear you saying it, what's it like to drive?
Well, let's take it out and find out.
So you're all charged up and ready to go.
Well, what happens when you hit the fun pedal?
[LAUGHS] A lot.
Woo hoo hoo.
The Tesla Model Y that we have in our fleet here
is the performance version, so it's
able to go 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds.
That's what we clocked it on in the Edmunds test track.
That's fast sports-car territory.
Forget just SUVs.
But it's not just acceleration.
The Model Y has stable handling, quick steering,
and responsive brakes.
It's an excellent all-around driver's car.
Here's how far you can go.
The Model Y has EPA estimated range of up to 316 miles,
assuming you've got a full charge when you start out,
and our performance version has an estimated range
of 291 miles.
Of course, we've tested this.
And write this down--
every Tesla we've ever tested, including this one,
has failed to reach its estimated total range.
Now, you could argue that's frustrating for a vehicle that
makes big promises, but we tend to lean
on the side of it's still a lot of range.
Both things can be true, though, so you
should weigh the importance of whether you absolutely
need every one of those miles and adjust accordingly.
One thing that's a little harder to forgive
is the rough ride in our performance model.
It comes with a stiff suspension that helps the Model Y rocking
around corners, but you'll feel jolts and jitters
on all types of road surfaces.
And if that's a problem, consider
getting the long-range version that
has a slightly softer ride.
One last thing you really need to know,
the Model Y has a strong array of semi-automated driver assist
aids.
Keywords here-- semi-automated.
No Model Y is a self-driving car, period.
Tesla calls it auto pilot, but, as anyone
who's ever flown a plane knows, autopilot
doesn't mean the plane can fly itself.
Every Model Y comes with forward collision mitigation
to warn you of frontal collisions,
lane-keeping assist to help prevent you
from crossing lanes unintentionally,
and blind-spot monitoring, which you
can view on the screen to avoid surrounding cars that
may be hard to see.
They also have adaptive cruise control,
which keeps a set distance between you
and the vehicle ahead and is one of the Model Y's best features.
It works well on the highway, but it's exceptionally
good in stop-and-go traffic.
This takes some pressure off you as the driver
and helps reduce fatigue.
But you want to make sure to keep your hands
on the wheel at all times.
You need to be ready to take control as the Model Y doesn't
always react to situations like merging lanes, construction
zones, and busy interchanges very well.
It's a good system, but don't rely on it solely
to do your work for you.
So that's the skinny on the Tesla Model Y.
It's a remarkable car, but it's not magic.
Just like any other vehicle, you have
to be an active participant.
You have to drive it.
You have to steer it.
You've got to be involved.
They're going to be some issues here
and there like fit and finish, but, if you're
willing to put up with that stuff,
it's going to be an EV ownership experience like nothing
else on the road.
The Model Y is so much more than your average EV, but, hey,
it's pretty good at being an average EV, too.
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