2020 Tesla Model Y Review

　　

2020 Tesla Model Y Review

byCarlos LagoCarlos Lago has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. Along with an extensive background in performance testing and evaluation, he has produced hundreds of car-related articles and videos.

　　The 2020 Tesla Model Y is an all-new electric small luxury SUV. It joins the Model X within Tesla's lineup of electric SUVs. It's smaller than the X and lacks some of the X's flashiness (or gimmickry, some might say). The Y, for instance, has regular doors instead of the X's upward rear swinging doors. In fact, the Y has a lot in common with the Tesla Model 3 sedan and has a similar interior design and electric powertrain. It's one of the first small electric luxury SUVs to hit the market, though automakers such as BMW and Volvo are also set to launch electric SUVs of their own.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2020 Tesla Model Y EV Insights

Trim:Model Y Long Range

　　Long Range 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 04/20 (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $48,000 MSRPLong Range 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $49,990 MSRPPerformance 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $59,990 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

　　278 milesThe range for a used 2020 Tesla Model Y is estimated to be 278 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 278 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　No battery warranty information available

　　

Charging at Home

　　No charging time information available

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　Not Available

　　Model Y

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　

What's it like to live with the Model Y?

Want to learn what it's like to own and drive a 2020 Tesla Model Y every day? The expert editorial team at zzdcar bought one to find out. With plentiful interior room and eye-popping acceleration, there is a lot to like about this small luxury all-electric SUV. Read more in our Recurrent, where we cover the ins and outs of ownership and cover aspects such as reliability and durability.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the Model Y drive? We tested the Model Y Performance with the optional Performance Upgrade. Acceleration is rapid; our test car launched from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Stopping capability from 60 mph is equally impressive; our test car stopped in just 108 feet. Both of those numbers are better than the stats of a lot of traditional sports cars, and the Y is certainly one of the fastest EVs we've tested to date.

　　Steering and handling are also laudable despite the Model Y's heavy weight. The steering feels light and responsive to any input and gives you a sense of control and connection through a corner. There's minimal body roll, especially for an SUV. In-town drivability is excellent. Seasoned EV drivers will appreciate the adjustable regenerative braking that allows you to drive nearly exclusively using just the right pedal.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Model Y? The Model Y's cabin provides good comfort in some areas and disappoints in others. The seats are well padded and provide ample support, for example, and the seat heaters warm quickly. The climate control, like everything else, is touchscreen-operated. It can cool and heat the cabin well, but it has to work extra hard if the sun is out and beaming through the Y's expansive glass roof. You can remotely precondition the cabin before you get in, which is convenient.

　　The biggest drawback in comfort is ride quality. The Model Y doesn't smooth out much in the way of bumps or road irregularities, and we suspect our test vehicle's large wheels and lower sport suspension only worsened the issue. The grippier summer tires also generate a bit more noise, though that's a typical trade-off for the added performance. For a smoother and quieter ride, we suspect the regular Model Y Long Range will be a better choice.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Model Y's cabin is spacious, with lots of headroom and legroom for all occupants. Getting in and out is easy thanks to the wide-opening doors, tall roof and low step-over height.

　　Alas, the large touchscreen, while it looks cool and modern, is the Y's single gateway to controlling nearly everything. There's a learning curve to using the controls and the system is generally distracting to use while driving. Another issue: If the touchscreen flakes out, you lose the majority of access to the Model Y's controls.

　　Forward visibility is impressive thanks to the tall and wide windshield and short hood. There's only a bit of obstruction from the large front windshield pillars when making turns. Rear visibility, however, is like what you get in a sport coupe. The slim rear window and high rear beltline greatly restrict what you can see out back.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? There are significant pros and cons when it comes to the Model Y's technology features. The big center screen is easy to see and has crisp-looking graphics. The navigation system, which is Google-based, has beautiful-looking graphics too. But the system can be slow to update in spotty service areas, leaving you temporarily mapless. The sound quality from the 14-speaker audio system is immersive.

　　Biggest downside? There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration. Bluetooth is the only way to connect your phone, and it's a poor substitute compared with the more feature-packed capability of CarPlay and Android Auto. You can theoretically use Tesla's voice controls to do many things, such as set the cabin temperature or open the glovebox. Yet we found their effectiveness to be lacking in real-world use. Making simple requests, such as "call Mom," failed to work on multiple occasions in our testing.

　　The Model Y's advanced driver aids, however, are excellent. The sophisticated adaptive cruise control, lane-centering and blind-spot monitoring, plus a real-time digital map of all the cars and motorcycles around you, are great tools on the open road. And if you're parked, you've got access to an internet browser that allows you to do stuff like watch Netflix or scroll through Youtube videos — provided you're up-to-date on your Tesla data plan ($9.99 a month) or connected to Wi-Fi. One of the greatest innovations from Tesla is constant over-the-air updates that can add new features and system optimizations.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Model Y's cargo space is massive. Tesla cites 68 cubic feet of maximum capacity, though it's unclear whether that number includes the front trunk. The rear seats don't fold entirely flat, but there's a wide opening and an easy load-in height. The removable cargo floor provides even more rear storage underneath. When it comes to storing small items such as water bottles or smartphones, the Model Y's large center console is decent for the job, but organization options are limited.

　　Child safety seat accommodation is average for an SUV of this size. There's sufficient space for even the largest of child seats. The lower car seat anchors, however, have small access points and are hard to loop through. The top tether points are on the lower side of the rear seats and can be hard to reach.

　　

Range and Efficiency

7.5/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? The EPA estimates the Model Y Performance has a maximum range of 291 miles and uses 30 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles of driving. Both are impressive for an electric SUV. For comparison, a Tesla Model 3 Performance is rated at 299 miles of range and 30 kWh/100 miles.

　　In zzdcar' real-world testing, we observed a total range of 263 miles at a consumption rate of 29.6 kWh/100 miles, running in the max-range battery mode, which charges the battery to full capacity. This mode is not recommended for daily use and should be reserved for longer trips. While this result is a bit disappointing, we feel the Model Y Performance still has sufficient range for most buyers, as long as you're driving conservatively.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Model Y a good value? Our Performance model test car was well into luxury SUV pricing territory with an MSRP, including destination, of $68,700. Also know that the $7,500 federal tax credit for Teslas has officially run out.

　　Is that a good deal? The appeal of the Model Y depends on what you value. If it's speed and performance, the Model Y is a relative bargain compared to other high-performance SUVs. But if interior design and comfort features are priorities, the Model Y is slightly disappointing.

　　The Model Y Performance has a 11.5-kW on-board charger and the usual assortment of charge cord options, including a standard 120-volt household adapter, a 240-volt SAE public charge equipment adapter and a NEMA 14-50 "RV park" adapter. It also works with the nationwide Supercharger network, though you'll have to pay to fill up (about 26 cents per kWh). The Model Y can charge to 80% via Supercharger in about 30 minutes.

　　In terms of warranties, the Y's is a bit below average for a luxury SUV but comparable to coverage for a luxury EV. You get four years/50,000 miles for bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance. Tesla covers the battery for eight years/120,000 miles and guarantees 70% retention of the battery life over that same period.

　　

Wildcard

9.5/10

　　There's lots of fun to be had with the Model Y Performance. Its rapid acceleration, high handling limits and quick steering check off the "fun-to-drive" boxes. The Y's sleek stance makes it good to look at too. With the optional lower suspension, bigger wheels and optional red paint, this SUV is a real looker.

　　

Which Model Y does zzdcar recommend?

With electric vehicles, having more range is never a bad thing. Because of that, we'd recommend the all-wheel-drive Long Range version, which, according to the EPA, can go 316 miles on a single charge. (Note that Tesla recommends only charging to 90% to avoid shortening battery life.)

　　

2020 Tesla Model Y models

The Tesla Model Y is a fully electric small luxury SUV with seating for five people. Tesla says an optional third-row seat (with seating for two more people) will be coming out in 2021. The Model Y is currently available for order in two trim levels: Long Range and Performance, both of which use all-wheel drive.

　　Long Range

　　Capability and features include:

　　316 miles of range, with Tesla-cited 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds 19-inch wheels 15-inch touchscreen Power-adjustable front seats with heating Panoramic glass roof 14-speaker premium audio system Four USB portsAll Model Ys also come with:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Model Y and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the Model Y back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)Performance

　　Has the same feature but with:

　　Enhanced powertrain for a Tesla-cited 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds (range of 315 miles)Main options for the Model Y include:

　　Full Self-Driving Capability option (provides additional semi-automated driving assistance features, such as automatic lane changes when driving on the highway) Performance Upgrade for the Performance trim. It adds bigger 21-inch wheels and sport-tuned suspension and brakes (reduces range to 280-291 miles). Note that Tesla made this upgrade standard equipment for the Performance trim midway through the model year. Tow hitch (adds a Class II tow hitch for lightweight trailers up to 3,500 pounds)

　　

2020 Model Y Highlights

Trim: Long RangePerformanceLong Range

　　

Base MSRP	$48,000
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	300 miles
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive