2023 Tesla Model Y SUV

　　

Tesla Model Y Video Shorts

by zzdcar Test Team

　　

2023 Tesla Model Y Review

byNick YekikianNews Editor

　　Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the News Editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.

　　The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric SUV and the fourth model in Tesla's lineup, slotting underneath the Model X and offering a more spacious (albeit more expensive) alternative to the Model 3 sedan. It's one of the most popular electric cars on the road thanks to excellent electric range, loads of in-car tech and swift acceleration, especially in the Performance trim.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Tesla Model Y EV Insights

Trim:Model Y Base

　　4dr SUV (electric DD) - $43,990 MSRPLong Range 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $48,490 MSRP4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 09/23 (electric DD) - $49,990 MSRPPerformance 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $52,490 MSRP

　　

Range

　　EPA Estimated Range not available

　　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 © OpenStreetMap contributors | OpenStreetMap

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　

Charging at Home

　　No charging time information available

　　Tesla SuperchargerProprietary Tesla charging standard. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　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 OpenStreetMap

　　

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.

　　Official details for the 2023 Model Y will likely keep trickling in throughout the year. Unlike most other automakers, Tesla makes rolling updates to its vehicles rather than waiting for a brand-new model year to come around. Recent updates include pricing reductions and the introduction of an Enhanced Autopilot option that adds a variety of advanced driver assist features, such as automatic lane changes as well as self-parking and summon features, without having to pay for the full-boat Full Self-Driving upgrade.

　　Specific to the 2023 Tesla Model Y is the introduction of Tesla's so-called 4680 battery cells. The new 4680 cells are a complete overhaul of the battery tech inside Tesla's cars, and the company has been working on them for quite some time. There's a lot that goes into the new cells, but what matters to most consumers is that this battery technology promises lower costs, which Tesla could pass on to its customers. As of this publication, Tesla has dropped the price of the Model Y several times throughout the year.

　　The Y is undeniably the sales leader in its class, but that class is growing with new options. The Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X and Volkswagen ID.4 are all models that you might also want to consider for your next electric SUV purchase. Check out the Expert Rating below to get our test team's full take on the Model Y's utility, comfort, real-world range and more.

　　

What's it like to live with?

Our test team lived with the Model Y and put it through its paces over thousands of miles and months of real-world use. OpenStreetMap for all the details on how it held up over the duration of our test, how reliable it was, and what it's like to live with the Model Y.

　　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

8.5/10

　　How does the Model Y drive? Acceleration isn't a weak point. During zzdcar' testing, the Model Y Long Range needed just 4.8 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. And despite being equipped with all-season tires, which are typically designed more for wear resistance than road grip, our test vehicle managed a very impressive stopping distance from 60 mph of just 112 feet. Both of those numbers are better than we expected and impressive for the EV segment.

　　Steering and handling are also laudable despite the Model Y's heavy weight. The steering feels light and is quick to respond to inputs, giving you a sense of control and connection through a corner. There's minimal body roll too, 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

8.0/10

　　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 and the seat heaters warm quickly. But the synthetic leather upholstery doesn't breathe particularly well and can feel stifling in hot weather. 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 Long Range model is a huge step up in ride quality over the Performance model. The ride of the Long Range is much more livable (especially on the 18-inch wheels), though we still wouldn't call it plush. Smaller bumps and cracks tend to make their way into the cabin. That said, the Model Y does a commendable job of filtering out wind and ambient noise, creating a pretty serene cabin experience.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below