Performance
Performance is always an area where Tesla has a clear lead over its competitors, and the Y doesn’t disappoint either. Even the Long Range will take just 4.8 seconds to hit 60mph, while the Performance will offer a Ferrari-challenging 3.5 seconds. The Long Range will manage a top speed of 135mph, which rises to 150mph for the Performance. Our test driver told us that the acceleration on the Performance model is as interstellar as any Tesla Performance, describing it as “one of the fastest cars I have ever driven”.
He also pointed out that the handling is much better than a car this tall has any right to offer. This is what we found with the Model X, which corners amazingly for a 2.5-ton SUV. The Model Y is 2,030kg without occupants, so nearly 200kg heavier than the Model 3, but the majority of this is low down, and you have traction control operating across four-wheel-drive, so the Y also corners incredibly well, with loads of grip.
We have no further official details of the rumoured Long Range RWD, but if we compare the AWD versions with their Model 3 equivalents, they are 0.3 or 0.4 seconds slower to 60, so we should still expect a Model Y RWD Long range to have a sub-6 seconds 0-60mph, which will be extremely competitive when, for example, the Lexus UX 300e will take more like 7.5 seconds. Top speed could be 125-130mph. EVcompare.io agrees, stating 0-60mph of 5.5s and 130mph top speed, with a 258hp powertrain.
Range
With the extra weight, the Model Y has lower range ratings than the Model 3. The Long Range AWD can manage 314 miles rather than 348 (WLTP), while the Performance drops to 298 miles from 329 miles. If a Long Range RWD arrives, we expect this to offer over 330 miles of range. EVcompare.io reckons it will be 336 miles. These are all very good in their class, with even the Jaguar I-Pace rated at 292 miles WLTP, and the Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC closer to 200 miles.
Running Costs
With its excellent range, the Tesla Model Y has low per-mile electricity costs of 3.52p per mile for the Performance and 3.34p per mile for the Long Range AWD, based on 14p per kWh. The Long Range RWD would be even cheaper – possibly 3.12p per mile. Of course, this assumes you drive frugally and don’t call upon that stellar performance ability too frequently. Since this car isn’t available yet, we don’t have an insurance group for it, but the Performance and Long Range AWD versions of the Model 3 are both group 50, so this will not be a cheap car to insure.
Discussion about this post