Should you buy one?

If you’re looking for an upmarket electric SUV it’s been overshadowed by the Kia EV6, charging network notwithstanding. But it’s still good. Sure, the Model Y’s starting price is higher than a Model 3’s and you don’t get as long a range, but this is made up for by the car’s larger and more practical body.

It’s a good family SUV with a roomy and adaptable interior, excellent performance and range, masses of tech and the undoubted benefit of the company’s brilliant Supercharger network. It has some very interesting and more mainstream opposition to contend with, but the Model Y has already established itself as a strong seller.

On the road, it can take some getting used to, and a Tesla Model 3 is better to drive. Fast steering and acceleration mean the Model Y promises a sporty drive, but the lumpy ride quality and disappointing noise levels take the shine off somewhat.

Efficiency and the car’s long range are still impressive, but rivals have nibbled away at that advantage. Quality has improved over older models, but it still lacks the rock-solid feeling you get from BMW or Audi rivals.

What we like

The straight-line performance is enjoyable, while the extra space afforded by the SUV body means it’s a more practical choice than the Model 3. We like the sheer variety of tech on board, because it’s easy to use once you’re familiar with the way that Tesla does things. Add in the excellent Supercharger network, and the Model Y has a great deal going for it.

What we don’t like

The car’s ride is overly firm, especially when specced with 20-inch wheels. The fast steering promises something of a sporty drive, but the Model Y can’t quite deliver in this regard, which makes the firm ride all the more irritating. We’d recommend trying a Model 3 and Model Y back-to-back to see whether you need the extra space of the SUV, or you’d prefer the range and improved handling that’s provided by the former.