Overview

The Tesla Model Y isn’t just the most popular electric car, but in 2023 was also the world’s best-selling car overall. If you want an EV, it’s become one of the default choices – and for good reason. The Y the fourth car from the American EV maker and is mechanically similar to the Tesla Model 3. The major difference between them is that the Y’s SUV body delivers more interior and boot space, making it a far more popular choice. 

The Model Y won Best Company Car in the Parkers New Car Awards 2024, and Tesla continues to improve it further – the latest change being the introduction of a new Long Range Rear Wheel Drive model. This replaces the previous RWD car and boasts a significantly improved range of 373 miles, along with a more powerful electric motor. 

Despite its extra range and performance, it commands a fairly small £2,000 price increase over the previous version and starts from £46,990.

The new Model Y Long Range RWD sits alongside pre-existing Long Range AWD and Performance models, which can’t travel as far on a charge but are much quicker – the latter able to sprint to 62mph in just 3.5 seconds.

It’s very competitively priced next to other electric SUV rivals, including the Audi Q4 e-tron and Mercedes EQA. Both of these cost more but can’t travel as far on a charge, and aren’t as quick either. 

Other competitors include the BMW iX1 – and more coupe-like iX2 – while you could also consider a Kia EV6 or Ford Mustang Mach-E if you’re not as fussed about a premium badge on the bonnet.

Regardless of which Model Y you go for, performance and range aren’t an issue, but we’ve been left disappointed by the way it drives, especially its steering and ride quality.

What sets the Model Y apart from its rivals is Tesla’s Supercharger network, with the firm having more than 1,200 dedicated EV chargers across the UK, and being the only automotive manufacturer to have such a network. 

Over the next few pages we’ll be thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the Tesla Model Y and rating them in our verdict. Our scores will take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer, what it’ll cost you to run and how far it will really go on a charge.

We put every car we get our hands on through a rigorous testing process. If you’ve like to find out how we reached our verdict, head over to our how we test cars page for everything you need to know.