Tesla Model Y review

Tesla's big seller gets a major update, writes Illya Verpraet

- Illya Verpraet

Shall we talk about you-know-who? Actually, let’s not. Whatever you think of the company’s figurehead, the Tesla Model Y is an influential car that has topped a bunch of bestseller lists over the past few years. When such a significant car gets a major update, we're curious what it's like, and we assume you are too.

The Model Y has been around since 2021 (2020 in the US). It getting facelifted after five years could almost make you believe that Tesla is a normal car company. The car’s had various updates to its battery and specification in smaller model year updates, but this is the one that you can actually see. The headline news of the Model Y ‘Juniper’ are the styling changes and some comfort upgrades.

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

At the front, there’s a Cybertruck-inspired light bar, with the main headlights moving to separate units underneath, while at the rear, the previously quite rounded tailgate becomes more angular. There’s a new light bar using indirect light, and a slightly more pronounced spoiler lip. Apparently, this produces some more downforce to keep the car planted despite the softer suspension.

That's the other headline change: in response to criticism from anyone who's ever driven a Model Y, the suspension has been made more compliant, the steering less hyperactive and there's better noise insulation with acoustic glass.

There are no notable powertrain changes, although Tesla claims to have made the car slightly more efficient by way of improved aero. There are still two battery packs: a 63kWh LFP unit, and an 83kWh NMC one. The Standard Range car comes exclusively with a single 279bhp rear motor; the Long-Range version either with a 308bhp rear motor, or dual motors producing 375bhp. These are the generally accepted figures rather than official ones.