Y WOULD YOU BUY A NEW ONE?

There's an even stronger case for a used example of Tesla's crossover

-  SAM PHILLIPS

Like it or loathe it, Tesla's family SUV is one of the most efficient, tech-rich and practical EVs you can buy. The Model Y has topped sales charts worldwide since its launch in 2022, with more than 2.5 million delivered in the past three years. That's almost half what the original Mini achieved over its entire 41-year production run.

You can read our road test of the heavily updated new Model Y from p28, but if you can swallow a few compromises, the pre-facelift car is beginning to look like a real bargain, with prices starting at £18,000-well under half the price of a new one.

The Long Range version is the go-to if you will be using your Model Y as a holiday shuttle, as it can do up to 331 miles on a charge - although figures in the high-200s are more realistic. The Performance trades mileage for beguiling acceleration, hence it's good for only 220 miles.