Road test: 2024 Tesla Model Y standard range: How does it rate since the price cut?

What is it:

This is the cheapest ticket into a Tesla Model Y electric SUV. 

As of last week, the RRP limboed to its lowest ever price in Australia.

With that in mind, we thought it was a good time to revisit Australia’s top-selling electric SUV.

A friend just took delivery of this white example (the only colour that avoids the $1500 to $2600 charge for premium paint, depending on the colour).

Here’s what we learned about the Tesla Model Y compared to other electric cars we’ve tested recently.

Price:

The Tesla Model Y now starts from $55,900 plus on-road costs (which equates to less than $61,000 drive-away in most states and territories) – after a dramatic price cut of $5000.

The owner of this white example was devastated to learn of the price cut. They took delivery seven days before Tesla wiped $5000 off the RRP (and therefore wiped $5000 off the resale value).

The Tesla Model 3 sedan price was also slashed at the same time (to $54,900 plus on-road costs).

Both of these prices are the cheapest Tesla has sold these respective models for in Australia – and are up to $10,000 less than they were two months ago.

Engine:

Tesla doesn’t quote power figures but government approval documents show a claimed output of 220kW (which is above average for an electric car).

The electric motor’s torque rating is not listed.

Tesla also does not quote battery capacity, but experts estimate the battery pack on the standard range Model Y rear-wheel-drive is 62kWh, which is enough to cover a claimed 455km in ideal conditions on a single charge, says Tesla.

Transmission:

As with most electric cars, the Tesla’s electric motor has one ratio.

This is the rear-wheel-drive, standard range.

All-wheel-drive long range and all-wheel-drive Performance models are also available.

0 to 100km/h (as tested):

Tesla claims a 0 to 100km/h time of 6.9 seconds. 

Using our precision VBox timing equipment, we stopped the clocks in 7.1 seconds.

That’s only a fraction slower than the claim (0.2 seconds), and still respectable (and brisk) for a family SUV.

Emergency braking from 100km/h (as tested):

These Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 tyres (255/45/19) are a gem. 

Don’t be put off by their South Korean sourcing.

French tyre giant Michelin – arguably the best tyre company in the world – has a technical tie-up with (and an investment in) Hankook tyres.

Clearly some of the knowledge has rubbed off.

The emergency braking distance from 100km/h is impressive: 37.1 metres. 

Excellent for a (relatively) heavy electric car, and about 2 metres shorter than the braking distance for petrol cars of the same size. 

Good points:

Fast charging speeds – and the Tesla charging network – are bonuses.

The smartphone app (and using your phone as the key) is genius.

Smooth, silent and comfortable to drive.

The standard 19-inch wheels and tyres are softer over bumps than the optional 20-inch wheels (which are less forgiving thanks to their low-profile tyres).

Roomier than a petrol SUV of the same size (including the cabin, as well as the ‘frunk’, and generous underfloor storage in the boot).

Panorama sunroof is good (though a blind is advisable as an accessory in summer).

Although the glass is tinted and has UV protection, it is very bright inside.

Good low and high beams on dark country roads (though you can see a horizontal line between the two beams).

Excellent sound system. Embedded Netflix app is handy to watch on the main screen when you are recharging the car. 

Perky and instant acceleration. Well modulated one-pedal braking. Superb emergency braking performance. Grippy tyres.

Our energy consumption on test ranged from 14 to 16kWh/100km, which is close to the claim and also among the most efficient in its class.

We prefer the physical indicator stalk – and gear selector stalk – on this model. It’s much more intuitive compared to tapping the display for PRNDL selection, and the steering wheel tabs for indicator switches, on the recently updated Tesla Model 3 sedan.

If you want to avoid this tech, get a Tesla Model Y before the facelift adopts these changes either later this year or some time next year.

Bad points:

The speed sign recognition technology does not work as well as, say, the speed sign technology in a Toyota RAV4 and other cars we’ve tested.

The Tesla has false alarms way more often. So much so, it’s better to disable the warnings until Tesla sorts it out (if Tesla sorts it out).

Turning circle of more than 12 metres is broader than most petrol SUVs of this size.

No Apple CarPlay and no Android Auto means there is no way to integrate the Waze app into the main screen.

You need to place your phone in a windscreen-mounted holder to use this function on your device, rather than having this functionality on the car’s main display screen, which is a step backwards given all the other thought that has gone into the car.

There is no school zone warning on the Tesla embedded maps.

The digital speed display on the top right corner of the main screen can’t be highlighted or singled-out, and you can’t hide the other information (such as the graphics showing the traffic around you), which can be a distraction.

No AM radio (you must stream it via your phone). 

What happens when you need to receive emergency alerts in regional areas which rely on AM radio for bushfires, floods and cyclone warnings? Especially in areas with patchy or no phone coverage?

This is why the US government is mandating AM radios in cars (as Tesla never fitted it and other brands started to delete it). Hopefully this means AM will be available in Tesla cars locally one day.

No spare tyre (common for electric cars) means you’re calling a tow truck if you get a flat.

What the haters say:

Some Tesla owners think there shouldn’t be any other car on the road.

What the haters don’t understand:

The Tesla Model Y does some things well. And some things not so well.

Examples of where the Tesla Model Y could be better: paint quality, panel gaps and the fact the Model Y misses technology that is considered the norm in most new cars these days (such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Waze).

Should you buy one?

At this price the Tesla Model Y is hard to beat. 

Just be prepared to live with some compromises you might not have bargained for. 

If you want an electric car but don’t want to be a Tesla driver – or prefer the familiarity of traditional vehicles, consider the Toyota BZ4X, Subaru Solterra, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Kia EV6.

Also consider:

Toyota BZ4X, Subaru Solterra, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Kia EV6.