{"id":151126,"date":"2020-08-06T16:11:15","date_gmt":"2020-08-06T20:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=151126"},"modified":"2020-08-07T11:34:06","modified_gmt":"2020-08-07T15:34:06","slug":"first-drive-2020-tesla-model-y-performance","status":"publish","type":"reviews","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/reviews\/first-drive-2020-tesla-model-y-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"First Drive: 2020 Tesla Model Y Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 2020 Tesla Model Y offers plenty of performance, but potential quality issues.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To say that Tesla\u2019s been turning the industry on its ear for the past 18 months might be an understatement. It\u2019s Model 3 sedan has been nothing short of a success and the new Model Y seems to be following it its footsteps.<\/p>\n

Of course, this makes sense since the two vehicles share well over 75% of their parts. And while the Model 3 was a much-anticipated release, the hype surrounding the Model Y was even greater as fans and critics alike waited to see if Tesla could do it again.<\/p>\n

Overview:<\/strong> Well, after a brief run in the new Model Y, we can say \u2013 with apologies to Britney Spears, the California-based EV maker did it again. The new Model Y is expected to be the company\u2019s best-selling vehicle, and on the surface one can see why.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(Tesla goes after EV rival Rivian in court.)<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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The Tesla Model Y shares more than three quarters of its parts with the Model 3.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The midsize SUV takes all of the best parts of its Model 3 sibling and then puts into the most popular type of vehicle \u2013 a sport-utility vehicle \u2013 in the U.S. right now. If there was ever a formula for success, that may be it. However, the company, which introduced the new ute several months before CEO Elon Musk\u2019s predicted debut date, has been plagued with several quality issues. Tesla fans often dismiss those issues while auto enthusiasts are thoroughly irritated by them \u2014\u00a0an issue for later in this piece.<\/p>\n

Exterior:<\/strong> While we\u2019re a big fan of the Model 3\u2019s exterior styling that warm, fuzzy feeling doesn\u2019t exactly roll over to the Model Y.<\/p>\n

… it\u2019s a much more attractive vehicle in person than what you see on the internet. It\u2019s really does take the best parts of its sedan sibling into its design …<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While it\u2019s an attractive vehicle, it\u2019s not the standout design in its segment. When you walk up on it in Pearl White, it definitely gives it a boost. The Performance version we drove comes with 21-inch wheels that give it an aggressive, sporty look that complements its overall shape.<\/p>\n

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The Model Y offers plenty of cargo space in the five-seat configuration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, if you\u2019re looking at the exterior of the Model Y, you have to address one of the biggest problems that appears to plague the new SUV: panel gaps. While a quick search of the internet will reveal stories ranging from perfection to OMG What Did I Buy, our tester had just one: on the driver\u2019s side where the hatch and roof meet, it was noticeably wider than the same gap on the passenger side.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the small carbon fiber-looking spoiler on the hatch felt like it could be pulled off easily after we rested our hand on it while talking, but you wouldn\u2019t see that from afar. We have to say, that there were any issues at all on a vehicle at a service center was surprising \u2014 not alarming, but surprising.<\/p>\n

Interior:<\/strong> We are a fan of simple, Nordic (read Volvo, Ikea) style interiors, whether is cars or homes. The interior of the Model Y \u2013 as is the case with the Model 3 \u2013 puts us in our happy place. Well, at first anyway. The vehicle we drove came with the white interior which just stunning. It\u2019s fresh take on the blindingly white interiors of big, hulking cars of the past \u2014 or the not-so-old-but-not-built-any-more Lincoln MKS.<\/p>\n

The seats are slim, yet elegant looking and very comfortable. We would have no problem sitting in them for a long drive. The 15-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash that controls every feature except the power windows, is clean and responsive with a picture that is stunningly clear.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also easy to access \u2014 which is good because you\u2019ll be touching it. A lot. In fact, after about 10 minutes in the car, we were a little put off by it. Want to change the radio station? Touch the screen. Need to adjust the feel of the braking regen? Touch the screen. Have to adjust your side mirrors? Yep. Touch the screen.<\/p>\n

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The white interior on the Model Y is a stunning homage to the bright white interiors of the large cars of the ’50s and ’60s \u2014 or the Lincoln MKS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now we know why it\u2019s like that and we\u2019re certain that, for the most part, that desire to yell at the screen because we\u2019re used to simply reaching over with our left hand to adjust the mirrors instead of feeling like you\u2019re trying use an atm to do so would go away.<\/p>\n

But overall, it\u2019s very comfortable in the front and the rear, especially if you\u2019re tall. We did have someone who was tall (6\u20195\u201d) in the back seat and he reported he was very comfortable.<\/p>\n

(Tesla reports $104M Q2 profit; fourth consecutive quarter of profits.)<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Powertrain:<\/strong> The Performance model comes with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set up that makes certain that you have power and control. It has a range of 291 miles, which is less than the 316 from the Long-Range model. However, you can get half of (158 miles) back in less than 15 minutes using a Tesla Supercharger. Using the braking regen will help you offset some of those lost miles as well. It will hurtle you from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and boasts a top speed of 155 mph.<\/p>\n

Simply put: It\u2019s fast. Really. Really. Fast. Who cares about how far it goes on a charge. Put your foot into it and you won\u2019t remember anything about battery range or anything like that.<\/p>\n

Technology & Safety:<\/strong> We\u2019re going to take these in reverse order. Say what you will, Musk and the gang in Fremont build an extremely safe car. It gets stellar numbers on crash test ratings because it\u2019s designed to do so. It does have a problem with fires, but that\u2019s a battery issue that the company has a\"\"<\/a>ddressed by reinforcing those parts of the vehicle and the number of incidents has dropped dramatically.<\/p>\n

The technology, which also plays a role in the safety of the vehicle, is too overwhelming to ignore. It begins before you even get to the vehicle. You use the Tesla app on your phone to unlock the car. It also recognizes it\u2019s you, so it configures the vehicle to your settings for seats, climate controls, radio controls, etc.<\/p>\n

Naturally, the aforementioned touchscreen runs everything in the car, which has its shortcomings, but its bonuses as well. The cameras on the car needed for Autopilot, and eventually full self driving, right now offer an impressive array of angles to help you with parking or commuting \u2014 and the images are sharp and clear.<\/p>\n

… We won\u2019t say we got too comfortable with (Autopilot), but we did get settled enough that we almost forgot to take over to make a left turn on to a street that was part of our programmed route. So, we were \u201cdisappointed\u201d because we wanted more …<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yes, yes. I know. Autopilot. Well, we\u2019d say it\u2019s disappointing. It does what it supposed to do. and we were pleased by that. It kept the car in its lane very well. It stopped when it was supposed to stop. Pulling away from a stop was smooth and consistent. The disappointing part? We became very comfortable with it very quickly and expected it to do things it can\u2019t do yet, like make 90-degree turns.<\/p>\n

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Tesla makes it easy to find a Supercharger with its navigation screen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Driving Impressions:<\/strong> Did we mention its fast? It\u2019s really, really fast? Not only is it fast, but with the all-wheel drive, the various techno nannies that come with the ute and its structure, the Model Y handles extremely well. We put our model through its paces on some winding roads in northern Oakland County and it soaked up small bumps, and turns we met with little body roll and there was not any noticeable over or understeer.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re a fan of the multiple settings on the braking regeneration. It was easy to adapt to and basically eliminated the need for braking during our test run. Also, the visibility was very good for a small utility vehicle, and it can be aided in some circumstances by the various cameras.<\/p>\n

If you add in the comfortable seating, the Model Y is an excellent place to be. For a base price of $55,690 and an as-tested price of $60,990, that should be the minimum requirement.<\/p>\n

(Tesla chooses Texas for next Gigafactory.)<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Wrap Up:<\/strong> The current iteration of the Model Y is pretty much all that you hear about it: fast with lots of technology and some quality issues. In most cases, that would be cause for concern for the automaker and potential buyers.<\/p>\n

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The Model Y looks better in live and in person than it does in pictures.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, Model Y (and Tesla, in general) buyers aren\u2019t your typical auto consumer. They see the flaws but accentuate the positive. In part, because they share Musk\u2019s view of what we don\u2019t get right today, we can fix tomorrow. We can see how they get there because driving the Model Y \u2013 the first time anyway \u2013 is an experience.<\/p>\n

Based on the reactions of others, that doesn\u2019t seem to fade away much. However, when it does, Elon sends out an over-the-air-update that upgrades your battery\u2019s range or adds Hulu and Netflix to your system or upgrades the Autopilot program. This means that the vehicle they drove home from the factory with won\u2019t be the same one in two years \u2014 it\u2019ll be better. And that you don\u2019t get with anyone else.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tesla’s seemingly turned the auto industry on its ear for much of the last 18 months. The new Model Y only added to the frenzy. After our First Drive in the Model Y \u2013 expected to be the company\u2019s best-selling vehicle \u2013 one can see why. Find out more about our time behind the wheel at TheDetroitBureau.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4389,"featured_media":151127,"menu_order":0,"template":"","tags":[],"category_reviews":[27,30],"make":[110],"post-state":[],"category_old":[118,286,150,151,313,123,287,131,319,289,155,168,316,132,120,137,139,312,128,291,207,278,288],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews\/151126"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/reviews"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151126"},{"taxonomy":"category_reviews","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_reviews?post=151126"},{"taxonomy":"make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/make?post=151126"},{"taxonomy":"post-state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-state?post=151126"},{"taxonomy":"category_old","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_old?post=151126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}