Last night, the Tesla Model Y made its official worldwide debut. While it’s been teased for a long time, the latest Silicon Valley product is finally here and it marks the brand’s second all-electric SUV, after the now-famous Model X. And it looks, and is, exactly as we expected it to.
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No one is allowed to mock German manufacturers for their “same sausage, different lengths” design language anymore because Tesla is now by far and away the biggest offender and it’s an all ‘Merican brand. “Same Big Mac, More Patties”, perhaps?
The Model Y looks very similar to the Model 3 and that’s a bit disappointing because the Model 3, while impressive as a car, was never great looking. Sure, it’s fine looking but it’s a bit jelly-bean-like. So the fact that this Model Y just looks like a larger Model 3 isn’t very exciting. Admittedly, though, it’s better looking than the Model X. But, then again, so was Gary Oldman in Hannibal.
Inside, the Model Y is near-identical to the Model 3, with the same minimalist dash and tablet screen. It looks fine and is completely inoffensive. It might be considered a bit bland by some but we get Tesla’s minimalist approach and it looks fine. The tablet is also very impressive, in terms of its size, clarity and functionality.
There will be four different variants of the Tesla Model Y; a Standard Range (230 miles of range), Long Range (300 miles), Dual Motor AWD (280 miles) and a Dual Motor Performance (280 miles). Prices for those variants are as follows: $39,000, $47,000, $51,000 and $60,000, respectively. All model variants except for the Standard Range will be available at launch, with the standard car being available later.
Most models get respectable performance, doing 0-60 mph between 4.8-6.9 seconds. The Dual Motor Performance, though, is the car you want to hear about. It can do 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, just like the Model 3. It also has a top speed of 150 mph, lowered suspension, an aluminum throttle pedal (accelerator?) 20-inch wheels, some carbon fiber bits and Tesla’s famous “Track Mode”. The latter of which sets up the car’s software for track use, allowing for some oversteer, and slackens off the traction control.
Five colors will be available at launch, with only one being standard — Black. If you want Silver Metallic ($1,500), Deep Blue Metallic ($1,500), Pearl White ($2,000) or Red ($2,500), you’re going to have to pay. If you want to fit seven passengers, it’s a $3,000 option for the extra chairs.
Tesla is also looking to expand its Supercharger network globally. That should help bring in some more customers across the globe who might be worried about available charging stations. The Tesla Model Y will go on sale in Fall of 2020, with the Standard Range car not being available until 2021.
When Elon called it a “mid-sized” suv, i was really confused how on earth he could even think it was bigger than a compact/sub-compact suv, like isn’t mid-sized the size of an X5 or Highlander?
Elon thinks a tent is a factory.
You missed the key important feature of this jacked up Model 3, the 3rd row! Totally a winner now
The 3rd row will be so small only midgets will fit in it.
And it costs extra.
Totally a winner school bus Uber now.
Design-wise I find this really ugly. I still want my car to be good-looking when I drive around in it.
Looks like a frog. Bit bigger than the Model 3 frog. And not a very good looking frog either. Its front is hideous!
So many cars look alike so Tesla’s have an distinct shape for the super low drag Coefficients. Minimalist interior will not date so fast especially when you can update screens. Buttons and knobs make cars dated
Buttons and knobs do not make a car outdated, screen only cars are an accident waiting to happen. Touch screen are a great way to clean up your dash, and center console, but you do need the few simple thing in tactile controls.
I’d also argue that screens make cars look outdated more than anything as time goes on. Look at a first-gen iPhone today. Looks like garbage compared to the iPhone XS. Screens’ resolution and graphics will age poorly and quickly, while buttons and knobs will always look good.
All iphones look like garbage. Very pretty garbage.
Software≥hardware. Isn’t iDrive 7th. generation?
After owning at least 50 cars including exotics like Lamborghini, Maserati, Aston Martin, Ferrari and many luxury sports car like Porsche my Model X is the best with its minimalist interior. We still have a Panamera but we fight over the Model x. Wife still wants to keep the Porsche, though otherwise I would buy a second Model X. The ideal size SUV is probably the Model Y. Not too large or small.
Fun life. Not. Guessing your wife’s boyfriend drives a BMW. With knobs.
BMW has treated us well. Traveled to Spartanburg and trained at the M driving course a couple times. I bought one of the first new 2004 convertible 6 series and was invited for a 2 day driving and wining experience in Spartanburg
So why r u name dropping other brands? Rhetorical question. Like Korea or Audi hiring from BMW for credibility. Doesn’t work.
You dont even have afford with the model 3 so your wife should leave you for a richer guy who drive Bmw 8 serie GC what makes Tesla look like a toy
New 3 series cd is .23, I think.
Buttons and knobs make cars useful while travelling on real roads.
Distinct look?! Took me 3 months to realize my neighbors Model S wasn’t a large Jag (or even larger Elantra). Model 3 looks like Mazda 3. What does coefficient of drag matter on a sedan weighing 3 tons?
Everywhere I go, young people are always pointing out saying there is a Tesla. The older crowd not so much. The younger crowds are tech driven, Instagram, Amazon movement, Apple climate change and Tesla represents part of the movement. Old school vs new school. The other car companies are starting to realize this new movement.
The Germans reversed engineered the Model 3 and they stated an Aerodynamic masterpiece on the CE part. No other manufacturer matches the electronic tech or batteries
Why no one touched the patents when Elon offered them up for free & why Toyota & Daimler sold their Tesla shares early on.
The young people who don’t actually buy vehicles
I googled weight of Model 3 3600-4000 pounds, BMW 3 series 3500-4000.
Was referencing P100D Model S, which you’re right, is≤5,000lbs. Without driver, passengers or luggage.
Since u brought up weight, I googled the following
BMW 7 series 4100-4700 pounds
X7. 5300-5600 pounds
Tesla Model s(sedan) 4700-4900 pounds
Model x(SUV) 5100-5400 pounds
Cadillac Escalade 5500-5800 pounds
You brought up coefficient of drag on a vehicle weighing 3 tons fully loaded. None of the other vehicles you mention compete on weight or drag. If you’re going to bring up an argument, stick with it rather than obfuscate.
I forgot MB S class 4500-5200 pounds
Which has NOTHING to do with “super low drag Coefficients”.
Also the younger generation, like to click and buy. Tesla started the movement where you order a car on line, click and buy. You avoid the horrible sales person experience in the USA at the dealership where you spend the whole day there haggling and them trying to sell maintenance plans/plant sealants. It takes the fun/excitement out of buying a new vehicle.
The younger generation are not buying vehicles, thus ride sharing & Uber.
I was hoping to see Tesla do a luxury compact SUV, this isn’t it. That’s a crossover MPV, the side profile reminds me of the Toyota Prius. It just looks like a bloated Model 3, on body style alone I’d rather wait for the iX3, if tariffs don’t stop it in its tracks.
Since it is a bloated Model 3, what else would it look like? iX3 will be manufactured somewhere, BMW build around the world & many of those countries mandate BEV. Import/export will be tariff dependent. Until 2020.
0-60 in 3.5 secs is really rapid for a crossover/SUV priced much lower than GLC/Coupe 63