The all-electric 2022 Tesla Model Y is a five-seat small crossover utility vehicle with a roomy cabin. It is the best-selling compact luxury SUV on the market, EV or not, and is located at the top of America’s most popular vehicle class, small SUVs. Owners profit from Tesla’s nationwide Supercharger network of quick charging stations, but they also need to get used to the automaker’s unusual management schemes and ownership style.
Model years are only a formality for Tesla since it freely adds, removes, and modifies vehicle features and specs. Recently, two Standard Range variants were eliminated. Long Range and Performance are the two current variants of the Model Y, featuring all-wheel drive (AWD) and many trim choices, most of which come at an additional expense. The range is sacrificed while the Performance becomes noticeably quicker and more powerful.
Early in 2020, when the Model Y first came out, it only competed with the more extensive and considerably lower-volume Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace, but since then, many more modern designs have appeared. These vehicles include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Genesis GV60, and Chevrolet Bolt EUV (which is AWD-deficient). The 187-inch-long Model Y is among the most expensive in its class. Still, it boasts the maximum EPA range rating (330 miles) and the considerable benefit of the countrywide Supercharger fast-charging network.
Tesla Model Y version variations regularly vary, sometimes even week to week. You may discover the most recent features and pricing on the company’s website. Rear-drive and all-wheel drive (AWD) are no longer listed as optional entry-level options. Although Standard Range vehicles can be offered as special orders via a Tesla Store, only the Long Range and Performance variants, both AWD-only, are advertised as accessible to orders. Extended Range versions won’t be delivered until 2023, but performance buyers may anticipate delivery this year.
The Y’s interior volume is about in the centre among small crossovers, but its short front end and low cowl give the log cabin a sense of room that SUVs without engines can’t match. The minimalist interior’s rectangular touchscreen atop a plain dash is the only noticeable design feature. The Model Y’s ride isn’t the smoothest, but it’s quieter than any SUV powered by a combustion engine.
The cutting-edge driver assistance features in Tesla’s cars are comparable to those in other high-end cars. However, since it combines adaptive cruise control and active lane control, it is known as “Autopilot,” which gives the impression that the automobile is driving itself when it is not. The smooth and efficient technology requires that drivers retain their hands on the steering wheel. The baseline vehicle warranty for the Y is four years or 50,000 miles, while the powertrain has an 8-year/120,000-mile guarantee.
Performance: Tesla Model Y
Both Model Y models are exciting to drive and quick off the line. The centre of gravity is as low as possible since the battery pack sits below the cabin floor. Although the ride is harsh and appropriate for its athletic character, the steering and suspension are precise and competent. Although it has more power than the similar Model 3 sedan, which has a more significant height and volume, it is still not nearly as crisp and BMW-like as that.
A 91 kW electric motor is used up front, and a 200 kW motor is used in the back of the Model Y Long Range AWD. Tesla does not provide torque or horsepower specifications, although that is about comparable to 390 horsepower. Like other EVs, Tesla’s acceleration gives powerful off-the-line performance, and high torque is immediate. It will go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, comparable to a Porsche Macan GTS.
The hot-rod variant is the Model Y Performance, which is AWD and has front and rear motors that produce a combined 133 kW and 179 kW, or 420 horsepower. The Performance’s acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds is astonishing for an SUV. It surpasses the quick Macan and almost every gasoline-powered small crossover, including the high-performance Mustang Mach-E GT (3.7 seconds).
Range, power use, and charging
The Model Y Long Range delivers a more excellent EPA-rated range than any direct rival at 330 miles. Even the hot-rod Performance model is capable of 303 miles of driving on a single charge. Some Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 models have a 300+ mile range. However, the majority only have rear-wheel drive. Compared to the longest-range Ioniq 5 and Mach-E models’ respective MPGe ratings of 114 and 101, the Model Y AWD Long Range is likewise very energy-efficient, with a rating of 122 MPGe.
The network of specialized Supercharger fast-charging stations is Tesla’s strongest suit for road trips. It offers 48 states with dependable, frictionless, practically ubiquitous charging. After entering a destination, the Model Y selects a route with the fewest charge stops and advises the driver on how long to wait, reducing dwell time. Like other EVs, Teslas also use Level 2 home chargers for slower recharges.
At Supercharger locations, all Model Y versions recharge from 10% to 80% in less than 40 minutes; many have been updated to the quickest V3 requirements. For a portable charging cable, Tesla now costs $200.
Safety & Driver Assistance :
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the Tesla Model Y the highest possible five-star safety rating, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names it a Top Safety Pick+.
Automatic emergency braking, front and side collision alerts, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring are all standard features on the Model Y. It’s all a part of the unfortunate Autopilot package, which performs better than many and compares well to comparable systems from other manufacturers.
The Navigate on Autopilot feature, which enables the car to drive from on-ramp to off-ramp on highways, is included in the $6,000 Enhanced Autopilot package. Drivers must maintain their hands on the wheel; it does not feature General Motors’ Super Cruise driver-monitoring camera for hands-free driving. It also includes summons, parking assistance, and automated lane change.
Above that is a $12,000 option for limited off-highway autonomy known as “Full Self-Driving” (FSD). Although they go by different names, FSD and Autopilot are not entirely autonomous systems and never should be. FSD is still a beta. We cannot endorse it since it is an unfinished future capability with no estimated delivery date, costs five figures, and is not what its name suggests.
Comfort and Space
The Model Y’s inside feels airy because of the standard glass roof, and the long wheelbase provides roomy back and front legroom. Traditional upholstery is black synthetic leather; a two-tone interior with white seats costs $1,000 more.
It’s a comfortable travel vehicle for four people or five if required, thanks to the well-bolstered front seats and abundant rear-seat capacity (the first two rows are heated, too). Rear seat headroom is 39.4 inches, significantly more significant than the Jaguar I-Pace’s (38.1 inches) but slightly more than the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s (38.7 inches).
Only little children will fit in the two third-row seats that are optional and located in the cargo bay. To accommodate a standard-size American adult back there, something like origami is needed due to the minimal headroom provided by the rear hatch. Using the Model Y’s far back seats means compromising comfort for everyone save the driver and front passenger, much like gas-powered tiny three rows in the style of the Mitsubishi Outlander.
Infotainment: Tesla Model Y
The 15.0-inch touchscreen that stands proud of a low, horizontal dash is the interior’s focal point for passengers in the front seats. Although, instead of being lit at night, the air is clean and fresh. Virtually all car operations are shown and operated through that screen; there is no instrument cluster in front of the driver.
It works better than it sounds, although certain functions—most notably, windshield wipers—require a single lever or knob, not a series of taps, to operate. Even opening the glove box requires using the screen. Almost every rival uses traditional knobs and buttons for at least those functionalities.
Despite integrating streaming services into its software, the Model Y does not support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The navigation system is effective, and the route expertly incorporates recharge stops at Tesla’s Supercharger network. Standard USB ports include four.
Storage & Cargo Space:
If Model Y purchasers choose the third row, it may fold flat. The second-row slides and has adjustable rear seatback angles on the seven-seat variant (a $3,000 option). A glut of storage organizers, console boxes, and under-seat storage attachments shows Tesla might do more. Front seat storage space for oddments is typical for the sector.
Behind the back seats of five-seat vehicles is 30.2 cubic feet of load capacity. That increases to 72.1 cubic feet when the second row is folded down. There are 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 26.6 behind the second row, and 67.9 cubic feet available when both rows are folded flat in the seven-seat configuration. A tiny front trunk, or “funk,” increases public storage by around four cubic feet.
The Model Y has a larger cabin than the Audi Q5 (54 cubic feet with the second row folded) and the Porsche Macan (53 cubic feet). It outperforms other EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. However, specific plug-in hybrid and standard gasoline-electric hybrids, such as the Hyundai Tucson, provide more room.
Design: Tesla Model Y
Like most compact electric SUVs, the Model Y sports a fastback design with features like flat door handles that reduce aerodynamic drag. The form that closest resembles the Mustang Mach-E. Some people prefer the Tesla Model S’s tiny nose and rounded body, but the basic Tesla styling seems odd on a tall car. With its square-edged and better-proportioned hatchback, the Ioniq 5, Hyundai has adopted a new strategy. There are just a few buttons and knobs on the Y’s inside.
The only colours available for the necessary automobile are white or silver; additional hues (blue, black, or red) cost $1,000–$2,000 extra. There is also a further charge for a white inside. Although the 20-inch wheels look more excellent, the claimed range is reduced by 12 miles. The construction quality of the Tesla varies; while some are delivered with misaligned panels, squeaks, rattles, or other minor faults, others are not. This year, opening a new assembly facility in Austin, Texas, may worsen that problem.
Is the Tesla Model Y from 2022 worth it?
The long-range model with standard AWD is the standard option for a 2022 Tesla Model Y. Although the rated range of the Performance variant is 10% less (303 miles vs. 330), it is still enjoyable. Customers who don’t want rated ranges of more than 300 miles may wish to inquire about the availability of the Standard Range variant (244 or 279 miles), which can be specifically ordered from a nearby Tesla Store.
Deliveries for the Performance variant are estimated for August through October, with a starting price of $69,990. A Long Range Model Y bought now (for $67,990 and above) won’t be delivered until at least January of the following year.
Avoid the Full Self-Driving option because it costs $12,000 and represents an uncertain investment in an unproven future technology. The $3,000 seven-seat interior is also dubious since the sloping roofline prevents adults from using the extra seats for very long. It could be worth waiting for the future Mercedes-Benz EQB, an electric version of the small three-row GLB, if you need the additional chairs in a more diminutive EV form.
How Much Will a Tesla Model Y Insurance Cost in 2022?
The Model Y is more expensive to insure than most of its rivals. Although this averages all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record should anticipate an annual premium to start at roughly $3,120. Our study suggests that it should be compatible with other EVs of the same kind. Owners of the Ford Mustang Mach-E may spend up to $2,680 yearly, compared to $2,200 for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and $3,100 for the smaller Jaguar I-Pace.
Verdict
The 2022 Tesla Model Y is a sleek, quick, comfortable small SUV with access to the unrivalled Supercharger network for rapid charging and a highly rated range. It’s a strong bundle, but at more than $70,000, it’s up against an increasing number of less expensive rivals. Many substitutes provide a more traditional cabin environment and rely less on on-screen controls. However, after three years, the Y is still the go-to option for a tiny SUV powered by batteries.
