Tesla Model Y Juniper review

Driving position

Like previous-generation Model Ys and other electric SUVs, you sit nice and high in the facelift Model Y, which means you have plenty of outward visibility.

If you're upgrading from a Model 3, then you'll notice how much higher up you sit, which is also great news for getting in and out, but it doesn't feel a particularly wide car to drive.

Proving that it listens to customer feedback, Tesla added back the indicator stalk to the steering column because buttons on a wheel that turns around simply don't work. Especially in a country filled with roundabouts.

Unfortunately, what has carried over from the Model 3, which was updated about a year before the Model Y, is the digital gear selector. You choose drive by swiping upwards on the touchscreen, reverse by swiping downwards, and park by tapping in the middle. It's extremely unnatural and counterintuitive, and it feels like Tesla is just trying to reinvent the wheel for the sake of it.

Yes, there are backup buttons in the roof, but they're hardly any easier to use than the touchscreen.

During our time with the car, we also found the steering wheel, while round, quite unnatural to hold. At '10' and '2' the buttoned control panels mean you can't get a solid grip on the wheel and over longer distances, and we found this to be rather uncomfortable.

The rim is quite thick as well without much contouring, so it doesn't feel as natural to hold as say a BMW or Honda wheel.

Tech and features

This facelifted model is known as the Tesla Model Y Juniper – Juniper is the codename Tesla used to distinguish the new model, and while it's not one that's used in official publication, it's commonly used among drivers to distinguish this model from its predecessor.

If you're a technophobe, then look away now, because the updated Model Y is packed with even more than its predecessor.

The 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system has even thinner bezels to add to the minimalist and modern vibe, and as ever, it gets free over-the-air (OTA) updates that add improvements and new features every couple of months.

One of the most innovative updates (in Beta mode at the time of writing, so it might not work all the time) is Auto Shift. As the name suggests, the Model Y will automatically change gears to help with manoeuvres like multi-point turns, reversing out of a parking spot and parallel parking.

Tesla says it's contextually aware by guessing your next move using the many on-board cameras, and it was a pretty impressive feat when we tried it pulling off a three-point turn.

A new addition is the eight-inch touchscreen on the centre console for rear-seat passengers – Tesla shows off the powerful processor and how passengers can game on it, but the most likely use case will be adjusting the temperature, let's be honest.

New LED ambient lighting around the cabin is also a nice touch, as are the full-width LED light bars on the front and rear of the outside.

Standard equipment is also strong, with all Model Ys getting heating for all five seats, the steering wheel and the windscreen; ventilation for the front seats; and eight exterior cameras, including a brand-new front-facing parking camera to give you the full 360-degree experience.

The front camera has a built-in washer jet (operated via the touchscreen, of course), but it's a shame the rear one doesn't. It feels like a bit of an oversight.

Electric motors and power

Elon Musk once said that Tesla doesn't make slow cars, and that's true of the Model Y. When it launched, it was the slowest Tesla in the range, but still faster than hot hatches from the last decade.

This updated model has further performance improvements, which equates to 0-60mph times of as little as 4.6s in the case of the Long Range AWD version – and it's very likely that a Performance model will follow soon.

The RWD models get to 60mph in 5.4 seconds (Long Range) or 5.6 seconds (entry-level spec).

Handling and ride comfort

The first thing we noticed was just how quiet the cabin is, and that's partly because of the acoustic glass and double glazing.

It's nowhere near as quiet as the Polestar 3 when it comes to tyre noise, especially if you're buying a high-spec Polestar 3 with active noise cancellation, but it still stands out above other electric cars for minimal wind noise.

Tesla also updated the suspension, wheel designs and tyres for a smoother and quieter ride. When we tested the Model Y, it felt reasonably refined on typically rough British roads and generally composed over speed bumps.

Boot space

Being an electric car, there's no need for an engine, which means you can make the most of a froot (front boot) – something that not all EVs include in their designs.

It's a deep storage area that's good enough for one or two bags of shopping if you can't get to the boot, but we'd use it for storing dirty equipment like the charging cable and muddy boots. Unlike previous iterations, it now features a drain plug like the MegaBox under the boot floor of the Ford Puma, so you can wash it out with water.

According to Tesla's website, there are more than 2,130 litres of storage in the Model Y, which is actually a small decrease over the pre-facelift model, and that's mostly down to the redesigned underfloor boot area, which isn't quite as big.

Two of the best digital features in this category are the electrically folding rear seats (which also come back up electrically) and the hands-free boot. When using a compatible smartphone as your digital car key, all you have to do is stand near the boot for a few seconds, and your phone and car will talk to each other with NFC to open the powered boot lid.

Rear seats

Not much has changed in this area, but that's a good thing. Rear-seat space was already very good in the Model Y, and even though every version has a full-length panoramic sunroof, there's still plenty of headroom.

Many consider the Model Y an SUV equivalent of the Model 3, but if you're used to the rear-seat space in the Model 3, then you'll probably be blown away by how much bigger the Model Y is in the back.

Storage solutions

This is more of an update than a total redesign – the storage space under the armrest and the second area under a sliding cover in the centre console are still there.

In terms of changes, we now see a sliding cover for the cupholders if you want to shut the space away and maintain the minimalist ambience. Space in the glovebox is slightly reduced, but that's not a problem given how much storage you have in the rest of the car.

We do love the two wireless phone chargers in the front, though – some cars have big charger trays where the phone can often disconnect from the wireless coils, but we don't find this happens much in our Tesla. It also charges quickly, but rarely overheats the phone.

Towing

If you need to tow, then you can pick any version of the Model Y, because they can all tow up to 1,600kg. That might not be enough for heavier caravans, but large trailers and smaller boats should be just about covered.

Safety

Standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), a forward collision warning system, blind-spot collision warning and lane departure avoidance.

The facelifted Model Y hasn't been independently safety tested at the time of writing, but the earlier model (and every other Tesla sold before it) got a full five-star Euro NCAP rating.

In fact, Tesla's scores across each of the four test categories are outstanding.

Range and charging

Part of the handling upgrades include aerodynamic improvements, which really helps deliver strong range figures. The most efficient model is the Long Range RWD, which'll do up to 387 miles. Make that the Long Range AWD and you'll get 353 miles, but a noticeable boost in performance and grip.

Even the standard RWD model will do 311 miles, which means all versions of the Model Y are considered 300-mile EVs.

Tesla claims 4.5mi/kWh for the most efficient Model Y RWD, which is way above the average. Of course, plenty of external factors influence that, but it's a good foundation for long-distance driving.

Reliability

The Tesla Model Y has shown a notable improvement in reliability, with owners typically reporting fewer issues compared to earlier Tesla models.

In our experience, Tesla's servicing is fast and efficient, and repairs are covered under the warranty wherever applicable. The four-year warranty is slightly above the industry average, too.

Insurance groups

The Tesla Model Y sits in insurance groups 46 to 50, which is right at the top of the scale, but don't let that put you off.

Besides cheaper running costs, like off-peak electricity rates, your actual insurance premium might not be as high as the groups suggest because other factors like where you live and your occupation play into that annual fee.