I have a 2021 Red Tesla Model Y Long Distance we leased almost three years ago. We have put about 20,000 miles on it since we got it in Feb. 2021. I have reviewed this car several times since I have had it and if interested take a look at those reviews after looking at this one. My initial reaction when I took a test drive in the Tesla we actually ended up getting after ten minutes of driving was that it was the best car I had ever driven. In some ways that is still my opinion of this car.
To me the Tesla Model Y long distance has the best acceleration, braking, steering, and transmission system of any car I have ever driven. It is is not just better, it is way better. And I have owned 39 cars and rented around 200 different cars. Some of the cars I have owned include a Porsche 911, Corvette, three Mercedes, two Audi, a bunch of Hondas including an S2000, MG, Alpha Romeo, and so on. The Tesla has smooth powerful and quiet acceleration from zero to practically any speed you want to go or are allowed to go. It also has an advanced high functioning all wheel drive system that keeps the car going where you want it to go even in rain and slick conditions. The passing acceleration from 40 mpg to 80 is incredible. Plus the handling is stable and sure, with great stopping power. This is combined with excellent steering with no torque steer. These brilliantly designed features combined with the car being the perfect size, not too big, not too small, has made it the best selling model of car or SUV in the World. And this SUV is truly a Sport Utility Vehicle and not some poor handling truck of economy car.
My Tesla has the beta version of full self driving and it is remarkably good. When I first installed the more advanced FSD last year I was astonished. I knew immediately that full self driving was coming fairly soon not in the distant future. And mine just keeps getting better with every update. However, I want to be very clear that what I have in my car is not hands off robot driving where you can read a book and let the car drive itself. What my system does is provide a different way of driving than any other car I have driven. Basically instead of you doing the driving and the car assists you, my Tesla does the driving and I monitor how the car is driving and intervene when and if needed. Once you get used to switching to this system it is hard to go back to the old way. Does the car drive as well as I do all the time, no. But it is able to drive the car most of the time by itself. Is it worth the $12,000 they are asking for the system today, yes, if you have a budget to cover it.
- I find the front and back seats very comfortable. They are not real leather, which I prefer and in my opinion looks better. But to me the seat, back, and side bolsters all do a good job. I do prefer the older style seat positioning system like I have in my Acura. But the Tesla positioning system is fine.
- The model Y has lots of storage. The back seats fold down easily to give you a good size back storage area. Plus there is a very usable lower storage area under the floor of the back flat area, and a frunk.
- Visibility from inside in the drivers seat is good. The back up camera works well. The wonky cameras that come on when you use the turn signals were invented by a deranged mind to confuse the driver.
- The parking system that tells you how far you are from other objects works well.
- The key system using a cell phone is OK, but I prefer the older style like on my Acura. The Acura you carry a wireless key in your pocket and you can unlock and lock and start the car without using the key.
- The ride quality on the Model Y is OK. The stiffness of it gives you the secure “sports sedan type” steering and handling that make the car a hoot to drive.
- Reliability on my Tesla has been good except for when the heat pump went out in mid summer and it took a month to get the part. Besides that almost nothing has gone wrong with it.
Now here are some of the cons / disadvantages
- The lack of almost all standard type buttons, switches, and direct controls to me are the biggest disadvantage of this car along with the difficulties in charging. Audio and temperature control requires using the touch screen. There is no Apple Car Play and no real radio so you are stuck fiddling around with the computer. Most of the time I do this while I am not driving. Of course that means if you want to change music while driving you will be distracted looking at the screen when you should be driving. Same with heat and AC. You have to play with the computer screen to get the climate system to operate properly. I can say with almost complete certainty that Tesla is not going to start using regular buttons and switchgear like most cars do.
- Using electricity instead of gas or diesel in town is easy. And if you can charge always or almost always at your home it is better than gas or diesel. But driving out of town especially up and down mountain roads in remote areas can be a real challenge. When Tesla Superchargers are available on your route I have found them very easy to use and reliable. If you want to go way out of town like to the Navajo Nation in Northern AZ you will have to be very careful to make sure the car does not run out of fuel. And don’t forget that even with Tesla Superchargers you may have to sit for 30-50 minutes to charge the car, and not the five minutes it takes to add gas.
- Towing. Forget about it. Towing using an electric vehicle is not practical except for very short distances.
- No spare tire. Tesla does not include a spare tire in the model Y. If you drive to remote areas you need a spare tire.
- Tesla does not provide a sun shade for their see through roof like most other cars. In hot sunny days you need a sun shade. I bought one that you can put in after market. Basically you just put it in and leave it in. This means you now have no sun roof. My Acura has an electrically operated sun shade.
- The Tesla Model Y window wipers are a pain in the butt to control. The auto setting works sometimes. Rarely well.
- My car has about 22,000 miles on it. The tires are almost worn out. Most regular tires last more like 40,000 miles.
- In three years and 22,000 miles the main battery has less storage capacity than when I first got it. About 14% less. I have charged my car always to 80-90% full except for when I go on trips, which is rarely. That is because I use my gas car when going on trips.
- Build quality. My Tesla and our Acura MDX were both bought new in 2021. They both cost about the same. Without a doubt the materials in the Acura seem to be better quality than the Tesla. My guess is the Acura will last longer. My old 2008 Acura MDX has 120,000 + miles on it and still runs well and is comfortable and looks good.
Conclusions.
If the Tesla is your second car and the other car is a gas or diesel then you have no problem, get a Tesla if you like the car. If the Tesla is your one and only car and you drive out of town frequently I don’t recommend an electric car. If you are going to buy and electric car you should get a Tesla. I have had good luck with mine but several of my friends bought non Teslas and have had a very hard time charging them when away from home. If you do not have a garage where you can instal a 47-49 amp Tesla charger and plan to just use Superchargers I would not get an electric. If you live in a really cold climate and the Tesla is your only car I would consider the purchase carefully.
Bob Nuttmann 