Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y shares much of its cabin layout with the Model 3, with which it shares many of its technological highlights. The clean and minimalist interior of the Tesla Model Y has a dual-tone black and grey upholstery theme, which might not appeal to everyone. However, the wraparound-themed dashboard has a 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the centre, which is the window to each and every in-car function.

The touchscreen system in the centre console has a climate control interface, Camp mode, and Dog mode, while also having various infotainment features. There is an additional 8-inch touchscreen between the front seats and facing towards the rear seats. With this screen, the rear occupants can also tweak the audio and climate control settings from the rear seats. The Model Y also has a 17-speaker audio system, wireless charging, panoramic glass roof, powered and ventilated front seats, and ambient lighting. 

The design of the Model Y and Model 3 is similar, as the former is essentially a crossover version of the latter. What adds visual drama to the overall design of the Model Y is its sloping coupe-like roofline. The Tesla Model Y has smooth contours on its front bonnet and a blanked-out fascia with sweptback curved all-LED headlamps to its sides. These headlamps feature innovative lighting patterns as well. 

The curvy and aerodynamic essence of the sloping roofline in the side profile of the Tesla Model Y is what makes it dramatic in its appearance. While the Base and Long-Range AWD have 19-inch or 20-inch wheel options, the Performance variant has 21-inch aero wheels, with flush-type handles offered as standard. The Tesla Model Y’s sloping roofline flows towards the stubby boot, with its rear having combination LED tail lamps with wraparound LED inserts. 

Under the skin, the Tesla Model Y is more or less identical to the Model 3, with it sharing its suspension setup with the latter – independent, double wishbone suspension with a coil spring, telescopic damper and a sway bar at the front and independent, multi-link suspension with a coil spring and telescopic damper at the rear. The softer ride quality and lighter steering setup of the Tesla Model Y make it a practical and comfortable car to own and drive. 

All three variants of the Tesla Model Y have different battery and motor setups. The base-spec Rear Wheel Drive variant has a rear-mounted motor (295 bhp and 430 Nm), which gives it a top speed of 217 kmph. The standard 60kWh battery of this variant claims a maximum range of 430 km. 

The mid-spec Long Range AWD variant of the Tesla Model Y comes with a dual-motor setup (434 bhp and 510 Nm in combined form), which gives it a top speed of 217 kmph. The larger 82kWh battery here delivers a range of 565 km. The top-spec Performance AWD variant of Tesla Model Y comes with a different dual-motor setup (503 bhp and 670 Nm). This variant has a top speed of 250 kmph, while its 82kWh battery returns a 514 km range. 

The revolutionary Autopilot driving assistant of the Tesla Model Y has advanced driving assistance features like lane assist, automatic emergency braking and cabin camera with driver attentiveness monitoring, obstacle-aware acceleration, speed assist, and forward collision warning. The Model Y also comes equipped with front, side, and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, front and rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, a 360-degree parking camera, and a 360-degree parking camera. 

Tesla was one of the first carmakers to offer a born-electric SUV-coupe crossover with the Model X, and the Model Y intends to redefine the mid-size SUV-coupe segment with the same levels of tech and futuristic appeal.