2022 Tesla Mode Y Review- The good and the Bad

Tesla had a couple of issues with production, and covid and semiconductors, much like most other car makers, so Model Y, first delayed, then came in a couple of big bursts.

While this looked great on the balance sheets, it gave onlookers a slightly distorted view of the top 10 sales models.

You’ve seen our Model 3 reviews, so Model Y is just that, the same car with a taller roof. Is that a good thing? We’re not sure.

There is no doubting Tesla’s clever app makes things easy to control, and as with all EVs, everything runs off the battery pack, so keeping the car cool on hot days can be an advantage. A temperature can be set beyond which the climate control kicks in.

Other clever features work only if you let the car know what you’re doing. Navigating to a Supercharger will allow the system to pre-condition the battery for faster charging. Voice control takes much of the function anxiety away, as Model Y has very few controls.

Like all Teslas, settings are fettled through the central screen, but you can ask the Model Y to wind windows up and down, control the climate control, and even to open the glove box.

This Week Review: 2022 Tesla Model Y Review

This Week Review: 2022 Tesla Model Y (and Model 3) Light Show

UNBOXING: GKU D100 Dashcam with and mini review

Help Support Gay Car Boys Subscribe to our Youtube Channel

Top GayCarBoys Stories:

ABOVE: Tesla Model Y

Outside

Headlights are smart LED, and flash the words, “TESLA”, in loud and proud letters as it does its dance during the Light Show (accessed via Toybox in the menus – see separate video). 18” wheels have air-efficient covers and tyres with low rolling resistance.

The rear hatch is electric, and is the biggest difference to the sedan, which has a bootlid instead. The raised roofline hasn’t done much for the Model Y’s looks, and as the rear window slopes gently down from the roof, interior space is a little short of what you’d want in an SUV. We say this about all fastback style leisure vehicles.

Inside

The lack of control surfaces, switches, knobs, and buttons, leaves the cabin looking neat to the point of obsession.

Seating is comfortable in the vegan-friendly theme, and they are adjusted electrically, as is the steering wheel.

The big point for the driver is the lack of instruments in the line of sight. The right hand side of the central screen provides a fairly small amount of real estate with speed and lane control taking the entire space.

Indicators use the cameras to give a good view of the side of the car, and displays it in one of 3 places on the screen. The driver can now flick the display to 1 of 3 spaces to find which spot suits most.

Rear legroom is surprisingly good, and headroom is much improved over Model 3. There are no controls in the rear, only an outlet for climate control, and 2 UCB-C sockets can be seen. Rather handily, there is a large space under the centre console for small items.

Technology

Some of the recent updates improved the way the Tesla handles data, added features, and enhanced existing features.

Onboard streaming for Disney and Netflix uses the full screen, and others can be streamed through the browser, however it won’t expand to use all of the available screen real estate. While the inbuilt streaming discontinues once Drive or Reverse are selected, the browser allows streaming for the duration.

The sound system is adequate for most applications and is best listened to with setting in the neutral position.

We’d love to share more about what detail is contained within the updates, but you need to be in front of the screen for detail. Sadly, we aren’t.

The climate system has a mode combatting a gas attack, something that will no doubt never see the light of day.

On the Road

The 0-100 of 6.9 seconds seems leisurely, but the Model Y weighs a hefty 1909kg. The single motor versions are currently the only specification available in RHD.

It takes about 20 minutes to charge the 60Kwh battery from 20%, but best not let it get that low.

The drive experience is neutral, and isolated, as are most EV models. While the AutoPilot system aids the driver on the highway, there are some who dare it to do more. The system is meant to detect a lack of driver input but where some brands will bring the car to a stop, Model Y cancels the autopilot instead.

Ride quality is excellent, and cabin noise is surprisingly suppressed. Whereas the Model S and Model X use noice cancelling, Model 3 and Model Y make do with decent sound deadening.

I could imagine doing a very long trip, but planning is essential. The navigation system will plan the trip once it knows where you’re going. It adds stops for charging, taking the best advantage of what is available to ensure the fastest trip possible. Suddenly, road trips can be done with minimal interruption on routes where charging is plentiful.

Currently, charging is the bane of driver’s lives if they’re not able to charge at home. Strata dwellers must make do with public charging at 58c p/Kwh. Using the Chargefox fast charging gives NRMA members a 20% discount

Conclusion:

Much of what you buy for $72,300 is battery. Yet, Tesla shoehorns in a lot of hi-tech gadgetry, but the free charging once available to buyers was discontinued once Model 3 was launched.

There are swings and roundabouts. 72K is still a shedload of shekels, in anyone’s language. There is no Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as Tesla stubbornly holds out, declaring its system to be better. It isn’t.

Model Y remains the most popular model in the lineup, with Model S and Model X not currently available in Australia.

In many ways, Tesla remains a mysterious enigma. Its unique take on motoring results from designers taking a more circuitous route. The exterior isn’t particularly handsome but the minimal interior makes passengers feel more than comfortable.

The dual motor Performance model is not currently available for delivery in Australia.

2022 Tesla Model Y single motor