Tesla Model Y review

From the driver’s seat of the Tesla Model Y, everything is near-enough identical to how it is in the Model 3 – except for one thing. The seats are mounted on stilts so you sit a lot higher up, and you almost look down on the dashboard. In other electric SUVs, including the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3 and Kia EV6, you feel more cocooned by a taller dashboard and higher windowline.

We wish the Model Y's ‘vegan leather’ seats had a bit more support around the sides and shoulders to hold you in position through corners, but they’re comfy enough when you’re going in a straight line.

The Model Y has the same 15in touchscreen infotainment system that features in the Tesla Model 3. The operating system is fairly intuitive, and while some of the smaller icons can be distracting to hit accurately while you’re driving, the system is quick and responsive once you’ve made your selection.  

There are loads of useful features (navigation and web browsing, for example), welcome additions (such as Netflix and Spotify) and some purely fun applications (driving games controlled using the steering wheel and the ability to make whoopee cushion noises to amuse your passengers). You also get two easily accessible wireless phone-charging mats located below the infotainment screen and a couple of high-powered USB-C ports for rapid device charging in the large, covered centre console storage bin.