The Tesla Model Y makes its debut at our test track. We share our first impressions on driving, styling and the suite of technology that’s packed into this all-electric SUV. We discuss some safety concerns with Tesla’s optional, Full Self-Driving Capability package, and how rolling changes to the beta software can alter how the Model Y behaves on the road.
Check out for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
Follow Us on Social:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
Instagram:
SHOW NOTES:
00:00 – Introduction
0:30 – Tesla Model Y specs
1:57 – Jake’s first impressions
2:58 – Model Y styling
5:07 – Interior and controls discussion
12:54 – Safety features, Tesla’s blind-spot warning system
17:12 – Traffic light stop sign detection system and beta software
23:35 – Question: We have a Model Y on order. What other cars should we consider?
LINKS:
5 Things You Need to Know About the New Tesla Model Y:
Ya’ll gotta install the app on your phones, throw the card in your desk and never use it.
Until a software update breaks the app and you can’t open the car, which has happened twice. This also makes you dependent on an internet connection.
@Sir Alexander You don’t need an internet connection to open the doors. It uses bluetooth.
Sir Alexander phone doesn’t need internet access to get in or drive. And i keep my key card in wallet for backup if my phone batt dies or something.
Just get the key fob.
John REALLY likes Audi. Wow!
Plus there was just a $3,000 price drop on the Model Y…. less than 6 months after it came out.
Good episode. I like how you focused entirely on the model Y. I think it might be nice too adopt that format for future episodes.
The guy with the green shirt is just STUCK😅
He’s the head dinosaur that needs to be the lead. Thinks he’s the smartest one in any room.
Some criticism is fair on selling a FSD feature for a lot money even though it may not be ready for years. However, one side-effect that you did not mention is that a lot of the safety features will likely improve significantly over the life of the car due to the effort being put into FSD – as these features are all software. What other vehicle can I buy where the safety features improve over time?
4:53 I can object to it not being an actual SUV all day long if I have to pay an extra $10k for what is effectively a hatchback version of an already existing car. As opposed to the difference between the civic sedan and hatchback, which I think is pretty minimal by comparison. Yes, this is not just a tesla thing (literally every automaker is doing it), but I’m not shelling out that much more money for the same car with more head room and a hatch, that probably should have have been on the model 3 in the first place.
my point is some of these crossovers are just too much money for too little improvement.
12:54 that all sounds like stuff the Mach-e will most likely do better.
24:01 to the guy who’s got a model y on order, if you can maybe cancel your order and wait and see for the Mach-e. it’s the closest competitor, and it looks like it will do everything the Y will do at a similar price. If you test drive the Mach-e, and don’t like it, you can always reorder your model y.
for my next suggestion, I’m going to assume you want a similar price and space, but are willing to forgo the blistering performance. the Kia Niro EV is also a pretty good option. it’s down on range, but some limited data I have suggest that the liquid cooled (or heated) battery is better at keeping the range “stable” meaning you’ll lose less range over time and if your climate is too hot or too cold. Consumer reports if you have conflicting data, please correct me. while I can’t vouch for the ride personally, I understand it’s pretty smooth.
if you are willing to spend more money and get something that, got a great ride, great features, lots of space, but less range than the Tesla, you could also consider the Audi E-tron. it fits your criteria, but it is way less valve for money than the tesla, and I don’t know if you want to spend that kind of cash. of course you could also get a used one in the same range as the model y, if you are willing to go that route.
Americans love SUVs so much we just raise hatchbacks and people will pay more. The Subaru Impreza/Crosstrek is one of the more brazen examples.
Production recording failure: “Bad sound makes good video look bad.” Only one of you three made the effort to avoid the bad room acoustics by using an external microphone. At a minimum it’s easy. Use the microphone on earphones, corded or cordless, and select that for the sound source on your video device.
The last time I had to move my rear view mirror was 6 months ago (kids playing with them). Driving my Nissan Cube, the steering wheel blocks the speedo. Why change just for the hell of changing, why do you not ask the legacy OEMs, they do it all the time(add a sport button, when all it does is hold the gear longer, can do the same by smashing the petal to the metal)
Why would any business person with any common sense build something exactly the same as someone else when that person already has market dominance. Tesla has to be a trend setter not a follower to be successful, if your truck looks like an F150 you will be out of business. I watch your podcast because I want to know what you think but it can be painful on occasion.
This is the thought. Some are stuck in the 20th. Period. Volvo will be keeping all of buttons and knobs, and adding a battery. Take your pick.
7:40 I understand where you guys are coming from. Now all those complaints can be handled by voice commands like ” open glovebox”
Or waiting for the traditional auto makers to add a battery to their 20th century cars. They’ll be here soon. Tesla is unique and futuristic. If you cannot leave the 20th century behind, too bad.
Great point! Can’t believe they did not mention voice commands. Are they really uninformed? Especially the one is the supposed “Tesla” expert. Clearly this guys are old ICE guys and out of touch.
@205 rider “are they really that uniformed”. Yes, they are.
Haha, and he wants another stalk for windshield wipers … i barely remember those things existed anymore. Its amazing how technology eliminates physical things.
AIR VENTS are Amazing! SO EASY!!!
steve lamper impossible to safely adjust while driving.
3 things that bothered me about Model 3 when I test drove it:
1) No proper blind spot warning as mentioned
2) No 360 degree camera. I know there’s a parking sensor when you reverse but thats kinda old school. They have all those cameras, just show me a top down & 360 view like so many other luxury cars.
3) Indicator stalk snaps back to center position immediately (like older BMWs)
Would like to have the side panel cameras added to the sentry mode suite of cameras.
They just added side view to the backup screen. Side view when changing lanes is expected shortly.
Think of The Tesla Y like a smart phone vs a dial phone or a first generation cell phone. You just have to adapt to training yourself. Such as life. Change is a GOOD thing. I am surprised you guys didn’t talk about “when I was a kid….!” Old ideas, does not mean better.
Regarding some of your issues, here is my view (I got my Model 3 4 months ago)
1. I see no reasons why controls for adjusting side mirrors staying in a menu would be a problem – you set them for your driver’s profile and forget about them. I see no reason for manual controls for things I am likely to adjust rarely).
2. I am happy with the automatic setting of wipers, but for things like that, the car also has voice commands – no need for manual controls, IMO.
2. The rear-view mirror is IMO irrelevant – I have been using rear camera view instead ever since I got my Model 3
3. Key card – it is only a backup and anyone with an app on their smartphone doesn’t need to deal with manually locking/unlocking their Model 3/Y (in 4 months I have only used my key card when I was showing the car to others).
4. I agree that suspension should be a bit softer
5. IMO, wind noise is not an issue (on Model 3) under 90+mph
6. IMO a HUD should be at least an option
7. I agree with your issues with blind-spot monitoring and IMO the car should have a Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The side cameras located above the key card tap should be used for blind spot and sentry mode.
The force is strong with this one.
Agree your points. One thing to add is you can buy a physical key for $150. I have one just so I can give it to parking attendant without explain how to use the card.
Consumer reports only sees a vehicle in how it relates to 20 of them getting in and having to adjust settings constantly. At least when it comes to Tesla.
Your comments about the beta software stopping at every city-street traffic control were perhaps correct when you recorded this. but at the time that version was sent out, Tesla announced that a subsequent version would remove that behavior. Indeed, a short time later, a new over-the-air update changed that behavior. So by the time you published this report, it was obsolete. Things improve quickly.
Correction: autopilot is standard, not an option you have to pay for.
You guys are so old fashioned. 🙂 I LOVE the on-screen controls for mirrors, steering wheel, and vents! These are not settings you need to adjust often UNLESS multiple people drive your car, which is why it’s a beautiful thing that they are tied to your user profile and your key card and smartphone! I’d MUCH rather have the benefits of this than manual controls that I have to re-adjust every time someone drives my car! BTW, I own both a Model S and 3, and I wish my Model S had these same features.
I agree
I’m really curious why Jake insists on physical controls for side-mirror adjustments when the mirror position is remembered per driver and you’ll likely adjust them no more than five times in your entire vehicle ownership? Frankly, from a UX perspective, it’s non-sensical. As such, my advice to Jake would be to design rocking chairs rather than vehicle interiors … I mean, if given the option, of course.
Jesh, is this an AARP episode?
this discussion makes it clear how far Tesla has to go and how far behind everyone else is now and will become more so as time goes on.