Model Y Customer First Test Drive: Smooth Ride, But Those Ugly Wheels!

One of the first Tesla Model Y customer trials has gone live, giving members of the EV Enthusiasts Group the chance to get answers to their questions about Tesla’s latest electric car model in Australia.

Melbourne’s Nelson Tran took to the Tesla Model 3&Y Facebook group on Saturday to share images and his experience after testing the electric crossover.

“I was the first customer to try it with this base Y RWD, having only done 27 km when I jumped,” he said. said in his post.

“The autopilot was still being calibrated! Overall a solid test drive experience and I’m glad to have the EDD from August to November!”

The Model Y became available to order in Australia on Friday, June 10. Initially, the first customers ordering the RWD variant were placed in an August to November delivery window, and Performance customers were not notified until “late 2022”.

As of Sunday, delivery time slots for the RWD and Performance variants had been pushed back to February-May 2023 and Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the electric vehicle maker increase production to meet demand.

Today, the first customers have the chance to test drive the vehicles they have ordered, many without even seeing the vehicle first.

Model Y Acceleration

The first questions from group members concerned the Model Y’s significantly slower acceleration. In RWD format, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, which is 0.8 seconds slower than the Model 3 RWD 2022, and 1.3 seconds slower than the 2021 Standard Range Plus Model 3.

Tran says the Model Y’s acceleration was “slightly noticeable compared to the Model 3 RWD. Even bigger for the M3 SR+ (but we won’t talk about the LR or the P, that’s obvious).

But, he says, this is not a deciding factor. “I personally don’t mind the 6.9s 0-100,” he said. “Much faster than the car I am upgrading from.”

Model Y ride quality

Others wanted to know more about ride quality.

“Did you notice any vibrations or rattles?” asked a band member.

“Not at all,” Tran said. “The build quality that comes out of Shanghai is honestly solid and they are only getting better.”

But, he says, “The center (sic) the console already had a noticeable scratch, so that’s something that bothered me for a car that was basically new.

“What was the ride like compared to SR+/RWD? Firmer? Alright?” asked another.

“If by firmer you mean Model 3 Performance, then definitely not,” Tran said. “Softer than the SR+/RWD and personally I (prefer) a smoother ride,” he said.

To another similar question, he replied, “Personally, I would say it was smoother. However, take it with a grain of salt as I don’t own any Teslas but instead tested the M3 SR+, RWD, LR and P.

“Ride quality is amazing on the Y – very good for seniors and anyone who wants a smooth ride.”

Regarding cornering stability, Tran said: “I would say it’s slightly worse than the 3 due to its size and the slightly higher CoG (center of gravity), it just felt a bit different. .”

“How is the turn going? The 3 SR+ is not very good in this department”, asks yet another member of the group.

“I would say it’s slightly worse than the 3 due to its size and the slightly higher CoG, it just felt a bit different,” Tran said. “If the 3 SR+ for you isn’t great, I don’t think you’ll like it any better in the Y.”

Model Y road noise and double glazing

These two elements may seem strange to put together, but they are actually related. The Model Y has double-glazed side windows, which apparently helps a lot in reducing road noise.

“How is the road/tyre noise inside the cabin..?” asked another member of the group. “I find the 18″ Michelin auto sports EVs tires on my 2020M3 SR+ a bit noisy on the highways, worse when it’s raining.”

Another member who owns a Model 3 replied, “Smooth sound. Not much road noise. Yes, I have m3sr and it can (have) very loud road noise.

“The double-glazed glass helps enormously. I couldn’t hear much from the outside and comparing with 3, it’s miles ahead.

Another wanted to know if the massive panoramic roof would have an impact on the temperature inside the car.

“I hope the air conditioning is good. Does the glass roof cut out UV rays or will I get sunburned? ” they asked.

“You will be good! The glass roof is pre-tinted at the factory and will block UV rays,” Tran said.

Other questions about the Y model

Other members wanted to know more about the driving range and what it was like to get in and out.

Another member of the group who had also taken the Model Y for a test drive said: “Amazingly at 97% it showed 428 km with 35 km already covered.”

“I only trust the battery percentage,” Tran said. “The range fluctuates too much depending on your driving habits and especially because the car is so new. The Tesla is still learning.

Getting in and out of the car, another member asked, “How much like an SUV/soccer mum car in terms of entry and seating?” I don’t mind the 3 and ducking, but I love my IX35 and jumping in it and riding high?”

“Entrance and exit are definitely much better than 3 because they are higher,” said another member who had seen Model Y in store. “(I) checked it in the store specifically to test the entry and exit.”

These Model Y wheels

While there was certainly plenty on the Model Y to be impressed with, almost universally there was no love for those wheels.

“These wheels are so ugly…why…model 3 was so nice so we got them, why…I guess they want (people) to upgrade that’s why… “one commented.

“My wife hates it,” said another. “Yes, it’s normal. Looks like I’ll have to powder it.

“Ugly wheels,” said another. “It’s not just the bad look of the rims, but the wheels look way too small and out of proportion to the large size of the Y. It takes at least 20 seconds for that.”

Another commented that they would just remove the hubcaps. But beware: when we saw the Model Y in store, a member of staff warned that it would reduce the vehicle’s range by 20-30 kilometres.

Note: Driven editor Giles Parkinson will write about his three-day experience behind the wheel of a Model Y later this week. Media reviews have been embargoed by Tesla until Wednesday to ensure everyone has had a chance to drive the electric vehicle.