Back to Page 1: All about the Model Y

Driving Experience

The Model Y shares the same drivetrain options as the Model 3, meaning it comes in either regular rear-wheel-drive form, or high-spec Performance trim, as tested here.

In this guise, the Model Y Performance features a dual-motor setup, one at each axle, and churns out a total of 377hp in output. That is rather a lot less than the Model 3 Performance’s 505hp, but the Model Y does have more torque (770Nm vs 660Nm for the Model 3), and is still able to go from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds (vs 3.3 seconds for the Model 3).

ERRATA: Tesla’s PR provided us with erroneous figures, and the corrected power output of the Model Y Performance is actually 377kW, or about 513hp, which is the same as the Model 3 Performance. We apologise for the error.

That’s already supercar-rivalling territory, but it’s how the Model Y gets there that makes a real impression. There’s probably no other EV this side of a Porsche Taycan that can propel you forwards with the sort of violence that the Tesla offers when you plant your foot down. Tesla Singapore limits their test cars to a top speed of 100km/h, but even so, just getting there is enough to make you soil your pants, or send you barrelling into howls of laughter, depending on whether you’re a fan of roller coaster rides or not.

Just as well then, because that’s really as much entertainment as the Model Y offers driving-wise. It corners fairly well, with the all-wheel-drive system giving it some rather neutral handling manners, but it doesn’t sparkle or stand out in anyway, and mostly it just feels like the large and heavy SUV that it is.

The biggest bugbear has to be the ride quality however, with the Model Y feeling particular poor over any sort of uneven surface, which is rather odd for a family-oriented vehicle. The suspension doesn’t seem to be able to handle bumps well, and it transmits every bounce and crash right into the cabin, making for a rather uneasy experience for driver and passengers alike. The 21-inch wheels, shod in low-profile Pirelli P Zero performance tyres, probably don’t help matters in that respect.

In terms of range, Tesla claims that the Model Y Performance is able to achieve well over 500km on a full charge. But in any case, you also get access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, which is now eight locations strong in Singapore, and gives you 250kW worth of ultra fast charging to get you to 80 percent in just 20 minutes.

Conclusion

At S$190,195 without COE, the Model Y Performance occupies a rather peculiar spot in the market. Its price tag puts it right smack into the Mercedes EQA’s territory, but the Tesla is a fair bit larger in size and space, and probably sits closer to the likes of the more expensive BMW iX3. You can also save even more money by opting for the less powerful RWD variant, which goes for S$142,471 without COE, and easily undercuts every single one of its EV rivals in the market.

Viewed in that sense, the Model Y does come across as rather excellent value, given its ridiculous supercar-like performance, as well as its impressive space and practicality. It does come with its drawbacks, such as the harsh ride and less than stellar build quality, but truth be told, if you’ve already had your eyes set on a Tesla, these are unlikely to be major deterrents. Whether the Model Y will help cement Tesla’s status as the best selling EV brand in Singapore remains to be seen, but we won’t be surprised if it does.

Tesla Model Y Performance

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