Maximum charging rate: 210 kW Battery, range, charging, performance and drive As of the latest face-lift in October 2024, there are three versions of Tesla Model Y, called Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (a new addition to the line-up with, as the name suggests, the longest range we’ve yet seen in a Model Y), Long Range All-Wheel Drive, and Performance All-Wheel Drive. The entry-level car has a range of 373 miles and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The mid-range car has a range of 331 miles and a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, and finally the flagship Model Y Performance has a range of 319 miles and completes the sprint to 60 in a supercar-like 3.5 seconds. All three have access to Tesla’s fantastic Supercharger charging network, which fills the Y’s battery at up to 210 kW. All variants feel plenty quick enough during everyday driving, while the Performance is seriously quick; honestly, it’s more potent than a car like this ever needs to be, so we think you are best saving your money and going for one of the Long Range models instead. Even those cars are swift with instant acceleration and one-pedal driving with the car starting to slow as soon as you lift off the accelerator (helping to send energy back to the battery through the brakes). Visibility forward is excellent, but the shallow rear screen means the view out of the back window isn’t great. However, there are loads of cameras that help when manouvring, while the Tesla will do some of that itself with its enhanced autopilot semi-autonomous technology. Being taller and heavier, the Model Y doesn’t drive as nicely as the Model 3 on which it is based, with the ride being overly firm for our liking – do take the car for a long test drive to make sure you can live with the car over bumps. Interior, practicality and boot space In standard form, the Model Y’s interior is vast, with masses of space for all five occupants and a huge, 854-litre boot, plus an extra 117 litres of space under the bonnet. Adding the seven seats doesn’t diminish the boot space, the seats are hidden in the boot floor and you can still fold the second row of seats flat at the touch of a button for van-like space. The middle row in the seven-seater car will slide forward, which you’ll have to do if you want to use the rearmost seats; without that compromise there will be zero legroom in the third row. It is possible to get adults into the back row and second row simultaneously, but there’s not much legroom in either row then. And headroom for adults is extremely limited in the third row with heads touching the glass of the rear screen – as you can see in our video below. Assuming you’re only going to allow kids to use the third row, things will be fine – they’ll probably find it easier to clamber over the middle seats, which slide and tilt forward with electrical assistance. You’ll still have to move the middle row forward using the bar underneath the seat, though, to give anyone in the back row at least a little legroom. It’s best to think of the rearmost seats as for occasional use only. Otherwise, the spacious interior feels even more so thanks to the standard-fit panoramic glass roof, and how Tesla’s minimalist design ethos strips the cabin back to the basics. It’s smart without feeling sparse, with a good amount of storage including cubby holes, cup holders (in the third row, too) and a couple of wireless phone chargers below the large, central dashboard display. There is no driver diaplay or instrument panel behind the steering wheel and, in an unusual move for a tech-first carmaker, no head-up display either. Interior trim options are limited to black seats with wood details, or white with silver for an extra £1,100. open image in gallery To get any legroom in the rearmost seats of the Tesla Model Y you have to move the middle row forward (Steve Fowler)