Tesla Model Y Review: Three years later
This is my review of the experience with the Tesla Model Y after three years of use.
When we first got our Tesla Model Y in 2021, It felt like stepping into the future of driving.
Three years down the line, I can confidently say this vehicle has exceeded my expectations in many ways:
Effortless home charging
One of the most convenient features of owning a Tesla Model Y or any electric car is the ease of charging at home.
With the installation of a home charging station, I can plug in my car overnight, and by morning, it’s ready to go.
No more frequent trips to the gas station; I wake up each day with a fully charged vehicle, ready to tackle whatever the day throws my way.
This simplicity cannot be overstated and is a significant advantage over traditional gasoline vehicles.
Also the cost is most of the time really, really low. We have a variable electricity price and a smart app through Tibber that charges the car when the price is lowest.
Seamless european road trips with the Tesla
Living in Stockholm, Sweden, we’ve embarked on numerous road trips across Europe, and the Tesla Supercharger network has made these journeys incredibly smooth.
Whether driving through the scenic routes of the Alps, the autobahns of Germany, or the picturesque landscapes of Italy, finding a Supercharger has never been an issue and we only had to wait one time for our turn.
The car’s navigation system seamlessly integrates with the Supercharger network, ensuring we always know where the next charging station is located.
It’s easy to plan ahead and even pick another Supercharger that have better lunch options.
You do have to stop a bit more than with a fossil fuel car but we find that we usually need a break every 2 or 3 hours anyway to go to the toilet, buy a coffee, switch driver or have lunch.
Most often the car is finished charging before we are.
Driving experience: Highs and lows of Tesla Model Y
The driving experience with the Tesla Model Y has been mostly positive, with a few caveats.
The Autopilot helps a lot when driving long distances making you feel fresh and relaxed when arriving instead of tired.
At high speeds on highways, the car glides effortlessly, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. Autobahn at 160 km/h or even higher is no problem.
However, when driving slowly on less-than-ideal roads, the ride can be a bit bumpy. I understand the version after our 2021 model have better suspension.
This is a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, but it’s worth noting for those frequently driving on rough terrains.
It’s mainly pure joy driving the car especially if you switch off the chill mode and drive fast. The car feels more like a sports car than a family SUV.
Impressive sound system
One of the standout features for me has been the sound system.
Whether it’s a long drive with the family or a solo trip, the audio quality is consistently excellent.
The premium sound system delivers clear, crisp sound and a punchy bass, making every journey enjoyable, regardless of the music genre.
Also the integration with Spotify, Radio, your bluetooth and other sources makes it really easy to listen to whatever you want in the car.
You can even direct the sound towards one or more passangers if not everyone is a fan of Podcasts for kids when driving.
Spacious and versatile
Space is another area where the Tesla Model Y shines.
The car offers ample room for passengers and cargo. We’ve had no issues carrying roof boxes or mounting two bikes on the back. This versatility makes it an ideal vehicle for family trips, outdoor adventures, and even daily commutes.
The flexibility and space management are superb, accommodating everything from kids’ sports gear to holiday luggage with ease.
Even the “frunk” in the front is quite spacious and when driving to our skiing trips we usually put food for cold storage there for a whole week of skiing.
With two grown ups and two teenage kids we never felt the car was too small even when transporting clothes, bed linens, food and equipment for a long skiing trip. That included both skiis, helmets and boots for everyone and extra snowboards.
We have never ran out of room in the car when traveling.
Wear and tear: A three-year perspective on the Tesla Model Y
After three years of regular use, there are some signs of wear and tear.
The rims have hit a few curbs, leading to some cosmetic damage, and both the interior and exterior has a few scratches from the kids during long road trips and hauling various items.
Also some of the faux leather on the steering wheel has some bumps in it after having the car in the sun without the over heat protection being switched on. That was a bit of a miss as the car can get quite hot in the sun due to the glass roof.
Luckily this is being fixed for free by the excellent Tesla service.
The helpful mobile service
I haven’t had any serious problems with the car but there was a warning signal on the screen that said I need to book an appointment to check the fast charger as it might not work as it should.
I booked a time in the app and a week later a car came to my house and fixed that as well as some cosmetic problems that I saw on the car. All for free!
I don’t have that much experience with other car brands but can’t think that kind of service exists anywhere else. It was an amazing service experience.
Continual software updates
One of the most remarkable aspects of owning a Tesla is the continual software updates.
The car’s software and app are regularly updated, introducing new features and improvements.
This constant evolution keeps the Model Y feeling fresh and up-to-date, a significant advantage over traditional vehicles that can start to feel outdated as technology progresses.
A great mobile app
The Tesla mobile app is one of the best things about the car.
It’s a great app putting you in control and letting you remotely control most things. You can even see where the car is located on a map and put on the air conditioning before you start your journey and use the car cameras to see what is going on around your car.
As a designer I think the user experience of both the in screen software and the mobile app are the best you can get when it comes to car software so far.
The next car decision
As we approach the end of our third year with the Tesla Model Y, we’re starting to consider our options for the next car.
We’re contemplating whether to wait for the new, updated Juniper Model Y that is rumored to be released early next year. Or go for the latest Model Y available which has better hardware, sound proofing, suspension and slightly better range.
We’ve also compared other electric car brands, but nothing seems to match the overall package that Tesla offers. The combination of performance, technology, and convenience remains unparalleled.
I have even checked out some of the new Chinese brands but they had worse performance to a just slightly lower price and don’t have the advantage of the software and Supercharging network when going on long trips.
My Tesla Model Y review summary
To sum things up, the Tesla Model Y has been a fantastic vehicle over the past three years.
From the ease of home charging and seamless road trips across Europe to the impressive sound system, excellent service and spacious interior, it has met and often exceeded our expectations.
While there are some minor wear and tear issues and a slightly bumpy ride on bad roads (on the 2021 model), the overall experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
As we look forward to our next car, Tesla remains at the top of our list, continually impressing with their innovation and customer-centric approach.
I hope you enjoyed this Tesla Model Y review. f you’re considering an electric vehicle (which you really should), the Tesla Model Y should undoubtedly be on your radar.
Also read my review after the first year of use
