Tesla Model Y

The Model Y is Tesla's compact SUV and the second model to be officially offered by the brand here. Given the popularity of SUVs, it could very well be Tesla's most important model. Visually, it looks like a larger Model 3 on stilts.

- Kenny Yeo

It’s unmistakably a Tesla, whether that’s a good thing or not, I’d leave it up to you to make up your mind. I think it looks a bit generic but it is certainly clean and unfussy – there are no grilles, vents, or spoilers for styling’s sake.

It doesn’t matter how many cars or EVs you’ve driven, you will be flummoxed the first time you get into a Tesla Model Y. Nothing is where you expect it to be. To begin, there’s no start button. Then you realise there are no buttons to adjust the side mirrors and there’s no latch to open the glove box. How do I direct the air-conditioning to my face? It’s such a bloody hot day. Save for the two scrolling wheels on the steering wheel and a large display in the middle, the cabin is bare. Yes, even opening the glove box requires the display. At this point, you realise that you need to recondition yourself to drive a Tesla.

There are two versions of the Model Y. There’s the more powerful Performance version which has electric motors on both of its axles, and then there’s the more affordable rear-wheel drive version that I’m testing with a single electric motor on its rear axle.

Most of all, far too many touches are required to get simple things done like adjusting the side mirrors and air-con. Not only can it be dangerous (because you have to look at the screen when you are adjusting), but it also feels like Tesla is trying too hard to be different. That said, the driving visualisation preview, which shows what’s around you using the car’s cameras and sensors, is very cool.