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Tesla has finally launched a cheaper, pared-back Model Y in the UK – and after a week behind the wheel, it’s not nearly as compromised as you might expect
This is what you get if you go to Tesla and ask for the base model. Although we’ve had the Model Y on our shores for nearly five years, it’s taken until now to get one in such a lowly spec.
You don’t get the distinctive light bars, you get far less showy wheels, there’s no full leather, no panoramic roof, the ambient lighting has been toned down, and there’s no rear screen or rear heated seats.
For all these sacrifices, you save around £7,000 over the cost of the “Premium” version. I’ve spent a week in the “Standard” Model Y and I’m actually quite impressed at how little you feel like you’re giving up.
For starters, I like the look of the Standard version. The light bar is quite funky and futuristic, but the bumper on the Standard is cleaner and nicely understated.
The lack of a panoramic roof makes the interior feel a little more gloomy, but the cloth and faux-leather seats are still nice and comfortable, and you still get the enormous central screen.
The dual wireless phone chargers are still in there, you’ve still got a massive boot and space in the “frunk”, and everything is still controlled from the central display, so there are no button blanks.
In fact, one of the only things you do have to physically alter in the Standard Model Y is the steering wheel adjustment – because that’s no longer baked into the touch-screen. And, to be honest, that’s no bad thing.
You also get a smaller traction battery, so range is down a bit at 314 WLTP miles, and that’s going to be the most notable difference. To help the range along, the Standard is quite a bit slower, but 0-60mph still takes just 6.9 seconds, so it’s no slouch. It’s worth remembering that the Premium version is unnecessarily fast, and the Performance version is borderline bonkers.
The great thing is, though, some of the things we love Teslas for are still all there in the Standard version. You get a plethora of trick toys to play with in the infotainment screen, including the whoopee cushion, it still has dog mode, which is brilliant, and it’s all connected to Tesla’s superb app in just the same way.
There’s a basic version of autopilot, the steering wheel is still heated, as are the front seats, it has the same improved suspension setup, so it drives really nicely, and efficiency is up a little thanks to the aerodynamic tweaks.
The £41,990 price point means this is the most accessible Model Y ever to land in the UK, and its competition at this price does put up a good fight in terms of range, but not so much in terms of practicality, spec, or outright quirkiness. And then there’s the small matter of Tesla’s brilliant Supercharger network which gets better with every passing month.
It’s hard not to fall for the Model Y’s charms, and cutting down on the features and range hasn’t done it any real harm at all in the current climate.
What is worth remembering though is that, obviously, the Premium version is the better choice, and most people won’t be contemplating having to find an extra £7,000 for one, because they’ll be paying monthly.
And this is where it gets interesting. Pop on to the Tesla website right now and if you play with the PCP deal, then throw in a modest down payment, you can get the Premium version for not a lot more than the Standard.
Is it the one I’d pick? Probably. The Standard is all the Tesla most people will need, and I don’t doubt it will sell well.
But to get the full experience, with all the quirks that make Tesla ownership as entertaining as it is interesting, I’d probably save up for the Premium. Especially when you factor in the range and performance, it might not be the one you can afford, but it’s still the one you’d want.
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