Drive with us: Tesla Model Y Long Range Review (2022)

Join us as we take a closer look at the Tesla Model Y, the electric SUV that put affordable electric motoring on the map — and changed the industry in the process

The Tesla Model Y arrived in the UK in 2022, when electric vehicles (EVs) were still very much a niche choice. Most drivers weren't convinced. The charging infrastructure was patchy, the prices were high and the range anxiety was real.

Tesla had a different proposition. 

A more accessible EV, backed by the Supercharger Network to make charging genuinely straightforward. And it worked. 

The Model Y became one of the best-selling cars in the world. 

Not just one of the best-selling EVs, but one of the best-selling cars full stop.

It sits in the middle of Tesla's lineup, between the Model 3 and the Model X, and it makes a genuinely brilliant family car. It brings a behemoth of a boot, an impressive range and enough tech to keep even the most demanding passengers entertained.

Competing with the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3, Kia EV6 and SKODA Enyaq, the Model Y received a significant facelift in 2025: More range, a smarter interior and improved driving manners. 

And it needed it.

Because the landscape has changed dramatically. Chinese manufacturers have entered the scene with serious intent. Think BYD, OMODA, Changan and Geely — with BYD even overtaking Tesla in global sales. 

The Model Y is no longer unchallenged.

But is it still enough? 

The Chinese competition shows no signs of slowing. Can the car that started it all survive the revolution it helped create?

What we drove:

Model: Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive

Fuel type: Electric

Battery: 75kWh (usable)

Power: 384PS

0-60mph: 4.8 seconds

Top speed: 135mph

Range: 331 miles (WLTP Comb) 

Transmission: Automatic

Colour: Solid Black

Wheels: 19-inch Gemini Wheels

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

Clean, considered and unmistakable

Teslas have a distinctive look — and the Model Y is no different. 

It looks like they took the Model 3 and pumped it up a bit. The styling cues are similar, but it's just bigger, bulkier and considerably more commanding on the road.

The exterior is clean and minimalist throughout, with no unnecessary flourishes or fussy details. The sloping roofline gives it a sleek, aerodynamic profile that suits the overall design well and helps explain why the real-world range is as competitive as it is.

The Solid Black on the car we drove looked clean, stealthy and purposeful. It suited the minimalist design perfectly, with the Model Y being a car that doesn't need to shout to make its presence felt.

It's not the most dramatic looking SUV in its class though. 

The Kia EV6 and Audi Q4 e-tron are both more striking and more head-turning. But the Model Y was never about drama — it was about being exactly what it needed to be, and doing it with quiet confidence.

The large front windscreen gives it an almost unrivalled view of the road ahead. The rear is a different story though. 

The roofline curves down sharply, resulting in a smaller rear windscreen and noticeably limited rear visibility. Worth being aware of.

The full-length panoramic glass roof comes as standard across the range, flooding the cabin with light and giving the interior an airy, open feel that compensates considerably for the darker materials used throughout.

The 2025 Juniper facelift sharpened the exterior further: A cleaner front end and updated styling details that keep it looking fresh in an increasingly competitive class.

Minimalism mastered

Step inside and it immediately feels familiar, with design cues carrying straight through from the Model 3. 

Minimalist and clean, it's refined, uncluttered and a relaxing place to be. The wood finish running across the dashboard only adds to the premium feel — smart, sophisticated and quietly upmarket.

A 15-inch central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, handling almost everything from navigation to climate control, seat adjustment to door mirrors. It's one of the best infotainment systems in any car: Super responsive, no lag and an astonishing depth of features. 

Navigation, Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, in-depth electric performance analysis and a full suite of camera views are all in there. It redefines what you think a car should be able to do.

But it is a little Marmite. 

Some controls simply work better with physical buttons, and the lack of a traditional instrument cluster behind the steering wheel takes some getting used to. Instead, your speed lives in the corner of the touchscreen rather than directly in your eyeline. 

Adjusting the steering wheel requires navigating a touchscreen menu rather than simply reaching for a lever. And there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which is a notable omission that most rivals offer as standard.

Over-the-air software updates mean the system won't date anywhere near as quickly as many rivals though.Tesla continues to improve and develop the car throughout your lease, which is a genuinely compelling advantage.

Sentry Mode is a brilliant addition too. 

The car's external cameras keep a watchful eye on passing traffic when parked, recording footage should anyone approach or interfere with the car.

In the rear, there's plenty of legroom and headroom for six-footers, and the flat floor makes the middle seat considerably more comfortable than in most rivals. The full-length panoramic roof floods the cabin with light and prevents the dark interior from feeling gloomy.

And the boot? Class-leading. 

There’s over 854 litres with the seats up, expanding further to 2,138 litres when folded. Add in 114 litres in the frunk (perfect for keeping charging cables out of the boot) and the Model Y is one of the most practical electric SUVs on the market.

Effortless by nature

Put your foot down and the instant torque takes centre stage.

Paired with all-wheel drive, the traction and control are outstanding. You never feel out of control despite the performance on tap. 

There's minimal body lean, the steering is agile and responsive and it feels dynamic and engaging despite its considerable size. 

For a big family SUV, it handles with a confidence and composure that genuinely impresses.

The large front windscreen provides an almost unrivalled view of the road ahead — visibility is exceptional. 

The rear is a different story though. 

Thanks to the sloping roofline, the rear windscreen is considerably smaller and visibility suffers as a result. The array of cameras dotted around the car helps compensate, but it's worth being aware of.

Regenerative braking brings the car to a complete stop in one-pedal mode. Simply lift off the accelerator and the Model Y slows smoothly and progressively without touching the brakes. And when you do use the brakes, they're progressive and easy to modulate — a genuine rarity in the EV class where grabby, inconsistent pedal feel is all too common.

It's not the most exciting drive in class; the Kia EV6 is more fun on twisty roads and more engaging for drivers who want that connection. But the Model Y was never really about that. It's about effortless, confident, everyday performance.

And on that front, it delivers brilliantly.

The 2025 Juniper facelift improved ride comfort and driving manners further still, addressing some of the firmness that the original model was criticised for.

Range without the anxiety

Range anxiety? Not here. The Tesla Model Y has a claimed range of 331 miles (WLTP Comb), and the real-world range holds up remarkably well. 

It's one of the better EVs we've experienced in that sense, with the displayed range after a full charge sitting at 323 miles. That kind of accuracy is reassuring.

At the time we drove it, that range wasn't quite class-leading, with the Ford Mustang Mach-e claiming 372 miles (WLTP Comb). And now, with more and more EVs arriving with increasingly impressive ranges, the bar keeps getting pushed further. 

But the Model Y remains competitive, and that 2025 facelift pushed things on considerably. The Long Range RWD now offers up to 387 miles, while the Long Range AWD stretches to 390 miles (WLTP Comb).

Then there's the Supercharger Network. 

When the Model Y first arrived, exclusive access to Tesla's charging infrastructure was one of its biggest selling points — one of the most reliable networks in the country, with up to 162 miles recouped in just 15 minutes. 

It's since been opened up to non-Tesla drivers too, which is a significant development for EV drivers as a whole. 

Tesla owners still benefit from priority access though. It’s a meaningful advantage that remains a compelling reason to choose a Model Y.

Current models charge at up to 250kW on most variants, with the entry-level RWD charging at up to 175kW. That’s still fast enough for a 10-80% top-up in around 25-30 minutes at a compatible rapid charger.

What's good, and what's not

The Model Y has its flaws still:

The good bits:

• 331 miles claimed range (WLTP Comb) — real-world accuracy is one of the best in class
• Over-the-air software updates — car continues to improve throughout your lease
• Sentry Mode — cameras keep a watchful eye when parked
• Class-leading boot space — over 850 litres with seats up
• 114-litre frunk — keeps charging cables out of the boot

The not-so-good bits:

• Very few physical controls — divides opinion
• Steering wheel adjustment done through touchscreen — unnecessarily fiddly
• Rear visibility limited thanks to sloping roofline
• Front seats relatively narrow — feel perched rather than enveloped
• Chinese rivals like BYD now offering competitive range and tech for less money

What's the verdict?

Tesla kicked off the EV revolution, and the Model Y played a large part in making it mainstream. 

High tech, a minimalist and premium feel, and a more accessible price point than anything that had come before it. It arrived at exactly the right time and changed what people expected from electric motoring.

But fast forward a few years and the landscape looks very different. 

Chinese rivals have entered the market with just as much tech at considerably lower price points. BYD in particular has been making serious waves — even overtaking Tesla in global sales. 

The Model Y is no longer unchallenged.

It remains, however, an excellent package. The range, the boot space and the ever-improving infotainment system all still make a compelling case. And the 2025 Juniper facelift kept it competitive when it needed to be.

The Model Y is very much still in the EV game. 

And for good reason.

Top five reasons to lease the Tesla Model Y:

1. Class-leading boot space and genuine family practicality
2. Outstanding real-world range — one of the most accurate in class
3. Over-the-air updates mean the car keeps improving throughout your lease
4. 2025 Juniper facelift pushed range to 387 miles and improved driving manners — better than ever
5. Sentry Mode and a suite of cameras give genuine peace of mind when parked

Would we recommend leasing a Tesla Model Y?

Absolutely. The Tesla Model Y is ideal for families, commuters and anyone making the switch to electric for the first time. 

The Long Range RWD is the sweet spot in the current range — the best balance of price, range and efficiency.