Tesla Model Y 2023 electric car owner review

John F drives a Tesla Model Y LR 75kWh 2023.

This is John’s third electric car, he’s owned the Model Y from new and drives 20,000-30,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 5,000-10,000 miles and he achieves 320 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the Tesla Model Y?

Tesla provide innovative vehicles that are fun (and quick!) to drive. OTA updates regularly improve the car and the Supercharger network doesn’t let me down like most of the others have at one time or another.

Positives

Style
performance
range.

Negatives

Nothing so far (and this is my third Tesla!)

Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?

Yes

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

None

What are the standout technological features of the car?

User interface is clean and simple
the battery management system is superb
real life range is accurately reflected
the performance for such a heavy vehicle is astonishing.

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car

The storage in the car is immense but the best feature is Dog Mode – leave the dog in the car and a cartoon dog appears on the screen advising people that the dog is safe and the temperature in the car is being maintained at a safe level. Sentry Mode is also brilliant, allowing you to check the surroundings of the vehicle using the cameras from your phone. Great for safely approaching the car in ‘dodgy’ locations.

What’s the biggest or funniest myth you’ve heard about EVs?

You can’t wash them or drive them in the rain.

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

I’ll be sticking with Tesla until everybody else catches up.

Home charging unit

Pod Point Solo tethered 7kw – it’s relatively ‘smart’ and works well with our energy supplier’s off-peak and time of use tariffs.

Electricity supplier & tariff

Intelligent Octopus Go – manages charging of the vehicle according to the peaks and troughs of energy costs to ensure you always get the cheapest possible charging cost, even outside the ‘traditional’ off-peak hours.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

Tesla Superchargers are typically large in number at any given site, working 99% of the time and relatively cheap. Other networks have been unreliable and horrendously expensive by comparison. On several occasions we’ve several sat in our Tesla at a Supercharger and watched people arrive at other charger network sites, spend 10, 20, even 30 minutes fiddling with phones, cards, then unplugging and re-plugging before driving away without managing to charge.

Insurer

LV= – cost is reasonable for a good level of cover.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a Tesla Model Y

Servicing is now virtually zero compared to the last ICE vehicle (where the next service due was going to be £1,000). Only windscreen wiper blades, washer fluid and tyres to service. Fuel costs have gone from £200 – £300 per month to £60 – £90 per month without changing driving distances or styles. Road tax is currently zero, compared to £300 or so for the last ICE car.

Monthly saving compared to a petrol/diesel is in the order of £350 – £400.