Tesla Model Y: The electric car that replaces the Golf for me.

In August 2022, I bought my Tesla Model Y for €65,000. In hindsight, this was too much, as prices have been significantly reduced since then. Two years later, the pressure from competition is higher and prices are dropping. Good for anyone looking to switch now. Bad for those who have to deal with high depreciation now. At least the environmental bonus saved me some money.

Tesla has a clear approach: the Model Y is a volume vehicle and therefore very focused on the essentials. Features that are not strictly necessary, such as seat cooling, are (still) not installed. This strongly reminds me of the VW Golf, which was never the cheapest or best-equipped car, but always stood for reliability and quality. As seen with the Model 3, Tesla also aligns itself with the market and delivers some updates to keep up (keyword: seat cooling in the Model 3 Highland).

In the 90,000 kilometers I have driven the Model Y, I have not had a single defect. It was never necessary to visit the workshop – a tire change could be easily performed at any small shop. Many glitches and teething problems have been ironed out, and now the Model Y is a very reliable vehicle.

Even though the interior of the Tesla initially appears very futuristic, it is very simple and intuitive to operate. Instead of a conventional car key, you simply use your smartphone or an NFC card. Get in, press the brake, and start driving – it's that easy. 

I cannot understand the criticism of the operation via the large touchscreen, which is often found in the German press. Many important functions, such as turn signals, wipers, or changing radio stations, can be operated without the touchscreen. Voice commands also make it easy to activate the seat heating. The large screen has the advantage of displaying all important information clearly and visibly.

Software and Infotainment

In terms of reliability, the Tesla infotainment system has also convinced me. While I occasionally experienced outages with other brands, everything worked perfectly with Tesla. Summer and winter. A configurable bar in the infotainment system also allows frequently used functions like seat or window heating to always be within reach – a modern, simple operation that I really like.

The navigation in the Tesla is truly smart! My calendar from my smartphone was synchronized through the Tesla app. Upon entering, it immediately started navigation to the next appointment. In the mornings and evenings, it automatically started the route to the office or home. And automatically displayed all current traffic and congestion information. This saved me from many traffic jams and road closures.

I have never missed a CarPlay connection. Music streaming has always worked smoothly via Bluetooth or directly through Apple Music in the vehicle.

A personal highlight for me is the satellite view of Google Maps, which is available through the Premium Connectivity package for €9.99 per month. It greatly facilitates finding parking spaces and driveways in everyday life.

The Tesla app is also very, very stable compared to other manufacturers. I never experienced major outages; and the most important functions were always reliably available: location, pre-conditioning, remaining range. Addresses can be shared directly from Google Maps to the Tesla app – so the address is directly taken over in the navigation system. 

Everyday Life in the Model Y

The Model Y drives excellently. The driving behavior has always been a highlight for me. With one-pedal driving, the driving is very comfortable, and due to the high performance, it's also a lot of fun. The suspension, on the other hand, is somewhat firm. Very firm. Nevertheless, the seats provide a lot of comfort; I never had back pain after longer drives. Even though I missed features like a massage function. In terms of driving safety, the Model Y also convinces me: whether in rain, leaves, or snow, I never had problems with spinning tires. Emergency braking was always reliable and smooth.

The high driving enjoyment compensates for the slightly hard suspension. After the fun of driving, of course, there are also charging pauses. Here, the Tesla Superchargers shine with simplicity. The navigation automatically plans the charging stops across Europe. Upon arrival at the Supercharger, you only need to plug in the cable, no charging cards or apps required. However, the charging performance of the Model Y is only in the midfield – especially after 50% battery charge, it quickly falls below 100 kWh. But thanks to its economical consumption, this can be partially compensated.

What I particularly like about the Model Y is the enormous storage space. The front trunk and an additional compartment under the loading floor offer a lot of space, which is extremely practical in everyday life. Especially with a dog, the frunk was a huge help – to store bags after shopping. The heated seats in all rows and the pre-conditioning are a true blessing in both summer and winter. Through the app, the air conditioning can be quickly and reliably activated.

Another highlight is the sound system, which offers outstanding sound quality, especially for bass-heavy music – one of the best I've heard in a vehicle so far.

In general, I am very demanding when it comes to a vehicle. I spend a lot of time in my vehicle in everyday life, and therefore I want to have a certain experience. The Tesla Model Y has impressed me with its top-notch software and practical little features.

It is precisely because of the combination of good features, performance, and range that the Model Y is, for me, a solid all-around package. The VW Golf stands for that as well. In my opinion, the Model Y embodies what the Golf represents in the combustion engine segment.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Tesla Model Y to anyone who has the budget for an electric car. The Model Y may not be the best in every category (charging performance, customization, additional features), but it is an absolute bang for the buck!

I personally would recommend the Long-Range model. The performance wheels are absolutely impractical for everyday use. You can save that money with a clear conscience.