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Expert Rating

Tesla Model Y

(2022 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

82
%
A

Used car score:

74
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

78
%
A

Safety Rating:

98
%
A

Eco Rating:

100
%
-

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

60
%
C

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

82
%
A

Used car score:

74
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

78
%
A

Safety Rating:

98
%
A

Eco Rating:

100
%
-

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

60
%
C

Summary


The Tesla Model Y is essentially a raised crossover version of the popular Model 3 saloon, and a slightly smaller sibling to the larger Model X. It arrived in the UK in early 2022. It’s now the best-selling electric car in the UK, overtaking the Model 3 almost as soon as it was launched.

The all-electric Model Y range launched with a choice of two dual-motor all-wheel drive trims; the entry-level Long Range and the range-topping Performance. An entry-level single-motor rear-wheel drive model joined the range in Summer 2022, which dropped the starting price for a Model Y by £6,000.

Like the other vehicles in the Tesla line-up, the Model Y has been praised by British reviewers for its on-board tech features, impressive performance and up to 326 miles of battery range. The Model Y also offers worldwide access to Tesla’s acclaimed Supercharger charging network.

Although it’s ultimately a similar overall size to the Tesla Model 3 saloon, the Model Y adds extra practicality to the equation. “It’s more family friendly with a practical hatchback and SUV-shaped body”, Electrifying.com concludes, adding that “it’s sure to be Tesla’s most desired car.”

At same time, the Model Y inherits many of the same drawbacks as other Tesla models. Carbuyer comments that the SUV has “patchy” build quality, while almost every review has criticised the ride quality compared to other family cars.

For The Sun, this is “further proof that Tesla is excellent when it comes to new tech but is still catching up on the basics of making cars.” That said, The Sun still concludes that the Model Y is one of the leaders in its class, and poses a simple question to UK buyers who are considering the pros and cons of booking a test drive: “Y-not?”

As of January 2025, the Tesla Model Y holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 82%. It has excellent scores for safety and media reviews, and has zero tailpipe emissions. Running costs are not cheap, largely thanks to high insurance premiums, and we don’t yet have reliability data.

Model Y highlights

  • Innovative on-board tech
  • Impressive performance and battery range
  • Tesla’s excellent Supercharger infrastructure
  • Family-friendly and spacious cabin
  • Zero tailpipe emissions

Model Y lowlights

  • Inconsistent build quality
  • Limited range of models
  • Model 3 is cheaper and better to drive
  • Poor ride quality
  • Insurance premiums are high

Key specifications


Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £44,990 on-road

Launched: Spring 2022
Last updated: Summer 2022
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Daily Mirror

+

Driving Electric

+

Electrifying.com

+

Green Car Guide

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Which EV?

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 82%
Safety assist: 98%

Notes on safety rating

The Tesla Model Y has one of the best safety ratings of any new car on the market, with the highest overall Euro NCAP score in recent years.

The only thing to remember is that Tesla’s AutoPilot and ‘self-driving’ functions are not properly autonomous driving functions, and still require human control at all times. However, they do provide very good assistance to the driver in many circumstances to help prevent an accident.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Tesla Model Y has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Model Y is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

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Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Tesla Model Y to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. 

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Model Y, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models311 milesA283 – 331 milesA – B
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models4.5 m/KWhA4.2 – 4.9 m/KWhA – B
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models50F50 – 50F – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£353C
Year 2£610B
Year 3£984B
Year 4£1,310C
Year 5£1,675C
Overall£4,932C

We don’t have complete running cost data on the Tesla Model Y, but the good news is that it’s quite efficient in its use of electricity (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon on a petrol or diesel car), which will help keep costs down and also helps the Model Y to average more than 300 miles of driving range on a single charge.

Insurance might be quite hefty, however, as the Model Y is in the top-ranked Group 50. Servicing costs are average to good over the first five years, which is better than many premium-brand rivals.

Recalls


Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Tesla Model Y

Date: April 2022
Recall number: R/2022/131
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2021 to 11/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 9,471
Defect: On certain vehicles that are running firmware release 2022.8 and that experience a loss of low voltage system support the audio subsystem may become unavailable including the use of eCall functionality.
Remedy: Firmware release 2022.12.3 or later reverses the power management process introduced in firmware release 2022.8 and maintains eCall audio functionality.

Date: December 2021
Recall number: R/2022/006
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2020 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 127
Defect: The front suspension lateral link may be insufficiently torqued.
Remedy: Inspect the connection of both front suspension lateral links to the sub-frame. Replace any related damaged components and ensure correct torque of fastening bolts.

As of August 2024, there have been two DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Tesla Model Y. These cover suspension and software issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Tesla service centre.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Model Y, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Tesla Model Y has received

2024

  • Carbuyer Awards – Best Large Company Car

2023

  • Auto Express Awards – Best Mid-Size Company Car
  • Auto Trader Awards – Best Car for Families
  • Carbuyer Awards – Best Company Car

2022

  • GQ eCar Awards – Best SUV

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Tesla Model Y, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi Q8 e-tron | Audi Q4 e-tron | BMW iX3 | Ford Mustang Mach-EHyundai Ioniq 5 | Jaguar I-Pace | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz EQC | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq | Tesla Model 3Volkswagen ID.4

More information


More news, reviews and information about the Tesla Model Y at The Car Expert

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The Tesla Model Y offers similar tech and performance to the popular Model 3 with extra practicality, but the ride quality is disappointing.Tesla Model Y