Tesla Model Y review: range, battery & charging
The Model Y leads the pack when it comes to both range and ultra-rapid charging speeds
| Model | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Y | 283 miles | 9hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 25mins (0-80%, 170kW) |
| Long Range | 331 miles | 12hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 27mins (0-80%, 250kW) |
| Performance | 319 miles | 12hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 27mins (0-80%, 250kW) |
Depending on which model you go for, the Model Y features either a 57.5kWh or 75kWh battery. It also offers three levels of brake energy recuperation, which can help maintain charge when on the road. That, combined with the energy efficiency Teslas are renowned for, and it’s no surprise that the company’s mid-size electric SUV boasts some of the longest figures in this class.
If you hadn’t already heard, earlier this year Tesla began to open up its Supercharger network to non-Tesla owners across the UK, with 158 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers at 15 locations now available for any compatible EV to use. However, exclusive access to the remaining 600+ charging points on the network is still an appealing perk to anyone who covers lots of miles per year.
Tesla Model Y range
The entry-level Model Y with its 283-mile range is the latest addition to the lineup, so we haven’t had a chance to see exactly how efficient it is on UK roads. However, on paper its range matches those of the BMW iX3 and similarly priced versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Meanwhile, the Model Y Long Range has an official range of 331 miles, but unusually that’s when fitted with the optional 20-inch alloy wheels. Tesla claims that if you stick with the standard 19-inch wheels this particular Model Y should be able to cover 351 miles before the battery runs flat.
Our test car was fitted with those 20-inch alloy wheels, and during our time with the Model Y Long Range it returned 3.8 miles per kWh, which equates to a real-world range of 285 miles. That’s pretty good, but we did do a lot of motorway miles with the Model Y Long Range, so that figure could be even better if you’re going slower or just driving around town.
Finally, there’s the Model Y Performance, which uses the same 75kWh battery as the Long Range version but, because of its extra performance, range is slightly reduced to 319 miles. Compare that to its main rivals, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Kia EV6 GT, which can cover up to 310 and 263 miles respectively on a full battery.
Charge time
The base Model Y has a maximum charging speed of 170kW, but thanks to its slightly smaller battery a 10-80% only requires 25 minutes plugged into an ultra-rapid charger like the latest V3 Tesla Superchargers. Long Range or Performance versions can charge at up to 250kW, but because of their larger batteries it takes 27 minutes to replenish their larger batteries from 10-80%.
Fully recharging the entry-level Model Y’s 57.5kWh battery will take just over nine hours from a standard 7.4kW home wallbox, but that extends to nearly 12 hours if go for either the Long Range or Performance model.
