MotorTrend Magazines Two Year Test Review of a 2023 Tesla Model Y

[alarmguy]

Im actually in shock at the smack down MotorTrend did on the Model Y.
In the EV world I always assumed, like the style of car or not it was a good vehicle. Being a SUV guy its too small for me and based on some posts in here and the media I knew it wasnt the Hail Mary or even close to a luxury vehicle like a BMW.

Wow, this is a smack down that I am not so sure I ever seen by MotorTrend. GOOD NEWS is the Model Y is re-done according to them with much improvements. Its actually their opinion that the older model should be avoided in the used car market... I dont know, I know nothing but I cant disagree with what I am seeing in this article. Including the comments discounted by some in here about the speedometer and that touch screen.
It's not all bad but the way I read it is, do you want a car that performs wonderfully or software that performs wonderfully?

Seems like Tesla got the software right, again, this is a two year test ride so there has to be some creditably from someone who tests cars all the time. Meaning they have a wide experience driving all types of cars.

"Good Thing Tesla Doesn’t Make It Anymore" (wow!)
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/...m=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_type=organic

There is a link in the article to tests on 7 EVs
#1 Ford Mustang (this caught me by surprise)
#2 Kia EV6
#3 Hyundai Ioniq5 (Ill never be able to spell this without looking how its spelled)
#4 Tesla Model Y
#5 Chevy Equinox (which is amazing considering its price that they loved)
#6 Toyota bZ (odd name?)
#7 VW ID4

 

[Trav]

 

[97prizm]

I'm not surprised. My dad rented a model y in 2023 for my sisters wedding. It was one of the least comfortable vehicles I've ridden in. Then add that Tesla makes the worst engineering design decisions. the windows and the emergency rear door release come to mind. The rear emergency door release is hidden under a plastic clip which isn't the least bit intuitive if you have to get out in an emergency.

 

[Brons2]

I test drove one and I hated it for a multitude of reasons. I think I made a thread about it here. Edmunds said in their review it was the worst riding car they had ever tested. Ever, really.

That said if the suspension can be switched out for the Juniper suspension, which people doing just that is popping up all over the Internet, then it would be a lot more tolerable. Maybe with some kind of aftermarket straight ahead display, which I've also seen.

 

[fdcg27]

I had seen this MT review previously.
The problem I have with it that the Model Y can't be any worse than the Model 3 from which it is derived, both models have strong owner loyalty and both are on the list of top twenty five models by sales in the US.
If the Model Y is really that bad, then why don't the punters just save themselves some money and buy an Accord or a Camry instead?
OTOH, the mag did buy this test car and did drive it for a considerable distance, so who knows?

 

[Cujet]

I've spent plenty of time in them. As a driving enthusiast, I find the Model Y to be far better than the magazine review states, comfortable, quiet, responsive and fast, with capable suspension and brakes. I'll admit that some of the gripes are real, but they don't come close to actually making it the terrible vehicle they claim. Nor is the accelerator's responsiveness a bad thing. Furthermore, future software updates often address such issues.

 

[Allaned]

We know one thing for sure: Alex Leanse does not like the 2023 Tesla Model Y.

 

[Vercingetorix]

All anyone has to do is watch a Tesla drive down the road to know that the ride is terrible. Somehow they add extra movement where there shouldn’t be any. Like an unloaded truck.

 

[E365]

My Blazer EV is like driving a Rolls Royce (Noise, Vibrations & Harshness) compared to the original Model Y. The updated Model Y is supposed to be better.

 

[Ws6]

I mean...yeah? Its not a good car. It is a good computer.

 

[onemig]

We’ve been quite pleased with our 2025 M3P. We’ve driven it for about 10K miles and my only glaring complaint is the lack of the turn signal stalk. It still annoys me from time to time that it was not included.

I can get by with the lack of the shifter stalk, although it would be nice if it was present.

 

[paqza]

The early Y had an awful suspension and the build quality was especially rough. The "Juniper" is substantially better on both fronts.

 

[JeffKeryk]

We’ve been quite pleased with our 2025 M3P. We’ve driven it for about 10K miles and my only glaring complaint is the lack of the turn signal stalk. It still annoys me from time to time that it was not included.

I can get by with the lack of the shifter stalk, although it would be nice if it was present.

I installed S3XY Stalks. Takes less than 30 minutes.
The problem with the turn signal buttons is the lower button can fail to push. Sticks sometimes.

 

[Torrid]

I bought two. I guess I love terrible cars. This all seems like BS to me from my experience though.

*edit* well, I share some similar thoughts on FSD.

 

[CKN]

I bought two. I guess I love terrible cars. This all seems like BS to me from my experience though.

Do they turn in to rattle traps as the reviews have stated? If yours is rattle free-one would assume then it's quality issues from one vehicle to the next.

 

[Torrid]

Do they turn in to rattle traps as the reviews have stated? If yours is rattle free-one would assume then it's quality issues from one vehicle to the next.

I haven't had any issues with rattles and I'm really particular about stuff like that. I have had 3 Teslas now, both the ones I own now are the Y Performance and the new Juniper. I don't find the ride of my Performance jarring and it has 21" wheels. The Juniper that everyone says rides so much better is too floaty for my tastes, but it does ride softer due to it.

 

[goblin]

Tried the Juniper Y for two days, and it was impressive. Comfortable, no rattles at all. I drive in NYC often, and harsh suspension there is not a smart thing to have. 19 inch wheels.
Great car. The ergonomics are annoying as expected, but somet things are at a whole new level.
HVAC was great, seats are comfortable and practical, storage is amazing, the sound system is top notch, and for $10/mo the online services they give you are an absolute steal. Add all the little silly kid-pleasers - ambient lighting, sync lighting color with album color, so many little gizmos that I don't care about but someone thought of.

Also spent 30 minutes waiting at an airport parking in 100 degree weather, AC blasting. In the Hyundai, idling with AC on makes me lose 1 mile per minute on the remaining miles counter. That's the equivalent of driving at 60mph. In the Y, you lose a mile about every four or five minutes. This might not matter to many, it matters to me, as I often play cabbie for the girls.

It's simply more than the sum of its parts. Maybe a $70k EV is better, but at $47k out the door taxes included, with the EV rebate baked in, it was very, very difficult to pass on.

At the end of the day - we simply didn't need it now, but three years from now I can see myself getting a used Y or Prologue, any day.