It’s easy to see why people love Elon Musks cars

• After testing over a dozen other EVs, I drove a Tesla for my first time and was impressed by the brand. 
• The Model Y SUV stands out from the rest because of its quickness, minimalist interior, and extremely convenient charging network.
• However, buyers might be put off by the large touchscreen and lack of buttons.

Tesla is the pioneer of electric vehicles and is the market leader. But can Tesla’s well-known cars withstand a flood of competitors? competitorsFrom titans such as Ford, General MotorsVolkswagen?

This was the question I tried to answer when I took the Tesla Model Y SUV for a test drive earlier this year. After testing. more than a dozen battery-powered rides in the last year — but never one made by Elon Musk — I wondered whether Teslas can live up to the hype or not. And to put it another manner: Are Teslas’ fanatical supporters right? Or are they just plain boring? 

To find out more, I borrowed a friend’s Tesla. (The company doesn’t offer press loans, so journalists need to get creative. 

Let’s start with the basics

Tim Levin/Insider

The Model Y is Tesla’s smallest SUV and most popular product. It has been a starting price of $65,990There are two motors that provide all wheel drive. The base model is very sporty, although the Performance version sacrifices some range in order to increase speed. However, it is $4,000 more. 

Tesla doesn’t have any dealerships. Instead, it sells its cars online. direct-to-consumer. Buyers can either pick up their Tesla at a Tesla store or have it shipped to them.

What makes this stand out? Innovative technology, sporty driving, effortless charging

A Tesla’s interior is uncluttered and free from all the usual buttons, vents, gauges, and vents. The cabin’s minimalist design and subtle wood trim are more reminiscent of an Apple store than an automobile. 

This minimalist design is possible thanks to a large touchscreen that controls almost all vehicle functions except for stopping, going and turning. This command center houses the door locks, A/C settings and speedometer as well as the navigation system. It also contains outside-the box features such as games, a digital sheopee cushion, Netflix, and other useful tools that can help owners to pass the time while charging.

The display responds to taps and swipes with lightning speed and features crisp graphics. Tesla is also available in German. regularly adds new capabilitiesSoftware updates make the Model Y’s cockpit a paradise for tech nerds.

A flat floor and tall glass roof give you ample space for both the front- and rear seats. The Model Y has tons of cargo space including a large trunk in the front and an underfloor storage area in the back. Both of these features are not available in every EV. 

Despite not being the Performance model the Model Y I tried accelerated astonishingly quickly. It darted forward with every nudge on the accelerator pedal in exactly the same way as other models. high-powered EVs do. It handled more like a sports car rather than a heavy SUV. It offered quick, precise steering that allowed me to point exactly where I wanted it to.

Tesla’s Autopilot feature kept the SUV in its lane and complied with traffic. Although the system isn’t fully autonomous, it can be used to guide you. could be helpful on long highway stints. 

It’s easy to charge up after a long day of driving the Y’s 330 mile range. After loading a credit-card into the Tesla app, one simply pulls up at one of the 1,500 Supercharger locations across the country and plugs in.

Using Tesla’s exclusive fast-charging stations is remarkably seamlessComparable with the often clunky processFilling up a non Tesla at a public socket. 

What is not good: Expensive controls and a bumpy ride

Tim Levin/Insider

The Model Y may not be a tech-lover’s dream, but it could prove to be a reality. more of a nightmareFor the less technologically savvy. 

Basic functions, such as opening the glovebox, changing the wiper speed, or directing air vents, require that you use the touchscreen. This can be distracting and inconvenient while driving. I was struck by the possibility that someone like my mom might feel overwhelmed by a completely digitalized driving experience. She needs help with DVR and shudders at thinking about how she might navigate new apps. 

The Model Y also lacks Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. 

The Y’s stiff suspension helps with agility but it doesn’t protect passengers from bumpy roads. I also noticed a lot of wind and road noise at speeds above 60 mph. 

Our impressions

Tim Levin/Insider

It turns out that Tesla fans have a point. The Model Y is a vehicle that has a lot to offer. It’s packed full of dazzling tech, can drive better than most SUVs, has access to Tesla’s fast charging network, and feels very different from other cars. 

It’s not perfect. In addition to the issues I have highlighted, there are many other issues that have been widely reported. inconsistent build quality difficulty with repairsThese are important considerations, but they were not something I experienced firsthand. 

Although the Model Y is a great option for many buyers, Tesla isn’t your only choice. As Audi and other players, the EV-curious have many more options than ever. Rivian, BMWYou can pile into the EV space. The competition is fiercer every day.