Motor Trend’s Two-Year Review Says The Tesla Model Y Is “Taxing” — I Disagree!

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Alan Leanse recently wrote what I found to be a contradictory at best and uninformed at worst 2-year Motor Trend review of the Tesla Model Y. Leanse revealed more emotions than facts in the review, describing, for instance, how he “kicked its tire or punched its steering wheel out of visceral frustration.” His buried lede is that his story is of “more relevance to used-EV shoppers than those considering a brand-new Y.”

I was an early adopter of the Model Y. I waited rather impatiently for the Model 3 to rise and fall in popularity so that the small SUV could ease into the marketplace. Throughout the years I have owned the Model Y, I have always found it to be rather elegant — smooth under power, quiet, responsive. Its minimalist interior design, large touchscreen, and audio commands are upscale. I have driven other vehicles during my years of Model Y ownership, and none has compared to it.

Yet the Motor Trend critique of the popular Tesla model is quite scathing. “The Model Y showed how easily hype triumphs over substance,” the author argues. “But the trope that the Model Y is sporty, luxurious, or both needs to end. Its driving experience is taxing and unrelaxing.”

Did Motor Trend need a clickbait headline and intro to capture reader eyeballs? How valid were Leanse’ criticisms of this continually popular EV?

Leanse mentions early on that the 2023 Model Y version is not the latest refreshed version that has been vastly improved in many areas. And he offers some caveats about the broken-in Model Y he’s been driving. The Motor Trend author likes the 2023 Tesla Model Y audio system. Its “abundant space to stash things,” including the frunk that “every EV should have.” The Chill setting’s accelerator tip-in responsiveness. The Tesla app’s integration with vehicle features. The instant acceleration and sharp steering.

The compliments, unfortunately, are couched in insults to current Model Y owners. Here’s an example: “To an EV rookie, the absence of engine noise and vibration could make the cabin seem placid.”

The dig that we who drive the Model Y daily are naive is unprofessional.

The list of complaints goes on and on, to the point that Leanse exclaims, “I’ll be forever baffled by how so many chose—and still tolerate—the Model Y.”

I’m going to skim through them and offer my counterpoint as a daily Tesla Model Y driver.

Ride quality: Leanse doesn’t care for the chassis tuning, saying the suspension “feels like it’s filled with hard rubber, reacts nervously to slight road imperfections, and pounds across large ones.” Funny, I’ve never noticed any of these road reactions. Admitting that the ride “is rarely harsh,” he says it’s also “never smooth.” Man, I feel like I glide along effortlessly in my Model Y.

Steering: Acknowledging that the Model Y seems “alert and eager to change direction,” he feels this eliminates the Tesla as “a fun vehicle.” He finds the quick steering mix “twitchy” and needing “unduly sensitive handling.” He says the chassis gradually flops “into understeer when pushed. There’s just no spirit.” I live in Florida, which has its share of crazy drivers. I like the responsive steering; it makes me feel as if I have extra reaction time help. I have never thought to myself, “Wow, the understeer is an issue.” That’s because I’ve never experienced it.

Acceleration: With “ample” power of 0–60 mph at 4.5 seconds, the author is satisfied. He does find the Standard accelerator mode pedal to be “touchy,” causing “jumpy departures and wavering speeds.” He couldn’t manage the tuning and had to switch to Chill mode to relax, yet Leanse found it “simultaneously smooths and dulls the power delivery.” This isn’t a consistent commentary at all — it’s all over the place. Dude, choose one driving mode that works for your personal style and drive. Period.

Regenerative braking: One compliment Leanse extends to Tesla is its one-pedal drive function. The critic says it makes it “intuitive to control speed down to a stop just by lifting off the accelerator.” He doesn’t really care for the friction brakes, though, saying when they’re engaged “the pedal feels mushy.” I so rarely use the traditional brakes. It’s only in a quick reaction — a pedestrian crosses unexpectedly, for example, or a car ahead makes a jagged turn without signaling — and I’ve been grateful for my Model Y’s braking beyond regenerative to give me a little extra help.

Door handles: Saying the Model Y shares “the auto industry’s worst door handles,” Leanse cares little for what he calls is the need for “a specific hand movement and grip to open.” I tell first time passengers to use their thumb; the rest is intuitive. Perhaps his comment that the “design adds needless complexity to an essential car function (and makes emergency egress difficult, too)” is valid. But isn’t anything out-of-the-ordinary likely to be challenging at first?

OTA updates: Leanse likes how few service visits the Model Y has required since Motor Trend acquired it. That’s because of Tesla’s over-the-air (OTA) updates. “With this connectivity, the burdens of having a car—especially an EV—are greatly reduced,” he concedes. “This is a key factor in what’s made the Model Y so popular, as mainstream as an EV can be.” Want to see some of the most recent OTA updates? Click here. Most are silly; some are invaluable.

Phone-as-key: “Infuriatingly inconsistent.” That’s how Lease describes his experience with the Model Y entry. Perhaps this is because the Motor Trend vehicle was accessed by multiple users? The car recognizes me and my guy quite well as a general rule. I do have to admit, though, that a couple of times over the years, post-OTA software update, I’ve had to wave my iPhone around in a fan shape to get it to recognize me.

Hardware upkeep: Like many EVs, the Model Y has minimal maintenance needs — “just a matter of topping up the Model Y’s washer fluid.”

Glass roof: The sophisticated, swooping glass roof wasn’t enough for this Motor Trend critic. It let “in abundant light and heat,” so they ordered Tesla’s factory mesh sunshade. Leanse wanted a built-in retractable cover instead. Sure, that additional feature would’ve been nice — but it would’ve meant another cost increase for this first roomy-ish Tesla, and I paid a lot more as an early adopter than current Model Y buyers do.

Touchscreen: I love the touchscreen! I have it set to show me the exact information I need. Leanse, however, says it is “monolithic” and “annoying.” Like me, he finds the Model Y’s voice command system to be “clever and can manage extensive vehicle functions.” Unlike me, he finds that the “screen constantly demands attention away from the road.” I think this is, again, another example of getting used to driving a different style of vehicle — but that doesn’t make it bad.

Faux leather, wood veneer: I like the vegan leather. I disagree that the “strips of wood veneer suffice for the price point.” I think another material for the dash would have kept me from remembering the knotty pine paneling in my parent’s living room.

Windshield wipers: The author says “the automatic windshield wipers don’t do diddly, letting significant precipitation accumulate before they activate to clear the view.” The OTA updates have constantly improved what has, honestly, been inconsistent recognition of rain on the windshield. But I use the voice command: “Wipers on.” On they come. It’s like they’re sleeping and need to be poked a bit.

Active safety features: Tesla equips the Model Y with many driver aids and active safety features. I like the lane reminder and the notification if the car ahead is driving more slowly than I am. A recent OTA updates now flashes a red wave across the touch screen when I’m backing and a vehicle crosses behind me. I agree with Leanse that with Autopilot or FSD, “there’s just never any knowing when these systems will make an error.” I don’t use either. Period. I’d never forgive myself if I had a head-on crash because the car veered into the other lane. Not going there.

Range: The Motor Trend logbook has one single charge range of 291 miles, with multiple runs up to 250 miles between sessions. “Although less than the Model Y’s EPA ratings, among its rivals these figures are pretty good for real-world conditions,” he says. I simply don’t experience range anxiety with the Model Y — there are plenty of available miles for regular driving needs.

Supercharger: Leanse notes that “Supercharging was most beneficial when road tripping.” Duh. It’s also good for folks that can’t charge at home, or people who rent a Model Y. It needs to be emphasized what a tremendous gift it is to have such fast charging capability when you need it. Other EVs simply don’t have this ease, although the NACS has made it better for other EV models to charge with confidence.

Ecosystem that plans for charging: “If there’s one thing Tesla still does extremely well,” the critic admits, “it’s the ecosystem it creates for car ownership and EV living.” He likes how, “from charging to service to vehicle settings to driver profiles, nearly everything integrates seamlessly through Tesla’s mobile app and the vehicle’s touchscreen.” He notes that the car gives information if a destination is within range, how to manage maintenance, or if the cabin temperature is appropriate. to my liking. And more.

I agree that there have been “fraught sociopolitical aspects of modern Tesla ownership” over the last year. I placed the now-common bumper sticker on my vehicle: “I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy.” I’ve experienced no negative social interactions in parking lots or while charging in my condo complex. Mostly, people want to learn about why I drive an EV and how I like the Tesla. And I love it.