Since I was able to take a test drive in a Tesla Roadster over 11 years ago, I have been enthusiastic about Tesla. The test drive was short, the roadster was the most strenuous car I’ve ever driven and everything about it was improvised. But feeling the acceleration, how the vehicle was hanging on the “gas” or power pedal was a unique experience.
In the years that followed, I had the pleasure or the desire to rent a Tesla for a few days several times and have some experience with it. The feeling of acceleration was always fascinating at every encounter, but for me it wasn’t the main thing. It was the overall concept, the operating concept and at the latest with the first long-term rental of a Model 3 at the end of 2019, it became clear to me in the 4 weeks that electromobility would become completely suitable for everyday use and normal. I was all the more pleased that I was able to take my newborn daughter with me on her first trip home in the Model 3 electric.
The fact that my company car had to be diesel for some time and that I wanted to wait for the Model Y for my small family meant that my first electric company car didn’t find its way to me until 2021. In the end, things suddenly happened very quickly.
Tesla Model Y driving report
My Model Y
After sales for Germany began in July, I was able to order the vehicle quickly at the end of July and there was also an immediate delivery date at the end of August. I was one of the first to take delivery of almost 840 Tesla Model Ys. This despite the fact that I still had to change the configuration three weeks after ordering. Because keep an eye out when buying a company car in Germany, only the basic equipment of the Model Y remains below the magic limit of €60,000 and is only taxable at 0.25%.
Fortunately, the basic equipment on the Model Y is as complete as probably few other manufacturers. The time you save in the configurator compared to other manufacturers is incredible. The ordering process takes a few minutes and you’re done. Well done.
Model Y on the fast chargerPure efficiency
The first 14 days with the Model Y
I’m not a classic car tester and you can find enough pictures of the Model Y. I would like to talk more about my experiences with the Y here.
The whole vehicle is basically just unexciting. After you have looked at everything, you actually know all the functions and menus. Afterwards it feels wonderfully normal. There are no buttons with mystical symbols that you still haven’t understood after years. It just works and everything you need seems to be there.
It’s incredibly efficient! Motorway with an average of 114km/h and 16.9kWh/100km is awesome for a vehicle of this weight and size class. (Ok, maybe I just had a good tailwind)
After a few days and several trips, the driving experience becomes the new normal. You glide along, the ride comfort increases with the tires worn in and it feels better with each passing day. The fact that everything in the car is so pleasantly reduced and well thought out is so relaxing. The 2 charging cradle for the smartphone alone are so cleverly integrated. A car built for the future.
A supercar (for me). The incredible power that lies dormant in the vehicle and can be accessed simply with the power pedal is still reminiscent of the first experience with the Roadster (and the acceleration from 0 to 100 is 0.7s below the original Roadster at 5.0 seconds).
Me and my TeslaPerfect for child seats
Highlights
And here are a few more highlights for interested parties that might be normal again for me:
The panoramic glass roof! For me, what Tesla has created is still a highlight. Now made in one piece and for the little passenger traveling with you, it is now probably the most fascinating thing about driving.
The storage options in the Frunk and Trunk. The lower area in the trunk is particularly practical for always having PPE and hiking boots with you and still having an empty trunk. The side storage compartments at the back are practical for safety vests and charging cables. Everything is immediately at hand. Everything that is rarely used goes in the front.
The touchscreen and the user interface. I always have to smile when I enter a destination in the navigation system and think of the eTron from Audi that I previously rented. After you had chosen the type of target, you had to wait what felt like 2 seconds after each letter was entered for the system to move again. Even my 2012 Audi was even faster. At Tesla everything works as you would expect from an iPhone.
Integrated dashcam with all-round visibility. At the push of a button you can easily record situations and then play them while standing or save them on the USB stick. Namely forward, right, left and back. Everything is recorded.
Super fast and clear loading. I have no idea why, but every electric rental vehicle I’ve had in the last few months has always had to take a few seconds to think about before the charging process starts at AC or DC charging stations. At Tesla it seems to work differently, you plug it in and it charges. (and shows what it is charging on the display in a super large size that is easy to see from the outside). It’s worth reading the technology blog, because thanks to it we now have this Clean Charge cable holder in the company.
Conclusion
The only negative thing so far? That a 2004 BMW ran into my rear at the traffic lights on Monday. There may then be a follow-up report about the first experiences with the Tesla Bodyshop and the availability of spare parts at Tesla.
If you also want to order a nice Tesla, you are welcome to use my recommendation link and secure 1,500km of free supercharging.