Tesla Model Y “Juniper” with its “Cross-car” lamp The new Tesla Model Y boasts a drag coefficient of 0.22Cd which is an improvement over the previous Model Y’s 0.23Cd. On paper the numbers seems small but it is remarkable that a large 5-seater SUV can be as aerodynamic as the BYD Seal and the Tesla Model 3. As a comparison, the Xpeng G6 has a drag coefficient rating of 0.248Cd. The Model Y RWD has a WLTP-rated range up to 466km, which is 11km more than the previous version. It can do 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds which is a second quicker as well. For the Long Range AWD version, it has up to 551km WLTP-rated range, which is 18km more than than previous LR AWD. 0-100km/h is done in 4.3 seconds, which is enabled by the Acceleration Boost that’s included for free with the Launch series. The new Model Y has a top speed of 201km/h which is lower than the previous version’s 217km/h. The new Model Y features a light bar that’s similar to the Tesla Cybertruck. Interestingly, there is no T logo on the bonnet which gives it a cleaner look. The frunk under the bonnet is still one of the largest for an EV. While the bonnet isn’t powered, Tesla has added a drain plug so you could use this as an ice box to store your drinks or other perishables. Another new inclusion is a front camera that sits below the number plate holder for enhanced visibility for autopilot and actually smart summon. Over at the rear, the standout design element is the cross-car lamp, a horizontal tail lamp with in-direct illumination. The light glows from a concealed light source which is kinda similar to ceiling-mounted mood lighting. The brake lamp assembly is attached the boot cover like the new Model 3 and there are redundant lamps on the bumper which lights up when the boot is open. The interior mostly carriers over the latest upgrades found on the upgrades Model 3 which includes the anti-gravity seats with ventilated feature, ambient lighting, 8” display for the rear and a tweaked dashboard design. If you love stalks, you’ll be happy to know that Tesla has retained the indicator stalks which are placed on the left side of the steering column. However, there’s no gear selector stalk, so you’ll need to rely on swipe gestures on the display to switch between P-R-N-D. The backup gear selector buttons can be found on the roof, similar to the current upgrades Model 3. According to Tesla, they have improved the ride with an updated suspension, new tyres and wheels. For a quieter ride, all windows are using double-glazed glass, while the glass roof also gets a new coating for better heat rejection. When it comes to charging, it remains unchanged. Both Model Y RWD and Model Y LR AWD variants support 11kW AC charging. For DC, the RWD model supports up to 175kW (229km range in 15 minutes) while the AWD version supports up to 250kW (266km range in 15 minutes). The Tesla Model Y has one of the largest cargo capacity in its class at over 2,130 litres in total. For the new refresh, they managed to add more capacity with a deeper secondary underfloor storage in the boot. Another welcomed update is the new powered second row backrest. With a simple flick of the switch, you can easily fold down and fold up the rear seats from the boot itself. Overall, the new Tesla Model Y is a solid offering which starts from under RM200,000. It looks more modern, offers better efficiency and range, and it gets a couple of new features that are useful for families. Would you get this over the BYD Sealion 7 or the Xpeng G6? Let us know in the comments. Tags: