I just got delivery of my Model Y on 12/31/2020. I replaced my 2 year old Audi Q5. A friend of mine, a Tesla owner and driver since 2013, who's also my go-to person for anything and everything Tesla, asked me: "So, what do you think, is Tesla a luxury car?" It made me think about it, so here's what came to mind.
I want to say, I am not a car expert by any means. However, I design buildings for a living and happen to know a few things about design and engineering. So, based on my very "extensive" (all 250 mi of it) Model Y experience:
- Design intent: 10/10
- Design execution exterior: 8/10
- Design execution interior: 6/10 (biggest room for improvement). It’s the little things - center console being cheap glossy plastic is virtually never fingerprint-free. Already ordered a wrap for it. Things don’t quite align/click right. Seats are a bit hard, especially in the back. Sun visors feel flimsy, interior lighting (floor, curb when door is open, etc.) is minimal, almost insufficient. Love the uninterrupted sunroof, well done! Controls are convenient but could’ve added a few more things to the steering wheel levers - intermittence of wipers, etc.
- Driving experience: 8/10. Love the one-pedal driving, after a few miles it becomes a second nature. Steering is a tat too stiff for my taste, even in comfort mode but doesn't bother me. The ride is stiff, definitely. And I understand, it’s a heavy car, it needs the stiffness. But going through the speed bumps, no matter how slow, feels like dropping off the second floor.
- Comfort/features: 7/10. I am a total fan of the minimalist design but exactly because of it, they should have, for example, HomeLink built in, a dedicated space for an EZPass, heated steering wheel... these are minor things that can go a long way from experience perspective. Apple play, what’s up with not having it?! $15k Chevy cars have it.
- Coolness: 10/10. The technology in the car is beyond impressive. Yes, the autopilot has some glitches, etc. but the way everything operates so seamlessly... that is quite something. The summon feature - that is total 2050 Sci-Fi. My 12-year old son and I went to a grocery store empty parking lot on Jan 1st to test it, as I didn’t believe it actually worked. It was totally surreal seeing the car drive itself without anyone in it!
So, is the Model Y a luxury car? The short answer, I would say it’s not. It’s a different type of car and experience, and it should be what cars are all about in the future. It provides everything you need and nothing you don’t. The Q5, definitely a luxury car, full of bells and whistles, I used some of them for the first week and then, drove it for 2 years without touching a single one of them. The minimal design in the Tesla is definitely calming. At least so far, I feel less stressed driving it, Definitely more relaxed than driving the Audi.
Last but not least, forget everything else, the 4sec 0-60 alone is worth the ownership.
There you have it. Much longer answer than you expected.
Happy driving!
I want to say, I am not a car expert by any means. However, I design buildings for a living and happen to know a few things about design and engineering. So, based on my very "extensive" (all 250 mi of it) Model Y experience:
- Design intent: 10/10
- Design execution exterior: 8/10
- Design execution interior: 6/10 (biggest room for improvement). It’s the little things - center console being cheap glossy plastic is virtually never fingerprint-free. Already ordered a wrap for it. Things don’t quite align/click right. Seats are a bit hard, especially in the back. Sun visors feel flimsy, interior lighting (floor, curb when door is open, etc.) is minimal, almost insufficient. Love the uninterrupted sunroof, well done! Controls are convenient but could’ve added a few more things to the steering wheel levers - intermittence of wipers, etc.
- Driving experience: 8/10. Love the one-pedal driving, after a few miles it becomes a second nature. Steering is a tat too stiff for my taste, even in comfort mode but doesn't bother me. The ride is stiff, definitely. And I understand, it’s a heavy car, it needs the stiffness. But going through the speed bumps, no matter how slow, feels like dropping off the second floor.
- Comfort/features: 7/10. I am a total fan of the minimalist design but exactly because of it, they should have, for example, HomeLink built in, a dedicated space for an EZPass, heated steering wheel... these are minor things that can go a long way from experience perspective. Apple play, what’s up with not having it?! $15k Chevy cars have it.
- Coolness: 10/10. The technology in the car is beyond impressive. Yes, the autopilot has some glitches, etc. but the way everything operates so seamlessly... that is quite something. The summon feature - that is total 2050 Sci-Fi. My 12-year old son and I went to a grocery store empty parking lot on Jan 1st to test it, as I didn’t believe it actually worked. It was totally surreal seeing the car drive itself without anyone in it!
So, is the Model Y a luxury car? The short answer, I would say it’s not. It’s a different type of car and experience, and it should be what cars are all about in the future. It provides everything you need and nothing you don’t. The Q5, definitely a luxury car, full of bells and whistles, I used some of them for the first week and then, drove it for 2 years without touching a single one of them. The minimal design in the Tesla is definitely calming. At least so far, I feel less stressed driving it, Definitely more relaxed than driving the Audi.
Last but not least, forget everything else, the 4sec 0-60 alone is worth the ownership.
There you have it. Much longer answer than you expected.
Happy driving!
![angus[Y]oung](/tmc/data/avatars/l/141/141264.jpg?1620160343){kind=avatar}
