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By Jonathan Crouch

The Model Y should bring Tesla into the mainstream. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 51

Tesla's Model Y aims to redefine what a compact-to-mid-sized SUV can deliver. It brings the engineering of its Model 3 saloon showroom stablemate to this quickly growing segment and lays down a benchmark to the established brands as to exactly what a full-electric BEV Crossover of this kind ought to be.

Backgroundword count: 203

This is where Tesla gets serious (again). The Model Y is the brand's very first compact-to-mid-sized SUV. And the company predicts that it'll out-sell all its other three models combined. Tesla's Model 3 mid-sized saloon was the first car that brought the brand into more affordable market segments and if you're familiar with that car, you'll be familiar with a Model Y because 75% of components are shared between the two models. Model Ys for Europe are built at Tesla's new Berlin factory. The vehicle is also built in California and Shanghai and eventually, around half a million examples of it will be produced for worldwide sale each year. So, this car needs to be good, pivotal as it'll be for Tesla. Market demand for SUVs is, after all, far higher than it is for saloons - or cars in the Model S or Model X large luxury category. But that demand is already being satisfied by an army of compact-to-mid-sized SUVs with full-battery power from other brands. Cars like the Volkswagen ID.4, the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Skoda Enyaq iV, the CUPRA Born, the Volvo XC40 Pure Electric and the Ford Mustang Mach-E - to name just a few. Let battle commence.

Driving Experienceword count: 307

All the running gear is shared with Tesla's Model 3, but for the time being, Model Y customers get three variant choices, the two priciest ones with a Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive powertrain format. Most will opt for the base single motor Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive derivative, which offers 373 miles of range. Next up is the dual motor Long Range All-Wheel Drive variant, which offers 331 miles of range, a 4.8s 0-60mph time and a 135mph top speed. At the top of the line-up is the dynamic 'Performance' model, basically the fastest compact-to-mid-sized SUV there is, with around 450hp on tap and 640Nm of pulling power. This top derivative also has a range of 319 miles, but sprints to 60mph in just 3.5s. Standard on this top version is what Tesla calls a 'Performance Upgrade', which gives you lowered suspension, Performance Brakes and increases the top speed from 135 to 155mph. Whatever Model Y variant you choose, the car's low centre of gravity promises much in terms of handling. Tesla's Elon Musk says it 'has the functionality of an SUV but rides like a sports car'. A low centre of gravity and a drag coefficient of 0.23Cd will also help. Despite the inclusion of 4WD, there's no off piste capability of course - this car sits only 168mm from the deck (which is lower than some ordinary family hatches); so you sure aren't going off-roading in it. The Model Y doesn't have a 'Sport' drive mode - and it clearly doesn't need one, the ordinary 'Standard' setting quite enough to bring up your breakfast (and attract the constabulary's attention) if you engage too frequently in repeated right foot flexes. Better if you can to chill - quite literally, because that's the name of the second more laid-back setting that'll better preserve that all-important drive range figure.

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