Tesla Model Y (Long Range RWD) Review: Default Mode

There comes a time when a car stops trying to prove itself and simply becomes the reference point. The Tesla Model Y, is now exactly that - the default EV SUV choice. Not the bold disruptor it once was, but the quiet constant in a rapidly crowding segment.

That’s not to say it stands unchallenged. The BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X are not mere footnotes; they are credible, compelling alternatives that close the gap in meaningful ways. Yet, much like an iPhone loyalist instinctively sticking within the ecosystem, there’s a natural gravitation towards Tesla. Familiarity? Philosophy? A hint of Americanisation pride? Perhaps all of the above (though we’ll leave politics parked elsewhere).

The Inside Story

Step inside, and the Model Y doesn’t shout luxury; instead, it demonstrates it through space. Yes - proper, usable, liberating space. The cabin feels almost architectural in its openness, thanks largely to the expansive glasshouse design.

For those even mildly claustrophobic, this interior borders on therapeutic. While for families, it’s a masterstroke. Rear passengers get generous legroom, and the boot is vast enough to handle life’s logistical chaos without complaint. Groceries, luggage, strollers; it takes it all, then leaves room for afterthoughts.

Now back to that full glass roof, which is both a highlight and a talking point. On most days, it elevates the cabin experience - bright, airy, almost lounge-like.

But under Singapore’s less forgiving sun, it can feel like you’ve volunteered for a low-grade solar experiment. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does make you wonder if a touch more shading - or design restraint - might have been wise. Well, we guess beauty, in this case, occasionally comes with thermal consequences…

Tesla’s less-is-more philosophy continues to divide opinion. On one hand, the clean, uncluttered cockpit feels modern and intentional. On the other, it occasionally sacrifices usability at the altar of design.

The return of the physical signal stalk is a welcome nod to practicality; proof that even Tesla can admit when muscle memory matters.

Then there’s the air-con. Adjusting vents via the central screen remains, frankly, an exercise in patience. It’s unintuitive and unnecessarily distracting. Especially when others - like XPeng with the G6 - have shown that reverting to physical controls isn’t a step backwards, but a smart response to real-world usage.

Driving It

This Long Range RWD variant here runs a single rear-mounted motor pushing out (random thought - numbers once upon a time only seen in Mitsubishi Evolutions and Subaru WRX STIs) 295 bhp and 350 Nm, paired with a sizeable 84 kWh battery. That combination delivers a standstill to 100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds, quick enough to silence most internal combustion arguments before they even warm up.

But the real headline is range. A claimed up to 661 km (WLTP) means this is more “distance muncher” and less “why are you even worried?”

In typical Tesla fashion, it’s not just about outright figures; it’s about usable efficiency. The kind that makes you stop checking your battery percentage every five minutes and start treating it like, well, a normal car again.

Out on the road, the Model Y reveals its strongest argument: It doesn’t try to mimic anything else in the segment. It simply exists in its own lane.

The steering is spot-on, offering just enough feedback without veering into artificial heaviness. The suspension strikes an impressive balance; comfortable over imperfections yet composed when pushed. It’s not trying to be sporty, but it isn’t disengaged either.

The drivetrain delivers power in a smooth, linear fashion that feels almost understated. No theatrics, no unnecessary drama - just clean, efficient motion. It’s this cohesion, this seamlessness, that makes it difficult to compare directly with rivals. Quite frankly, the experience is uniquely Tesla.

In A Nutshell

After all the scrutiny, the Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD remains difficult to fault in any meaningful way. It commits fully to its design ethos and executes it with remarkable consistency, getting the fundamentals right - space, usability, driving refinement, and that all-important sense of completeness.

In Singapore, it stands out as the best value-for-money option because it strikes a balance between range, cost, and real-world usability: Delivering the longest range in the lineup for lower running costs, benefiting from a more favourable road tax band, and offering performance that is more than sufficient without the added expense of dual motors.

While it isn’t perfect, it simply continues to be the default choice that makes the most sense, even when you try to convince yourself otherwise. And while rivals like the BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X are closing in fast - and may even edge ahead in certain areas - the Tesla, as a package, still holds its ground with authority.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

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