Tesla's New Model Y SUV Hits the Right Note By Playing It Safe (usatoday.com)

Last night, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the company's brand new electric SUV, the Model Y. The car is only slightly larger than the Model 3 and shares 75% of its parts, leaving many people wanting more. But, as USA Today reports, "The ho-hum reaction to Tesla's new electric SUV is, oddly enough, exactly what the company needs. [F]or a company that needs a little less pizzazz and a little more substance to make good on its promise to become a sustainable force in the auto industry, the Model Y hit the right marks." From the report: It's essentially a crossover version of the Tesla Model 3 compact car, bearing the design hallmarks of a hatchback and sharing the same architectural platform as its car sibling. That Tesla devotees weren't rewarded with sizzling new features on the Model Y illustrates that the company is getting serious about selling vehicles. After all, a compact SUV is precisely what Americans want: a driveable vehicle that puts safety first and flash second. Versions with five and seven seats will be available, with starting prices ranging from $39,000 for the base version to $60,000 for a performance model. If Musk had tried to break new technological barriers or adopt outlandish styling on the Model Y, he would have risked making the vehicle too difficult to manufacture and unappealing to conventional SUV buyers.

The first-available model will start at $47,000 and arrive in fall 2020. You can place a refundable deposit of $2,500 to secure your place in line when the vehicle becomes available. The base model of the Model Y -- the $39,000 version -- won't be available until "sometime in 2021," Musk said. Families can make the Model Y their primary vehicle since the battery range goes from 230 miles to 300 miles depending on the version. That stacks up well against other EVs on the market, such as the Chevrolet Bolt's 238 and the Hyundai Kona's 258. And while techies might not find the Model Y exhilarating, it will come equipped with software and sensors capable of autonomous driving, whenever it becomes legal. But buyers will have to pay for the system upgrade of $3,000 to $5,000.

Comments

Re:I'd rather get a Rivian for the same price

[Rei]

I'm not a fan of the curved roof and rear door

Ditching that would mean about 25% less highway range, 25% longer charge times on road trips, and 80% the battery lifespan. Not worth the tradeoff.

Would have been much better as a hatchback.

It is a hatchback. Including a power liftgate.

Re:I'd rather get a Rivian for the same price

[Rei]

That's ridiculous. For example the Kona is not 25% less efficient than the Model 3.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=39836&id=40585

Model 3 MPGe: 123
Kona: 108

123 / 108 = 14% difference... on top of the fact that Kona is also a smaller vehicle (if you disagree, you've clearly either never been inside a Model 3, been inside a Kona, or both; Kona's rear seat in particular is tiny). Leaf is closer, though still smaller in most internal passenger space measurements. It gets 97 MPGe highway, aka 27% more energy than the Model 3.

I'll repeat: Aerodynamics is done for a reason. It makes a big difference in range, charge times, and cycle life.

(Oh, and a note for the above: The average speed for said "highway" cycle is only about 55mph; the faster you go, the more streamlining matters)

Slightly different meaning here I think. The problem with that shape door is that it both lets rain water in

That's what gutters are for, as you'll find in every single car which has that form of hatch (which are numerous).

and reduces the overall available height considerably.

Which is why tapered vehicles are generally longer.

If you want a "city car" that never goes at highway speeds, but length is a critical factor, then sure, have a truncated rear end. But if you want an EV that's suitable for road trips, you want taper.