Visiting LA for 10 days, this time opted for a Hertz Model Y. Car is a junk on the inside, completely empty/bare, and quality of materials and fit/finish are that of a $30K car or less. But it’s spacious and practical while being compact and easy to maneuver, and looks sleek on the outside, and controls are practical once I learned the screen.
But on my major point: Has anybody noticed that the driving dynamics are extremely impressive? I never here/read this come through on any auto journalist reviews. There is no flare of the engine screaming, running through the gears. The ride quality is junk. BUT: the steering is so sharp and direct, and the ratio is so tight, and the Regen braking is so aggressive it feels like engine braking. I am having a blast when traffic allows, to run through the twisties. I am getting completely addicted to this car based on the drive alone. Am I exaggerating, or is this handling/driving on par with or better than your standard-issue BMW 3-series??
It is all relative to what you have driven before. For those who grew up driving a Ford Focus, driving a Tesla is a life changing experience. If you daily a Porsche, driving a Tesla makes you question what series of poor decisions lead to such an unfortunate circumstance.
When the Model 3 first came out the reviews herald it as the new 3 series. Despite all the negatives with the vehicle handling is a major plus. When compared to other vehicles in the same general price range its up there at the top. I do not know if the Tesla S/X are the same though.
When we test drove a Model Y after having driven a Kona Electric for a few months, I thought the Model Y was quieter, smoother, and obviously faster. But I thought it was a little clumsy around corners. I loved the simple aesthetics of the Tesla, but my wife hated it. I had just gotten my Kona EV so the Model Y was supposed to be for my wife. I was 100% sure that she was going to love it, and she hated every thing about the Tesla. I ended up getting another MDX for her - big, clumsy, lots of buttons, but very quiet with very soft ride quality.
The Model 3 is nice. It’s not clumsy around the corners, and just rides better over bumps especially if the bumps are on a curve. It seems like not a lot of design went into the Model Y - they just stretched the Model 3 up.
My MYLR is by a multiple of two (slightly more) the most expensive car I’ve ever owned, so I also really enjoy mine and have a good time driving it. As others have mentioned, my guess is this is relative.
What is your daily driver?
your post made me think of the first group of people switched from Windows laptop to MacBook, ~2012.
All of them claim “Macbook is sooo fast” while they neglect the fact that their previous Windows laptop are running on a mechanical HDD and Macbook are using SSD. Had they bought a new Windows laptop at that time with the same price, the experience would be same.
I have limited model Y driving time but generally I have a hard time believing a 4500 pound SUV handles the same as 3700 pound 330i xdrive. I’m sure in a straight line it is much quicker but around corners and braking it becomes hard/very expensive to defy physics. There is a reason performance cars do everything they can to shed every ounce of weight possible.
Handling on a Y is nothing to write home about. I can see why it might be fun to hustle at first, since acceleration is effortless compared to 99% of cars.
But once we separate those two things it’s obvious it’s only good at one of them.
From what I’ve seen, this is exactly it. The Tesla does benefit from having the weight low, but that extra mass really hampers any really good handling characteristics. Most people get amazed at the low down torque because they don’t have to think about keeping a car in its power band; they stomp pedal, the computers make sure the car doesn’t spin out, and people walk away thinking they are the next Lewis Hamilton. One thing I will say is that my old Model S and the Model 3 I tested weren’t so obviously tuned for understeer like most vehicles are these days.
You mean my Jeep 4XE steering and suspension isn’t a good handling comparison?
Seriously, the power is fun but it’s the handling through the canyon roads that is surprising me more.
It’s a Dual Motor Model Y; I’ll confirm the year, but I think it said 2023 so maybe it has the Comfort Suspension. In any case, the ride quality is absolute JUNK, but it’s willing to get thrown into the turns, stay reasonably flat, and maintain a fairly high level of grip.
Could be I am just enjoying the California roads too much but I find the handling very impressive.
LOL almost anything is better than this, my old Wrangler 4xe was the worst new truck I’ve ever experienced on the highway, those AT tires are atrocious at telling you what’s going on with the pavement. But credit where credit’s due, disregarding speed bumps and curbs at the local mall almost makes up for its otherwise poor on road behavior.
Yeah you guys are right, I was watching some YouTubes of Model Y on Nurburgring today while on treadmill and the car is quick under acceleration, but was getting overrun in the twisties by Porsches and BMW’s.
I think I’m enjoying it so much because of no transmission, and very aggressive Regen braking so I can just focus on the steering mostly and placing the car properly into the turn.
Yeah, I know right? Some people want to experience the complicated driving experience of a rwd, stick shift Porsche 911. I just want a Model 3 Performance so I can drive it like a video game.
