Tesla Model Y - Is the cheapest RWD the best buy?

I purchased a Tesla Model Y RWD, which has the smallest battery, slowest charging and least performance in the Model Y range. But I think this is the best buy and in this video I go through why the RWD is probably the one to choose. In the UK, the long rage model costs £8,000 more and the only differences are in the powertrain. Most new buyers focus on range and there the differences aren't as much as you'd first think due to the different charging profiles on the battery packs. The RWD has a LFP battery that needs to be charged to 100% at least once a week. The AWD LR model should only be charged to 80-90% unless you're about to embark on a long journey. The RWD car at 100% SoC will do the same range as the LR car at 85% SoC. So if you charge at home, for the majority of the time there's no difference in range between the two models.
I hope this video helps new Tesla buyers.
Tesla specs can change, so do check. This car was new in December 2023 and this video was filmed in February 2024 and currently the specs have remained unchanged.

Chapters/timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:57 2024 model
02:04 Price
02:20 RWD vs LR differences
04:32 Battery packs & range
09:54 Charge speeds
10:49 Motors
12:09 Performance
13:53 Options
16:07 Outro

#electricvehicles #gogreenautos #gogreenautosuk #teslamodely #teslamodely

[GoGreenAutos]

A few extra points...
There's another difference I didn't realise and its not in the video. In the UK, the RWD powertrain warranty is 8 years/100k miles. The LR is 8 years/120k miles.
It's also worth mentioning again, specs vary in different regions/markets. In the UK, the RWD has the same equipment and comes with premium sound, which is not the case in some other markets. However, it's now obvious from some of the comments, we pay considerably higher premium for the LR and Performance model, yet don't get extra equipment over the RWD.


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***Update October 2024***
This RWD model has now been discontinued (maybe temporarily, maybe permanently) and replaced with the new RWD Long Range. So the LFP battery is no longer available in the UK. The new RWD LR has the same battery as the AWD Long Range, but with a single motor. The price has increased by £2, 000 over the previous LFP version.

[michaelhutcheson]

Just ordered my MY RWD and picking it up on Monday. I did go for red as the colour. Can’t wait, so excited. Thanks for the video couldn’t agree more with your points, the extra for the LR just wasn’t worth it for me.

[currentconversationsalex]

Great summary and video overall, awesome work.

Another great fact for people who talk about Cobalt mining is that the biggest use of cobalt in the world is…refining oil into fuels!

[the_real_torvald]

The most helpful video I’ve ever watched on the battery and performance on the model y!

[muffledgamer]

I ordered the RWD last week and this video makes me feel a lot more content with my choice! Thanks

[johnoguns]

Great Review. Have exactly the same model. Was first confused about charging to 100% at least once a week, but now I know why. Battery type. What I do is charge it at the Tesla charger to 80% and then top up at home to 100% over night.

[trevorsbarkingmadchannel]

That’s really good you could transfer your free supercharging. Brilliant saving. Great vlog

[johnbilsland]

For 90% of MY drivers the RWD is all that is needed. Fast enough and with good range. We get 256 mile range (260 when new 12 months ago). You can charge it 100% and makes so much more sense than spending £8000 more.

[trisknight]

I have the same car purchased this year, suspension is firm and that’s coming from a M sport, the tech is amazing really getting about 3.1 wpm at the moment but it’s cold and wet almost every day. Great seats and don’t think I’ll ever get another car without a heated steering wheel, was looking at the Skoda but the charging network of Tesla sold it for me plus it’s got better performance

[Daniel-jmhd]

I have the RWD on salary sacrifice as it was cheaper and i only do long journeys once a month. Over the past year I have averaged 215 Wh per mile, even with preheating during the winter. I am very happy with the car and would only change the colour as blue or red looks much better.

[petregeorgescu]

Thank you, that’s the comparison I was looking for.

[ie]

Your video explains everything accurately, simply, and clearly—great to see! I’ve already ordered mine and it’s arriving on Tuesday, can’t wait! Thanks for your effort and the helpful video.

[davidkramrisch]

I agree with you entirely. We have a Polestar 2 long range single motor rear wheel drive and it has more than enough range for what we require and about 300 brake horsepower which is massive compared to previous cars so fully agree no need for all wheel drive and extra power.

[markgouge]

Great video. The comparisons have been very helpful in my decision making.
Another difference I have found is the in price I have been quoted on insurance between the two. It’s averaging out at between £30-40 per month cheaper on the RWD. Thats another saving worth considering. However whatever you decide seems to be a win win!!

[andrewgriffiths]

Very informative and well put together

[willielarsson]

I get my RWD Y in Oct, looking forward to it. Nice video cheers

[smithleon]

we also went for the Model Y RWD. We didn't actually expect to get the improved audio system or rear heated seats so were pretty surprised when we did. We get 250 miles pretty much all year round. We use the car day to day and charge maybe once or twice a week to 100% Our 233 Wh/Mi in the Summer only dropped to 244 Wh/Mi in the winter. You do end up using more electric overall because you tend to set the car to autoheat in the morning, but that is optional. The performance is still incredible. Acceleration from 30-70 which is the useful range, is really not much different to the other models. I drive the whole time in Chill mode! Absolutely no regrets saving the money and getting the RWD!

[Surfrdan]

We came to the same conclusion. Bang for Buck it's the outright winner. Plugging in on the drive way each night and letting Inteligent Octopus Go do its thing results in pain free, cheap EV ownership with all the Tesla bells and whistles. winning!

[kiteless]

Even for long trips it doesn’t make a big difference. ABRP reckons about 30 minutes longer for a RWD vs LR doing London to Aberdeen, both starting on 100%. Looking forward to replacing my Leaf with one in a couple of years!

[johanandersson]

I wanted a white one and there was only one left it was one like this, when I got home I saw there was a tow hook in the bags, was a nice surprise.
I am so happy with the charging it is very good compared to my Kia EV6, for some reason the Kia did not want to prepare the battery for super charging. Also saves time to just plug in the cable and that you don't have to pay with cards or apps. The last time I did a long run, I charged 6 minutes. If I compare with the Kia, I also usually charge for a little while, usually it took longer than 6 minutes. I haven't tested winter driving, only now in the summer.
The computer and navigation are exceptionally good with satellite maps.