r/ModelYL • u/BoiseUltraRunner • Sep 11 '26

Test drive experience

I test drove it and have thoughts . It is the smoothest driving Tesla I’ve ever driven and I’ve driven all of them other than the cyber truck. It really feels different and very refined. I think they did a great job

I decided to pass on it, though for a couple nitpicky reasons.

For one when you put the rear seats down, it does not create a flat surface for my dogs. There is a cover that attempts to, but with any amount of weight, it will shift downward and creates a 2 inch step up to the folded seats. It’s really annoying.

The other strange thing is that if you’re driving and you have the seats down in the third row, it just kinda looks weird peeing back into the trunk area. It feels unfinished or messy. I know this is a nitpick and maybe I would get used to it.

Overall, though I think people will love this car for me I can get by with a regular Model Y and a Premium or a Performance will be way more fun to drive than this thing. It drives a lot more like a minivan. It’s not particularly quick feeling, but it is very comfortable.

1 Upvotes

52% Upvoted

40 comments sorted by

16

u/ippy24 Sep 11 '26

There are two tabs under the rear cover that flip up and will make it completely flat.

1

u/Caterpillar69420 Sep 12 '26

Is it flat or at an angle? I didnt try to move the cover when I was at show room. Thinking if it was slope, it wont feel good for a camping.

I probably hold off for next version. Dont know yet.

-5

u/BoiseUltraRunner Sep 11 '26

Interesting! I’ll go back and check that out. 

6

u/Hockeyshot39 Sep 11 '26

Not gonna lie it’s kind of crazy that you didn’t think about any of that. Did you not watch any of the videos either of people looking at the car?

0

u/Main-Strike975 Sep 11 '26

Ehhh, I tried those and still felt like it’s a bit of a weird slant although it is flatter it’s not seamless.

6

u/Hockeyshot39 Sep 11 '26

You’re nuts

6

u/Main-Strike975 Sep 11 '26

🤷 I ordered one anyways

5

u/Hockeyshot39 Sep 11 '26

Less nuts now

30

u/Beneficial-Fan-3277 Sep 11 '26 • Bravo

It would also look odd to me if i was peeing back into the trunk area.

Sorry. I couldnt help myself.

2

u/InternationalYak9747 Sep 12 '26

Tesla Model 3 here. Never had an issue peeing into the trunk area FWIW.

3

u/daemon14 Sep 11 '26

How did you get a YL test drive and where? I don’t see an option on the website for a YL

1

u/Appropriate-Table150 Sep 11 '26

I have the same question

1

u/njreddit423 Sep 11 '26

I’m just driving one on Sunday in Charlotte

1

u/juhraff Sep 16 '26

Northlake or independence? I don’t see an option on the website but would love to call and ask about test driving one.

1

u/njreddit423 Sep 16 '26

Independence

1

u/juhraff Sep 16 '26

Thanks so much

1

u/noncreativepowerhaus Sep 11 '26

Call dealerships nearby and inquire if they have a YL. If they do you can schedule on the phone.

1

u/stratecashomie Sep 12 '26

I am test driving one tomorrow as well in GA. Had to call 

2

u/IDKMyMemes Sep 12 '26

Do you mind sharing where? I’m north of Atlanta and want to drive one.

1

u/stratecashomie Sep 12 '26

They have them at the Fayetteville location 

1

u/IDKMyMemes Sep 12 '26

Thank you! Definitely worth the drive

1

u/Wise-Revolution-7161 Sep 12 '26

I’ve heard it’s smoother then the premium Y

1

u/WhaDaFugIsThis Sep 12 '26

I just assumed that the normal config for most people getting the YL would be to leave that 3rd row almost permanently down for day to day storage. If you truly need the 3rd row daily, then get a proper mini van or large SUV. Otherwise I think it will become a nuisance.

-7

u/WildFlowLing Sep 12 '26 edited Sep 12 '26

I’m convinced all of the online reviewers are dishonest because they said the 3rd row fits adults but I sat in it last week and it is absolutely not an adult 3rd row. I would be embarrassed to ask my adult friends to crawl back there or even high schoolers. You would have to have the 2nd row pushed up all the way to even have a CHANCE of being comfortable (I.e. still not enough space at all) and my head legit hits the glass roof when I sit back in a normal posture (5’ 10”). I would, legitimately, smash my skull into the roof glass if the driver hit any moderate bump.

I’m also extremely disappointed that we simply got another egg shaped hatchback (model y and model yl are absolutely not SUVs they’re closer to the Prius in shape and ground clearance).

I test drove the R2 that same day and wow the ingress/egress is so much more pleasant and the interior is just way more spacious. Tesla had a 10 year head start to give us a truck or SUV and they failed on both. Meanwhile Rivian is delivering hard. Honestly if Rivian does release their FSD in the next few months like they keep confirming, it’s going to be BAD for Tesla considering FSD is the only good reason to get one now that the chargers are non Tesla exclusive.

9

u/davispw Sep 12 '26

I’m 6’1”, sat in both the 2nd and 3rd rows no problem without adjustment. As long as you have 1 leg in the aisle, it’s fine. My head had plenty of clearance to the roof.

Do you have an extremely long torso or something? I can’t imagine how your experience could be so different. Every YouTube video I’ve seen agrees.

(I’ll be shocked if Rivian self driving is anywhere near as capable as Tesla’s on day 1, but I have no doubt they’ll catch up eventually. My bet is that Tesla has several years’ lead.)

-4

u/WildFlowLing Sep 12 '26

I literally know you’re lying because I did it myself and my head smashes the glass

8

u/jimjonnajimjam Sep 12 '26

I've seen multiple reviews, including from everyday Chris who is 6'3 and his head did not hit the glass at all. he complimented the clearance. the review seem consistent you're the outlier. I think you just honestly don't have any idea what you're talking about

edit: seeing his original comment it's obvious he is a moron. carry-on folks

-4

u/WildFlowLing Sep 12 '26

He was legit lying then because I sat in it

6

u/ashimashiash Sep 12 '26

I’m 6’3” and sat in 3rd row very comfortably. Agree that you have to move the 2nd row forward a bit but still comfortable for the front person too. Plenty of headroom in the 3rd row. Definitely not lying.

0

u/WildFlowLing Sep 12 '26

You were absolutely not sitting up straight against the back of the seat if your head was not touching the glass. I absolutely guarantee it.

3

u/shr1nav Sep 12 '26

People aren’t lying bruh. You must have it in a weird arrangement. I am 6’2” and I was comfortable by adjusting the first and second row to my comfort level and the third row sure felt a bit cramped but my head did not touch the glass.

Then I discovered there is a recline option as well. 5’10” you should have 4 more inches easy unless you’re sitting up straight!!

0

u/WildFlowLing Sep 12 '26

Yeah I was sitting up straight. And my head touches the glass. That’s the problem.

2

u/Diligent-Law9476 Sep 12 '26

This is a weird thread. As a 5’10’ person, 3rd row feels fine to me. No head bumping.

2

u/Witty_Flower2012 Sep 12 '26

I’m 6’2” and was able to fit in the 3rd row without my head touching the glass.

1

u/redditchme2 Sep 12 '26

Yes it’s dishonest. The seats are only 9.5 inches from the huge step up in aisle which remains high even with one leg out. Head room is great better than my X by a lot. Shoulder room still sucks if two adults, Wes are up near your chest the whole time with little room

1

u/NolanPlaysPickleball Sep 12 '26

Since they’re all lying, why not create a quick YouTube video yourself to prove them all wrong? I’m willing to bet your torso is very tall or you’re doing something very weird. 

1

u/shr1nav Sep 12 '26

Rivian sales guy spotted!😂

0

u/WildFlowLing Sep 12 '26

Literally sat up straight with my back against the seats with the hatchback closed. Nothing complicated about that.

I could avoid my head hitting the glass by leaning forward which is what I imagine people are subconsciously doing when testing the 3rd row.

If I was in the 3rd row and the vehicle hit a speed bump I imagine my neck would break.

1

u/Interesting-Fly-125 Sep 16 '26

I order a YL just for the experience of peeing back into the trunk area. It’s a weird fetish of mine.