Tesla Model Y review: Quirky SUV ticks all the right boxes

Range: Check.

Performance: Check.

Fast charging: Check.

Practicality: Check.

Family friendly: Check.

Reasonably priced: Check.

Not a bad start, considering the amount of choice in the electric SUV segment.

Design-wise, you can see that the Y is heavily influenced by the smaller Model 3 saloon, which will appeal to those who abhor the imposing nature and sheer bulk of 4x4s.

Its EV credentials are only given away by the solid grille at the front and coupled with its slim LED headlights, gives the face a warm, almost smiley look. The flush door handles add to the aerodynamic look, as does the built-in spoiler on the sloping tailgate.

Being a tech-lover’s dream, locking and unlocking the vehicle can be done from an app on your phone, but an old fogey like me opted for the hotel-style swipe card that you wave in front of the door pillar.

Once inside, you are indeed in the future, with a minimalist interior a Scandinavian architect would be proud of.

Gleaming white faux leather seats coupled with similar inserts in the upper dash and doors greet you, while the cockpit is devoid of any buttons or switches.

The spartan cabin accommodated just two pieces of kit – a chunky steering wheel complete with an indicator stalk and gear select lever and a 15.4in iPad-like touchscreen which is home to all that legendary software. Initially, I was bit concerned to discover that you had to stab through the car menu to activate the windscreen wipers, but if everything is set to Auto, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Even adjusting the wing mirrors or opening the glove box is all done through the giant touchscreen.

Familiarisation takes a day or two and the menus are simple enough to navigate.

You have all the usual ­gizmos in there, including the toy box featuring a gaming arcade with all your childhood favourites such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Buggy Racing 2. Kids will get a great kick out of this, as well as of course the fart machine and access to YouTube, Netflix and Disney+.

One other awesome feature is the light show, which never fails to mesmerise. Press the button and the LED lights front and rear dance as music booms out of the stereo and the tailgate raises in the air.

Also worthy of mention is Tesla’s Autopilot system, which is operated via a bank of cameras and sensors dotted around the car.

This is linked to the active cruise control and Google 3D Maps and can predict the range left when you reach your destination, plus the location of fast chargers along the way.

Irish customers can choose between three models – Rear-Wheel Drive, Long Range and Performance.

We tested the Long Range All-Wheel Drive, which boasts a range of 532km and 0-100kmh in a blistering 4.8 seconds. Straight-line speed is phenomenal and it genuinely feels like your face is peeling off when you drop the hammer, but the vague steering and sheer weight takes it toll on twistier roads.

Weighing in at a hefty two tonnes, the Y is never going to measure up to a hot hatch, and the 19in rims and stiffer suspension made the ride a tad choppy around town.

It was glorious on the motorway and cruised like an executive saloon. The range was refreshingly honest too and returned around 440 of the claimed 532km. It’s not outrageously priced either, with the Model Y starting at €50,527.

I really liked it, so I might just splash out.

New Dacia Duster and Spring electrify Geneva International Motor Show

The third generation of Dacia’s Duster officially broke cover at Geneva this week.

Developed on the same CMF-B platform as the Jogger and Sandero, the new SUV gets a super-aggressive look and comes with a range of petrol, diesel, hybrid and LPG engines.

Considering the massive demand for hybrid models, the Romanian budget brand is rolling out the already tried-and-tested 1.6-litre petrol unit, which is hooked up to two electric motors to generate 140bhp.

Promising to keep the entry price under €20,000, the new Duster remains the best-in-class family SUV in terms of its price/performance ratio.

Also making its debut is the new all-electric Spring – a VW Polo-sized city car that promises to be the cheapest EV in Ireland when it goes on sale later this year.

Dacia says it is Europe’s only full-electric car to weigh less than a tonne, but has best-in-class boot space with 308 litres, which expands to 1,004 with the seats folded flat. There will be two power outputs to choose from – 45 and 65bhp – and three trims, Essential, Expression and Extreme.

All models have a claimed range of 220km and the 26.8kWh battery will charge from 20-100pc in just four hours from a 7kWh home wall box.

No official prices as yet but Dacia hopes to bring it in at under €20,000.

And finally, Dakar Rally fans will be in awe at the new Sandrider, a dune monster powered by a savage 3.0 litre, V6 twin turbo with 360bhp that Dacia will race in 2025 before heading to the World Rally-Raid Championship.

Renault Scenic scoops European Car of the Year

The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric scooped European Car of the Year 2024 at the Geneva International Motor Show on Monday.

It beat stiff competition from six other finalists, including the BMW 5-series, BYD Seal, Kia EV9, Peugeot E-3008/3008, Toyota C-HR and Volvo EX30.

The winner was chosen by a jury of 59 motoring journalists from 22 countries, with the Scenic becoming the seventh Renault to take the prestigious title.

Built on a new AmpR electric platform, the Scenic E- Tech boasts of being agile, light (it weighs 1,890 kg) and compact (4.47m long) and can cover up to up to 625km (WLTP) on a single charge.

Renault is confident that the entry-level price for Scenic will come in under €40,0000 with government grants.

Order books are already open, and the first vehicles will arrive in Irish showrooms soon.

See renault.ie for further details.