A Test Drive of the Tesla Model Y: The Future of Electric Cars in South Korea
Model Y: The ‘Ford Model T’ of the Electric Car Era, Leading Mass Adoption
Central 15-inch Display Useful for Watching Netflix and YouTube
Supercharger Reduces Charging Hassles, Includes Payment Options
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The Tesla Model Y, equipped with an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery, is attractive for its reasonable price range. The Model Y rear-wheel-drive (RWD) is priced at 56.99 million won (approximately $48,000), and it can receive 100% of the government’s electric vehicle subsidy.
Last month, it sold the most in the imported car market with 4,206 units, becoming immensely popular among domestic consumers. The Model Y is leading the mass sale of electric vehicles, just like Ford’s legendary Model T ushered in the mass production era of cars.
On the 20th and 21st of last month, I had the opportunity to experience the advantages of the Model Y while traveling between Yangpyeong County and Hanam City in Seoul. I was familiar with electric cars after test-driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and MINI Electric in succession, but my first impression of the Model Y started with unfamiliarity.
The interior was simple compared to conventional cars. There was no instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, so I had to check the driving and other vehicle information from the 15-inch central touch screen. All functions, including HVAC and infotainment, had to be operated from the main display. It was confusing at first, but I soon got used to it.
Tesla’s design applied extreme minimalism, like the saying, ‘Simple is the best.’ Compared to premium car brands that use a lot of crystals like Swarovski, it was more like an Oriental landscape painting that values the beauty of blank space rather than a Western oil painting with a glamorous feel.
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I would also like to mention the tablet-like display of Model Y, which is not stretched horizontally, as one of its advantages. It was nice to watch movies or dramas on a huge screen when parking the car for a picnic, camping, or car camping. Support for Netflix and YouTube also contributed.
The Auto Pilot I used on the highway and in the city maintained the lane and car distance appropriately while steering, accelerating, and braking well. I have a friend who actively used Navigate on Auto-Pilot for long-distance driving to Busan or Gangneung and was very satisfied.
I tried Tesla’s rapid charging network, the Supercharger, at Starfield Hanam. When I brought the charger close to the vehicle’s rear and pressed the button, the charging port automatically opened. It was incredibly convenient because the fee was automatically paid by plugging in the charger without any separate app or procedure.
In summary, I recommend the Tesla Model Y to consumers looking for an electric car with a clean and concise design at a reasonable price range. However, it is necessary to consider the somewhat short single-charge driving distance (217 miles) and performance degradation in winter due to the characteristics of the LEP battery.
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By. Kang Tae Yoon
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