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Edmunds readies for Tesla Model Y long term review, build quality in focus

Credit: YouTube | Edmunds

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One of the most recent recipients of the new all-electric Tesla Model Y Performance configuration was online automotive resource company Edmunds, who are preparing for a long term review of the electric crossover.

Edmunds’ Carlos Lago reviewed the vehicle on his own as the current COVID-19 virus continues to encourage people to keep their distance. While the virus stopped Edmund’s possibility of picking up the car at a Tesla store, it allowed the company to review not only the car and its impressive performance but also experience the electric automaker’s “touchless” approach to delivering the Model Y to consumers.

In focus will be Tesla Model Y’s build quality and long-term durability when used in an everyday setting. Unlike other media companies that are given press vehicles by automakers for review, Edmunds purchases their vehicles to conduct a real-world review. “A Tesla Model Y is now in our fleet, and that’s where our diverse range of staff and editors use the car just like you would. Commute it, take it to work, run errands with it, and so on, and so forth,” says Lago.

Edmunds’s long history with Tesla, having drawn the ire and applause of community supporters, sets the stage for nothing short of an interesting long term review to come.

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For now, Edmunds’ initial impression of the Model Y in utility and performance is similar to the many early reviews we’ve seen from first customers.

It’s no secret that the Tesla Model Y’s shape is similar to the Model 3’s, and has an overall size that is comparable to the Model X. However, Lago suggests the Model Y’s shape is similar to what he calls the “coupe-style design” that has been adopted by German automakers for its SUVs.

The roominess of the Model Y is a clear distinction to its Model 3 sibling, notes Edmunds. With the expansive glass roof design and rear hatch design, Edmunds takes note of Model Y’s spaciousness. “Altogether, the space is really the highlight,” Lago explains.

The large cargo space helped by the automatic fold-down rear seats was recently highlighted by Brian Jenkins of i1Tesla, who camped in the back of his Model Y with a Tesla compatible air mattress.

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The Model Y handles impressively. Led by the placement of its heavy and durable battery pack, the lithium-ion cells located underneath the car provide a lower center of gravity. Along with a revised suspension system, which Sandy Munro has said makes the car feel like its “on rails,” the Model Y’s handling seems to be second-to-none. “It gives the vehicle a tightness and responsiveness that’s engaging, that’s really fun to drive,” Lago says. “You can feel that difference in every Tesla product.”

Additionally, the Model Y’s Performance variant offered speed and acceleration that Lago was impressed with. Edmunds purchased the optional Performance Upgrade for its new Tesla, which includes an additional 10 MPH of top speed, 21″ Überturbine Wheels, performance brakes, a lowered suspension, and aluminum alloy pedals. Each of these contributed to a driving experience that Lago enjoyed, which he seems to suggest is expected when driving a Tesla.

The Model Y has been expected to be Tesla’s most popular vehicle yet. Its impressive performance combined with 316-mile EPA estimated range, a fresh cosmetic design, and a spacious interior all contribute to this theory. As Tesla has broken into the compact, midsize SUV market, many people expect the Model Y to disrupt the sector, which has established itself as one of the most popular body styles in the world. With Edmunds giving an honest review that came off as positive, it will be no surprise if the Model Y ends up being Tesla’s biggest seller yet.

Watch Edmunds’ Carlos Lago highlight the Tesla Model Y Performance in their lead up to an upcoming long term review.

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla Roadster unveiling gets pushed again, but new event details emerge

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Credit: Dan Burkland

Tesla has reportedly pushed the unveiling of the Roadster once again, but there are also evidently new details about the event that the company plans to show off.

The Information reported this morning that Tesla will now unveil, for the second time, the next-generation Roadster in August, a further delay from the multiple timeline that the company had previously stated.

The report has not been confirmed or denied by Tesla at any capacity.

It also states the unveiling event will take place in Texas, the same place that Tesla executives revealed in May would be the place of manufacture for the company’s highly-anticipated supercar, which boasts a top speed of over 250 MPH and 650 miles of range, according to its website.

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Tesla is also expected to showcase the SpaceX package, which will be used for faster acceleration and potentially hovering capabilities, at the unveiling event, the report states. Musk has always planned for this to happen, but now it seems it is more realistic than ever

The Roadster has had its unveiling date and manufacturing date pushed back on many occasions. It was set to start production in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic crippled supply chain operations, forcing Tesla to push its timeline back considerably.

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However, COVID has been over for some time, and Tesla has still not managed to successfully schedule and execute an unveiling event, which is something fans and enthusiasts, as well as those who have put down a $50,000 deposit, have been waiting for.

The vehicle was close to completion last year, but Musk truly wanted Lars Moravy and Franz von Holzhausen to push the limits of the Roadster. In July of last year, Moravy said:

“Roadster is definitely in development. We did talk about it last Sunday night. We are gearing up for a super cool demo. It’s going to be mind-blowing; We showed Elon some cool demos last week of the tech we’ve been working on, and he got a little excited.”

It is important to note two things: Tesla has not confirmed these details, and the company has regularly pushed these dates back. Until Tesla sends out formal invitations with a concrete date, taking any unveiling event reports with a grain of salt is a good idea.

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Tesla Model 3 has a tasty Supercharging incentive, but it’s ending soon

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla is offering a tasty Supercharging incentive on certain Model 3 trims, but the company has officially put a concrete end date on it, so those interested should act fast.

Tesla is offering Free Supercharging for One Year on the Model 3 Premium and Performance trims, the top two offerings of the all-electric sedan. There are three trims of the Model 3 that will have the Free Supercharging offer attached:

  • Premium Rear-Wheel-Drive – $42,490
  • Premium All-Wheel-Drive – $47,490
  • Performance – $54,990

Tesla has now announced that this offer will expire on June 15, giving potential buyers about ten days to take advantage of the incentive.

This could be an additional incentive for car buyers to transition to electric vehicles. Many states are showing gas prices well over $4 per gallon, with the national average currently sitting at $4.22, according to AAA.

Tesla Model 3 wins Edmunds’ Best EV of 2026 award

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A free year of Supercharging miles would allow people to charge and travel for free, other than routine maintenance, which is already incredibly cheap compared to a gas car.

At Tesla Superchargers, peak rates, meaning prices between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., average between $0.45 and $0.60. One year of driving at an average of 12,000 miles would cost between $1,000 and $1,500 at $0.50 per kWh. It’s a pretty good deal.

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Supercharging prices have also increased recently:

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Tesla has used Free Supercharging to move units in the past, and it’s a great strategy for those who plan to use the car for longer commutes, cross-country drives, or do not have reliable access to home charging.

It should be noted that Tesla recommends that Supercharging be used at a minimum to preserve the life of the battery, as fast-charging is more stressful on the cells.

However, some people might not have an option, so the Free Supercharging incentive could truly be a great reason for many people to charge their cars.

The Supercharging incentive is short-term, and it is pretty rare that Tesla utilizes it, so once this offer is gone, we probably will not see it on the Model 3 for some time.

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Ferrari CEO’s self-driving stance echoes Elon Musk’s — sort of

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Credit: Tesla | Ferrari

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna revealed that the Italian automaker’s future will not involve self-driving, a point that echoes that of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s — sort of.

You might be thinking, “Are you insane? Musk has been so incredibly hellbent on delivering self-driving vehicles to the public, so much so that he has even hinted that Tesla won’t need the ever-popular and widely-requested Model Y L in the U.S.

However, when it comes to electric supercars with high-performance specs and lofty price tags, Vigna’s stance is exactly what Musk wants for Tesla’s own hypercar project, the Tesla Roadster.

In a new interview with Australian media outlet Drive, Vigna made it clear that Ferrari’s ambitions for the future do not involve autonomy, simply because the company’s cars are not designed for anything but manual, spirited driving.

He said:

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“We will not make fully autonomous cars — loud and clear. We want the people to have fun, not the [computer] chips. We want to have a steering wheel and a man or a woman behind the steering wheel. Otherwise, why do you buy a Ferrari?”

This seems to be a reasonable assertion. Ferraris are not made for daily commutes, cross-country road trips, or bumper-to-bumper traffic. They’re made for fast, spirited driving, and many of their buyers will only put a few thousand miles on them throughout their lifetime. True, exciting, fun driving is meant to be done manually.

That is not to say Full Self-Driving or other semi-autonomous suites are not “fun,” but they are meant to take the stress out of driving. They are made for the daily commutes, the rush hour traffic, and the parking lots and garages. It’s made to take the stress out of driving.

Tesla Full Self-Driving attempts 150-mile stress test: the good and the bad

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Musk had stated in an interview in early 2026 that the Roadster would also be geared toward fun, manually-controlled driving. On the Moonshots podcast with Peter Diamandis, Musk said about the Roadster:

“This is not a…safety is not the main goal. If you buy a Ferrari, safety is not the number one goal. I say, if safety is your number one goal, do not buy the Roadster…We’ll aspire not to kill anyone in this car. It’ll be the best of the last of the human-driven cars. The best of the last.”

There are cars out there that simply are meant to be driven by humans, and Ferraris and Roadsters are a few of them. Ferrari has no true advantage in developing self-driving; their cars sell at low volumes with high price tags, and their performance specs and engineering are all geared toward spirited driving.

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