News
Edmunds readies for Tesla Model Y long term review, build quality in focus
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.
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.
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.
Tesla’s Supercharger Diner in Los Angeles dominated the company’s global usage rankings after just one year, proving the concept is more than just a one-off novelty location that will fade away.
The performance could incite the company to build more locations, something that CEO Elon Musk has hinted at for some time.
Tesla’s Supercharger Diner delivered 21.2 GWh of energy in its first year of operation, the company’s head of Charging, Max de Zegher, revealed on X. Of the top 10 most utilized Supercharger locations in Tesla’s global infrastructure, the Diner in Los Angeles was the most used by drivers, and it wasn’t particularly close:
Tesla Diner opened exactly 1 year ago. Inspiring that futuristic places like this exist.
It’s our highest usage Supercharger in the world: 21.2 GWh delivered in a year, 1.6k sessions/day.
Top 10 Superchargers by energy delivered: https://t.co/9YvJ8lw696 pic.twitter.com/koB3AUJHws
— Max (@MdeZegher) July 21, 2026
On its launch day one year ago, nobody was too sure what the Tesla Diner would be about. It seemed like an interesting concept, and considering it had been in the works for years, it was a highly anticipated launch that many were looking forward to.
Based on its success, we could see additional Diners with Superchargers built throughout the United States, and potentially beyond. Musk has said on several occasions that the company would be willing to bring the Diner idea to more markets.
Tesla makes major change at Supercharger Diner amid epic demand
Of the markets that Musk has mentioned, both Palo Alto and Austin have come to be perceived as ideal selections. However, there are no concrete plans as of now to build new Supercharger Diners anywhere; the location on Santa Monica Boulevard will remain the exclusive spot to pick up Tesla-inspired eats, at least for the time being.
Tesla short sellers won big following the company’s massive fall on Wall Street after it reported subpar Earnings on Wednesday.
Tesla short sellers collected about $4.12 billion in single-day profits on Thursday, according to Bloomberg. Shares fell as much as 15 percent during Thursday’s session. It closed as one of the worst days for Tesla on Wall Street in the past three years.
Investors sold off the stock after Tesla said it would aggressively direct its spending toward AI and its Optimus robot project. The company had record revenues, which were driven by one of the strongest quarters in terms of vehicle deliveries in company history.
However, it missed EPS estimates by reporting just $0.33, a far cry from the $0.53 analysts expected.
S3 Partners reported that about 3 percent of Tesla’s outstanding stock is sold short. Managing Director at S3, Ihor Dusaniwsky, provided the short seller’s potential profit, as well as another figure: shorts have likely had paper gains of $8.92 billion this year, as Tesla shares are down 30 percent in 2026.
Tesla (TSLA) Q2 2026 earnings results: miss on EPS, beat on revenue
Tesla has burned short sellers many times in the past, but the company’s latest Earnings Call was a chance for those skeptics to taste some payback. Although the company gave some very transparent information regarding future projects, the rollout of Robotaxi, Optimus, and Semi, many investors took their profits on Thursday.
Notable short sellers like Michael Burry have been transparent about their skepticism around Tesla shares. Burry just revealed three weeks ago that he had opened up a new short on the stock, stating he shorted Tesla shares at $416.22. “Happy it jumped back to this level,” he said in a blog post.
At the time of publication, Tesla shares were down about 3 percent and the stock was trading at $309.92.
Tesla’s long-standing saga regarding its door handles and a manual release has entered its latest chapter, and as a result, a big change is coming.
On Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied Tesla’s petition that was seeking a defect investigation into roughly 180,000 Model 3 vehicles for an issue involving the emergency mechanical door release.
🚨 The NHTSA denied a petition from Tesla that would have thrown out concerns regarding its door handles.
NHTSA said Tesla’s petition did not present evidence of a safety-related defect warranting an investigation. The agency said a rulemaking process would be a better strategy. pic.twitter.com/j6PzUBM1mT
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 24, 2026
NHTSA said that Tesla’s petition did not present evidence of a safety-related defect in the door handles or their emergency releases. Instead, the agency determined that it would rather solve the issue of the lack of labeling or location of emergency mechanical door releases and the federal safety rules that govern them.
Essentially, the NHTSA wants to create and enforce rules that would require automakers to make emergency door latch releases more clearly labeled in a car. Despite a Tesla having manual door releases on all four passenger doors, many people do not know they exist or how they work.
Tesla addresses door handle complaints with simple engineering fix
In recent times, Tesla has faced some criticism involving its door handles, specifically because some occupants have reported that they are unable to exit their vehicles after losing power. The door handles on a Tesla are electronically operated, but in the event that the 12V battery dies, there is a manual release that can be used.
The NHTSA only identified a single complaint involving the mechanical door releases: a 2022 Model 3 owner said the release was concealed and unlabeled after the vehicle lost power after a front-end collision. It has also already started to create a separate rulemaking process to make emergency door-egress systems more obvious.
It should be noted that all Teslas have mechanical emergency door releases, but they are placed in various locations as the vehicles have aged and been redesigned from year to year. Refer to the safety manual for your vehicle if you have any confusion about where the emergency releases are and how they work.
Tesla’s Supercharger Diner probably just secured more locations
Tesla short sellers win big after shares fall after earnings
