Unless you’re living under a rock, you must have heard about Tesla Malaysia’s official launch that’s happening this week. The biggest news is the Tesla Model Y which starts with an insane starting price of RM199,000. This is a major disruptor not just for electric vehicles but also for the automotive industry in Malaysia.
According to JATO Dynamics, the Tesla Model Y is the world’s best-selling vehicle in Q1 2023 beating the likes of the Toyota Corolla. While Tesla is seen as the major driver for EV adoption, the question is, is the Tesla Model Y any good?
In this episode of Let’s Talk About, we are going to cover why the Tesla Model Y is a huge disruptor, what’s the benefits of owning a Tesla, the pricing and options, what we like and don’t like about the Tesla Model Y and which EV would we get if given the choice.
You can watch Let’s Talk About on YouTube below or listen to us on podcast.
Unlike most EVs sold in Malaysia, the key highlight for Tesla is their EV ecosystem which includes its apps and the Supercharging network. Besides the gimmicky fun stuff like making fart sounds, Tesla does offer useful features such as dog mode and camp mode. On top of that, the car constantly gets new features via OTA software updates.
In every official market for Tesla, they are also investing in building their Supercharger network and the company has listed 10 of their first Supercharger locations in Malaysia. The charging network is a huge win for Tesla as it aims to address possible range anxiety concerns of EV ownership.
However, as a car, the Tesla Model Y has its own drawbacks. Its minimalist approach can be a turnoff for most seasoned drivers as practically all features must be controlled from the central 15″ touchscreen display. This includes the direction of the aircon vents and even opening the glove box. You don’t even get an instrument cluster in front of the driver.
The Tesla Model Y also gets a massive glass roof that doesn’t come with a shade and the ride is quite harsh for a family SUV. But one area where the Model Y trumps the competition is space for both passengers and cargo. Even the frunk (front trunk) is big enough to fit a backpack.
The Tesla Malaysia launch is happening on 20th July at 11am at Pavilion KL and you can watch the live stream online. Frrom what we are seeing on the ground, it looks like only the Model Y will be making its debut so it might take a while before Tesla introduces the Model 3 electric sedan to our market.
In terms of fast charging, Pavilion KL is the first Tesla Supercharger location in Malaysia with a total of 8 DC fast charging bays. These chargers are capable of pushing up to 270km of range in just 15 minutes. Other planned Supercharger locations include Bukit Jalil, Petaling Jaya, Dengkil, Iskandar Puteri, Ipoh and Perai. What do you think of the Tesla Model Y? Let us know in the comments down below.
Related reading
- Tesla Malaysia official launch is all set at Pavilion KL. Here’s how to catch it live
- Tesla Malaysia: Pavilion KL is first Supercharger location in Malaysia with 8 charging bays
- Tesla Model Y Malaysia: Customers to receive a free Wall Connector
- Tesla Model Y officially priced from RM199,000 in Malaysia. Booking now available
