Tesla 2025 Y dual motor test drive

[nuMach]

Current - Select AWD std battery
Tested - Mach-e GT non-performance
prices in Cdn $

This test drive: Tesla 2026 (Juniper) Y

Acceleration from rest. Better than select/premium AWD. Similar to GT, but comes in with more pedal, vs GT is quick to kick in. (better for parking?)
Acceleration over 40 mph Better than GT .

Self driving vs Bluecruise. Simply no comparison. Tesla you have to speak NAVIGATE, select a destination and save it - then pick auto drive mode.
- right from the parking slot you are in at start, stop signs, lights, T intersection merging onto road, traffic queue, pick a parking spot at destination and it will back into it. Like next level amazing. No nags re eyes or hands. You don't have to buy the $11k option, you can opt $99/month. When you think of it - cheaper than bluecruise with far more fuctionality. It would take 10 years to 'pay off' at $99/month, and you only pay for the months you want it enabled. I think its way too much $$, like Bluecruise, but its not a cheap knockoff like bluecruise.

Ride way quieter than MME. Comfort closer to The GT than select.

Seats are comfy, but I'd prefer the GT's.

Interior - roomier, or certainly feels roomier than Mache, Doesnt have the annoying console bar your leg rubs on in the mme.

Trim - upscale suede effects like GT, as opposed to vinyl on select and premium

Braking - similar to select and GT

Power rear seat folding

Display - so much more functional than mme, the drivers display not being present didn't even click.

Steering controls - that's going to be a learning curve. Once you get it, the utility? is cool. But you have to learn all the tricks.

cameras all over it. Car saves them all as individual streams to a USB drive. You can replay your trip from any angle. This alone is a really nice feature.
My crap dash cam doesn't compare.

Key/fob is a card. Likely as easy to lose, I think easier ... but then phone app.

Will need to chew on it a while to see if I'd want to switch brands and home charger..

Its like Ford's designers only went half way imitating Tesla's goals.

Sponsored

 

[E90alex]

I left a Model 3 for the Mach-E. Don’t miss it one bit.

The infotainment system is absolutely faster, but the UI and layout is poor and makes it very hard to use when driving. Especially the media/radio apps. For example there’s no way to skip between Sirius XM favorites, you have to open the SXM app, goto the favorites tab and tap the channel thumbnail on the screen.

Dashcam is more of a gimmick than useful. The videos are such poor quality that you can’t see much detail. There’s also a huge blind spot between the fender and front of the car that is not captured because the B pillar cameras are not recorded. But better than nothing I suppose?

The automatic wipers are infuriating. Not wiping when they should. Wiping a dry windshield. Or going mad max mode at the slightest sprinkle.

I prefer Fords L2 ADAS setup better than basic Autopilot. Autopilot locks you in and you can’t adjust lane position or even change lanes without completely kicking you out of the system. So you’re constantly engaging and disengaging every time. Yes FSD can do more than BlueCruise but when it goes wrong it goes really wrong. I had a trial of FSD last year and it would consistently run a red light near my house. It was way more anxiety inducing “monitoring” the system in case it goes awry than it was just to drive myself. I don’t need or want my car to drive for me until it’s 100% autonomous and driver doesn’t need to pay attention, so FSD is not a selling point for me.

 

[Billyk24]

Not a Tesla owner here but have hear from multiple owners about the rear suspension issue(s) with too soon and frequent repair/adjustments required.

 

[jay1122]

Just test drove a 2024 EV9 land and a 2023 model Y performance today. Honestly, I don't see what is so special about Tesla that makes them so popular. Maybe the FSD? But $8000 is way too expensive for a system that you still need to monitor full time.

The model Y does not allow me to change regen setting at all. The Auto hold requires me to step on the brake so hard to trigger. The interior is as bad as I expected. Cost saving barebone interior. Only thing good is the acceleration. 3.5Sec 0-60 is nice.

 

[bibkisbu]

Just test drove a 2024 EV9 land and a 2023 model Y performance today. Honestly, I don't see what is so special about Tesla that makes them so popular. Maybe the FSD? But $8000 is way too expensive for a system that you still need to monitor full time.

The model Y does not allow me to change regen setting at all. The Auto hold requires me to step on the brake so hard to trigger. The interior is as bad as I expected. Cost saving barebone interior. Only thing good is the acceleration. 3.5Sec 0-60 is nice.

you test drove a 2023. Refresh is better and cheaper even without tax incentive

Tesla was the cheapest when comparatively loaded between the usual suspects. Ioniq 5, EV6, Mach E, Equinox EV, etc.

But I believe now the ioniq 5 is pretty good

 

[T1328]

Former owner of 2020 Model Y, and 2024 (Highland) Model 3. Aside from my not getting a Tesla again as long as Elon is in charge, you’re right that FSD is better, but I don’t need or want a car to drive me everywhere, only on highways, and Bluecruise on highways is better than standalone Autopilot, and almost as good as FSD at half the price (you said Bluecruise is more expensive. It’s not. It’s exactly half the price of FSD). it As others have said, while FSD is really good 99% of the time, while it rarely makes mistakes, when it does, it can be deadly.

In my case, January this year, driving with FSD taking my daughter somewhere, it turned left at a green light while a school bus was heading towards us and had right of way in oncoming traffic. Luckily the school bus driver slammed his brakes, and I hit the accelerator hard, but we were maybe 0.2s from an accident that would have seriously injured my daughter, who was in the passenger seat. I also had way more problems in construction zones or when it rained with FSD. It didn’t turn off. It just made potentially deadly mistakes, and I had to take over. Bluecruise doesn’t do that, or it forces you to take over.

Finally, compared to my ‘24 GT performance, plastics in the new model 3 are very hard and cheap. I had to buy padding for the top of the driver’s door, where I normally have my left elbow resting on long drives, and for the center console. For many functions I needed, I had to completely take my eyes off the road requiring me to fully trust FSD. The sentry cam is great, but it eats up battery when you use it in parking lots at an astonishing rate, and i ended up having to turn it off for that use case. Some of the apps are terrible (Apple Music on Tesla), and others I use regularly don’t exist (Waze, Libby). It starts rattling and squeezing far sooner than the lates Mach-Es.

 

[bibkisbu]

Former owner of 2020 Model Y, and 2024 (Highland) Model 3. Aside from my not getting a Tesla again as long as Elon is in charge, you’re right that FSD is better, but I don’t need or want a car to drive me everywhere, only on highways, and Bluecruise on highways is better than standalone Autopilot, and almost as good as FSD at half the price (you said Bluecruise is more expensive. It’s not. It’s exactly half the price of FSD). it As others have said, while FSD is really good 99% of the time, while it rarely makes mistakes, when it does, it can be deadly.

you think bluecruise on highways is almost as good as FSD? How can you say that with a straight face?

Look at this performance

 

[T1328]

Caveat - I had FSD 13. 14 came out after I had traded the Model 3 in for On highways under notmal circumstances, FSD is better. But in exceptions, it makes potentially deadly mistakes just like the in city driving does, which Bluecruise doesn’t, because Bluecruise is not dependent solely on cameras. Examples include phantom (emergency) braking happening periodically when driving towards the sun at sunrise or sunset, and in construction zones where there has been a lane change, but the old lane lines are still partially visible.

I’d rather have a system that is more than good enough 100% of the time, than one that is fantastic most of the time, but dangerous 1% of the time. So, in my view, Bluecruise is better. Fact is that there have now been many accidents caused by FSD failures, in some cases with people dying. Not the case with Bluecruise.

 

[bibkisbu]

Examples include phantom (emergency) braking happening periodically when driving towards the sun at sunrise or sunset, and in construction zones where there has been a lane change, but the old lane lines are still partially visible.

Bluecruise does not detect stationary vehicles. hence why there is no phantom braking

Because it will just kill you instead

I don't think you realize how much more tesla is doing. It is driving around highways detecting animals, pedestrians, vulnerable road users, cut ins, stationary vehicles, emergency vehicles, dodging accidents, predicting curves ahead, etc.


ADAS systems are dangerous because they treat highway driving like a simple task when it is not

If your windshield is clean, tesla has zero problems in sunrise, sunset, lane changes, etc.

It doesn't have problems in heavy rain either

IIn fact is that there have now been many accidents caused by FSD failures, in some cases with people dying. Not the case with Bluecruise.

That is false. No one has died from FSD. Across 4 billion miles.

In fact bluecruise is literally under an NHTSA probe. What for? Because of deaths caused by bluecruise not seeing stationary vehicles. Because they rely on radar and not vision they can't detect stationary vehicles

 

[nuMach]

Great feedback, and comments on FSD are great to hear.

I was like a kid with a new toy seeing it park itself, and leaving for a destination right from the parking spot.

In reflection, with the comments, I agree hands free is more a nice to have, then a gotta.

If Fords 'lane centering' component of enhanced cruise control actually worked 100% of the time, that would be a holy grail. So many times it just goes 'cancelled" is very irksome.

Hands free - the one 3 mile stretch here Bluecruise is available, is highway, and I try going hands free. It's hard to trust. Until manufacturers join together to create a universal system, that likely communicates with city sensors and infrastructure to provide a seamless safe experience, I can't see it rising to the promise. Waymo etc. seem to work for now, low speed scenarios. How much do all their sensors cost, and whats the payback for a drivers wage over years? lol getting off the topic.

That i'ts quicker, quieter, roomier, and I feel nicer trim than my select, and the limited use of the interface, give it (to me) a more refined experience. It was a 2025 model, the performance option not available in Canada (I know.. sucks).

Need to try a Lyriq as well, before I choose. Not a Hyundai fan.

Dont want to jinx it, but the Mach-e has been problem free 2.5 years, other than the quirky lane centering. That will weigh a lot. Given performance,quiet,and comfort being equal, a good lane centering experience will sell it.

 

[moritzes]

I’d rather have a system that is more than good enough 100% of the time, than one that is fantastic most of the time, but dangerous 1% of the time. So, in my view, Bluecruise is better. Fact is that there have now been many accidents caused by FSD failures, in some cases with people dying. Not the case with Bluecruise.

Exactly the conclusion of this Motortrend Review of the Mach-E and the Model Y (which concludes that the Mach-E is a better car):

Our verdict comes down to results. BlueCruise does everything it promises and does those things very well. FSD (Supervised) does more things but does them inconsistently at best and sometimes downright poorly.​

...​

Given this and our overall experience with FSD (Supervised) in our long-term Model Y, we remain unconfident in the technology. It simply makes too many errors for us to trust it. BlueCruise is more limited, but it does exactly what it says it will without seeing “ghosts,” getting confused, or making dangerous maneuvers—all of which FSD (Supervised) is prone to do at times.​

 

[bibkisbu]

Exactly the conclusion of this Motortrend Review of the Mach-E and the Model Y (which concludes that the Mach-E is a better car):

Our verdict comes down to results. BlueCruise does everything it promises and does those things very well. FSD (Supervised) does more things but does them inconsistently at best and sometimes downright poorly.​

...​

Given this and our overall experience with FSD (Supervised) in our long-term Model Y, we remain unconfident in the technology. It simply makes too many errors for us to trust it. BlueCruise is more limited, but it does exactly what it says it will without seeing “ghosts,” getting confused, or making dangerous maneuvers—all of which FSD (Supervised) is prone to do at times.​

except that review was dubious at best

Be realistic. Edmunds said the model Y was the best car they had driven in 2025. Tesla does not pay car reviewers to say this

And the only one review made some dubious conclusion that the mach-e was the best, when there are many other better EVs? I think the mach-e is last among the similarly priced compact SUVs

Tesla literally does not have to be the best for the mach-e to clearly not be the best

it is the slowest charging, has the worst technology, and the ride/noise quality is not like the others

The optioned the model Y with vanity add ons (large wheels which hurt ride quality, paint options) and then they paid $8000 for FSD only to trash it. Because with incentive at the time, the model Y was about $15000 cheaper

 

[T1328]

I don't think you realize how much more tesla is doing. It is driving around highways detecting animals, pedestrians, vulnerable road users, cut ins, stationary vehicles, emergency vehicles, dodging accidents, predicting curves ahead, etc.

I’m well aware of what Tesla is doing. But it is doing it with its drivers as the beta testers, and as I mentioned, I’ve personally experienced at least 2 cases with FSD v13, hardware 4, where had I not intervened AND in the case of the school bus, the bus driver had not slammed on brakes, the results could have been deadly.

If your windshield is clean, tesla has zero problems in sunrise, sunset, lane changes, etc.

It doesn't have problems in heavy rain either

Not accurate. Maybe that has been your experience, but it hasn’t been mine, it hasn’t been my brother’s who drives a Model 3 with Hardware 3, or a good friend of mine’s who had major issues with phantom braking, and in heavy rain both with his ‘23 Model Y Performance, and his wife’s ‘23 Model 3 Performance. They replaced those with a F150 Lightning and a Mercedes EQS, and find both vehicles ADAS systems safer.

That is false. No one has died from FSD. Across 4 billion miles.

Several people have died. Tesla settled the cases out of court.

In fact bluecruise is literally under an NHTSA probe. What for? Because of deaths caused by bluecruise not seeing stationary vehicles. Because they rely on radar and not vision they can't detect stationary vehicles

Thank you for telling me about that. I wasn’t aware of Bluecruise being under investigation. I googled it and found that the NHTSA has been investigating Bluecruise since January ‘25, although no references to deaths, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there were deaths.

Having said that, the same is true of Tesla’s FSD. Here are 3 recent articles from 3 publications I found through the same search, but with Tesla FSD instead of Bluecruise, that all point to FSD being under investigation by the NHTSA - each for different violations, all from October, including it driving through red lights, driving in the wrong direction land, etc. A quick google search of FSD under investigation by NHTSA and selecting news will show you many more articles pointing to the same thing.

https://www.reuters.com/business/au...ver-traffic-violations-when-using-2025-10-09/

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-m...roblems-investigation-train-issues-rcna236729

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/10/business/tesla-investigation-self-driving-intl

Here’s just one example of FSD causing the death of a pedestrian who had stopped to help victims of an accident because of the sun making its cameras not see the pedestrian. It even has video of the incident:

https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2025-tesla-full-self-driving-crash/

This article about the same incident raises questions about self driving systems that only depend on cameras.

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/06/tesla-fatal-crash-arizona-fsd-vision-only-safety-investigation/

I’ll see what the NHTSA says about Bluecruise, after the investigation, and follow both, but I already know that while Tesla is making significant progress all the time because it uses all FSD drivers as testers, cameras alone are not good enough to claim any sort of flawless full self driving. In addition, Hardware 3 cars are getting worse and worse as Tesla updates to better versions of FSD that depend on newer cameras because hardware 3 cars have cameras are inferior to Hardware 4 vehicles, and this will continue once Hardware 5 comes out etc. Tesla has promised to make hardware 4 upgrades available, but haven’t done so yet, and in the meantime, both autopilot standalone and FSD on hardware 3 or below are getting dangerous.

Tesla’s Robotaxi service launched in Austin TX has led to several accidents and close calls too, even though they have a human in the car to prevent those (Google it).

Over time, FSD will become better and better, and even now, it’s safer than humans driving with no assistance. But it’s far from perfect, and until Elon adds back at least one more sensor, it will not be perfect, and based on my own close calls, I won’t use it except on highways, and even then, will be focused on the road (as I am with my Mach E).

 

[Richmond2000]

I wil say software/hardware stack Tesla is MILES AHEAD and the MACH E in my opinion is trying to fake the tech without all the hardware
one example bluecruise lane change in traffic can be VERY DANGERIOUS as it doesnt detect the car behind your space your pulling into and if they decide to "push" you out the car will go ahead and plow into them
the job of being a "car" IMHO tossup between the Y and E the E offers better ride and handling (pre update Y)
the Tesla display is far better in showing information and quick setup of NON DRIVING features like charge level
I dont like the E having almost everything through the app
the tesla key card I assume is intended to go in your wallet and saves on the bulking key fob
navigation both are a wash and lack features Tesla only shows superchargers (may be updated now) and the E not showing supercahargers AND not differentiating between LVL 2 and LVL 3 fast chargers AND HAS routed me once to a level 2 charger on a roadtrip and expected me to charge for 3 hours
IMHO both cars are great options BUT IMHO to tech forward for some drivers leaving a space for a more "conventional" EV SUV

 

[bibkisbu]

Here’s just one example of FSD causing the death of a pedestrian who had stopped to help victims of an accident because of the sun making its cameras not see the pedestrian. It even has video of the incident:

There's your ignorance. That was autopilot, not FSD.

FSD does not have problems with sun glare. In fact, FSD has not had a perception issue in years that has been caused by only using cameras.

ardware 3 cars are getting worse and worse as Tesla updates to better versions of FSD that depend on newer cameras because hardware 3 cars have cameras are inferior to Hardware 4 vehicles, and this will continue once Hardware 5 comes out etc. Tesla has promised to make hardware 4 upgrades available, but haven’t done so yet, and in the meantime, both autopilot standalone and FSD on hardware 3 or below are getting dangerous.

That's incorrect. The issue with FSD is compute. You need a large computer with lots of memory to do self driving. It is extremely expensive to build such AI computers.

Tesla's limiting factor has been optimizing all of the features of FSD on a tiny computer with limited memory. FSD is only getting better, not worse.

Waymo have the equivalent of $20,000 worth of compute (not sensors).

Ai5 computer will probably cost more than $2000

Tesla’s Robotaxi service launched in Austin TX has led to several accidents and close calls too, even though they have a human in the car to prevent those (Google it).

There were 3 accidents. 2 of them were rear ending (not preventable and not tesla's fault) and one hitting some stationary object in a parking lot.

By no metric are the humans preventing accidents

Having said that, the same is true of Tesla’s FSD. Here are 3 recent articles from 3 publications I found through the same search, but with Tesla FSD instead of Bluecruise, that all point to FSD being under investigation by the NHTSA - each for different violations, all from October, including it driving through red lights, driving in the wrong direction land, etc. A quick google search of FSD under investigation by NHTSA and selecting news will show you many more articles pointing to the same thing.

Except literally all of those issues are fixed with FSD v14.

unlike bluecruise issue which is a physical limitation of using radar (which ford can't solve without serious phantom braking), tesla's issue is completely solved already with v14.

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