Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Rose Morah
If you are planning to get a Tesla Model Y Performance but are worried about ride quality or, you are probably interested in knowing whether there’s an improvement in ride quality for the newer models, this article has got you covered.
The article has an in-depth review of the ride quality of the Model Y Performance.
At the end of the article:
- You will know the overall rating of ride quality of the Model Y Performance based on our experience and other owners.
- You will get a comparison of the ride quality of the Model Y years.
- You will also learn other important factors to consider in Model Y performance.
| Note: 1. We will provide you with our first-hand experiences and that of other Tesla owners. 2. We keep our recommendations meticulously updated. |
Does the Tesla Model Y have a smooth ride?
The answer is a Yes and No because it depends on so many factors that we have broken down below.
See also:
Tesla Model 3 Performance vs Long Range with Acceleration Boost.
Is Tesla Acceleration Boost Worth It? (Our Honest Review).
Reasons why we found the Model Y Performance ride quality to be either good or bad
- The year of the Tesla Model Y ride quality varies
When comparing the newer Model Y Performance to the older generations, we noticed an incredible difference in the ride quality.
The newer model Y had better ride quality compared to the older Models.
The table below gives you our comparison of the Model Y years;
| Year | Ride Quality |
| 2023 | We loved the soft suspension on the 2023 Model Y Performance. It is stiff but overall it was an awesome ride compared to the early years. |
| 2022 | The ride quality for the 2022 Model Y Performance varied. Some 2022 MYP ride quality was great but for some, you would notice a difference (not that great). Of course, this difference is due to the 2022 Models that got the new suspension that’s currently on the 2023 Models. The early 2022 Model Ys don’t have the new/upgraded suspension. |
| 2021 and below | From experience, we find the 2021 MYP’s suspension to be very stiff and harsh. That’s because you tend to feel everything on the road (road imperfections and bumps). The different early years MYP drove differently but overall when comparing the ride quality vs 2023 MYP, you can easily feel the difference the newer years are evidently better |
Important things to note;
- Even though the ride quality was great in the 2022 and 2023 Model Y Performance, you will still feel the bumps and any road imperfections. But, not as bad as the 2021 models.
- The ride quality will therefore depend on where you live/drive (types of roads). That means it might be better for some and not others.
- You may notice that when you hit bumps, there’s booming road noise that comes from the rear cabin, which makes you think that you are hitting the bumps harder. However, this is actually not the case.
You can do some modifications to quiet it down.
- The difference in ride quality will depend on your previous car
Your previous car can also determine how good or bad your Model Y’s Performance and ride quality feel.
Here’s why;
- If you are coming from another sports car, or you generally drive cars that have more sporting suspension, then there is a very high probability that you won’t find the ride quality uncomfortable.
- But, if you are coming from a car that is softer like a typical sports sedan then you will definitely feel a great difference in ride quality.
However, if it is softer, then it will not feel like a performance car.
| Key Take away How the ride feels for the Model Y Performance will definitely depend on what you’re comparing it with (your previous cars). |
See also: Hidden Costs of Owning A Tesla (First-hand Experience).
- Wheels and tires will affect the ride quality
When driving the 2022 Model Y Performance, we felt a difference in the ride quality when we changed the wheels to 19-inch wheels.
Therefore, it is important to consider the wheels for better ride quality on your Model Y Performance.
And if you are looking to install quality wheels or your next set of tires for your Tesla, checkout Tirerack.com.
See also:
The Best Tires For Tesla Model Y.
A Complete List Of All-Season Low Rolling Resistance Tires.
Read This Before Buying A Low Rolling Resistance Tire (Are They Worth It?).
Other things to note when it comes to riding quality vs other costs that are associated with the tires;
- Potholes
From a personal experience, it has cost us more on tires because they don’t last long and the rims are prone to damage when they hit bad potholes.
Last time we spent about $650 on a repair bill that we couldn’t avoid for what we thought was a small pothole.
But it’s also important to point out that since we go on frequent road trips, (we are always on the road) it may cost us more compared to those who cover fewer miles in a year/month.
Our Model Y Performance tires tend to last about 30k miles.
| NOTE; To determine the best tire for our Tesla we use Tire Rack for comparisons and reviews. That’s because their tires are affordable compared to other online tire shops. They also have the best tire comparison for road noise, handling, and grip for different EVs. |
- People’s experiences on ride quality will vary.
We decided to do an online poll on the ride quality of the Model Y Performance, and unsurprisingly some felt completely different.
The participants were only people who had driven both the early years (2022 and 2023) Model Y Performance and the old years (from 2021 and below).
Here are the results;
- 80% noticed an improvement in ride quality on the 2023 models.
- 13% did not see an improvement and didn’t like the ride quality for both the 2021 and below and 2022 and 2023 MYP.
- 7% felt their old Model Y Performance (2021) rides exactly the same as their newer 2023 Model Y.
Our recommendation;
Everyone has an opinion on ride quality and comfort. Therefore, we recommend going on a test drive before deciding.
Conclusion
If you worry too much about the ride quality or rather if the ride quality is a priority to you, you should think again about going for a performance model.
