Hey everyone! Guess who just bought a Tesla Model Y, despite my infamous disdain for the brand? That’s right, me! It’s like a vegetarian accidentally walking into a BBQ festival – unexpected and a little bit ironic.

2023 Tesla Model Y

My skepticism towards Tesla had its roots – from the hyper-enthusiastic fanbase to the eyebrow-raising autopilot stories. But, in a twist of fate, I needed a new car for my reviews and Tesla, like a stubborn stain, refused to be ignored. It is also one of the best selling vehicles in the world, so there must be some reason that people keep buying it, even with the Elon drama.

Absolutely, the electric vehicle market is buzzing with some fantastic entry-level options, but let me break down why I enthusiastically opted for the Model Y over some formidable competitors:

1. **Supercharger Supremacy:** Living in West Hollywood, the public chargers have a notorious reputation for either being out of order or occupied by gas-guzzlers, much to the dismay of any EV enthusiast. Given that my new place lacks charging infrastructure, I needed a reliable solution. Fortunately, fate smiled upon me as there’s a Supercharger station conveniently located just up the street from our residence. Until other automakers embrace the NACS standard, this advantage makes the Model Y an unbeatable choice.

2. **Tax Credit Triumph:** While there are indeed several enticing EV options on the market, the Model Y clinched the deal with its $7,500 tax credit. Sure, there are other EVs that caught my eye, but none of them came with such a substantial financial incentive. Leasing might have been an option to nab a similar credit, but for various reasons, buying was the way to go for me.

3. **EV Prowess vs Plug-in Pondering:** In the ongoing debate over whether to go all-electric or opt for a plug-in hybrid, I decided to take the plunge into both worlds. Acknowledging the current debates and the limited charging infrastructure, I’ve chosen to coexist with both the Toyota Prius Prime plug-in and the Model Y. It’ll be a fascinating journey over the next year as we determine which powertrain proves more practical for day-to-day life. While the Prius Prime offers a commendable 40 miles in EV mode and a around 500 miles on a full tank, the Model Y Performance boasts an impressive 303-mile all-electric range. Let the electrifying comparison begin! And hey, West Hollywood, fix your charging stations, will ya?

2024 Toyota Prius Prime