tesla-model-y

I drove the 2026 Model Y RWD (Standard) for about 550 km (342 miles) across a mix of highway, back roads, and city driving, and I enjoyed the efficiency and technology far more than the driving experience itself. For anyone shopping for an affordable Tesla built around the brand’s software and ecosystem, this standard trim is a real contender, but it drives more like a generic SUV than the brand promises.

Here is the full review:

Tesla plans to hire another 1,000 workers at its Gigafactory outside Berlin, the automaker confirmed Thursday, as it moves to ramp production at its only European plant.

The hiring push comes as Tesla targets 7,500 vehicles per week at the Grünheide factory starting in October — a sharp acceleration after more than a year of falling sales in Europe.

The Rivian R2 Performance’s final EPA ratings are now published, and the numbers confirm something impressive: the R2 Performance matches the Tesla Model Y Performance on efficiency at 105 MPGe combined and 32 kWh per 100 miles — while actually beating it on range with 330 miles versus 306.

What makes this particularly noteworthy is the R2’s form factor. The Rivian is a boxier, taller, more utilitarian SUV that weighs nearly 800 lbs more than the Model Y, yet it achieves identical efficiency.