{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"2026 Tesla Model Y","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-tesla-model-y","audioUrl":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/talkingcarsmp3/2507CRO_Talking_Cars_episode_479.mp3?dest-id=212382","description":"This week, we share our first impressions of the updated 2026 Tesla Model Y. A smoother ride, upgraded interior, and quieter cabin are just some of the improvements in this refreshed all-electric SUV—but it's not without quirks. We break down its performance on our test track, the challenges with Tesla's delivery process, and our concerns about the vehicle's controls and so-called \"Full Self-Driving\" system. We also answer your questions about roomy, comfortable gas or hybrid alternatives with modern safety features, and explain how Consumer Reports buys and tests vehicles—including whether we pay MSRP.     More info on the 2026 Tesla Model Y here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tesla/model-y/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT   Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.     SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:36 - Overview: 2026 Tesla Model Y 02:49 - Buying Process 08:34 - Driving Dynamics 10:01 - Visibility 11:04 - Ride Comfort 12:07 - Access 15:29 - Controls 18:58 - FSD \"Full Self-Driving\" 25:02 - Infotainment System 27:54 - Build Quality 30:06 - Safety Features 34:17 - Final Thoughts 37:25 - Question #1: Is CR quoting the MSRP price when publishing the price paid for the vehicle? 40:03 - Question #2: what is a roomy, comfortable gas or hybrid alternative with modern safety features under 50K?     ----------------------------------   First Drive:  The Freshened Tesla Model Y Includes Improvements but Keeps Some Warts https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2026-tesla-model-y-review-a4126153571/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT   Tested: The Best Tire for Teslas and Other Electric Vehicles https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tires/tested-best-tires-for-teslas-and-other-electric-vehicles-a6379613635/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT   Best Electric Cars of 2025, According to Consumer Reports' Tests https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/best-electric-vehicles-from-consumer-reports-tests-a3759669425/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT   Electric Vehicles With the Longest Range https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/electric-vehicles-with-the-longest-range-a2189661367/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT   Hot, New Electric Cars That Are Coming Soon https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/hot-new-electric-cars-are-coming-soon-a1000197429/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT"},"annotations":[{"startTime":40.2,"endTime":44.0,"type":"car","title":"Tesla Model","url":"/cars/tesla/model-y","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Tesla_Model_Y_%282025%29_MYLE_Festival_2025_DSC_9565.jpg","quote":"...nt car, some would say a special car. This is the Tesla Model Y podcast. We're very excited to talk about this.","canonicalId":"car:tesla:model y","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":899.48,"endTime":901.04,"type":"car","title":"Cadillac Optiq","url":"/cars/cadillac/optiq","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Cadillac_Optiq_%28IQ_Aoge%29_01_China_2024-04-23.jpg","quote":"... now the handles are open to you. So the Cadillac OPTIQ or OPTIQ is I like to call it","canonicalId":"car:cadillac:optiq","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Navigator84 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1300.76,"endTime":1302.28,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Rogue","url":"/cars/nissan/rogue","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/2016_Nissan_Rogue%2C_Front_Left%2C_04-13-2021.jpg","quote":"I thought we were going to crash into an Nissan Rogue, but the car just crept forward so it could get","canonicalId":"car:nissan:rogue","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"SsmIntrigue (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":2116.24,"endTime":2117.6,"type":"car","title":"Hyundai Ionic","url":"/cars/hyundai/ioniq-5","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Hyundai_Ioniq_5.jpg","quote":"experience for me. I just got out of the Hyundai Ionic nine, one of our new EV","canonicalId":"car:hyundai:ioniq 5","priority":0.3,"confidence":0.923076923076923,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":2413.88,"endTime":2416.0,"type":"car","title":"Ford Explorer","url":"/cars/ford/explorer","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Ford_Explorer_EV_Auto_Zuerich_2023_1X7A1325.jpg","quote":"subscriber since 2015 when my 2003 Ford Explorer gave out and I picked up a used","canonicalId":"car:ford:explorer","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":2417.92,"endTime":2419.52,"type":"car","title":"Mazda 3","url":"/cars/mazda/rx-3","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/1974_Mazda_RX-3_%285942576514%29.jpg","quote":"gave out and I picked up a used 2012 Mazda 3 as my first post-college","canonicalId":"car:mazda:rx-3","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand (CC BY 2.0)"}},{"startTime":2477.48,"endTime":2480.36,"type":"car","title":"Tucson Hybrid","url":"/cars/hyundai/tucson","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/HYUNDAI_TUCSON_%28TL%29_China.jpg","quote":"So my recommendation is to get the Hyundai Tucson hybrid. Even a new Hyundai","canonicalId":"car:tucson:","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":2612.6,"endTime":2614.92,"type":"car","title":"Mazda Cx50","url":"/cars/mazda/cx-50","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/2023_Mazda_CX-50_GT_in_Zircon_Sand_Metallic%2C_Front_Left%2C_06-18-2022.jpg","quote":"Mazdas like Mazdas. The Mazda CX 50 Hybrid, which is essentially a RAV4.","canonicalId":"car:mazda:cx-50","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Elise240SX (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":2614.96,"endTime":2617.4,"type":"car","title":"Toyota RAV4","url":"/cars/toyota/rav4","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/2021_Toyota_RAV4_PHV.jpg","quote":"The Mazda CX 50 Hybrid, which is essentially a RAV4. Don't tell him.","canonicalId":"car:toyota:rav4","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":2618.32,"endTime":2620.32,"type":"car","title":"Mazda 2","url":"/cars/mazda/2","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/2015-2019_Mazda_Demio_S.jpg","quote":"Don't tell him. In a Mazda 2. Right. It's like the.","canonicalId":"car:mazda:2","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":2623.08,"endTime":2624.8,"type":"car","title":"Rav4 Hybrid","url":"/cars/toyota/rav4","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/2021_Toyota_RAV4_PHV.jpg","quote":"It's a wrap. It's like the RAV4 hybrid engine. It's the drivetrain from Toyota.","canonicalId":"car:rav4:","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":2698.72,"endTime":2700.16,"type":"car","title":"BMW X5","url":"/cars/bmw/x5","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/BMW_E70_X5_3%2C0d_pre-facelift.jpg","quote":"... power to kind of move along. I also love the BMW X5. I was just still looking for Mr. Croson.","canonicalId":"car:bmw:x5","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"JaayJay (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":2793.56,"endTime":2797.68,"type":"car","title":"Genesis G70","url":"/cars/genesis/g70","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/2021_Genesis_G70_Sport_Line_T-GDi.jpg","quote":"And I went sedan. I went lease a Genesis G70. Oh, yes.","canonicalId":"car:genesis:g70","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":2793.56,"endTime":2797.68,"type":"car","title":"Hyundai Genesis","url":"/cars/hyundai/genesis","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/2010_Hyundai_Genesis_2.jpg","quote":"And I went sedan. I went lease a Genesis G70. Oh, yes.","canonicalId":"car:hyundai:genesis","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Consumer Reports","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-tesla-model-y/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}