Three months and 5,600 miles into owning Tesla's least expensive Model Y, one driver said he would absolutely buy it again — and that Full Self-Driving is the biggest reason why.
He also made a point of saying he was happy he had skipped other paid extras.
Here's what to know
In a 33-minute review posted to YouTube on the projectMac channel (@projectMac03), Grayson said the Model Y Standard had performed well across daily commutes, road trips, charging stops, and a steady stream of software updates.
He described FSD as "really the reason why I bought this car" and said its trip data showed he used FSD for 98% of its first 5,600 miles.
He also said the base trim never came across as cheap. His car had the no-cost silver paint, standard wheels, standard headlights, no rear entertainment screen, and no upgraded trunk speakers.
His takeaway on the purchase was straightforward: "No regrets."
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He said the model still felt upscale, pointing to its very large trunk, deep side storage pockets, Sentry Mode camera coverage, and low cabin noise. He added that it felt like "totally a premium car."
More background
Grayson covered a common question for potential EV buyers: whether charging and long trips are a headache.
He said that concern disappeared after he started using the car's built-in navigation system, which adds charging stops to a route automatically when they are needed.
To illustrate the point, he described a 90-degree day in North Carolina when he had the air conditioning running and powered camera gear. He had driven for two hours but used only about 10% of the battery.
He said the vehicle's climate control, access to chargers, and over-the-air software updates reshaped everyday ownership more than he had anticipated.
His criticisms were limited. At times, the car picked parking spots he would not have chosen, and he said some incorrect turns were the fault of Google Maps rather than the vehicle itself.
What can be done?
For people choosing trims, the review points toward starting with real-life needs.
The cost of stepping up to pricier versions also came up in the comments.
"In Canada, the premium AWD is 20k more, so it's harder to justify unless you are swimming with money," a commenter wrote.
Other habits that can simplify ownership include keeping a charging adapter in the trunk, letting the car manage route planning, and avoiding charging to 100% all the time.
In one update Grayson showed, the car added better responses to emergency vehicles and school buses and a fun Halloween mode.
After thousands of miles, he said the software experience was the top reason he was happy with the car.
"This car literally gets better every month," he said. "I get a new update. It's awesome."
Where can I learn more?
FSD has attracted a range of critics and supporters since its rollout.
• Tesla defended its supervised Full Self-Driving feature, saying it handled most driving tasks.
• In Japan, reviewers gave Tesla's latest Full Self-Driving version unusually strong praise despite investigations.
• Experts reacting to Tesla's tests called the alpha-level driving feature both stunning and unsettling.
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