Natalie Kilbey’s husband decided to get rid of the family’s Tesla (Image: SUPPLIED)
My husband can be a little emotional, a tendency that led to the disappearance of our family Tesla from our driveway a little over a year ago. He had feelings – big feelings – about the CEO, the politics, all of it. So off went the Tesla, and in came his Hyundai Ioniq 5, which he loves. Meanwhile, I found myself in a second-hand Volkswagen ID.3.
The ID.3 is a lovely little car. Easy to drive, easy to park, perfect for the school run. But the software was clunky, the experience felt unfinished, and if I am honest, I missed the Tesla from the moment I lost it.
So when it became clear that Elon Musk was stepping back from the political theatre and refocusing on the actual business of building cars, I decided it was time to make a decision that suited me and our three daughters. I sold the VW and bought a 2023 Model Y Standard Range with around 27,000 miles on the clock through Tesla Approved.
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It arrived looking bright and shiny, software fully updated, and the moment I got behind the wheel it felt like coming home.
The tech comparison is night and day. The huge centre screen and clutter-free interior give you a beautifully clear driving position. No buttons hunting, no menu archaeology. Everything just works. I live with multiple sclerosis, so simplicity and peace of mind are not nice-to-haves, they are essential. Tesla delivers both.
The 2023 Model Y Standard Range with around 27,000 miles on the clock was bought through Tesla Appro (Image: SUPPLIED)
Then there are the features that make daily life genuinely easier. I live near Southend, Essex, on a busy road, and my husband has a habit of leaving cars unlocked. In a Tesla that is not a problem.
Walk away and it locks itself automatically. No keys, no fob, everything runs through your phone. For a mum, managing school pickups, a medical condition and a (mildly) chaotic household, that kind of frictionless design matters more than any spec sheet.
‘While my husband let emotion drive his decision, I ignored my feelings for too long too’ (Image: Supplied)
Charging is simpler too. Plug in, and the car handles the rest, mapping routes and charging stops automatically through the app. The cost is averaging around 47p to 58p per kWh on public charge points, which is manageable.
And the fart noises are back. My daughters are delighted. Some things, it turns out, are non-negotiable.
But here is what this little round trip taught me: while my husband let emotion drive his decision, I ignored my feelings for too long too. EVs are efficient, practical machines and those same factors should inform which one you should choose to buy. Ignore the noise, ignore the headlines, ignore whoever is running which company this week. Find the technology that works for your life and get on with it.
For me and three giggling girls on the Southend Road, that is a Tesla.