We put Tesla’s Full Self-Driving to the test and were genuinely shocked at how it performed

We got behind the wheel of a Tesla Model Y to put its Full Self-Driving (FSD) to the test, and it left us with some pretty standout findings.

After many years’ worth of software updates, we approached the drive with high expectations.

Because of this, we wanted to test it on all manner of roads, including urban streets, intersections, and highways, rather than giving it an easy run.

The tech excelled in some situations, but also proved it had its limitations.

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Testing Tesla’s Full Self-Driving on real roads

Full self-driving in the Tesla Model Y is a driver assist system rather than full autonomous driving.

This has been a sticking point for many drivers, considering the name suggests it’s ‘fully self-driving’.

So what can the system do and what can’t it? Let’s dive in.

It uses what it calls ‘Tesla Vision’ through cameras positioned around the vehicle.

Updates to full self-driving are delivered through software rather than changes to the Tesla Model Y hardware, so it also enjoys constant upgrades.

Let’s start with the positives.

When we drove it through Brisbane, one of Australia’s busiest cities, the Model Y remained centered in its lane with smooth steering.

As speeds changed, the Tesla was able to adapt, avoiding any sharp braking. The driver assist felt calm and predictable, which was what we expected going into the test drive.

Tesla Vision tracked nearby vehicles and road edges without constant correction.

When we approached intersections, the FSD took control, handling cross traffic and turning vehicles well.

The Model Y took on roundabouts with steady steering and stopped at red and amber lights with good timing.

Highway driving in the Tesla Model Y followed a similar pattern.

Full self-driving maintained safe following distances and adjusted speed smoothly.

The Tesla followed navigation well, changing lanes effortlessly when it was prompted, proving it was confidently tracking vehicles across multiple lanes.

However, some situations revealed limits to the technology.

Poor lane markings and unpredictable driver behavior caused brief hesitation.

Once or twice, it would refuse to take off because the flow of traffic was too much, and it couldn’t find a spot to merge in.

As it’s a driver assist program and not fully autonomous, you have to be constantly switched on and ready to take over at any time.

What does this mean for fully autonomous driving?

Full self-driving is still clearly a work in progress, but the tech is already proving to be a gamechanger.

Over the course of the drive, it handled more of the journey than expected without feeling jumpy or unpredictable.

In traffic, the driver assist system took the edge off routine driving and made busy roads easier to deal with.

That does not mean it is ready to drive on its own.

Full self-driving still hesitates in certain situations, as we discovered.

Those moments break the illusion and remind you that this is driver assist, not full autonomy.

Even so, after spending time with it, full self-driving stood out from other systems we have tested.

In the Tesla Model Y, it felt more confident, more consistent, and better suited to everyday use.

It is not finished, but right now, it is the most capable driver assist system we have experienced on public roads.

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