Tesla Model Y

    Tesla Model Y

    $55,900 - $82,900

    About the Tesla Model Y

    Last updated May 10, 2024

    The Tesla Model Y is the best selling electric vehicle in Australia, with almost 30,000 sales in 2023, it is also one of the best selling cars in the country outright. Backed by sharp pricing and excellent charging infrastructure provided by Tesla, the Model Y continues to be a popular vehicle for those seeking an EV with ride height and extra boot space.

    Fuel EfficiencyN/A
    ANCAP Rating5-star
    Warranty4 years
    Tesla
    8.4

    Video Review

    Tesla Model Y Video Review

    Skip to chapter

    Intro
    Exterior
    Interior
    Infotainment
    Safety tech
    Practicality
    Charging
    On the Road
    Driver aids
    Performance
    Verdict

    Tesla owner reviews the 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance (inc 0-100km/h, autonomy & track mode)

    Why I wouldn't review the Tesla Model Y Performance: This is a VERY detailed review of the 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance. It has just launched in Australia and as a Model Y owner I wanted to give you an objective review so you can get a better understanding of whether you should buy it or not.

    Summary

    Our expert's shortest summary
    Hit

    It's a fast as a 911 Carrera S off the line

    Excellent composure in the corners, newfound ride comfort

    You'll wonder what to do with all the space inside

    Miss

    Design continues to polarise

    No Apple CarPlay or driver's display might be a deal breaker

    No emotive sound like some BMW models

    News

    All the latest Tesla Model Y news

    Tesla Model Y Range Guide

    Which variant of the Tesla Model Y range is best for you?

    Model Y RWD highlights:

    • 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Adaptive LED headlights
    • Black vegan interior
    • 5 seats
    • 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Side and rear-view cameras
    • All-around parking sensors
    • Satellite navigation incl. charge network mapping, live pricing
    • Dual wireless phone chargers
    • 4 x USB-C ports (2 x front, 2 x rear)
    • 128GB portable storage for Sentry camera system
    • 13-speaker sound system
    • 12-way power adjustable front seats 
    • Heated front seats
    • Heated rear seats (all three)
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Tinted glass roof 
    • HEPA air filtration
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Power folding, auto-dimming, heated side mirrors
    • Custom driver profiles
    • Key card entry
    • Smartphone app connectivity
    • Electronic fold-flat rear seat releases

    Model Y Performance adds:

    • 21-inch Uberturbine wheels
    • Performance brakes
    • Lowered suspension
    • Aluminium pedals
    • 250km/h Top speed (up from 217km/h)
    • Carbon-fibre spoiler

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    Interior

    Photos and Images of the Tesla Model Y Interior

    To open the doors on your Tesla Model Y, best to set your smartphone up as a key – but then you’ve also got a Tesla key card to open the doors by swiping it on the B-pillar.

    It works rather well and the car automatically unlocks as you walk up to it, and locks itself as you walked away. Wouldn’t just a key fob suffice?

    Here’s the thing: while Tesla is all about cutting-edge technology, there’s not a lot on show in the cabin besides a singularly-huge, centrally-mounted,15-inch tablet-style touchscreen. Those boffins at Tesla figure that’s all anyone needs, and to some extent, they’re right.

    There’s an equally strong argument for and against, especially for those like this tester, who prior to driving the Model Y Performance wouldn’t have bought a daily driver without Apple CarPlay or even a digital instrument display in front of the steering wheel.

    As an avid CarPlay adoptee from its earliest days, I can tell you it was all rather confronting when faced with a journey without it for the first time in years. How is one going to make calls, message colleagues, use Waze or even play music without it? Of course you can do most of these things using Tesla's system but CarPlay is sorely missed.

    While Tesla voice commands function well enough most times, simply by pressing a rather annoyingly-fiddly scroll wheel on the steering wheel; asking it to navigate its way home to Collaroy on Sydney’s Northern Beaches immediately had me heading to Colorado in the US – some 13,400 kilometres away as the crow flies.

    I tried it several times and got the same result, eventually calling on Siri to intervene.

    As tech heavy as the Model Y Performance is, it’s nice to sit back and enjoy the driving experience without any such distractions ahead of you. There’s not even a head-up display to break the single-minded focus and newfound on-road serenity.

    The entire dash is completely devoid of knobs, dials and buttons, except for the touchscreen and those fiddly scroll wheels either side of the steering wheel. At this point I’m on the fence as to how I feel about all this.

    Despite the Model Y Performance’s lowered suspension, the seating position at its lowest adjustable point puts you well into the car, leaving you feeling like you’ve got a commanding view of the road yet also braced for some proper spirited driving.

    The steering wheel itself is relatively small in diameter and nicely tactile, while the all-vegan-upholstered seats are exceptional for their super-soft feel, comfort and support. Easily some of the most comfortable I’ve sat in; though given this Model Y’s performance credentials, adjustable side bolsters might prove a useful feature… Elon.

    One of the Model Y’s outstanding features is the quite incredible 13-speaker sound system – most likely using Dolby Atmos surround sound as part of recent upgrades.

    How it Drives

    Our expert take on Tesla Model Y drivability?

    The great thing about driving an EV is there’s no warming anything up like you should do in an combustion-powered car.

    You just hop in, move the right-hand instrument stalk up or down and off you blast – it’s that easy. When you arrive at your chosen destination, simply push the button at end of the stalk, get out, and walk away.

    There’s no handbrake to worry about or key fob to push – all of that stuff is automatic in the Tesla.

    There’s so much instant torque on tap that small gaps in traffic are dealt with ease. And don’t bother about joining the queue of cars at the next set of traffic lights, either – as long as there’s a free lane, use that, and you won’t even need to punch it.

    Just a quick prod of the throttle and you’ll be 50 metres down the road before the rest of the mob even get rolling.

    With the complete absence of a driver’s instrument display, you obviously don’t have a speedometer ahead of you. Instead, it’s on the top-right-hand corner of the touchscreen at eye-level.

    You’ll get used to it in no time at all – but it’s still not the ideal position for a quick glance.

    Tesla Model Y Safety Rating

    ANCAP Safety Rating Australia

    Of more than 30 cars tested over 2022, the Tesla Model Y was the “top performer” by ANCAP, scoring a five-star safety rating but also managing the highest average score (weighted across the four criteria) of all vehicles tested.

    It achieved a 97 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 82 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 98 per cent for safety assist. Unsurprisingly, it is loaded with standard safety technology.

    Standard features include:

    • 7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
    • Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
      • Forward, Reverse
    • Blind-spot assist
    • Lane keep assist
    • Reversing, side view cameras
    • Front, rear parking sensors
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
    • Tyre pressure monitoring
    • Automatic high-beam
    • Intelligent speed limiter
    • Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
    • Junction assist
    • Backover prevention

    The Tesla Model Y is also equipped with Sentry Mode, which uses the car’s nine cameras (internal and external) to monitor any undue interference with the vehicle.

    It’s reassuring to say the least, especially when you can observe the car from all angles both internally and externally, and even beep the horn and flash the lights via the Tesla App on your phone once you’ve set up your profile.

    Tesla Model Y Options

    Options list for the Tesla Model Y

    Enhanced Autopilot ($5100) adds:

    • Navigate on Autopilot
    • Auto Lane Change
    • Autopark
    • Summon
    • Smart Summon

    Full Self-Driving Capability ($10,100) adds:

    • Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control
    • Upcoming: Auto steer on city streets

    Full Self-Driving Capability ($10,100) bundles Basic Autopilot (incl. adaptive cruise control with steering assist) and Enhanced Autopilot packages, and then adds further functionality with Stop Light and Stop Sign Control.

    For the record, it’s not really full self-driving capability as the product name suggests, at least in our view.

    Make up your own mind, but we think the standard Autopilot is fine for Australian conditions as they stand.

    Tesla Model Y Warranty

    What is the warranty period and kilometre limit for the Tesla Model Y?

    This is where Tesla lags behind almost all its rivals – only offering a four-year, 80,000km warranty.

    Still, there’s a battery and drive unit warranty than covers eight years/192,000km for AWD Models, which will guarantee a minimum 70 per cent battery retention at that point.

    Tesla does not publish specific service intervals, though it recommends a brake fluid check every 24 months, cabin air filters every two years, HEPA filter replacement at three years and an air-conditioning service every four years, in addition to the standard wheel balancing and tyre rotation.

    Efficiency-wise the Model Y Performance is slightly worse off than its standard Model Y sibling by claiming an average of 15.4kWh/100km – a figure I got very close to, albeit with the occasional prod of the throttle.

    Charging the Model Y Performance at an AC charging box at home means you can go from 0-100 per cent in around 8 hours 15 minutes. Using a Tesla Supercharger cuts the charging time down to 27 minutes.

    Tesla is also unique in its ability to offer access to its Australia-wide Supercharger network of more than 50 charging stations, along with plenty of other fast-charging options, too.

    Tesla Model Y Dimensions

    The dimensions of the Tesla Model Y

    The 2024 TESLA MODEL Y measures 4750mm long, 1978mm wide and 1624mm tall, with a 2890mm tall wheelbase.

    The 2024 TESLA MODEL Y has a braked towing capacity of 1600kg and an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg.

    Tesla Model Y Market Fit

    Where does it fit in the competitor segment?

    The Tesla Model Y is categorised as a Medium SUV and has a price range of $55,900 to $82,900.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Tesla Model Y range kicks off from $55,900 (plus on-road costs) for the "Model Y REAR-WHEEL DRIVE" variant and finishes at $82,900 (plus on-road costs) for the "Model Y PERFORMANCE" variant.

    The Tesla Model Y is built in China and is then shipped to Australia.

    The Tesla Model Y has a braked towing capacity of 1600kg and an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg.

    The Tesla Model Y has a five star ANCAP safety rating out of five.

    The Tesla Model Y has a fully electric engine and does not use any fuel.

    The Tesla Model Y has 5 doors.

    In our latest review the Tesla Model Y scored 8.6 out of 10. Read the full Tesla Model Y review here.

    The Tesla Model Y had a 4 year, 80,000km warranty.

    Variants from previous years

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