Tesla Model Y Review

Few electric cars have had the impact of the Tesla Model Y. It takes the basic platform and technology of the Model 3 and packages it in a taller, more practical five-seat SUV body.

That simple formula helped make it one of the world’s best-selling electric cars, but the original was far from perfect. Its ride was unnecessarily firm, motorway refinement was average and the cabin did not always feel sufficiently premium for the price.

Tesla addressed most of those weaknesses with a major update in 2025. The revised Model Y gained new styling, redesigned suspension, more sound insulation, improved seats and a higher-quality interior.

The difference is substantial. The latest Model Y is calmer, quieter and more comfortable without losing the efficiency, space or charging integration that made the earlier car so successful.

The current UK range starts with the Rear-Wheel Drive at £41,990, while longer-range rear-drive versions sit above it. Dual-motor Long Range models add all-wheel drive and stronger acceleration, with the Performance at the top of the range.

Rear-wheel drive maximises value and efficiency. All-wheel-drive versions add traction and speed, while Performance is aimed at buyers who genuinely want sports-car acceleration from a family SUV.

Practicality remains a major strength. There is excellent passenger space for five, a huge rear luggage area, useful underfloor storage and a 117-litre front boot.

The main irritation remains Tesla’s obsession with the central touchscreen. Navigation and charging integration are excellent, but routine functions can take more attention than they should. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still absent.

The Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive is the best all-round Model Y for drivers covering regular long distances.

It combines a larger battery with the efficiency of a single motor, giving it the greatest potential range. Tesla quotes up to around 378 miles depending on version and configuration.

Performance is still more than sufficient, with the Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive reaching 60mph in 5.4 seconds.

The £41,990 Rear-Wheel Drive is the better-value choice for buyers who do not need maximum touring range. Its 314-mile WLTP figure is more than adequate for most family use and it reaches 60mph in 6.9 seconds.

The Premium Long Range All-Wheel Drive combines a 372-mile official range with a 4.6-second 0 to 60mph time. Its additional traction is useful in poor conditions, but most buyers do not need the extra performance.

The Model Y Performance is far more extreme. Its dual-motor powertrain reaches 60mph in 3.3 seconds while retaining a 360-mile official range.

It is an impressive technical achievement, but the £61,990 price makes one of the rear-wheel-drive versions easier to recommend.

The Tesla Model Y starts at £41,990 for the Rear-Wheel Drive and rises to £61,990 for the Performance.

Tesla changes its pricing and model structure more frequently than many traditional manufacturers, so buyers should check the live configurator before ordering.

Standard equipment is generous. Even lower-priced cars include the large central touchscreen, navigation, electric seat adjustment, an electric tailgate, panoramic glass roof and Tesla’s integrated charging and driver-assistance systems.

Options are relatively limited. Paint, wheels, towing equipment and enhanced driver-assistance software make up most of the additional spend.

Buyers should also compare finance offers rather than focusing solely on list price, as Tesla regularly changes incentives and monthly-payment deals.

The Skoda Enyaq is one of the strongest alternatives. It is comfortable, practical and easier to operate, with a more conventional dashboard.

The Kia EV6 is more engaging to drive and its 800-volt electrical system enables very rapid charging, although the Model Y has more luggage space.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is similarly fast to charge and has an exceptionally spacious cabin.

The Polestar 4 feels more premium and distinctive inside, while the BYD Sealion 7 offers generous equipment and a high-quality cabin.

The Xpeng G6 is another serious challenger, combining competitive pricing with rapid charging.

The Tesla Model 3 is worth considering if you do not need SUV practicality. It is lower, more efficient and generally cheaper.

Space is one of the Model Y’s biggest advantages.

Front occupants have generous headroom and legroom, while the low dashboard and large windscreen create an airy feel.

Storage is excellent, with deep centre-console compartments, large door bins and useful trays.

Rear passengers also get plenty of legroom and headroom, while the flat floor makes the centre seat more usable than in many petrol or hybrid SUVs.

An 8-inch rear touchscreen controls entertainment and climate functions, while USB-C charging ports keep devices powered.

Tesla measures luggage capacity differently from many manufacturers, so direct comparisons need care. What matters is that the rear boot is enormous.

Depending on the version, Tesla quotes more than 2,100 litres of maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded.

There is also a 117-litre front boot, which is particularly useful for charging cables and smaller bags.

The latest Model Y is around 4.79 metres long and roughly 1.98 metres wide with its mirrors folded.

It is therefore a substantial car on UK roads, particularly in narrow multi-storey car parks or width restrictions.

Visibility ahead is good, while multiple cameras help compensate for the relatively limited rear view.

The latest model also has a front-facing bumper camera, which is useful when parking or manoeuvring in tight spaces.

The Model Y’s technology is both a major strength and a frequent source of frustration.

The large central touchscreen is fast, sharp and packed with features. Tesla’s navigation is particularly strong because it integrates charging stops, charger availability and battery preconditioning into route planning.

Supercharger integration remains one of Tesla’s clearest advantages.

The downside is that too many basic functions depend on the screen. There is no conventional instrument cluster, so speed is shown on the central display, while functions such as mirror adjustment and opening the glovebox are also screen-based.

The updated Model Y retains a physical indicator stalk, which makes it easier to live with than the latest Model 3, but the gear selector has moved onto the touchscreen.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain unavailable.

The Tesla phone app is excellent, allowing owners to control charging, climate, security and vehicle access remotely.

The revised interior is a clear improvement over the earlier car.

The plastics feel richer, textile trim softens the dashboard and additional sound insulation gives the cabin a more substantial feel.

Seat comfort is also better, with supportive electrically adjustable seats and heating across much of the range. Higher specifications add ventilation.

The Model Y still does not have the traditional luxury feel of an Audi Q4 e-tron or BMW iX1, but the gap has narrowed considerably.

Tesla quotes 0 to 60mph rather than the European 0 to 62mph benchmark, so these figures should not be compared directly with manufacturers using 0 to 62mph.

Even the entry model feels quick because electric power arrives immediately.

Long Range versions provide stronger acceleration without sacrificing smoothness, while Performance offers genuinely extreme pace.

Efficiency is excellent for a car this size. Long-range versions can cover well over 350 official miles while using less energy than many comparable electric SUVs.

Real-world range will vary with temperature, speed, wheel size and climate-control use.

The biggest improvement is the ride.

The original Model Y was too stiff for a family SUV, particularly over sharp bumps. The latest model uses revised suspension and dampers to absorb rough surfaces much more effectively.

It remains on the firm side, especially on larger wheels, but ride comfort is no longer a major weakness.

The steering is also calmer and less nervous around the straight-ahead position, which makes motorway driving easier.

Through corners, the Model Y feels secure and stable rather than especially entertaining. The low-mounted battery controls body movement well, but a Kia EV6 offers greater driver involvement.

Rear-wheel-drive cars feel slightly lighter and more natural than the dual-motor models.

Refinement has improved substantially. Laminated glass, quieter suspension and additional insulation reduce both wind and road noise.

The updated Tesla Model Y received a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2025.

It scored 91 per cent for adult occupant protection and 93 per cent for child occupant protection, alongside strong results for its driver-assistance technology.

Euro NCAP subsequently named the Model Y its Best in Class Small SUV for 2025.

Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane assistance.

Tesla’s driver-assistance systems do not make the Model Y autonomous. The driver remains responsible for controlling the car at all times.

The entry Rear-Wheel Drive can rapid-charge at around 175kW, while Long Range and Performance versions can accept up to 250kW.

Under suitable conditions, Tesla says the long-range versions can add roughly 160 miles in around 15 minutes.

The Supercharger network makes this easier than the raw charging figure suggests. The navigation system can route the car to available chargers and precondition the battery before arrival.

Supercharger prices vary by site and time, so owners should use the Tesla app or in-car system for live costs.

Home charging remains cheaper, particularly with an overnight EV tariff.

All versions support AC charging suitable for a domestic wallbox.

Tesla provides a four-year or 60,000-mile basic vehicle warranty.

Rear-Wheel Drive battery and drive-unit cover lasts eight years or 100,000 miles. Long Range and Performance versions increase the mileage limit to 120,000 miles.

There is no traditional annual service schedule. Maintenance is based around individual items such as tyres, brake fluid and cabin filters.

Insurance can be expensive.

Dual-motor versions sit towards the top of the insurance scale, while the Performance reaches group 50.

Obtain a quote for the exact model before ordering, particularly if you are moving from a slower petrol or hybrid SUV.

Electric cars registered from 1 April 2025 pay £10 Vehicle Excise Duty in the first year and the standard £200 annual rate thereafter.

From 1 April 2026, the Expensive Car Supplement threshold for zero-emission vehicles is more than £50,000.

This means the £41,990 entry Model Y sits below the threshold.

Cars with an original list price above £50,000 can attract the additional £440 annual supplement for five years from the second licence.

Factory-fitted options count towards the original list price.