Tesla Model Y Review 2026: Price, specs & boot space

Let us flip this question on its head, and ask why the Tesla Model 3 might be wrong for you. As virtually the same vehicle underneath, the Model 3 is cheaper, quicker and comes with a better battery range. But, it cannot match the practicality of the larger Model Y.

So, if you like what the Tesla Model 3 can offer, but cannot live with a traditional four-door saloon design, the Model Y will be your salvation.

With strong performance, a good electric range and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, the Model Y really is a great choice in the family SUV sector.

There are four Tesla Model Y, er, models to choose from, all with more power and range. The standard Rear-Wheel Drive version is the cheapest, and it can be upgraded to a Long Range version with a bigger battery. Then there’s the Long Range All-Wheel Drive, and the exotic range-topping Performance All-Wheel Drive.

Prices and monthly payments are evenly spaced for the three core models, but then there’s a big jump up ot the Performance All-Wheel Drive. That should ensure the range-topper will be a rare sight on UK roads.

We think the best all-rounder is the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. It has the best range and still has more than enough performance. You don’t really need the extra traction and significant extra power of the All-Wheel Drive version, particularly as it comes with a (slight) range penalty. It can, however, accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds. If that rapid acceleration makes your passengers feel sick, at least its ‘vegan leather’ upholstery is wipe clean…

Naturally, the Tesla Model 3 is the most similar car, sharing the same platform and powertrain as the Model Y. However, its four-door saloon design is less practical, which is likely to be the key reason for buyers picking the Model Y instead.

In terms of premium EV SUV rivals, the Model Y now has plenty to contend with. The Jaguar I-Pace was one of the first to enter this market, having since been joined by the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX1, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60. We'd also look to the Polestar 4 and Skoda Enyaq as serious threats to the Tesla.

If practical EV motoring is your thing, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz has a huge amount of interior space on offer as well.

Then there’s the new wave of Chinese alternatives, including the BYD Sealion 7, Xpeng G6 and MG IM6. More are coming all the time, too – there are no end of challengers to the Tesla Model Y’s sales crown!

Tesla has made great strides with interior quality and finish for the latest Model Y. All the plastics now have a rich, premium feel, and we like the use of upholstery inlays on the dashboard and doors. Even the metal speaker grilles on the doors look upmarket.

This lift in quality extends to the smallest details, such as both front and rear door bins having a plush felt lining to stop things rattling around. Some brands limit the lining to the front seats only. Some brands even fit lower-quality plastics in the rear, but again, not Tesla. Even the steering wheel feels more plush to hold. 

The Tesla Model Y has a 15.4-inch touchscreen (16.0-inches on the Model Y Performance), which now runs second-generation hardware for even greater connectivity. It’s exceedingly comprehensive, with seemingly multiple menus and options to extensively scroll through. By today’s standards, it’s probably over-comprehensive, particularly as the ‘flat’ menu structure means the home screen is packed with options. You’ll find everything you need in there… eventually.

The reliance on the touchscreen comes from not having any buttons. Well, there are a couple on the steering wheel, and a hazard warning light switch in the roof, but everything else is done through the touchscreen – even the lights, wipers and door mirrors. Those new to the Tesla user interface are guaranteed to be daunted by it.

There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to help them out, either. Tesla steadfastly refuses to fit smartphone streaming, relying on Bluetooth for phone calls and media streaming instead. For many, this is becoming a real frustration with the firm’s car.

Latest Tesla Model Y also feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen in the rear. The kids will love this, as it’s almost as comprehensive as the screen in the front. It controls climate, entertainment and audio – and will even allow video streaming. The dual 65W USB-C sockets in the rear (there’s a single socket in the front, too) can happily keep devices charging while videos are streamed on the centre screen instead. 

The Tesla Model Y has always had a nice-sounding stereo, and it’s been improved further in the latest version. It’s “even more immersive,” promises the firm, and the nine-speaker setup performs well in reality – it’s great for making full use of the native Spotify system. Model Y Performance have an uprated system with even more speakers, while all versions have improved microphones for better phone quality.

The main reason for choosing a Tesla Model Y over the equivalent Model 3 is practicality, and there’s no doubt that the SUV version delivers here in spades. Measuring 4775mm long and 1850mm wide, the Model Y is 81mm longer and 1mm wider than a Model 3.

Space in the front of the Model Y is generous, with plenty of room for storing items throughout the cabin. A high roofline helps tall drivers fit with ease, and creates an overall sense of a bright and airy interior.

This continues through into the rear of the Model Y, which boasts more-than-sufficient headroom and legroom for a pair of adults. A third adult can be squeezed into the middle seat for shorter trips if needed, too.

In the USA and other markets, Tesla offers the Model Y with a seven-seat option. This has so far been denied to UK buyers, although the resulting third-row seats are only suitable for small children.

This leaves the Model Y’s huge boot space unencumbered, with Tesla quoting an impressive 854-litre capacity. Achieving that figure does mean filling the car all the way to the roof, however, which is different to how other car manufacturers quote boot space. Still, there is a lot of room for a relatively compact SUV, and folding the rear seats increases the total to a whopping 2000 litres.

The facelift Model Y gives up 20-litres of boot space to accommodate the electrically folding rear seats, but this is compensated for with the clever magnetic load cover that also stows under the boot floor when not needed.

There is also a 117-litre ‘frunk’ at the front of the Model Y, something many key rivals do not offer. It can be very handy for storing items like charging cables.

With the facelifted Tesla Model Y, the standard Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) model has a 283PS motor that delivers 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, which is a second quicker than its predecessor.

Choose the Long Range model and you have a choice of 311PS RWD or 380PS four-wheel drive models, the latter with twin motors. In the Long Range RWD, you can cover 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds, while the AWD version needs just 4.6 seconds for this dash.

The earlier standard Model Y RWD uses a single electric motor to accelerate the Tesla from 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds. Given the family-orientated nature of the Model Y, this is arguably sufficient performance for most needs.

Still, if you do want more, the pre-facelift Model Y Long Range has a dual-motor setup to deliver all-wheel drive capabilities. With 389PS and 510Nm of torque, the Long Range version can accelerate from 0-60mph in a hot hatchback-rivalling 4.8 seconds.

At the top of the tree is the Model Y Performance, which also comes with a dual-motor layout. Here, output from the electric motors is upped to 456PS, allowing for a scorching 3.5-second 0-60mph sprint.

All versions of the Model Y versions feel instantly responsive, and can see you reach licence-threatening speeds with alarming ease.

The level of regenerative braking can also be adjusted, including to the point of allowing the Model Y to be driven as a ‘one pedal’ EV.

Maximum battery range in the Tesla Model Y is dictated by which model you plump for. Choose the entry-level Model Y RWD and there is the potential for a respectable official WLTP range of 311 miles (283 miles in the pre-facelift model) via its 56kWh battery.

Next up is the suitably named Model Y Long Range, with a bigger 75kWh battery. Fully charged, this delivers an official WLTP range of 387 miles (or 331 miles in the earlier version) The AWD model drops that to 364 miles due to its twin motors..

The Model Y Performance, which is currently only available as a used model in pre-facelift form, also uses a 75kWh battery but its extra power and larger wheels result in a shorter official range of 319 miles.

Tesla cars are known for coming close to matching these tested figures in the real world, and the Model Y is no different here.

The Tesla Model Y is naturally quiet thanks to its electric drivetrain and its slippery, wind-cheating shape. Refinement is enhanced further with standard laminated side glass, that cuts wind noise to a mere whisper (Tesla says there’s a 20% improvement). The roof is laminated too, so you’ll be less disturbed by rainfall splattering onto the glass.

The updated Tesla Model Y has improvements in refinement elsewhere, in response to our criticisms of amplified tyre noise when driving on the motorway. It’s notably quieter at all speeds, and now more than a measure for rivals such as the Audi Q4 e-tron.

When it comes to safety, the Tesla Model Y can boast of having a coveted five-star rating from the Euro NCAP crash test organisation. When evaluated, the Model Y was awarded an impressive 97 percent score for adult occupant protection, along with 87 percent for child protection.

It also gained a near-perfect 98 percent score for safety assistance systems, thanks to the generous level of technology included as standard.

Alongside multiple airbags, the Model Y comes with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and speed limit recognition, plus autonomous emergency braking and collision avoidance tech.

In the UK, Tesla offers a four-year, 60,000-mile standard warranty. This isn’t very generous by modern standards – not when Kia offers seven years and 100,000 miles, and Hyundai can do five years and unlimited miles. At least the battery warranty is better, stretching to eight years and 120,000 miles (or 100,000 miles for the Rear-Wheel Drive).

According to the well-respected HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index 2025, Tesla is the UK’s overall best-rated car brand, with an 89.41% approval score. A glowing reliability score is a major factor in this, with Tesla being the second-rated brand, behind only Lexus. This all bodes well for Tesla Model Y reliability.

As a premium electric vehicle packed with technology, plus an almost startling level of performance, insurance costs for a Tesla Model Y are at the higher end of the scale.

The entry-level Model Y RWD is placed in insurance group 46, with the Long Range AWD version in group 48. Opting for the Model Y Performance means accepting a maximum 50 out of 50 insurance group rating, typically reserved for the fastest and fanciest of vehicles.

In truth, this is no different to rivals such as the Jaguar I-Pace, which also comes with a group 49-50 rating.

Gone are the considerable road tax advantages of electric cars. Yes, you only pay £10 for the first year, but that then reverts to the same £195 as every other car from the second year onwards.

With Tesla's hefty prices, you will also now have to pay the £425 luxury car levy for those cars costing more than £40,000. This applied until the car passes its fifth birthday from registration.

The Tesla Model Y comes with a very comprehensive level of standard equipment on all versions. The key differences between the models are battery size and drive type, rather than equipment – the company includes key features across the range.

This includes front seats that are now ventilated as well as heated and power-adjustable, and the power-fold rear seats are heated as well. The 15.4-inch touchscreen in the front is now combined with an 8.0-inch touchscreen in the rear, and exterior information from eight cameras is fed in – the system now includes a front-facing camera too.

Laminated side and roof glass is standard, helping overall refinement, while that panoramic roof features on every single Tesla Model Y. Then there’s the usual features such as three-zone climate control, electric windows and mirrors, sat nav, ambient lighting, hands-free electric tailgate and a black leather-effect interior. If you prefer white upholstery, it’s an extra £1100.