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Tesla Model Y variants
Total price
Monthly payment

Finance representative example (PCP)

Total cash price £31,999. Borrowing £28,799 with a £3,200 deposit at a representative APR of 11.9%.

48 monthly payments
£482.87
Fixed interest rate
11.9%
Total amount payable
£42,552.56
Cost of credit
£10,553.56
Optional final payment
£16,175.00
Purchase fee
£10.00
Annual mileage limit
6000 miles

Tesla enjoyed a lot of success with the comparatively affordable Model 3 saloon, so it only made sense to double down and use the same EV tech in the Model Y SUV. As a result, you'll find a similar choice of battery and motor setups. The Model Y joins the Model 3 below the range-topping Model S and Model X cars, which are niche cars that are no longer sold in the UK with right-hand drive.

Tesla Model Y buying guide

What Tesla Model Y trim levels are there?

There's essentially one specification for your Model Y, with no traditional trim levels to pick from. Your only real choices come in the form of customisation – what paint colour and wheel option you'd like, and whether you'd like to swap out the black faux-leather interior for a white one. There is also a selection of battery and motor setups we'll cover later on.

This approach means the standard equipment list is generous. You get auto lights and wipers, heated front and outer-rear seats, climate control, and the company's proprietary sat-nav and infotainment software. Every model includes basic 'Autopilot' which uses adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist for semi-autonomous driving.

Then there are a handful of options you can apply to your Model Y. First is a tow hitch, which lets you take advantage of the car's respectable 1,600kg braked towing capacity. Tesla has recently added a seven-seat interior to the Model Y, too, although we expect the third row will be quite cramped. You can also upgrade to either enhanced Autopilot, which adds lane changing and auto parking, or 'Full Self Driving' that Tesla optimistically claims will be able to basically drive itself in the future – although it hasn't nailed down a timeline yet.

With all that out the way, you can then choose your battery and motor combo. The range kicks off with a 60kWh standard-range battery pack paired with a single rear motor. You then step up to an 85kWh battery pack with either a single rear motor or dual-motor all-wheel drive. Finally, there's the Model Y Performance, which adds even more muscular motors at the front and rear for stonking off-the-line acceleration.

Tesla Model Y interior and technology

Minimalism is all the rage in car interior design and Tesla is partially to blame for it. The Model Y's cabin is essentially unchanged compared to the Model 3, which means you get a big centre infotainment touchscreen, some seats, a steering wheel and pedals – and that's basically it. There's no question that it looks elegant and modern, but technophobic drivers might find the lack of buttons a bit jarring.

Tesla packs an enormous amount of functionality into the screen – not least because there's nowhere else to put it! All your navigation and entertainment can be accessed directly through the car's interface, as can setting adjustments like the door mirrors and steering wheel position. You'll also find fun features like on-board games, a karaoke machine or a virtual fireplace buried in the car's menus.

You might spot the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and, for some, this'll be a bit of a drawback. On the plus side, the car's built-in software is fairly simple to understand, and using the car's navigation system means your Tesla can precondition its battery if, for example, you're heading to a charging station.

Tesla Model Y engine range explained

Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive

This is the entry-level powertrain option for the Model Y but it's still impressive in its own right. There's a 60kWh battery pack connected to a single rear motor delivering a claimed range above 280 miles. It's still quite nippy, with a sub-seven-second 0-62mph time, giving it great responses in city centres and enough horsepower to cruise up to motorway speeds effortlessly.

Tesla Model Y Long Range

Next up is the Model Y Long Range, which upgrades to an 85kWh battery pack. This is offered in the UK with either a single rear motor delivering the car's headline 373-mile claimed range, or a dual-motor setup that cuts this to 331 miles. Performance takes a jump either way, with the rear-motor car dashing from 0-62mph in a hot-hatch-baiting 5.7 seconds, while the dual-motor car completely thrashes them with a 4.8-second time.

Tesla Model Y Performance

Right at the top of the Model Y range is the Performance version. This is still a dual-motor car with the 85kWh battery pack but those motors are much beefier for this model. Range drops to a still-decent 319 miles while the 0-62mph time falls to 3.5 seconds – pretty much supercar-like speed from this sensible electric family SUV. You also get upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels to mark this version out.

Tesla Model Y FAQs

The Tesla Model Y comes in just one version – a five-door, five-seat SUV with a hatchback-style boot lid. It uses many of the same parts as the Model 3 saloon, but with a slightly more practical body. Your choice as a buyer come down to what cosmetic options you'd like, and what battery and motor setup suits you best.

The Model Y is a little over 4.7 metres long. That puts it in a similar ballpark to premium SUVs like the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC. Compared to the Model 3 saloon, which shares many parts with the Model Y, it's around 5cm longer, 7cm wider and 18cm taller, with the latter being the most obvious change.

Tesla quotes a massive 854-litre figure for the boot, although this number is measured up to the boot lid rather than to the parcel shelf as is the industry standard. Despite this, the space is still big and square, and should be more than a match for most families.

The outright bragging rights in the Model Y range belong to the Performance model, which can dash from 0-62mph in a supercar-like 3.5 seconds.

For the best range, check out the Long Range rear-wheel-drive model. This claims more than 370 miles on a full charge, although even the basic model is advertised with more than 280 miles.

Our pick, however, is the Long Range dual-motor car. This still returns an advertised range north of 330 miles while feeling quite a bit faster than entry-level models, but without the extravagant cost of the full-fat Performance model.

The Model Y is a very safe car. Euro NCAP tested it in 2022 and awarded it a full five-star rating. Safety for adult occupants was rated at 97%, with children rated at 87%. It also scored a respectable 82% for pedestrian safety and a strong 98% for driver assist features.

Tesla has sometimes oversold the abilities of its Autopilot system, but it does mean all cars include automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist as standard. The lack of engine under the bonnet also means the Model Y is particularly good at absorbing front-end impacts.