2025 Tesla Model Y review

Up ahead

How much does a Tesla Model Y RWD cost?

Tesla Model Y RWD exterior design

What is the Tesla Model Y RWD like inside?

Is the Tesla Model Y RWD good to drive?

What safety features does a Tesla Model Y RWD have?

How does the Tesla Model Y RWD compare?

Should I buy a Tesla Model Y RWD?

For almost two decades, between 1997 and 2023, the humble Toyota Corolla had a lock on the title of world’s best-selling car. But in 2023, an electric vehicle freight train that had been gathering momentum since its release in 2020 took the title, a feat repeated last year by the Tesla Model Y.

That’s some performance from a brand that only released its first car in 2008 and that sells a limited range of six different vehicles, and even less here in Australia where only the Model Y SUV and its passenger-sedan sibling the Model 3 are sold.

There’s no doubt that many car makers initially underestimated Tesla, even doubted that a brand that builds only EVs and not a single ICE-powered variant could ever trouble industry giants like Toyota, Volkswagen and General Motors.

But trouble them Tesla has and, in the process gone from being an underdog to being the EV industry benchmark.

Practically every time a new battery electric SUV is released – something that’s increasingly common these days as Chinese rivals take aim at Tesla’s crown – the new model is dubbed a ‘Tesla Model Y killer.’

How much does a Tesla Model Y RWD cost?

Prices for the Model Y range start at $58,900 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level Rear Wheel Drive variant tested here, rising to$68,900 (plus on-road costs) for the Long-Range All-Wheel Drive.

At the time of writing that constitutes the entire lineup but a range-topping Performance variant is expected to join the lineup in the fourth quarter of this year.

Tesla Model Y RWD exterior design

Unlike some car makers that facelift their models virtually every year, Tesla takes a more steady-as-she-goes approach to its design iteration.

The basic form of the Model Y we see in 2025 is not all that different to the original that launched in 2020, but there are numerous differences introduced with this update that clearly differentiate the new model from its predecessor.

The design cues of the updated Model Y are said to have been influenced by the polarising Cybertruck pickup, and its even bigger brother the Cybercab semi-truck.

The new model features an expansive cross-car daytime running lightbar with integrated turn signals up front, a redesigned front bumper, and repositioned pixel LED adaptive headlights. There’s also a new front-facing camera located in the front fascia, above the grille.

At the rear is a one-piece cross-car light bar running the width of the vehicle, and an eye-catching indirect reflective body panel taillight, which projects onto a custom reflective applique with the Tesla wordmark.

While it might not be immediately visible or obvious in a styling sense, Tesla also claims there are numerous enhancements to the vehicle body and underbody, designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency.

These changes, along with drivetrain enhancements deliver an extra 11km (WLTP) of range on this variant, and 18km extra on the Long-Range AWD variant.

<h2id="inside">What is the Tesla Model Y RWD like inside?

Tesla started out as an automotive industry disruptor and its efforts to upend the status quo don’t end with its unusual styling or innovative battery electric drivetrain.

Perhaps more than any other car maker in recent history, the Silicon Valley startup set out to reimagine what a modern automotive interior should look like, resulting in a famously spartan interior design.

You’ll search long and hard to find a conventional button of switch in the Model Y interior, with most functions located in the 15.4-inch central touchscreen. It’s the same size screen as before and dominates the dash, lending the interior a decidedly futuristic look.

The screen and associated systems work well and are largely intuitive, but with so much functionality embedded, it does take some time to get familiar with it. One thing you won’t find is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Tesla preferring to maintain control over its software ecosystem, using the in-house developed Tesla OS.

Despite this, there’s no shortage of entertainment options with streaming services like Netflix and YouTube available as standard and accessed through the Tesla Theatre. There are also various in-car arcade games to keep you entertained while recharging, and you can stream music from apps like Spotify and YouTube Music.

Speaking of music, Tesla has long prided itself on the quality of its audio system and the nine-speaker unit in the Model Y is a beauty, with crisp, clear sound and plenty of punch.

Meanwhile, back with the touchscreen which houses everything from navigation, to heating and ventilation, wipers, headlights, side mirror adjustment and even gear selection. That’s right, even gear selection is achieved via a swipe of the touchscreen.

Go deep enough into the screen menu and you’ll also find controls for the new interior ambient lighting system which apparently boasts up to one million different colour combinations.

Among the few controls not housed in the touchscreen are a conventional indicator wand on the left-hand side of the steering wheel, electric seat adjustment down by the sides of the front seats, and two small multifunction dials on the steering wheel which control different functions, including mirror adjustment.

In addition to the remarkable lack of switchgear, the Model Y is also notable for the lack of trims and applique’s that usually bring some bling and eye-candy to an interior.

That was also the case with the old Model Y, but what has changed with the new model is the addition of what Tesla describes as more “refined materials” including soft-touch textiles, designed to give the interior a more upmarket feel.

The redesigned front seats are now heated and ventilated, and there’s now a power recline and flat-folding function for the rear seats.

The latter makes it easier to fold the seats when loading into the generous luggage bay, with its hands-free electrically-operated hatch automatically unlocking on approach.

There’s also a new magnetic loadspace cover to keep prying eyes away from what’s in the boot, which can be removed and stowed in the cargo area when not in use.

Rear-seat passengers are treated to the same generously roomy accommodation as before but the redesigned seats now feature a power recline function and seat heating.

There’s also a new 8.0-inch infotainment screen located in the base of the centre console that supports up to two Bluetooth headsets with access to games, YouTube and Netflix.

There’s good oddments storage front and rear, including sizeable door bins, a deep storage bin separating the front seats, a fold down armrest in the centre rear seats, USB-C ports front and rear, and wireless charging for two phones up front.

Now, as before, the Model Y features a panoramic glass roof which does wonders for creating a sense of light and spaciousness in the interior, but may make some Queenslanders understandably nervous about the potential for excessive heat.

Tesla says it has addressed that concern by adding a silver-coated layer that reflects seven times more solar energy than its predecessor, resulting in a cooler cabin and lower energy consumption.

Search and compare new cars

Is the Tesla Model Y RWD good to drive?

One of the first things owners need to do before driving a Tesla is to download the impressively quick and capable Tesla app, which once configured with the car makes your phone your virtual car key.

With this update Tesla has also adopted Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology that provides more precise location tracking than traditional Bluetooth, improving phone service and features like automatic driver profile selection, which is designed to reset the vehicle (seats, mirrors etc.) to your specifications when you access the vehicle.

With the app connected and your phone on your person, the car will lock, unlock and start without the need for any kind of physical key. That’s super convenient but also a little disconcerting for someone used to a more traditional key fob, prompting some nervous glances when you walk away, to make sure the car has locked itself.

For those who’d prefer to avoid the app route, or when loaning the car to another driver without the app permissions, the fallback is a credit-card-like key card which you tap against a sensor on the B-Pillar to lock and unlock, then place on the centre console to ‘start’ the vehicle.

Once seated inside you immediately notice the lack of traditional switchgear, and unique layout, which includes a complete absence of gauges in front of the driver. It’s all housed in the central touchscreen, including vehicle speed which you soon learn is there in your peripheral vision, at the top right of the screen.

There’s also no longer a gear-lever, as there was on the old model, with the steering-column stalk replaced by an icon in the touchscreen. It seems odd at first to select gears this way (swipe your finger down for Reverse, swipe up for Drive, tap for Park) but it’s easy to use and intuitive after a while.

The next thing to notice is how quiet the Model Y is. That’s due in large part to the inherent shush of its electric drivetrain, but the quietness is enhanced by the addition of specially engineered acoustic glass, which Tesla claims contributes to a 20 percent reduction in wind noise.

Once you get going Tesla’s suspension improvements are also soon evident, with the ride now less Euro-firm and niggly than it once was. The ride’s abruptly sharp edges have been smoothed out, with Tesla pointing to its adoption of new suspension components front and rear aimed at improving ride refinement and comfort.

Rough road ride quality was a particular focus for the suspension upgrades, with the suspension now doing what it should; namely, working quietly in the background, rather than being a fidgety, annoying and noisy presence. This is especially noticeable on patchy urban streets, with the new model doing a much nicer job of smoothing out blemishes than its predecessor.

It’s not just the ride that has improved, either, with the reduction in cabin noise also significant. Tesla claims the overhaul has contributed to a circa 20% reduction in road noise, bump impact noise and wind noise, all of which makes the cabin a nicer place to be.

Also, part of the upgrade is a fresh 19-inch alloy wheel design, with optional 20-inch upgrade, which Tesla says are among the most efficient designs it has created, contributing to the Model Y’s aerodynamic and range improvements. The wheels are clad with a new generation of low rolling-resistance tyres, which also aid vehicle efficiency, handling and road noise.

When it comes to performance, the new Model Y is no slouch, covering the 0-100km/h dash in a rapid 5.9 seconds, which is a full second faster than its MY24 predecessor but 1.1 seconds slower than its dual motor all-wheel stablemate.

More importantly, the Tesla delivers its performance in a smooth, linear fashion so that it feels effortless in general driving, when accelerating or overtaking.

This RWD variant is by no means the quickest EV in the Tesla stable, let alone on the roads more generally, but it offers the sort of acceleration that will still shock drivers of most combustion powered cars.

The new model’s estimated range is also 11km better than the old at 466km (WLTP), although top speed has been wound back from 217km/h to 201km/h. Buyers wanting more range and performance (but no more top speed) can step up to the Long-Range AWD which now achieves 551km versus the old model’s 533km.

Another new addition is adoption of a regenerative braking mode allows the driver to select the more natural feeling ‘low’ mode which decelerate less assertively than the standard setting when you lift off the accelerator. This makes driving notably smoother, particularly in stop-start conditions.

Steering feel or finesse has never been a Tesla strong point in the way it is for Porsche or BMW, and that remains true of this model.

Turn the tiller and the Model Y goes unerringly where you want it to but there’s an artificial feel to the steering that means the driver never feels especially connected to the car dynamically. But what has improved significantly with this update is the previously overly quick and darty feel of the steering has been dialled back, so that it now reacts more progressively.

In lieu of a back-to-back comparison drive with the old model we can’t say definitively that this new model handles noticeably better dynamically, but can say that the Model Y gets around corners very capably, with minimal body roll, high levels of grip and a well-planted feel that inspires confidence.

Push a little too hard and the traction and stability systems get involved, suggesting Tesla has tuned the car more for general touring than out and out cornering prowess.

What safety features does a Tesla Model Y RWD have?

The New Model Y carries over the previous model’s excellent five-star ANCAP safety rating earned in 2022. Among its impressive array of standard safety kit are dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags.

A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.

Other notable standard safety inclusions which form Tesla’s Autopilot HW4.0 active safety functions are, autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction Assist and Backover), a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), plus an advanced speed assistance system (SAS).

Tesla’s ADAS systems are quite well integrated and avoid the worst excesses of some such systems we’ve encountered. There are still plenty of alerts and beeps at various stages during a drive but it’s not the cacophony of distraction inflicted on drivers by the more poorly calibrated systems out there.

Additional features unique to the MY25 upgrade include a new front blind-spot camera which has been added to the lower section of the front bumper to allow drivers a better frontal view from inside the vehicle when parking or performing low-speed manoeuvres.

The new centrally mounted front-camera also features self-cleaning to enable enhanced visibility of surroundings, while the adaptive pixel-by-pixel headlights offer automatic high-beam control, brightening or dimming the LEDs selectively to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic while maintaining high beam in other areas.

How does the Tesla Model Y RWD compare?

As the benchmark electric SUV for some years now the Telsa Model Y is closely targeted by a fleet of rivals, including the BYD Sealion 7 which recently overtook Tesla in the EV sales race.

Other noteworthy rivals include the Deepal S07, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Geely EX5, Kia EV5, and Xpeng G6.

Of these, the BYD Sealion 7 is undoubtedly the SUV giving Tesla executives the most sleepless nights, thanks to its highly competitive pricing and good overall performance.

Like the Model Y, the Sealion 7 comes in a simple two-variant range comprising rear-wheel drive Premium ($54,990) and all-wheel drive Performance ($63,990). That prices the BYD Premium a meaningful but not deal-breaking $4000 below the Tesla Model Y RWD.

Both BYD variants get an identical 82.56kW battery which delivers a driving range of 482km (WLTP) in the Premium, and competitive 0-100km/h acceleration of 6.7 seconds. This compares with the

Model Y RWD’s 62.5 kWh battery, 466km (WLTP) range, and brisker 5.9-second acceleration.

Should I buy a Tesla Model Y RWD?

In the space of five short years Tesla has gone from being the hunter to being hunted.

Competition in the battery-electric medium SUV space has never been fiercer, and there are more rivals waiting in the wings to have a shot.

Given this, and a slowing sales trajectory globally (not all of which has to do with the quality of the vehicle), Tesla really needed to do something to keep the Model Y looking and feeling fresh.

It’s fair to say that these updates stop short of being the sort of comprehensive overhaul some manufacturers introduce with a mid-life update, but in combination they represent a meaningful advance on the old model.

The new Model Y is an impressively well-resolved vehicle that combines cutting edge technology, good range and performance, and reasonable pricing, in a practical and roomy package that will suit many Australian buyers, including families.

It isn’t all sweetness and light, however, and for buyers living outside built-up area such as South East Queensland, it’s worth noting that the Model Y does not have any kind of spare wheel or inflator kit. Instead, as part of its ownership package Tesla offers a 24/7 puncture repair service via its network of Tesla roadside assistance partner.

In this scenario, a technician will come to your location and perform a puncture repair on the spot. It a tyre replacement is necessary the mobile technician can facilitate a tyre replacement, or provide a “Tesla loaner wheel,” taking the damaged tyre to the nearest Tesla Service Centre for it to be assessed.

Tesla also trails the industry’s best when it comes to new vehicle warranty.

The standard vehicle warranty is a less-than-overwhelming four years or 80,000km, whichever comes first. By way of contrast, MG offers a 10-year/250,000km warranty for both its electric and petrol models, Nissan offers a 10-year/300,000km warranty, provided you service at a Nissan dealership, and Mitsubishi offers a 10-year/200,000km warranty, with the longer warranty also dependant on servicing at an authorised dealership.

As with most EVs, the Model Y’s battery and drive unit (motor) is covered by a separate and more competitive warranty of eight years or 160,000 km, which matches that of key rival BYD, but trails MG.

While the Model Y’s warranty isn’t amazing, Tesla counters with its industry-leading Supercharger network, which currently extends to more than 110 locations in Australia with 661 plugs.

Perhaps more importantly, given the frequent public experience and frustrations of charger downtime at other networks, Tesla claims an average uptime of 99.5% for its chargers which offer charging speeds ranging from 120kW to 250kW.