2026 Tesla Model Y Performance Review

The 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance, representing the "Juniper" update to the world's best-selling car, is a confusing beast. 

On one hand, it is significantly more powerful than the already-rapid Long Range All-Wheel Drive, borrowing the upgraded rear motor from the new Model 3 Performance to deliver a staggering 461kW of power. 

It promises a 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.5 seconds, effectively offering Lamborghini acceleration in a family SUV.

On the other hand, the EV landscape has shifted dramatically. With challengers like the Zeekr 7X and BYD Sealion 7 offering near-comparable performance for significantly less money, the Model Y Performance has a massive target on its back. 

In this review, we are going to see if the German-built "Juniper" Performance has enough sauce to justify its nearly $90k price tag, or if you are better off saving your cash and going for the Long Range.

How much does the Tesla Model Y cost?

The Model Y range has seen price adjustments to combat the influx of Chinese competition, but the Performance variant remains a premium proposition. While the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive opens the door at under $60k, the step up to the Performance is a significant financial leap.

2026 Tesla Model Y Pricing:

• Model Y RWD - $58,900
• Model Y Long Range AWD - $68,900
• Model Y Performance AWD - $89,400

Note: Prices exclude on-road costs.

The value equation here is tricky. At $89,400, the Model Y Performance is nearly $20,500 more expensive than the Long Range AWD. For that money, you are paying for speed, aesthetics, and German build origin (Gigafactory Berlin), whereas the cheaper variants are typically sourced from Shanghai.

When compared to rivals, the Tesla looks expensive. The Zeekr 7X Performance AWD offers 475kW of power, Nappa leather upholstery, and air suspension for just $72,900 - over $16,000 less. The BYD Sealion 7 Performance is even cheaper at roughly $63,990, though it is slower (4.5s to 100km/h).

To justify the premium, Tesla needs to deliver a driving experience that these newcomers simply cannot match.

Not Supercar Looks

To be honest, if you were expecting a radical departure from the ubiquitous Tesla silhouette, you might be disappointed. 

However, the "Juniper" update brings some welcome modernisation. The front end is dominated by a massive, Cybertruck-inspired light bar that spans the width of the car, sitting above a re-sculpted, sloping bonnet that features absolutely no badging. 

Tesla has decided their design language is recognisable enough to forgo the badge entirely, a bold move that actually cleans up the nose significantly.

The Performance variant distinguishes itself with subtle but effective aggression. It sits on 21-inch "Arachnid" forged alloy wheels, which look fantastic and are wrapped in staggered Pirelli P Zero rubber, 275mm wide at the rear to help put that 461kW to the ground.

Functional changes include redesigned air curtains and a carbon rear spoiler to streamline airflow, though the larger wheels and drag do result in a slight range penalty compared to the Long Range.

The rear is arguably the best angle of the new model. The diffuse light bar design casts a red glow onto the 'TESLA' lettering, creating a unique signature at night. 

A revised lower diffuser and "Performance" badge - styled to look like it is engaging warp drive - are the only other differentiating features for the Performance.

Overall, you’d have to know what to look for in order to easily differentiate this top-of-the-line Model Y from the rest of the pack - but that makes it even easier to shock people when you take off at the lights.

Minimalism or Laziness?

Stepping inside, the cabin feels instantly familiar to anyone who has spent time in a modern Tesla, but with a palpable step up in build quality. This Berlin-built unit feels rock-solid; the "thunk" test of the door is reassuringly heavy, and the panel gaps are precise - a far cry from the Tesla build-quality jokes of five years ago.

The Performance model gets a few specific upgrades to justify its price tag. You will find carbon fibre trim on the dash and door panels, replacing the wood or fabric of lesser trims, along with sportier bucket seats. These seats are wrapped in soft faux leather and provide excellent bolstering without being uncomfortable for daily driving. They are also heated and cooled, a necessary feature in the Australian climate.

The driver interface remains controversial. The steering wheel is the new-generation design, meaning the stalks are gone. Indicators are buttons on the wheel, and gear selection is done via the touchscreen. While the 16-inch display is undeniably the best in the business - crisp, responsive, and packed with features - the reliance on it for basic functions like adjusting mirrors or aiming air vents borders on ergonomic stubbornness. It is high-tech, yes, but it forces you to take your eyes off the road for tasks that should be tactile.

A major oversight for the Australian market remains the panoramic glass roof. While it creates an airy, spacious feeling, it lacks an electric sunblind. Despite the UV coating, on a 30-degree day, the glass radiates heat onto your head, forcing the air conditioning to work overtime and sapping range.

However, credit where it's due: the sound system is phenomenal. The 13-speaker premium audio system is one of the best factory units I’ve ever tested, period. The clarity is superb, the bass is punchy without being muddy, and it genuinely rivals high-end systems that I have tested from premium and luxury brands. If you love your music, this cabin is a brilliant place to be.

Business Class for your Kids

The rear of the Model Y remains one of the best in the segment for passenger comfort. Legroom is generous, allowing tall adults to stretch out, and the flat floor means the middle seat is genuinely usable. Headroom is excellent, even with the sloping roofline, and the seating angle is superior to many rivals.

Take the BYD Sealion 7, for example. In that car, the floor is quite high relative to the seat and it forces you into an awkward seating position with minimal under thigh support. In the Model Y, the ergonomics are much better; you can slide your feet deep under the front seats, and your legs rest at a natural angle.

The highlight for rear passengers is the 8-inch touchscreen mounted at the back of the centre console. This allows passengers to control their own climate (including heated outboard seats), adjust seats, play games, and stream Netflix or YouTube. It transforms the back seat from a simple bench into an entertainment zone, which is a huge plus for families. The quality of materials in high-touch zones also mirrors the front seats.

Furthermore, Tesla has added electronic convenience to the folding mechanism. You can now fold the rear seats flat electronically, quickly expanding your cargo space without wrestling with latches. It is a small detail, but it makes the car feel significantly more premium than the competition.

IKEA Champ

This is where the Model Y absolutely destroys the competition. Despite the performance focus, you lose zero practicality. The boot offers a cavernous 854 Litres of space with the rear seats up - significantly more than the XPeng G6 (571L), Zeekr 7X (539L), or the BYD Sealion 7 (500L). Under the boot floor, there is a deep storage well, perfect for charging cables or muddy gear.

Fold the rear seats flat via the electronic release buttons in the boot, and that space expands to over 2,100 Litres. You could almost call this a cargo van in disguise.

Up front, the "frunk" (front trunk) provides an additional 117 litres of storage, which is larger than almost any competitor's offering. If you need to haul family gear, IKEA flat packs, and still do 0-100 in under 4 seconds, there is simply no better vehicle on the market.

Stomach-twisting Sauce

The heart of this beast is the upgraded dual electric motors. By grafting the rear motor from the new Model 3 Performance into the Model Y, Tesla has unlocked a combined output of 461kW and 741Nm of torque.

We tested the 0-100km/h claim using the "Insane" acceleration mode (yes, that is what it is actually called). While Tesla claims 3.5 seconds with a rollout, our real-world testing from a standstill yielded a blistering 3.85 seconds. The launch is violent, pinning you into the seat with an intensity that physically hurts. It is a party trick that never really gets old for your passengers, even if the driver might eventually crave the engagement of a proper sports car rather than just straight-line performance.

Insane Mode, for Longer

The Model Y Performance utilises the same ~77kWh (usable) NMC battery pack as the Long Range. However, due to the sticky 21-inch tyres and the aerodynamic drag from the spoiler - not to mention the increased motor outputs - the WLTP-rated range drops to 580km (down from ~600km in the Long Range).

During our testing, which included some spirited driving through undulating terrain, we saw an energy consumption average of roughly 17.0 kWh/100km. This is remarkably efficient for a car with this much power - many competitors struggle to get below 20kWh/100km under similar loads. This kind of consumption should mean you can expect to see about 450km of range in the real world, while driving with complete disregard for power usage.

When it comes to charging, Tesla is still king. The car peaks at 250kW DC fast charging, allowing for a 10-80% top-up in about 20-25 minutes. While the Zeekr 7X offers faster peak charging speeds of up to 450kW, due to its 800V architecture, the real advantage of the Tesla is the Supercharger network, which remains one of the most reliable and frictionless charging experiences in Australia.

Corners Like It’s (Mostly) On Rails

The "Juniper" update has brought a massive mechanical improvement: Adaptive Suspension.

Previous iterations were notorious for their stiff, crashy ride that would send shudders through the cabin over minor imperfections.

The new system allows you to toggle between 'Standard' and 'Sport' damping. In 'Standard', the car is surprisingly compliant, absorbing "ball-buster" speed humps and road craters with a sophistication the old model could only dream of. Switch to 'Sport', and the dampers stiffen up considerably, keeping the heavy body flat through corners.

The car feels like it is on rails, carrying frightening amounts of speed through bends thanks to the wider rear tyres and low centre of gravity.

The acceleration is so immediate that it genuinely wakes you up faster than a double shot of espresso. It puts your stomach in your throat every single time.

However, there is a caveat to this performance. While the speed is incredible, after the tenth launch, the novelty begins to wear off. It lacks the communicative "soul" of a dedicated driver's car like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Where that car's chassis feels rewarding to take through corners, this car feels like being fired out of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, fun - sure - but you don't have to work for it.

We also extensively tested the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, which is finally active in Australia. It handled highway driving and basic lane keeping with eerie competence, but urban environments proved tricky. During our drive, it failed to recognise a right-turn lane at a major intersection, dangerously attempting to turn from the middle lane until I manually intervened. Later, it attempted a U-turn in an inappropriate spot, resulting in an awkward Austin Powers-style 5-point turn while traffic waited. It is impressive technology, but as the name suggests, it clearly requires constant supervision and isn't quite ready to take the wheel completely.

Welcome our Robot Overlords

The Tesla Model Y recently achieved a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (2025), performing well across all four key assessment areas.

The breakdown of the ANCAP scores is:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 91%
• Child Occupant Protection: 95%
• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 86%
• Safety Assist: 92%

Standard safety equipment across the range includes:

• Seven airbags (including a front-centre airbag)
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) - Forward & Reverse
• Vulnerable Road User Detection (Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist)
• Blind Spot Collision Warning & Avoidance
• Lane Departure Avoidance & Lane Keep Assist
• Junction Assist
• Intelligent Speed Limiter & Traffic Sign Recognition
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors
• 8 Exterior Cameras (Surround View & Reversing Camera)

How much does the Tesla Model Y cost to run?

Tesla operates a condition-based service model, meaning there are no fixed intervals or capped-price servicing schedules like you get with most manufacturers. You service the car when the car tells you it needs it (usually checking brake fluid and cabin filters every 2 years). This generally leads to very low running costs.

The vehicle is covered by a 4-year/80,000km warranty, with the battery and drive unit covered for 8 years/160,000km. This is slightly shorter than the the 6-year, 150,000km warranty from BYD, or the 5 year, unlimited kilometre warranty from Zeekr, which is something to consider if you plan on putting a fair few k's on your Model Y.

What do you get with the Tesla Model Y?

Model Y RWD ($58,900) Standard Features:

• 19-inch ‘Crossflow’ alloy wheels
• 15.4-inch central touchscreen
• 8.0-inch rear passenger touchscreen
• 9-speaker audio system (1 subwoofer)
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Power reclining rear seats with electronic folding
• Acoustic glass with UV protection (including panoramic roof)
• Ambient interior lighting (Footwell & Door pocket)
• Power tailgate (hands-free open on approach)
• Wireless smartphone charging (dual)
• Auto-dimming, power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Dog Mode, Camp Mode, and Sentry Mode

Model Y Long Range AWD ($68,900) adds:

• Larger Battery (approx. 600km WLTP range)
• Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive powertrain
• Premium Audio System: 15 Speakers + 1 Subwoofer
• Wrap-around ambient lighting
• Acceleration boost (4.8s 0-100km/h)

Model Y Performance AWD ($89,400) adds:

• High-Performance Dual Motor powertrain (3.5s 0-100km/h)
• 21-inch ‘Arachnid 2.0’ forged alloy wheels
• Adaptive Suspension with electronic continuous damping
• Performance Brakes with red calipers
• Carbon fibre interior decor
• Front Sports Seats with increased bolstering
• 16-inch ultra high-definition touchscreen (exclusive to Performance)
• Carbon fibre rear spoiler
• Aluminium alloy pedals
• Track Mode V2
• Top speed increased to 250km/h

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance "Juniper" is a formidable, almost contradictory machine. It has successfully ironed out the ride quality issues of its predecessor while adding even more firepower, transforming it into a genuinely comfortable daily driver that can double as a drag strip hero. The engineering prowess here is undeniable; achieving 0-100km/h in under 4 seconds in a car that can swallow an entire IKEA bedroom suite is a feat that few other manufacturers can match.

However, the value proposition is its Achilles' heel. At nearly $90,000, you are paying a massive $20,500 premium over the Long Range AWD for essentially one second of acceleration, some carbon fibre trim, and bigger wheels. When you consider that the Long Range already offers 90% of the real-world performance, better range, and the same excellent tech package, the math gets hard to justify.

Furthermore, the competition has caught up. The Zeekr 7X and BYD Sealion 7 are offering similar performance and arguably more luxurious interiors for significantly less money. The Model Y Performance is no longer the default choice in a vacuum; it is now fighting a war on two fronts - against its own stablemate and a wave of hungry rivals.

If you absolutely must have the fastest mid-size SUV at the traffic lights, or if the Berlin-built quality is non-negotiable for you, this is the car to buy. It is a technological marvel. But for the vast majority of buyers, the smart money - and the better car - is the Long Range AWD.