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Tesla MODEL Y

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Tesla Model Y Review, Colours, For Sale & News in Australia

The Tesla Model Y mid-size SUV is arguably the vehicle that took Tesla into the mainstream, and that’s saying something given the preceding success of its sibling, the Model 3 mid-size sedan.

A bonafide sales success both locally and globally, the Model Y capitalises on the crossover craze with an electric vehicle (EV) that’s got its tyres firmly planted in the future. Offering long driving range, prodigious performance and genuine practicality, it’s already a common sight on roads.

The line-up currently starts at $65,400 for the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive and ranges through to $92,020 for the range-topping Model Y Performance.

Tesla MODEL Y Price and Specs

The price range for the Tesla MODEL Y varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $65,400 and going to $92,020 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2024 SUV —, Electric, 1 SP AUTO $65,400 $92,020
2023 SUV —, Electric, 1 SP AUTO $61,600 $99,660
2022 SUV —, Electric, 1 SP AUTO $68,090 $104,720
See All Tesla MODEL Y Pricing and Specs

Tesla MODEL Y Interior

The Tesla Model Y sports the brand's signature minimalist interior treatment, with an improved cabin space over the smaller Model 3 sedan on which it is based. Like the Model 3, the Model Y lacks a traditional instrument cluster, relying instead entirely on its 15-inch centre tablet screen. The Model Y is available with the choice of either a black or white interior theme.

Tesla MODEL Y Interior

Tesla MODEL Y Dimensions

The dimensions of the Tesla MODEL Y SUV vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2024 SUV 1624x1978x4750 mm 167 mm
2023 SUV 1624x1978x4750 mm 167 mm
2022 SUV 1624x1978x4750 mm 167 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Tesla MODEL Y Dimensions

Tesla MODEL Y Seats

The Tesla Model Y had a five-seat layout when it originally arrived in Australia, although a seven-seat layout is available overseas.

Tesla MODEL Y Seats

Tesla MODEL Y Colours

There are five colour choices in the Model Y range, the standard white colour, or an optional black, grey, blue or red, all of which carry an additional $1500 charge, except red which costs $2400.

  • Pearl White Multi-Coat
  • Solid Black
  • Midnight Silver Metallic
  • Deep Blue Metallic
  • Red Multi-Coat
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website.

Tesla MODEL Y Towing Capacity

The Tesla MODEL Y has maximum towing capacity of 1600kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2024 SUV 1600kg 1600kg
2023 SUV 1600kg 1600kg
2022 SUV 1600kg 1600kg
See All Towing Capacity for Tesla MODEL Y

Tesla MODEL Y Boot Space

The Model Y has an 854-litre boot space with the second row up, which is large for its segment. It also features an under-floor storage area, and a 117-litre frunk.

Tesla MODEL Y Boot space

Tesla MODEL Y Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Tesla MODEL Y here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • How do Tesla cars work?

    It’s a popular barbecue or front bar topic of discussion: How do Tesla cars work? Fundamentally it’s pretty simple; they work like any other car, but they use an electric motor in place of an internal combustion engine. And instead of filling them with petrol, you recharge the batteries with electricity. There are other differences, too, but that’s the simplest definition of what is a Tesla, and the one that allows it to operate on fully renewable energy on some cases.

    Tesla is a company founded by Elon Musk, the same guy that invented PayPal. So the company has plenty of money behind it. As well as cars, Tesla makes home storage batteries (for storing rooftop solar power) and is investing in all sorts of renewable technology and electrical components.

    Over time, the Tesla cars product has evolved from a small sports car converted to electric, to clean-sheet designs for modern electric cars, SUV, pick-ups and even a semi-trailer than runs on electricity. But which ever Tesla you’re talking about, they all use a common philosophy.

    That starts with a battery. In the case of Tesla’s current designs, that’s the latest lithium-ion battery tech. Connected to that is either a single electric motor or a pair of motors that power either the rear wheels or all four wheels respectively. Just like a slot car, you feed power to the electric motor and the car moves. Of course, a slot car doesn’t carry a battery, it picks up its power form the track it runs on, but even that could be a thing of the future for electric cars which might be able to wirelessly collect power through the road surface. It’s not as far off as you might think.

    Other differences between a Tesla (and any other mainstream electric car) and a conventional car as we know it include bakes that recoup energy as the car slows (which is used to recharge the battery on the run) and the electrification of every system that is handled mechanically by a conventional car (brake boosting, power steering, heating etc).

    Another major difference is that the Tesla drivetrain doesn’t feature multiple gears in its transmission. Because the electric motor offers maximum torque from standstill, the Tesla only needs one gear to achieve lots of acceleration and ample top speed.

    The electric motor these days is a pretty neat piece of gear and is virtually maintenance free. It also has the potential to last a lot longer than an internal combustion engine. The batteries are also much better these days and as well as being vastly more energy-rich (their output per kg) they charge more quickly and battery life can easily be half a million kilometres. Some car-makers now offer a ten-year warranty on battery-packs. Tesla in Australia offers up to eight years battery warranty (depending on the model) but, crucially, up to 240,000km of cover guaranteeing that the battery will retain at least 70 per cent of its original capacity at that point.

    Perhaps Tesla’s biggest claim to fame is that it took electric cars from golf carts to a product that was sexy and in demand. The company was way ahead of the curve in this regard, but now it seems the rest of the world is catching up, and the Tesla car has more serious competition now than it ever did.

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  • Where is Tesla made?

    While the city of Detroit, Michigan is the cradle of the North American car industry, electric-car maker Tesla has always marched to the beat of its own drum. So even though it’s a US based entity, Tesla’s worldwide view and its inherent mould-breaking attitude means that its factories are in some interesting locations. But how many are there and in which countries?

    Tesla currently has three giant plants across the USA, as well as a plant in China. Some of these plants make the Tesla cars we’re familiar with, while others are responsible for battery and solar technology production. Tesla is also building a fourth North American plant as well as a European gigafactory in Germany, while rumours of a second Chinese plant are also doing the rounds.

    Given that Tesla cars are the brand’s most visible, recognisable products, the question usually revolves around where are Tesla cars made? In that case, the answer is the firm’s original gigafactory in Fremont (near San Francisco in California) which builds the Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y as well as components for other Tesla products. The original gigafactory in Fremont is a huge facility (as are all Tesla factories) employing something like 10,000 people. It was once the site of a General Motors manufacturing plant and then a Toyota/GM joint production facility.

    The Shanghai plant in China, meanwhile, is the other half of the answer to 'where are Tesla cars built'. That plant produces whole cars, including the Model 3 and Model Y and is slated to produce the forthcoming Telsa Pick-Up which has been pushed back to 2022 at the earliest.

    Tesla’s plant in Sparks, Nevada (Near Reno) is largely a battery factory with production of batteries for Tesla cars as well as its Powerwall home-storage battery. The Sparks plant is also a motors factory, producing the electric motors that power Tesla vehicles. The Tesla Semi (delayed but due soon) is also expected to be built at the Nevada plant.

    Another Gigafactory is located in New York state, in the city of Buffalo. This concentrates on assembly of solar cells and modules as well as the superchargers that allow Tesla vehicles to be charged quickly in the field.

    The factory under construction in the USA now is located at Austin, Texas and will be used to built the Model 3, Model Y and the Pick-Up. The new factory in Berlin, meanwhile, is very close to completion and will initially be used to build the Model Y.

    Tesla has always been a brand surrounded by rumours, and these days, these seem to involve a second Chinese plant. The company has also established an Indian business unit, suggesting that a gigafactory on the sub-continent might also emerge.

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See All Tesla MODEL Y Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Tesla MODEL Y Accessories

Standard stuff on the Model Y range includes 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a fixed panoramic roof, synthetic leather interior trim, electrical adjust for the driver and front passenger, heated seats all-round, a heated steering wheel, a central 15-inch multimedia screen with built-in navigation, always online services and Bluetooth connectivity, dual wireless phone charging bays, a power tailgate, surround view cameras, and a comprehensive safety suite.

Tesla MODEL Y Accessories

Tesla MODEL Y Speed

The Model Y can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds in the standard rear-wheel drive trim, or 3.7 seconds for the Performance.

Tesla MODEL Y Engine

The Model Y can be chosen in rear motor or dual-motor forms, with power outputs said to eclipse 330kW in dual-motor form.

Tesla MODEL Y Wheel Size

The Tesla MODEL Y has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 255x45 R19 1 for SUV in 2024.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2024 SUV 255x45 R19 1 255x45 R19 1
2023 SUV 255x45 R19 1 255x45 R19 1
2022 SUV 255x45 R19 1 255x45 R19 1
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Tesla MODEL Y Wheel Sizes

Tesla MODEL Y Fuel Consumption

The Tesla MODEL Y is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Electric fuel type(s).

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2024 SUV Electric 1 SP AUTO
2023 SUV Electric 1 SP AUTO
2022 SUV Electric 1 SP AUTO
* Combined fuel consumption See All Tesla MODEL Y Pricing and Specs for 2024

Tesla MODEL Y Range

The Model Y can travel 455km in standard rear-wheel drive form, according to the combined WLTP testing procedure. The top-spec Performance can travel further, at 514km.