Tesla Model Y 2026: Which is best? Rear-Wheel Drive, Long Range, or Performance?

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Which Tesla Model Y offers the longest range? Which grade includes the best features? Which is the quickest model? And which Model Y delivers the best value for money?

This Chasing Cars guide provides those answers — and more — for what is one of the world’s biggest-selling EVs … and was Australia’s most popular electric vehicle in 2024.

The Tesla Model Y made its debut in 2022, three years after the related Model 3 sedan, and was given a major update and facelift in May 2025.

A blend of factors can be equated to the Tesla Model Y’s success since its 2022 debut. It offers strong value for money (particularly the entry and mid-spec models), industry benchmark battery efficiency complemented by the Tesla Supercharger network, and a generally a well rounded driving experience.

A longer, six-seat version of the Model Y has entered production in China and is currently under consideration for Australia. Read our coverage of the six-seated Model Y here.

Here is Chasing Cars comprehensive guide on the 2026 Tesla Model Y, which outlines standard features, pricing, differences between grades, and includes Chasing Cars reviews where available.

Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive

Priced from $58,900 (before on-road costs)

The base Model Y is exclusively rear-wheel drive, and powered by a single rear electric motor and 60.0kWh (usable) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. It produces 255kW/450Nm, can sprint from 0-100km/hr in 5.9 seconds, and has a 466km WLTP range.

Peak AC charging caps at 11kW, taking about 6 hours and 30 minutes for a full-from-empty charge. Built on 400V architecture, rapid DC charging takes 24 minutes from 10-80 percent, peaking at 175kW.

Tesla’s Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive offers the best value in the ‘Y’ range. It is fiercely priced, offering a solid driving range and high level of standard equipment. Built with an LFP battery, the Model Y RWD is also suited to frequent battery charges up to 100-percent, whereas NMC prefers an 80-percent charge.

Key standard equipment on the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive includes:

• 19-inch ‘Crossflow’ alloy wheels
• Black exterior trim and alloy wheel covers
• Pixel matrix LED headlights with light bar
• LED tail-lights with reflective body panel light bar
• Silver layer heat and UV protected, acoustic laminated fixed glass panoramic roof
• Smartphone or keycard-based keyless access and start
• Black textile and artificial leather-look interior
• 12-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats (redesigned shape)
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Heated leather steering wheel
• 15.4-inch central touchscreen
• 8.0-inch rear passenger touchscreen
• Nine-speaker stereo
• Twin wireless device chargers
• Dual-zone cabin climate control 
• Smartphone app with remote unlocking, climate and other functions
• Over-the-air software updates
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Front, side and rear parking cameras

Options for the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive include:

• “Full Self-Driving Capability” ($10,100)
• Enhanced Autopilot ($5100)
• 20-inch ‘Helix 2.0’ wheels ($2400)
• White interior ($1500)
• Glacier Blue or Diamond Black paint ($1500)
• Steal Grey paint ($1900)
• Premium Ultra Red or Quicksilver paint ($2600)
• Home AC charger ($800 not including install)
• Portable standard AC charger ($500)

Read our Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive Review here.

Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive

Priced from $68,990 (before on-road costs)

The middle-spec Model Y Long Range is exclusively all-wheel drive, featuring two electric motors (front and rear axle), and a 75.0kWh (usable) nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery. It produces 378kW/493Nm, can sprint from 0-100km/hr in 4.8 seconds, and claims a driving range of 600km WLTP. 

Peak AC charging caps at 11kW, taking around 8 hours and 15 minutes for a full-from-empty charge. Built on 400V architecture, rapid DC charging takes 27 minutes from 10-80 percent, peaking at 250 kW, but averaging 124kW. 

Unsurprisingly, the Tesla Model Y Long Range offers the greatest driving range across the ‘Y’ range.

With this 600km WLTP combined with strong performance and its bigger audio system, the Long Range (on standard 19-inch wheels) is Chasing Cars’ current top pick of the two Model Y grades currently available.

Stepping up to the Model Y Long Range adds or replaces the following key features:

• 16-speaker stereo (15 speakers, one subwoofer)

Options for the Model Y Long Range include:

• “Full Self-Driving Capability” ($10,100)
• Enhanced Autopilot ($5100)
• 20-inch ‘Helix 2.0’ wheels ($2400)
• White interior ($1500)
• Glacier Blue or Diamond Black paint ($1500)
• Steal Grey paint ($1900)
• Premium Ultra Red or Quicksilver paint ($2600)
• Home AC charger ($800 not including install)
• Portable standard AC charger ($500)

Read our Tesla Model Y Long Range Review here.

Tesla Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive

Priced from $89,400 (before on-road costs)

The range-topping Model Y Performance was the last variant to be released as part of the updated line-up, though doesn’t reach Aussie showrooms until December. 

The Performance is exclusively all-wheel drive, featuring two electric motors (front and rear axle), and a “more energy dense” nickel manganese cobalt battery, which is either 75kWh or 79kWh (usable) in size. (Tesla has consistently been shy about sharing some technical details regarding its vehicles.)

The Performance is the fastest Model Y variant currently available. It can sprint from 0-100km/hr in 3.5 seconds, and carries a 580km WLTP battery range. Power outputs are not yet confirmed locally, but are quoted at 461kW/741Nm by reputable online resource EV Database. 

Peak AC charging caps at 11kW, taking around 8 hours and 30 minutes for a full-from-empty charge. Built on 400V architecture, rapid DC charging takes 29 minutes from 10-80 percent, peaking at 250kW, but averaging 120kW (overseas charging figures shown). 

Stepping up to the Model Y Performance adds or replaces the following equipment:

• A no-cost choice between Pearl White Multi-Coat, Diamond Black, Stealth Grey, Quicksilver or Ultra Red paint
• Carbon fibre interior enhancements (black textile still remains in some places)
• Range-exclusive front and rear bumpers
• Lower front valence 
• Lager carbon fibre rear spoiler
• Continuously variable electronic-adjusting dampers
• 21-inch ‘Arachnid 2.0’ wheels
• Larger 16.0-inch ‘ultra HD’ central touchscreen
• Performance front seats with adjustable thigh support

Options for the Model Y Performance include:

• “Full Self-Driving Capability” ($10,100)
• Enhanced Autopilot ($5100)
• White interior ($1500)
• Home AC charger ($800 not including install)
• Portable standard AC charger ($500)

Further reading: 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance detailed

Rivals to the Tesla Model Y

• Audi Q4 e-Tron: from $84,900 plus on-road costs
• BMW iX3: from $91,000 + ORC
• BYD Sealion 7: from $54,990 + ORC
• Chery Omoda E5: from $42,990 + ORC
• Cupra Tavascan: from $60,990 + ORC
• Deepal S07: from $53,900 + ORC
• Ford Mustang Mach-E: from $64,990 + ORC
• Geely EX5: from $40,990 + ORC
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: from $69,800 + ORC
• Kia EV5: from $56,770 + ORC
• Kia EV6: from $72,590 + ORC
• Leapmotor C10: from $43,888 + ORC
• Mercedes-Benz EQA: from $80,700 + ORC
• Skoda Enyaq: from $69,990 + ORC
• Skyworth BE11: from $48,990 + ORC
• Smart #3: from $57,900 + ORC
• Toyota bZ4x: from $66,000 + ORC
• Volkswagen ID.4: from $59,990 + ORC
• XPeng G6: from $54,800 + ORC

Note: Prices correct at the time of publishing