View exterior photosMichael Simari|Car and DriverFrom the September/October issue of Car and Driver.Even with electrics just a fraction of the U.S. market, the Tesla Model Y was the world’s bestselling car in 2023 (the Toyota RAV4 just barely eclipsed it in 2024). That’s remarkable, but with new EV rivals pouring in, the Model Y, still Tesla’s top seller, receives a batch of updates. Tesla freshened the design with new lights and styling front and rear. The Model Y retains excellent forward sightlines, and rear-seat room is massive for an SUV of this size. Newer, nicer, more upscale materials complement the stark simplicity of a door-to-door horizontal dash shelf with a single touchscreen and nearly no buttons or knobs. view exterior photosMichael Simari|Car and DriverThere’s still a stalk for turn signals. On the steering wheel, a button activates a windshield wash and summons wiper-speed settings that can be toggled with the nearby rotary dial. Otherwise, many settings are buried in touchscreen menus. Still, the screen controls, once learned, work better than in other vehicles relying on this approach. The problem is that using an ersatz iPad while driving is an annoying distraction.HIGHS: Solid EPA range, great visibility, nicer interior.On the road, the power comes instantly. Tesla pretty much invented kick-in-the-kidneys EV acceleration, and you can have it when you want it. Our 60-mph test came back at 3.9 seconds, and the quarter-mile flew by in 12.3 seconds at 115 mph, improvements over the last Long Range AWD we tested by 0.5 and 0.4 second. Regenerative braking is strong but linear and easily learned. The EPA estimates the Model Y Long Range AWD nets 327 miles of range when wearing its standard 19-inch wheels and tires. Option the 20s, and Tesla says to expect 303 miles. And, of course, there’s the fast, reliable, extensive Supercharger network.view interior PhotosMichael Simari|Car and DriverLOWS: Too much touchscreen, ergonomic oddities, firm ride.Structurally stiffer and quieter—we observed 66 decibels at 70 mph, two fewer than before—this Model Y is better to drive and ride in than the outgoing version. Handling and roadholding are good, although we noted some head toss that’s not present in the 10Best-winning Model 3 sedan.
Tesla pricing is famously fluid, but at this writing, the Model Y starts at $46,630; Long Range AWD adds $4K. The one we tested had 20-inch wheels, Quicksilver gray paint, and a black and white interior that tacked on another $5000.view interior PhotosMichael Simari|Car and DriverTesla’s all-screen interface will remain a deal breaker for some, and understandably so. But the planet’s most ubiquitous EV nonetheless is undeniably improved.VERDICT: An all-around improvement to a proven formula.SpecificationsSpecifications
2026 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $50,630/$55,630
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: induction AC, 117 hp, 124 lb-ft
Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 280 hp, 265 lb-ft
Combined Power: 397 hp
Combined Torque: 389 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 80 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.5 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 250 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.0-in vented disc/13.2-in vented disc
Tires: Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV
255/40R-20 101V TO
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.8 in
Length: 188.6 in
Width: 75.6 in
Height: 63.9 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 56/49 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 71/29 ft3
Curb Weight: 4421 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.9 sec
100 mph: 9.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.3 sec @ 115 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 1.7 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 127 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 174 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g
Interior Sound
Idle: 31/1 dBA/sone
Full Throttle: 69 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 66/21 dBA/sone
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 79 MPGe
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined: 113 MPGe
Range: 303 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
Source: caranddriver.com
