2026 Tesla Model Y RWD review

What Does the Model Y Cost in Australia?

Tesla's Model Y lineup in Australia currently spans three variants:

Driveaway, the base RWD lands around $68,000-$70,000 depending on your state. That's not cheap for an SUV, but in the context of what it offers, and considering it's cheaper to run than virtually any petrol SUV over a five-year period, the total cost of ownership tells a different story.

The RWD is the variant most people should buy. Unless you specifically need all-wheel drive for towing stability or you live somewhere with genuinely slippery conditions, the rear-drive version does everything the average Australian family needs. The $10,000 step to the Long Range AWD adds 134km of WLTP range (600km against 466km) and dual-motor AWD, which is meaningful for some buyers. The Performance at $84,900 claims 3.7 seconds to 100km/h but is hard to justify on value alone.

Running Costs vs Petrol SUVs

This is where the Model Y's financial case gets compelling. At 15,000km per year charging at home on off-peak electricity (~$0.30/kWh), annual electricity costs sit around $750-$850. A comparable petrol SUV like a RAV4 or Tucson would cost $2,800-$3,400 in fuel over the same distance.

Servicing is minimal. No oil changes, no spark plugs, no timing chains. Tesla recommends brake fluid every two years and cabin air filters annually. Budget $300-$400 per year. A petrol SUV of similar size costs $700-$1,000 in annual servicing.

Over five years, the running cost savings are typically $8,000-$12,000 compared to a comparable petrol SUV. That narrows the purchase price gap considerably. For a deep dive on these numbers, read our EV vs Hybrid cost breakdown.

Rivals: What Else Should You Cross-Shop?

Hyundai Ioniq 5 (from $72,000)

The Ioniq 5 is the Model Y's most complete rival. It counters with physical buttons and a more conventional dash layout. The 800V architecture means it can charge at up to 350kW (where available), and 10-80% takes just 18 minutes. Vehicle-to-Load lets you power appliances from the car. a genuine camping advantage. Boot space at 527L is good but well short of the Model Y's 854L. Range is 507km WLTP for the Long Range RWD. It's priced like a premium car. Full details in our Model Y vs Ioniq 5 comparison.

Kia EV6 (from $72,660)

The EV6 shares its platform with the Ioniq 5 and brings the same 800V charging advantage, but in a sportier, lower-slung body. Boot space at 490L is the smallest here. The GT AWD ($99,660) makes 478kW. For most buyers, the Air RWD at $72,660 is the sweet spot. Compare it directly in our Model Y vs EV6 head-to-head.

BYD Sealion 6 (from $42,990)

The Sealion 6 is a plug-in hybrid, not an EV, and it starts $15,910 below the Model Y RWD. The Essential claims 92km of electric range from an 18.3kWh battery (140km for the Dynamic Extended Range), with a label figure of 1.1L/100km on a charged battery and 4.72L/100km once the battery is flat. It carries a 6-year warranty. Where it falls short against the Model Y: it is not a full EV, the Supercharger network isn't available, and BYD's service network is still growing in regional areas. If you want a petrol engine for long trips, it is the cheaper option.

Efficiency and Charging

The Model Y RWD has a WLTP range of 466km. Like any EV, it uses more per kilometre at highway speed than in town, so a 110km/h run lands well short of that figure.

Expect it to trail the Model 3 Long Range on the highway, because the Model Y is taller and heavier and pushes more air. For most daily driving (the average Australian drives 35km/day), you're charging once a week or less. For long road trips, plan Supercharger stops well inside the WLTP figure.

DC charging peaks at 250kW on Tesla Superchargers, with 10-80% taking approximately 27 minutes. That's a quick coffee stop. Tesla's Supercharger network remains the most reliable and extensive fast-charging network in Australia, with excellent east-coast coverage and improving regional coverage. For a complete guide to home and public charging options, see our EV charging guide.

At home on a 7kW wall charger, a full charge takes about 10.5 hours for the RWD variant. Plug in overnight and you're always topped up. Annual electricity costs at home off-peak rates are roughly $750-$850 for 15,000km. The best EVs in Australia, ranked by efficiency and range, are in our best electric cars guide.

Safety: Five Stars, Comprehensive Kit

The Model Y holds a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. The battery skateboard platform provides exceptional structural rigidity in crash tests, and the low centre of gravity makes rollover incidents extremely unlikely.

Standard active safety across all variants:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go (Autopilot)
• Lane Keep Assist and lane departure warning
• Blind spot monitoring via camera display on the touchscreen
• 8 external cameras for 360-degree visibility
• Sentry Mode that records activity around the parked car
• Speed Assist with camera-based sign recognition
• Side collision warning

Eight airbags are standard, including far-side and front knee airbags. The car's weight (1,921kg for RWD) and rigid battery structure mean it performs very well in frontal and side-impact testing. Child occupant protection scores are among the highest in the SUV class.

One practical safety note: the A-pillars are thick, so take extra care at T-intersections and roundabouts where pedestrians could be hidden behind them.

Interior: Minimalist, For Better or Worse

If you've sat in a Model 3, you know what to expect here. One massive 15.4-inch touchscreen dominates the centre of the dashboard. No instrument cluster, no physical buttons for climate control, no traditional gear selector. The Juniper update added a nicer steering wheel, improved ambient lighting, and ventilated front seats on higher grades, but the fundamental approach hasn't changed. It's still Tesla's "everything through the screen" philosophy.

The screen runs Tesla's own software. Over-the-air updates continuously add features without dealership visits. No Apple CarPlay, no Android Auto. Tesla still insists on its native navigation and media apps. If Spotify integration and Google Maps on the big screen are non-negotiable for you, this remains an annoyance.

The dash uses hard plastic in places; the Juniper update added softer-touch materials on the dash top and improved door inserts.

The rear-seat passengers get their own 8-inch touchscreen for climate and entertainment, which is a thoughtful touch.

Storage is generous. The centre console bin is large, the door pockets are usable, there's a wireless phone charging pad, and the glovebox (opened via the touchscreen, naturally) is a decent size. The under-floor storage in the boot adds a hidden space for charging cables and valuables.

Practicality: This Is Where the Model Y Dominates

The numbers tell the story. 854 litres of boot space behind the rear seats. That is enormous. Bigger than a RAV4 Hybrid (705L), a Tucson (539L petrol, 582L hybrid) or an Ioniq 5 (520L), on each maker's figure. Fold the 60:40 rear seats flat and you get approximately 2,158 litres of cargo space, with a flat load floor that makes it genuinely useful for furniture, bikes, or camping gear.

Then there's the frunk. The 117-litre front trunk is big enough for a couple of grocery bags, a gym bag, or a small cooler. It's a secure, weatherproof space that's genuinely handy for valuables or items you want separated from the main boot.

The optional third-row seat turns the Model Y into a seven-seater, though "seats" is generous for the rearmost row. They're for children, not adults. But for families who occasionally need to carry extra kids to sport or school, it's a useful option to have.

The flat second-row floor (no transmission tunnel, no exhaust tunnel) gives the middle passenger proper footroom, and ISOFIX anchor points are fitted to the outer rear seats.

Towing capacity is 1,600kg braked, which is good for the electric SUV class and enough for a camper trailer, jet ski, or small boat. Be aware that towing significantly impacts range. Expect a 30-50% reduction depending on the trailer weight and driving speed. A 466km WLTP range becomes 230-325km when towing. Plan your charging stops accordingly. For more on towing with EVs and ICE cars, check our towing guide.

The Tesla Model Y RWD has 133 kW for every tonne of kerb weight, 340Nm of torque, a claimed 0-100km/h of 5.9s. It weighs 1,921kg and turns in 12.1m. These are the figures that shape how quickly a car gets moving and how easily it parks.

Should You Buy the Tesla Model Y?

Yes, if:

• You need maximum cargo space. 854 litres is unmatched in the electric SUV class
• You do regular long-distance driving and value the Supercharger network's reliability
• You can charge at home. essential for maximising the Model Y's cost advantage
• You want the option of seven seats (even if the third row is kid-sized)
• Low running costs matter. under $850/year on electricity at home rates
• You need 1,600kg towing capacity for a trailer or camper

Maybe not, if:

• Budget is tight. the BYD Sealion 6, a plug-in hybrid, starts $15,910 lower
• You refuse to operate a car without physical climate buttons and a gauge cluster
• You can't charge at home. public charging erodes the running cost advantage

The Model Y is the electric SUV that does everything well enough to satisfy most families, and does practicality better than anything else in the class. It's not the quickest to charge, and not the most premium inside. But 854 litres of boot space, the Supercharger network, genuine towing ability, and running costs that are a fraction of a petrol SUV's make it the default choice for Australian families going electric. There are better cars in individual categories, but nothing else packages the total ownership experience quite as well.

Cross-shop it with the Ioniq 5 and EV6, or browse the complete best electric cars in Australia guide to see the full field.

→ Compare all Tesla Model Y variants on CarSorted (200+ specs)