Tesla Model Y (2026) Review

The Tesla Model Y lease option looks similar to a Tesla Model 3, but with a higher SUV body and a bigger rear end. The main difference is that the Model Y has a hatchback.

The Model Y received a significant update in 2025 (known internally as Juniper) and it's the most meaningful overhaul the car has had since launch. The facelift features a sleek new look inspired by the Cybertruck and Cybercab, a stiffer body shell to improve handling and comfort, and is said to be quieter and more comfortable on the move.

From the outside, the most obvious changes are a full-width LED light bar front and rear, revised aerodynamics, and cleaner body lines. Inside, the cabin has been substantially improved, with better materials, genuine acoustic glass, and noticeably reduced wind and road noise make it feel like a more premium product than its predecessor.

The new Coastal Blue colour, available from June 2026 on the RWD model, adds a confident, contemporary option to the existing palette and is exclusive to that variant.

The Juniper update has meaningfully improved the Model Y as a driving experience. The suspension has been retuned for better comfort on UK roads, and the acoustic improvements make motorway cruising noticeably more relaxed than in the pre-facelift car.

Performance across the range is strong, even the entry-level RWD has plenty of pace for everyday driving. The steering is direct and the car feels planted at speed, though the ride remains on the firmer side, particularly on 20-inch wheels. If ride quality matters to you, the 19-inch option is worth specifying.

The dashboard remains famously minimal a single 16-inch central touchscreen handles almost all functions, including mirror adjustment, wipers and climate control. There is no instrument display in front of the driver, which takes a short period of adjustment. The addition of the 8-inch rear screen on Premium models is a welcome upgrade for rear passengers on longer journeys.

Autopilot comes as standard, with the option to upgrade to Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (Supervised). The system is capable and confidence-inspiring on motorways, though it still requires full driver attention at all times.

The Premium Long Range RWD offers an estimated 378 miles of WLTP range, while the AWD version returns 372 miles. Real-world range will be lower than those figures, but the Model Y holds up better than most at motorway speeds, expect 280–320 miles from the Long Range variants in normal conditions.

Charging is one of the Model Y's strongest suits. Both Premium variants support up to 250kW maximum Supercharging, with up to 160–165 miles of range added in just 15 minutes. Access to Tesla's Supercharger network, now one of the most comprehensive rapid charging networks in the UK means long journeys are straightforward to plan.

At home, a 7kW wallbox will charge a Long Range Model Y overnight with ease.

The Model Y's combination of a large hatchback boot, a flat floor, and additional storage under the bonnet (the "frunk") makes it genuinely practical for family use. Boot capacity ranges from 854 litres with the rear seats up to 2,138 litres with them folded. Which is substantially more than most rivals. Seven-seat configuration is available on the Premium Long Range AWD, though the third row is best suited to children.

This refreshed Model Y is the best version yet of a car that was already the UK's best-selling electric vehicle. The improved interior quality, quieter cabin and better ride address what were the main objections to the previous car. While everything that made it popular in the first place remains intact: strong range, excellent charging, vast practicality, and the reassurance of the Tesla Supercharger network.

The discontinuation of the Long Range RWD mid-trim simplifies the choice: the entry-level RWD is the value option, and the Premium Long Range RWD is the one most buyers will want. If you need all-wheel drive or seven seats, the Premium Long Range AWD steps up without a significant range penalty.

For a family or fleet buyer who wants an EV they can live with every day; on the commute and on longer trips the Model Y remains the default recommendation.