2023 Tesla Model Y Performance review

The Tesla Model Y is estimated to be the US electric car brand’s biggest-selling model globally, though the SUV is playing catch-up to its sedan twin, the Model 3, in Australia.

Whether it will close the gap rapidly with the arrival of the Y’s fastest variant, the Performance, remains to be seen. With the middle-order Long Range missing, the Model Y line-up still doesn’t fully mirror its sedan relative.

The Tesla Model Y first arrived in mid 2022 and until now has been offered only in base, single-motor form.

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JUMP AHEAD

• How much is it, and what do you get?
• How do rivals compare on value?
• Interior comfort, space and storage
• What is it like to drive?
• How is it for range?
• How safe is it?
• Warranty and running costs
• VERDICT

How much is it, and what do you get?

The Tesla Model Y Performance is priced just under $99,000 when including the luxury car tax, while on-road costs take it to about $108,000 drive-away.

That’s a substantial, near-$30K jump over the rear-drive, single-motor variant that costs from $69,300.

Additions are significant, though, beginning with a larger battery – estimated at 75kWh versus 57.5kWh for the base Y – which delivers a longer range, plus there’s a second electric motor that brings all-wheel drive and quicker performance.

Estimated power and torque – via the typically reliable EV Database – is 393kW and 660Nm, almost double the figures of the base Y.

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There are Performance brakes to help shed speed for this faster model, and there are 21-inch ‘Uberturbine’ wheels standard where the RWD Model Y sits on 19s.

Further addendums include aluminium pedals and a carbon-fibre boot-lid spoiler.

Options include a black and white interior, a choice of paint colours (though still a relatively restrictive palette), and enhanced 'autopilot' or a self-driving package. We’ve yet to be convinced by the worthiness of the tech packages, especially as they're expensive and not all autonomous functions are available yet.

At the time of writing (March 2023), there are no delays on Model Y orders.

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How do rivals compare on value?

A pair of direct rivals come from Korea – the Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6 GT, both of which feature faster charging capability than the Tesla courtesy of 800V battery platforms.

The GV60 from Hyundai’s luxury division has a smaller footprint than the Y but pushes the luxury angle and features tech not available on the Tesla, such as augmented reality navigation, fingerprint recognition, head-up display and camera-based side mirrors feeding displays on the insides of the front doors. It’s priced from $103,700 before on-road costs.

Kia’s first $100,000 model, the EV6 GT, shares vehicle-to-load bilateral charging technology with the Genesis and matches the 21-inch wheels of the Y Performance.

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Genesis GV60

Where the Y Performance sticks with the same vinyl seats as the base model, the EV6 GT offers features including a combination of faux leather and suede upholstery for the sports seats, as well as electronically controlled suspension with Sachs dampers.

For buyers who could nudge up their budgets just above $100K, BMW’s $104,900 iX3 is a fully electric version of the X3 mid-sized luxury SUV. Or opt for the Mercedes-Benz EQB250 that’s a bit cheaper than the Y Performance and provides an extra row of (two) seats.

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Interior comfort, space and storage

You know the score with Tesla interiors by now: uncluttered, ultra-minimalist.

A couple of aluminium pedals aside, there’s nothing in the Performance’s austere cabin to tell you you’re in the most expensive version of the Model Y. This includes the same vinyl upholstery (which is relaxingly supple but gets sticky on hot days).

Almost all vehicle functions are found in the large, central display – with some used in conjunction with thumb-scroll buttons on the steering wheel. There is no separate digital driver cluster, so even the speedo is found to the left of the driver.

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A head-up display would be beneficial, as would physical controls for some functions. Changing the cabin temperature is straightforward as adjustment arrows are provided permanently on the display, but changing functions such as the wipers and headlights requires far more distraction from the road than is ideal.

The best solution is to use the voice control system, activated via the right thumb-scroll button.

Some of the simplicity does work beautifully, such as the cruise control activation that requires just a flick down of the transmission stalk – with incremental speed adjustment then made via the right thumb-scroll button.

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Tesla’s infotainment is also class-leading – a graphical tour de force of arcade games, music streaming, novelty ideas (crackling fireplace sound and imagery, for example), and humour (hello whoopee cushion mode). There's also the likes of Netflix and Disney+ to keep owners entertaining during charging (a monthly subscription is required for some features).

Over-the-air updates allow for new features – or modifications – without having to take the car to a Tesla service centre.

Where the Y impresses the most is its vast interior space. The rear seat is properly commodious, capable of seating three adults through its generous cabin width and abundant legroom and foot space.

The flat floor and cleverly designed centre console ensure even the middle-seat passenger has freedom for their lower limbs.

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While the bench cushion is a touch on the short side, the individual seats are scalloped and there’s 60:40 seatback recline adjustment.

An armrest with two cup holders, seatback pouches and large door pockets take care of storage. There are two USB-C ports and vents, if lacking temperature or fan control.

Families will also appreciate the massive, 854-litre boot, which includes a large underfloor storage tub and allows for quick expansion with electric release switches for the 60:40 seatbacks – which fold fully flat.

There’s also a 117-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet – unrivalled for size. AWD EV6s, for example, offer just 20 litres up front.

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What is it like to drive?

We were delighted to learn upon collecting our Model Y Performance test car that it was fitted with Tesla’s new Comfort suspension – a mixture of spring and damper tuning – while the Performance runs 10mm lower than the RWD.

Urban driving revealed some improvement to the way the Model Y absorbs bigger bumps, including speed humps - and this bearing in mind the Performance sits on bigger, heavier wheels.

We're certainly curious to try the Comfort set-up on the 19-inch-wheeled RWD variant, presuming it will cascade down.

But while the suspension is quieter and not quite as clumsy as experienced on the Model Y RWD, the SUV’s ride and handling remains disappointingly flawed overall.

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Tesla’s mid-sized SUV habitually fidgets across various types of road surface, struggling to settle even on relatively smooth bitumen such as a freeway.

Ragged dynamics then deter the driver from accessing the Performance's entertaining pace on country roads.

The ultra-quick steering – just 2.1 turns lock to lock – feels out of lockstep with a chassis that offers plenty of grip from its wide Pirelli P Zero rubber but not enough in the way of composure.

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The Model Y Performance feels every gram of its two-tonne weight through corners.

It’s a shame, as the Model Y Performance is so well judged in the other ways it drives.

Accelerator pedal response is calibrated in a way that the Performance – capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 3.7 seconds – is no more intimidating to drive than the base model.

Rest assured, though; when you press that pedal hard you’ll experience eye-widening longitudinal g-force as the dual electric motors give every electron they’ve got.

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The Performance is 3.2 seconds faster to 100km/h than the RWD Model Y, and 1.8 seconds quicker in the benchmark sprint than the GV60 AWD (5.5sec, though the flagship GV60 Performance is closer at 4.0sec). However, the Kia EV6 GT is a couple of tenths ahead with a 3.5sec claim.

We also like that Sport rather than Chill is the default setting for acceleration response in the Y.

While the regen braking can no longer be manually adjusted (Tesla says it auto-adjusts depending on battery level), it quickly becomes intuitive to the driver when to jump off the accelerator pedal to allow the car to naturally decelerate without using the actual brake pedal.

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The low steering effort contributes to the Tesla’s driving simplicity (don’t bother with the unnaturally heavy Sport mode), though the steering lacks some precision around the straight-ahead and the Model Y’s turning circle is wider than ideal.

Rear vision is also worth noting because it’s very limited through the narrow rear window, and almost useless in the dark in combination with the anti-dazzle rear-view mirror. The A-pillars are also fairly thick and can partially obstruct vision when turning.

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How is it for range?

A bigger battery gives the Performance a 59km hike in range over the RWD Model Y, for a WLTP-rated total of 514km.

Compared with direct rivals, that gives the Tesla more range than either the GV60 (466-470km) or EV6 GT (424km).

Tesla’s battery efficiency remains impressive even with its fastest Model Y – just 14.6kWh/100km on the WLTP cycle.

While our tested range and efficiency calculated at 421km and 17.8kWh/100km, these figures are in the context of a Wheels evaluation that incorporated dynamic testing and plentiful assessment of the Performance’s rapid acceleration.

Model Y owners also benefit from Tesla’s relatively widespread Supercharger network, and the Performance has a 250kW peak charging capability.

Tesla quotes 27 minutes for charging the battery from 10 to 80 per cent. It also recommends charging to 90 per cent for the Performance, which uses NCM (nickel, cobalt, manganese) battery chemistry. The RWD Model Y can be regularly charged to 100 per cent thanks to its LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery.

Korean rivals with 800-volt batteries can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 18 minutes.

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How safe is it?

The Tesla Model Y was awarded a maximum five-star safety score by ANCAP in 2022.

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Warranty and running costs

Tesla’s four-year warranty is a year short of the industry standard.

Unlike almost all car-makers, there's no annual service schedule. Instead, Tesla provides maintenance recommendations via owner manuals.

Tesla's Supercharger network was once free but now charges apply – with rates varying depending on the charging speed and typically charged per kWh.

Pricing details for a Supercharger station can be accessed via the Model Y's touchscreen.

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VERDICT

It's easy to understand the appeal of the Model Y with its combination of clever cabin tech and vast cabin space. And the extra range and speed of the Performance variant are both desirable.

The Comfort suspension makes the ride a touch more agreeable, too, though this will surely make its way over to the single-motor Y.

A Model 3 Performance is lighter, faster, and better to drive, however, if the Y's extra space isn't a must-have.

And if you're looking for the best midsized electric SUV for $100,000, you'll find it in a Kia showroom.

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