It just finished third on the national sales chart and the Performance is $4,500 cheaper. But with BYD, Geely and Xpeng undercutting it, is the Model Y still the smart buy?
By Varun Punyamurtula ·
The Model Y remains the most complete electric family SUV in Australia, and the new warranty and quicker Long Range make it stronger than ever. It is not the cheapest or the comfiest, but the charging network, space and software still put it ahead. The Long Range AWD at $68,900 is the one to buy.
From $58,900 plus on road costs
Remember when the experts said Tesla was finished in Australia? Somebody forgot to tell the buyers.
The Model Y was the third best selling new vehicle in the country in September 2026, with 4,476 registrations. Back in May it became the first electric car ever to top the monthly sales chart outright. And with a quarter of the year still to run, Tesla has already sold more cars in Australia this year than it did in the whole of 2025.
So the Model Y is not just the default electric family SUV. It is one of the default cars, full stop. The question is whether it still deserves that spot now that BYD, Kia, Geely and Xpeng are all chasing the same buyer for less money. Here is our desk verdict on the updated 2027 model year range that went on sale on 1 October.
Quick answer: The Model Y is still the most complete electric family SUV you can buy in Australia. The Long Range AWD at $68,900 is the sweet spot, the new five year unlimited kilometre warranty fixes an old weakness, and the Supercharger network remains the best reason to pick one. The ride is still firm and Chinese rivals give you more gear for less, but none match the whole package.
There are four versions of the Model Y in Australia right now. All prices are plus on road costs.
The big news is the Performance. It just dropped $4,500, from $89,400, because Tesla now builds it in Shanghai alongside the rest of the Australian range instead of in Berlin. The catch is that premium paint is back on the options list on the Performance, at up to $2,600.
What about the cheaper Model Y Standard you may have read about overseas? Tesla Australia has said it is a US market car only, so do not wait for it. There is also no seven seater. The stretched Model Y L, which arrived in April, has six seats in a two, two, two layout with captain's chairs in the middle row.
Tesla's claimed WLTP range figures for the MY27 cars:
Real world range will be lower on the highway and in winter, as with any EV, but owners commonly report the Long Range comfortably covers a week of commuting on one charge.
Charging is where Tesla still has a genuine edge. The Supercharger network is the most extensive single brand fast charging network in Australia, it is built along the major highway corridors, and it simply works. You plug in, the car pays, you leave. The navigation preconditions the battery on the way so you get close to peak speed when you arrive. Long Range and Performance versions can charge at up to 250kW on a V3 or V4 Supercharger, while the RWD peaks lower.
New for MY27 is Power Share, Tesla's vehicle to load feature. It is standard across the range, but you need the $145 Tesla Outlet Adapter to run appliances off the car. BYD has offered this for years, so this is catch up rather than a win.
Even the base car is properly brisk. The RWD does 0 to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds, which is quicker than plenty of petrol hot hatches.
The MY27 update made the Long Range AWD a lot sharper, cutting its 0 to 100km/h time from 4.8 to 4.3 seconds. The six seat Model Y L also drops half a second to 4.5 seconds, which is outrageous for something that carries six people.
The Performance claims 3.5 seconds and gets adaptive suspension, bigger brakes, 21 inch wheels and sports seats. It is a riot, but for a family SUV the Long Range already has more pace than most people will ever use.
The one gripe testers and owners keep raising is ride comfort. The current Model Y is noticeably more settled and quieter than the pre 2025 car, but it is still on the firm side over sharp bumps and broken country roads. Test drive it on your own streets before you sign.
This is the Model Y's secret weapon. Because there is no engine, there is a deep front boot (Tesla quotes 116 litres) plus a huge rear boot with a big underfloor well. Tesla quotes 854 litres in the back with the rear seats up, measured to the roof, and the rear seats fold almost flat with power release buttons in the boot.
The rear seat is wide, the floor is flat, and head room is good despite the sloping roof. Rear passengers get their own 8 inch touchscreen for climate and entertainment, plus ventilated front seats and heated rear seats on every grade.
If you need more, the Model Y L adds 150mm to the wheelbase and 177mm to the length, with a third row and up to 2,539 litres with the back two rows folded. Keep in mind it is six seats, not seven, and the third row is best for kids.
The cabin is minimalist to a fault. Almost everything runs through a 15.4 inch central touchscreen, and the software is still class leading for speed, maps, app control, over the air updates and sheer polish. Unlike the Model 3, the Model Y keeps a proper indicator stalk.
Full Self Driving (Supervised) launched in Australia in late 2025. Since April 2026 it is subscription only at $149 a month, so you can no longer buy it outright. It is a driver assistance system, not autonomy: you must keep your eyes on the road and your hands ready. Early Australian users say it handles freeways and many suburban streets impressively, but you remain legally responsible. Our advice is to try a month before you commit.
ANCAP gave the current Model Y five stars in 2025, and it recorded the highest overall weighted score of any vehicle ANCAP assessed that year.
The Model Y L had not been separately rated by ANCAP when we checked, so confirm its status if that matters to you.
This used to be a weak spot. Not any more. Every new Model Y delivered from 1 January 2026 gets a five year, unlimited kilometre warranty (five years or 150,000km for commercial use) plus five years of roadside assistance. The battery and drive unit are covered for eight years and 160,000km on the RWD, or eight years and 192,000km on the dual motor cars, with at least 70% capacity guaranteed.
There are no scheduled services. Tesla recommends checks on items like cabin filters, brake fluid and tyres as needed, and many jobs are done by mobile technicians at your home or work. The trade off is that Tesla has far fewer service centres than mainstream brands, so regional owners should check how far their nearest one is.
Charge at home on an off peak or solar plan and the Model Y is very cheap to run. At around 15kWh per 100km and 30c per kWh, you are paying roughly $4.50 per 100km. Supercharging costs more and varies by site and time of day, so check the Tesla app for live pricing.
There are also tax perks. Under current rules electric cars below the luxury car tax threshold for fuel efficient vehicles are exempt from fringe benefits tax on a novated lease, and the Performance's price cut brings the whole range under that line.
Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used Model Y. Get the best deal. Trading in? We can also help you sell your car for a strong price.
Tesla's repeated price cuts in 2023 and 2024 hit used Model Y values hard, and early buyers felt it. Values have been steadier since prices settled, and strong demand for used examples helps. Because Tesla can change prices overnight, there is always some risk, but the Model Y remains one of the easiest used EVs to sell in Australia.
From $54,990 plus on road costs, and BYD has been running sharp deals. It is roomy, plush and well equipped, with a softer ride. Its software and charging network access cannot match Tesla's.
Winner: Model Y for tech and charging, Sealion 7 for value.
From $56,770 plus on road costs. Boxy, practical, and backed by Kia's dealer network and seven year warranty. It is slower and its range is shorter than the Long Range Model Y.
Winner: Model Y for efficiency and pace, EV5 for buyers who want a traditional dealer experience.
From about $41,990 plus on road costs, it undercuts the Model Y by around $17,000. Spacious and generously equipped for the money, but its brand is new here and resale is unproven.
Winner: EX5 on price, Model Y on everything else.
From $51,800 plus on road costs. Sleek, fast charging and tech heavy, it is the closest in spirit to the Model Y. Its service network is still small.
Winner: Model Y, narrowly, thanks to Superchargers and a stronger resale record.
Buy it if: you want the most polished electric family SUV, do lots of long trips and value the Supercharger network, or want a great software experience that keeps improving. The Long Range AWD is the pick of the range.
Skip it if: you hate firm rides, want physical buttons, need a genuine seven seater, or are on a tight budget. The Geely EX5 and BYD Sealion 7 give you a lot of car for less.
The Model Y starts at $58,900 plus on road costs for the Premium RWD. The Long Range AWD is $68,900, the six seat Model Y L is $74,900 and the Performance is $84,900.
No. The Model Y L has three rows but only six seats, with two captain's chairs in the middle row.
Not at this stage. Tesla Australia has said the Standard is a US market car only.
Yes. FSD (Supervised) is available in Australia as a $149 a month subscription. It still requires a fully attentive driver.
Five years with unlimited kilometres on the car, and eight years on the battery and drive unit (160,000km for the RWD, 192,000km for the dual motor versions).
Prices checked on 7 October 2026 and are plus on road costs. Tesla can change prices at any time, so confirm on the Tesla Australia website before you order. Range figures are Tesla's claimed WLTP numbers for MY27 cars. Images: Tesla Australia (manufacturer media).
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