Tesla Model Y: An Ideal Electric Crossover?

tesla y model

Imagine a car, a seamless fusion of fiery acceleration and whisper-quiet efficiency- well, Tesla did first and launched it as the Tesla Model Y.

A premium all-electric SUV  with sleek-mineralistic silhouette that obliterates the traditional driving dynamics and forecasts the future of quiet mobility. 

But don’t let its serene ride fool you-this electric crossover is deceptively powerful. 

At the core of the Performance trim, a dual motor, all-wheel-drive system lies that commands the drivetrain and allows it to go 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds with a raging top speed of 155 mph.

tesla-model-y

Got Range Anxiety? The long Range Trim knows how to manage it smoothly; delivering a est. 330 miles of range in a single charge– taking care of efficiency hunters. But that doesn’t mean it sidelines techy-savvy commuters!

A 15-inch command center with advanced tech integrations that blurs the line between the cockpit and spaceship- from navigation to Netflix, everything on the fingertips.

Curious to know more about what’s hidden under the hood ? Keep scrolling to get  the precise information on the available trims, motors, battery backup, infotainment and more!

Engine & Performance

  • Engine Type:
Dual Electric Motors (Front Induction + Rear IPM-SynRM)
  • Displacement/Battery Capacity:
Approximately 78–82 kWh (Lithium-ion, NMC chemistry)
  • Power Output:
  • Long Range AWD – ~378 kW (≈507 hp)
  • Performance AWD – 393 kW (≈527 hp)
  • Torque:
  • Long Range AWD – ~493 Nm (≈364 lb-ft)
  • Performance AWD – ~660 Nm (≈487 lb-ft)
  • 0-60 mph (0-100km/h):
  • Long Range AWD – approximately 4.8 seconds
  • Performance AWD – approximately 3.5 seconds
  • Top Speed:
  • Long Range AWD – 135 mph (217 km/h)
  • Performance AWD – 155 mph (250 km/h)
  • Number of Cylinders/Motors:
2 (dual motor, all-wheel drive)
  • Fuel Type:
Electric (Battery Electric Vehicle – BEV)
  • Emission Standard:
Zero emissions (0 g CO₂/km)

Transmission

  • Type:
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
  • Number of Gears:
Single-speed automatic (fixed gear ratio)
  • Drive Type: (FWD / RWD / AWD / 4WD)
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

Dimensions & Weight

  • Overall Length:
4,790 mm (188.6 in)
  • Overall Width:
1,982 mm (folded mirrors) / 2,129 mm (mirrors extended)
  • Overall Height:
1,624 mm (63.9 in)
  • Wheelbase:
2,890 mm (113.8 in)
  • Ground Clearance:
167 mm (6.6–6.8 in)
  • Kerb Weight:
Approximately 1,992–2,003 kg (4,390–4,416 lb)
  • Boot Space:
  • Boot Space (seats up):
~854 L (Europe spec) / 822 L (Juniper UK spec) 
Boot Space (rear seats folded, incl. frunk): ~2,138 L

Fuel Efficiency

  • Fuel Tank Capacity/ Battery Pack:
  • Long Range AWD: ~78–82 kWh (Lithium-ion, NMC)
  • Performance AWD: ~82 kWh (Lithium-ion, NMC)
  • Mileage (City):
  • Long Range AWD: ~131 MPGe (≈15.6 kWh/100 km)
  • Performance AWD: ~115 MPGe (≈18.1 kWh/100 km)
  • Mileage (Highway):
  • Long Range AWD: ~117 MPGe (≈18.1 kWh/100 km)
  • Performance AWD: ~106 MPGe (≈19.8 kWh/100 km)
  • Mileage (EPA/Company Certified):
  • Equivalent EPA Range:
– Long Range AWD: ~310–330 miles–
–Performance AWD: ~285–303 miles

Suspension & Brakes

  • Front Suspension:
Independent Double Wishbone
  • Rear Suspension:
Independent Multi-Link
  • Front Brakes:
Ventilated Disc Brakes
  • Rear Brakes:
Ventilated Disc Brakes
  • Steering Type:
Electric Power-Assisted Rack and Pinion (EPAS)

Note

The Performance Trim boasts larger brake rotors and red-painted callipers for robust braking performance including the lowered and tuned suspension for sportier handling.

Wheels & Tyres

  • Wheel Type: (Steel/Alloy)
Alloy (Standard on all trims)
  • Tyre Size:
– Standard: 19″ Gemini wheels – 255/45R19– Optional: 20″ Induction wheels – 255/40R20
  • Performance AWD:
– 21″ Überturbine wheels – Front: 255/35R21, Rear: 275/35R21
  • Spare Tyre:
No spare tyre but comes with Tire repair kit and roadside assistance.

Capacity

  • Seating Capacity:
  • 5 seats (standard)
  • Optional 7-seat configuration available in some markets (only for Long Range AWD)
  • Number of Doors:
5 (including rear liftgate)

Features & Technology

  • Infotainment System:
  • 15-inch touchscreen display (landscape orientation)
  • Tesla OS with built-in navigation, video streaming (YouTube, Netflix), music (Spotify, Apple Music), and Tesla Arcade
  • Voice commands and over-the-air (OTA) software updates
  • Connectivity: (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, etc.)
  • No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (Tesla does not support these)
  • Tesla’s proprietary mobile app integration for:– Remote climate control– Vehicle status & location– Keyless entry & remote unlock– Charging control
  • Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE connectivity
  • Wireless phone charging
  • Instrument Cluster: (Analog/Digital)
  • Fully digital (information displayed on the central touchscreen)
  • No traditional analog cluster or head-up display
.
  • AC Type: (Manual/Automatic/Climate Control)
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control (front dual-zone + rear controls)
  • All controls are managed via touchscreen
  • Other Features:
  • All-glass panoramic roof
  • Heated front and rear seats (ventilated in some markets)
  • Heated steering wheel
  • HEPA air filtration (available in some configurations)
  • Premium audio system (13-speaker for Long Range, enhanced for Performance)
  • Sentry Mode, Dashcam recording, Dog Mode
  • Autopilot (standard) with optional Full Self-Driving (FSD) upgrade
  • Over-the-air updates with regular feature and performance improvements

Safety

  • Airbags:
  • 7 airbags total– Dual front airbags– Front side airbags– Curtain airbags (front & rear)– Driver’s knee airbag
  • ABS with EBD:
  • Yes, standard– Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)– Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
  • Traction Control:
  • Yes, standard
  • ESC/VSC:
  • Yes – Electronic Stability Control (ESC) / Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
  • ISOFIX:
  • Yes – ISOFIX child seat anchor points on rear seats
  • Parking Sensors/Camera:
  • Front and rear ultrasonic parking sensors
  • HD rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines
  • Surround (360°) camera system via side and front cameras (Tesla Vision)
  • Additional Safety Features:
  • Tesla Vision (camera-only system; no radar or ultrasonic in newer builds)
  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keeping Assist
  • Blind Spot Monitoring with side camera visualizations
  • Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (via Autopilot)
  • Pedestrian Detection
  • Driver Attention Monitoring
  • Sentry Mode (surveillance when parked)
  • Dashcam Recording (multi-camera)
  • Over-the-Air Safety Updates
  • Optional Full Self-Driving (FSD) package with additional semi-autonomous features

Price (If applicable)

  • Ex-Showroom Price:
Long Range AWD:  $43,130Performance AWD: $43,990
  • On-Road Price:
Long Range AWD: ~$46,500 – $48,000Performance AWD:~$47,500 – $49,000

Note

  • Sales tax, registration fees, insurance fees and EV incentives vary state-to-state and can influence on-road prices. 
  • States like California, Colorado, etc offer extra EV rebates that may further lower the on-road prices. For frequent pricing updates, visit tesla.com

Tesla Model Y is a product of ample luxury and neural accurate engineering that bestows American motoring with its futuristic approach. A software-driven capsule designed for digital native that is constantly evolving via over-the-air updates.

Its Rivals? Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or  Ford Mustang Mach-E may captivate the prospects but Tesla’s tech infrastructure, charging network, and devoted fanbase outnumbers them subtly.

But as they say, “cracks exist, even in the masterpiece”.

Tesla Model Y’s suspension is tuned for sporty handling therefore lacks flexibility and feels stiff -leading to jarring or overwhelming experience on bumpy roads especially without adaptive dampers.

This not-so -often addressed detail is often glossed over by automobile reviewers but can be pivotal for daily commuters and family. 

Apart from it, Tesla Model Y is an ideal all electric SUV that feels like an extension of your smart lifestyle- it just doesn’t connect with the roads but with you!

Michael Gooderham is a freelance automotive content writer currently working with AdvisorWheels. He has a background in Automotive Design and several years of experience writing in the same field. Michael specializes in creating well-researched, engaging content related to cars, motorsports, and vehicle design.