The Tesla Model Y is the undisputed king of electric family SUVs, and the 2025 Long Range AWD trim remains the go-to choice for most buyers. It masterfully blends staggering practicality, cutting-edge tech, and thrilling performance into one compelling package. This dual-motor variant offers the perfect balance of all-weather traction and an impressive real-world range, all backed by Tesla's unrivalled Supercharger network. While official 2025 pricing is still under wraps, expect it to remain fiercely competitive in the premium EV space, making it a benchmark that rivals struggle to match.
The 2025 model year sees the Model Y receive its first major refresh, widely known as the 'Juniper' update. Taking cues from the updated Model 3, it sports a sharper, more aggressive exterior with new slimline headlights and redesigned taillights. Inside, the cabin gets a significant upgrade in perceived quality, boasting more premium materials, customisable ambient lighting, and improved sound insulation. Critically, the suspension has been reworked to deliver a much more comfortable and refined ride, directly addressing one of the few complaints about the previous version.
The 2025 Model Y's design is an athletic evolution of its familiar shape. The front end now looks cleaner and more focused, while the sleek profile is accentuated by the standard-fit panoramic glass roof. This updated model is slightly larger, measuring 4790 mm long, 1982 mm wide, and 1624 mm tall, giving it an even more commanding presence on the road. The Long Range AWD model typically comes with 19-inch 'Gemini' aero wheels, which not only look smart but are key to maximising the car's impressive efficiency and range.
Stepping inside reveals a cabin that's more premium than ever. The minimalist aesthetic remains, dominated by a crisp 15-inch central touchscreen that controls everything with slick responsiveness. Passenger space is generous for five adults, and practicality is simply immense. You get a cavernous 854-litre boot that expands to a van-like 2138 litres with the rear seats folded down. Plus, there's the incredibly useful 117-litre 'frunk' under the bonnet, perfect for stashing charging cables or a couple of shopping bags. Tesla's native software is brilliant, though it still lacks official Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration.
Don't let the family-friendly looks fool you; this SUV is properly quick. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, with an Induction Motor up front and a Permanent Magnet motor at the rear, delivers a mighty 378 kW and 493 Nm of torque. This translates to a blistering 0-100 km/h sprint of just 4.8 seconds. The instant throttle response makes it feel effortlessly rapid in any situation, while the AWD setup provides fantastic grip and stability. The low-slung battery ensures it feels surprisingly agile through the corners for a car of its size.
The Long Range model is all about banishing range anxiety. Its 75 kWh usable battery pack provides a superb real-world range, estimated by Green Cars Compare to be around 495 kilometres. It's also seriously efficient, achieving 6.6 km/kWh. At home on an 11 kW wallbox, a full charge takes about eight hours. When you need a rapid top-up, it can pull up to 250 kW from a DC fast charger via its CCS Type 2 port, adding over 250 km of range in just 15 minutes, with seamless access to the Supercharger network.
Safety is a cornerstone of the Model Y's design, backed by a top-tier 5-star rating from Euro NCAP. Every model comes equipped with Tesla's standard Autopilot, which includes excellent adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, making long motorway journeys a breeze. A comprehensive suite of active safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, is also standard. For those wanting more, Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability can be added as optional software upgrades, unlocking features like automatic lane changes and summon.
Tesla offers a solid warranty package for peace of mind. The basic vehicle is covered for 4 years or 80,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. More importantly, the crucial battery and drive unit are protected for an impressive 8 years or 192,000 kilometres, with a guarantee of retaining at least 70% of the battery's original capacity. Maintenance is minimal thanks to the EV architecture, and one of the biggest ownership perks is the constant over-the-air software updates that regularly improve the car and add new features completely free of charge.
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD (2022-2025) 
Tesla Model Y Premium AWD (2025-...) 
