Tesla Model Y Rear Wheel Drive (2022-2026)

The much maligned Telsa has a driving feature few others have in Australia. Touted as autonomous driving features....well almost. One MUST be in full control, ready to take action when necessary to avoid accident of injury or traffic… Read more

fines......completely normal right? In the good ól US of A, it seems to be on the brink of full automation, with many reports of drivers reporting having not even touched the steering wheel in months of regular even cross-country travel. The car can drive you to your destination, drop you off, and go find a parking spot by itself. Alas, here Downunder, we have neither the data nor the Gov approval......yet. Things will change, but the question is when. So I took the opportunity to have a drive first hand, went online and booked a "drive along" where a Tesla staffer would show me the ropes, and accompany me. We drove from the Chatswood Showroom to Willoughby Park, only a few klms away. The car was very cautious, and very courteous....streets were quite narrow, and it was bin day.....the car waited patiently as the oncoming garbo did his rounds, and only when safe to do, the car moved forward and around.....perfect! We did a parallel park manoeuvre and the car shimmied its way to a perfect spot, and we returned to the office...my 30 min was up, Way to short for a real taste of the software. I politely asked If I could extend the test ride, and ....if I could take the car without the staffer....Yes, a bold request!! I quick check on the scheduling for that day, and a check with the boss, and off I went, with wife and sister in tow, I set the destination as Eastwood. Straightaway, 100m from the Tesla office, the car unexpectedly entered a roundabout infront of a vehicle already in the roundabout, after waiting for 3 vehicles prior.....personally I would've wait for this 4th. Anyway, this reinforced in my mind, that I really needed to pay attention at all times. FSD performed brilliantly, maybe a little slower than myself driving, but certainly safe...ultra safe. Seeing Eastwood is one of my regular shopping destinations, I wanted to see how the car would handle the local conditions. For those that know Sydney, we travelled vis Eastern Valley Way, along Boundary Rd, turned left onto Pac H'Way, and right into Fullers Rd/Delhi Rd, then onto Epping Rd. The car's navigation continued past Balaclava Rd, where I normally turn left, and elected to head towards Epping station. Iet it do it's thing. Nearing Epping Station, the car moved to the left turn only lane, but the mapping showed it was to enter High St, which is the first road over the rail bridge, however, I knew the correct path was to turn into the road BEFORE the rail bridge, Blaxland Rd, which incidentally, was the correct lane we were in. The lights turned green.....trucks and cars on my right, moved straight ahead, my Tesla attempted also to drive straight ahead (following the projected incorrect mapping), crossing unbroken lane markings and into traffic. I had to take immediate control....a critical intervention so to speak, otherwise, there would've been a fender-bender in my opinion. The staffer from Tesla mentioned that should an intervention be required, I should hold the microphone button, and record verbally , what had just happened. The cameras would fill in the rest. After rounding the corner, and entering Blaxland Rd, I re-engaged FSD, and the car returned us to the Tesla showroom, with only one comment.....driving through Chatswood, and I knew we'd have to turn right at Boundary Rd.....this turn requires one to get into the right hand lane, at least two blocks early, as it often get banked up......the car stayed in the centre lane until only 160m before the intersection, I manually pushed the turn signal, initiating an auto lane change. Back at the showroom I made my reports, FSD was like a learner driver, unfamiliar with certain situations, and expecting "late lane changes" would be normal, and got confused when Google maps (used by Tesla) conflicted with GPS/vision. I think this was a local incident, and FSD had never been at the intersection before. Here lies my main issue, FSD needs a lot more practice in Australia to be really useful. I've been told that log trips, FSD is a real boon, and if one travels a certain route regularly, like going to work and home, the car will learn all the nuances of that route, and will drive you better that what you could yourself....eventually. I've got a new Tesla Model y, and I love it, but do I want to spend $10100AUD on a system which, in Australia , has a lot of learning to do......There is an option to subscribe as a monthly price of $150, but this WILL rise in time, and the outright purchase option is going away real soon...end of Feb 2026?? Oh and one last thing, when purchasing, it payment must be made in one transaction..... Yep, I found out and wanted to buy it after the test ride, I was impressed, but alas, my credit card limit would not allow this purchase.

Good news, I bought it on Thursday night 12th Feb.

So yesterday, my Tesla drove me from my home, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, to Centennial Park, in the Eastern Suburbs with only two minor adjustments (non-critical interventions). It drove me along Boundary Road, Roseville, left at Pacific Highway, then right into Longueville Road. The mapping, (and voice navigation), indicated we were to turn left at Centennial Ave, Lane Cove, but the car's lane choice was incorrect, remaining in the left turn only lane heading towards Burns Bay Road. I had to prompt the car to move to the middle lane, by manually clicking the indicator stalk to merge right. The car merged safely by itself. Again, a similar issue when, after the Cross City Tunnel, we crossed the Anzac Bridge, and entered the CBD along Bathurst Street, it moved to the right-most lane, turned into Elizabeth Street, but needed to immediately turn left into Liverpool Street. There are two lanes turning right into Elizabeth Street, and the car should've remained in the left lane to turn right, in order to immediately turn left into Liverpool St. The remainder of the ride to The Column Gardens coffee shop was perfect, with the car parallel parking itself after I selected a spot. Note, my route preferences are to avoid tolls. In summary, I would rate it over 90%-95%, and it's early days. It was 100% safe, was a little slow at times,... I didn't know there were so many 30Kph, 40Kph and 50Kph zones in Sydney's suburban streets!!! If you "know" Sydney's streets, and know when and where to merge into appropriate lanes, then this software is fantastic. My insurance company, YOUI, also agreed to include cover for the software package. (an extra $56pa)

My first EV. Switched from 2018 CRV. Looked others firstly, including BYD sealion 7, xpeng G6 and zeeker 7x. No regrets going with MY after careful comparison in every area. Driving exp is amazing. Easy learning curve on full screen controling and single padel mode. Like the simplicity design that brings neat, modern cabin. Many features the… Read more

luxury brands only give with extra cost. Quietness, smooth suspension with solid built quality. Looks gorgeous from in or out. Tech is undoubtedly top end and stable. Screen is super responsive without any glitch. In love driving out a lot compare to before. Never tried FSD but autosteering crusing on highways is very impressive. Couldn't think of anything to complain. I think I will keep the car fot at least 10 years. Most amazing part is the battery performance, very accurate estimate that reduces the range anxiety a lot. Very happy purchasing. Huge cargo space in back, under and front.

Things are different.....what an understatement! No salesman, no showroom, no upselling...all online and fully transparent, though some details are not divulged specifically. (battery size and output) After following Tesla and Elon Musk for several… Read more

years, I decided to take a test drive of a new Model Y. It was an immediate revelation to say the least. The quiet calm, the silent ambience, the understated interior, and complete minimalist design.....It was like the Bang and Olufsen of the automobile world. No start button, in fact, no buttons....a go pedal and a stop pedal...everything else was set to "auto"......lights went on when you pressed the brake, seat belt warning lights flashed, and I was told to swipe down to engage reverse.....The regen braking takes about 10 minutes to get used to, and the acceleration is instant......the car is like a very quiet and comfortable go-kart for 5 adults. The car paired to my Samsung phone and Spotify, Google and YT accounts and away I went. It's been two months since I took delivery, and I am definitely a convert. My Model Y is superb in every aspect that's important to me. The handling is spectacular, even compared to my old Golf GTI, the acceleration is more than ample easily beating my old V8 Premier, and the road noise....what road noise??? One can carry on a conversation with rear-seat passengers without raising your voice. Boot space is cavernous too, accommodating 8 flatpack dining chairs from Ikea, along with 5 passengers. I recent trip to Costco also proved surprising with two large packs of toilet rolls, boxes of nappies, frozen wontons, mango slices, Blackforest cake, milk, eggs, bread, coffee, and so much more...and again with 5 passengers. I'm fortunate to live close to a JOLT charging station, where I can charge up to 7Kw daily for free. That's about 10% or 45klms worth....I can also charge from my solar panel at home during the day...so far I've spent under $9 and travelled over 1300klm, and this is only to try out some public chargers to become familiar with the procedures. Easy peasy, download their app, like Chargefox, or Evie Charging, or Plugshare, create an account, and away you go. I went to Woolies in East Chatswood, and found 10 charging stalls, compatible with Chargefox.....pulled in, entered into their app, the stall number, plugged in and went shopping. This particular location charged 55c/kW, about one-third the cost of petrol....that's pretty good in my books. I can charge from home for free in the daytime, or pay 22c/kw overnight. In any case, my driving costs have dropped dramatically, and my driving pleasure has skyrocketed. The Tesla does NOT require regular maintenance. Washer fluid is the only thing. Tyre pressures are monitored on the touchscreen. It takes a little while to accustom yourself to this new way of driving, I'm currently using the auto gear selector (beta), where 90% of the time, forward, reverse and park and automatically engaged....wierd I know, but really an advantage when one gets used to it. 3-point turns are a breeze! In my younger days, I rode a motorcycle, Suzuki GT250, then a GXS750, and a Ducati ST2, after which I had a Golf GTI.....This Tesla fulfills the long-lost desires of my youth, without being overtly so. The instant acceleration from standstill to 60kph is very close to two-wheeler performance, handling is like a wombat on rails, and the climate controls are the best in class. Seats are firm and supportive, and the sound system is similarly class-leading. Being an SUV, means getting in and out, are way easier for my old body too. The elevated driving position, compared to a sedan or hatchback, yields better visibility too. If you've never tried a Tesla, you are missing out.

The absolute best car I've ever driven, and I'm a former mechanic. Forget everything you may have heard/read about Musk and Tesla, and go with an open mind. I took my first test drive at Chatswood, in Sydney's leafy north and was so impressed, I bought one that day. I've been to China and sat in numerous EV taxis, DiDi, Uber rideshares, and they… Read more

all were great, The silent power of an EV is a revelation. What I had experienced though, were almost all front wheel drive Chinese EVs,,,way better than ANY front wheel drive ICE car. This is due to the battery being located in the floorpan, giving a very low centre of gravity. I'm not sure how Tesla improved this so much, but they did. RWD for starters, prodigious use of aluminum, air suspension, big wide wheels and tyres....This is the most sure-footed passenger car I've ever driven. You'd have to spend double the amount to get something similar in performance and handling. The interior is simple and understated...no knobs, no buttons, and this new Juniper model has a turn signal stalk on the left (EU standard) which the older models went without. The giant touch screen controls just about everything....It's like learning to use a new iPad, but simple enough with perseverance. I've had my car for 9 days now, and I'm still on that steep learning curve, but the basic functions of driving are still very familiar. One pedal driving is something I got used to after a couple of days....You don't need to touch the brake pedal 99% of the time....merely lift your foot off the accelerator. and the car slows to a halt. Even on steep inclines, the car does not roll back nor forwards....there's no handbrake!! (There is, however, a "Park" button). Everything can be preset and the car will ready itself for your drive. During these cold days and nights, you open your Tesla App on your phone, and set the car to warm the cabin, seats (all 4), and steering wheel. Toasty!! However, the best thing about this Tesla, is the charging...I power-up at home. I've spent $1 only so far and I've driven 100's klms. Yes i have solar panels, plus, if you search around, there are public chargers that are either free (limited to 7kw mostlly), or are around 30 - 50% the cost of petrol. (Tesla Supercharging being at the higher end). When taking delivery, the team member said, "See you in about 2-3 years, for the first scheduled service". Now THAT's heaven on wheels!

Today is the 9th March, and it just over 8 months since I came home with my new Tesla. Firstly I must correct myself regarding the above specifications....my Model Y RWD does not have air suspension, but active dampening, (whatever that is), however, it handles very well. So far I've only driven under 5000 klms, and spent under $8 so far on electricity....yes I charge at home now exclusively. The car has not shown any issues what-so-ever, and is as new. No squeaks, no rattles, no noises at all. Smooth ride, though firm compared to my old people mover. I still get a thrill when I hit the go pedal, and zoom to 60kph....or 110kph where posted. I have new software. GROK. My car now talks to me...I love it. I also bought the FSD package ($10100AUD)....not cheap, and at the moment not great, but on a regular road, be it a highway or suburban street, it will drive you safely, more than 90% of the time. Things like small roundabouts and those "Keep Left" signs can confuse it, and lane choices can be poor, but it's an easy fix by clicking the indicator stalk to prompt it to merge earlier....Car gets very hot if left in the sun...then all cars do. The aircon is fantastic though, and the cooled ventilated front seats work great. I placed a sunshade on the glass roof, and also added moulded floor mats, seat protectors, boot and frunk liners which added another $200 odd dollary-dos. Amazingly, I've had no dings nor shopping trolleys scratches yet......maybe because of the constant Sentry Mode, which records everything around the car when anything moves within about 1-3m. I think people know it. The Premium Connectivity has increased now to $13.99pm up from $10pm, and the FSD purchase option finishes on the end of March 2026, and will ONLY be available on a subscription basis from then on.....currently $150pm, but will surely increase (by heaps), when FSD is fully autonomous and approved in Australia. Imagine having a car that drives itself, like having a chauffeur. My wife, who doesn't drive, will have complete freedom if wanted (this will be similar to a Robotaxi I think), but probably wont be available as such, until 2027 sometime....I haven't even filled the washer fluid yet.

My experience with our Tesla Model Y has been underwhelming. Despite being a relatively new owner, I've encountered several issues that have left a sour taste. The build quality is subpar, with flimsy panels that seem to be made of cheap, lightweight metal. This is disappointing, especially given the premium price point. Booking service… Read more

appointments is a challenge, and taking the car in for warranty issues is just as frustrating. The service team's response time is slow, often taking days to reply to messages. The upfront payment requirement for warranty claims is another hurdle, which seems designed to deter customers from seeking repairs.

I expected more from Tesla, but the reality is that their customer care, warranty process, and build quality are lacking. The suspension is harsh, transmitting every jolt and bump, and the brakes have a spongy, unresponsive feel. It's clear that cost-cutting measures have been prioritized over quality.

In contrast, I've had a chance to experience BYD vehicles, and their build quality is exceptional. It's a wake-up call for Tesla owners to reevaluate their loyalty and consider alternative brands. I would advise potential buyers not to blindly follow the Tesla brand and to test drive other cars to appreciate the difference in quality and performance.

Update- paid for enhanced capability but summon function has been disabled from day one pending testing on HW4. Now that Tesla has released FSD on HE4, there is no reason to enable summon function for HW4 but despite contacting Tesla customer care, there has been no update. We paid for a service but can’t use it.

Tesla Customer Care- You may think this lot will be better than Jeep’s but no. Poor, delayed responses and no solution and you get asked to keep sending emails. No one can help and you are driven to insanity dealing with Tesla customer care. If you ask to escalate then they just stop responding to you.

Tesla credit- this is scam. Tesla forces you to leave some credit with them by not allowing you to use them all and not enabling split payments.

Love my Tesla Model Y – I love my Tesla, it's so smooth and quiet, low running costs, very little maintenance required (so far after 2 years and 40,000kms is had to fix one flat tyre). I usually just charge at home using my solar which works out to about $6 for 400km range. The software is amazing, it's the safest car ever tested in Europe. Show details

Runs on Sunshine- Very happy – 38K KMS in 18 months and loving it. We look for reasons to jump in a go for a drive. We charge with rooftop solar and have an intelligent 7kw Zappi home charger. We load small crates in the back with our forklift as we use it in our business. It is so quiet and peaceful to drive and yet so powerful. We have been on a few trips and used a… Read more

Supercharger once. There is a lot of anti EV misinformation spread by people who have never owned or driven an EV so beware. We couldn't be happier at this stage. We are averaging 13.1kW/hrs per 100. I have a 40km metro run to our warehouse I do a few times per week and often try hypermiling by drafting behind trucks etc. So far our best result is 9.1kW/hr/100km but the average for that trip is about 11.5. Have made a few visual mods such as 3M marine vinyl on the glass roof which cut down the heat substantially, a rear lip spoiler and 20"alloys. Our tyres were not yet due for replacement but I had some aftermarket 20" alloys so we bought some Delmax Ultima Sport SUV tyres which are load rated for the Tesla for $150 ea fitted. Road noise and rolling resistance have both increased a small amount but we saved about $1200-$1600 over what the Michelin or Hankook EV tyres we going to cost us. Time will tell but we are extremely happy with the Y. Our business has saved about $5000 over 18 months on what we would have spent on diesel and servicing of our Isuzu diesel ute.

Dream Car! – The best car I have ever had and the best I have ever driven! I had even a V6 Range Rover Velar with price tag of $160k but Model Y gives me more joy to ride. It gives me heaps of space for family while it’s not too big to handle in tiny parking spaces thanks to the smart design. I owned it for 3 months so far and still enjoy cruising around with… Read more

it. I saved about $1000 so far in fuel cost in 8000km. Very easy to charge at home and no need to go to a servo any more. I had a 200km trip from Brisbane to Byron Bay with 50% charge at destination. I charged it in the accomodation using my mobile charger which made my trip so cheap and easy! My dream car was a V8 before but no ICE cars can be my preference now that experienced driving this amazing EV.

The best electric SUV you can buy – I lived with the Model Y during one of Sydney’s wettest weekends to see if a larger boot, bigger second row and higher ride height really made that much of a difference compared to the base Model 3. This Model Y presented no obvious faults, and I was deeply impressed with the build quality here. I was particularly blown away with the materials… Read more

used, even low down in the car's interior, with soft rubber being used in place of hard plastic in some places. The panels lined up accurately, there were no software bugs or glitches and thankfully, there were no rattles or squeaks. I will add I experienced the latter in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 (however this was an early build car).

Unless you’re definite on blistering acceleration times, all-wheel drive and slightly more range, get the entry level Model Y.

Tesla claims that their cars don’t have to be serviced at all until parts need replacing. It’s good news for your wallet, considering every other EV manufacturer aside from Tesla requires you to service your car for around $200 a visit.

Tesla’s warranty is 4 years or 80,000km (whichever comes first). Additionally, battery warranty is 8 years or 160,000km (whichever comes first) along with a guarantee of 70% battery capacity over that period.

Tesla really is at the top of their game when it comes to sound isolation and making the most of silence. In a Model Y, there are no fake engine sounds being generated, only the very faint whirr of an electric motor at the rear of the car. I love riding and talking in a Model Y, as there’s nothing here to distract me from just simply relaxing and driving.

In addition, Tesla’s sound system is top tier. A large speaker wraps around the base of the windshield, and speakers are splashed throughout the cabin to maximise the space in the Model Y. The sound stage is crisp, surround and has plenty of depth.

Despite its massive size and weight, the Model Y feels no different to any other SUV of a similar size when braking. You have access to a traditional brake pedal (albeit it looks pretty ugly in the pedal box) which feels just like what you’d expect of a family SUV. There’s a predictable initial bite, followed by a gradual and even braking feel.

You can adjust how much regenerative braking you want in the centre screen, allowing you to drive 90% of the time without touching the brake pedal.

0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds isn’t slow by any means, especially when all of your power is available from 0 rpm's.

Unless you’re driving the Performance against this Model Y, you’re not going to wish you bought the Performance. In true Tesla fashion, there’s plenty of punch behind the accelerator which will keep pulling through to a top speed of 217km/h.

There are two acceleration modes in the Model Y: Standard or Chill. Standard will cause occupants heads to be thrown back ever so slightly; the wrong driver will make occupants feel sick in this drive mode. Chill mode is what I drove in the most, as it dampens that initial acceleration for a far more relaxed cabin experience.

Missing out on the locally tuned suspension the new Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5 benefit from, the Model Y is obviously more stiff on tougher sections of tarmac. The obviously low centre of gravity does play in favour of the Model Y, allowing for sharp cornering dynamics and a planted ride. I experienced one of the wettest weekends in Sydney during my time with the Model Y. Despite there being a constant thin layer of water over the roads, the Model Y never skipped a beat.

I wanted to verify if you really needed the AWD Performance Model Y for grip, and it turns out you don’t. Even when attempting to lose traction, the Model Y never deviated from the direction I intended to go. Thanks to having an electric drivetrain, the Model Y was able to instantly apply power to the correct wheels a lot faster than a traditional ICE car.

Claimed WLTP range is 455km, which is more than enough to get you to your next charger when on a road trip.

I missed the opportunity to head out on the open road with the Model Y due to the weather, but having experienced a roadtrip in a Model 3, Tesla cars are possibly some of the most efficient EVs you can buy. You’ll actually achieve range figures close to the claimed range figure provided by Tesla.

There’s a whopping 971L of storage space with seats up and 2158L with the seats down. Thanks to a larger hatchback opening, a lot of underfloor storage, and a front boot, the Model Y is certainly one of the most practical SUVs you can buy.

There’s no need to buy that land-yacht sized SUV to get more storage, you simply need smarter packaging that takes advantage of the lack of traditional ICE car parts.

There’s far more comfort to be had in the second row compared to the Model 3. There’s more headroom, foot room and knee room. The front row seats also get more headroom.

There are some flaws, like the stiffer ride and minimalist interior. Even though Tesla’s build quality has improved over the years, it is an elephant in the room that can cause some pre-purchase jitters. If you want a similar experience, the Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5 are excellent alternatives, along with Volvo’s XC40 Recharge.

The Model Y is my personal pick, but it’s hard to look past what the competition has been up to - some of which may be more appealing if you’re not a fan of the Tesla’s interior design.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

Perfect for long distance travel – In September 2022 we drove a Kia Stonic 1.4 litre from Melbourne to Cairns return, and it cost us about $1800 in petrol. A year later we made the same trip in our Tesla Model Y and it cost us just under $400 ! Since getting this car 29/09/2022 we have been here, there, and just about everywhere. I’m currently planning to go to Carnarvon WA, but… Read more

the nullabor might be a little bit of a problem. Some people have done it but it is a slow process from what I have read. Anywhere on the eastern seaboard is fine, there are chargers just about everywhere. As for running around town, we charge it from our solar panels and because the Model Y has an LFP battery, it can be charged to 100% every day without causing any damage to the battery itself. The car has 220kW of power, going to the rear wheels. It also has ‘chill’ mode that tones down the power a bit to save your rear tyres. Very handy. Overall the best car I’ve ever owned. Way better than the 5 BMW’s and 4 Mercedes that’s for sure. I highly recommend it to anyone.

So looking forward to this but range is not as advertised – We bought a new Tesla Y in Aug 23. We are rural and it was important that we could do the 360km return trip from home to brisbane in one trip, as purchasing it for work and have Animals with us on the trips. I spoke to a person at Tesla to see if we needed the long range one instead, and was emphatically told that the normal one would do that… Read more

easily. Imagine my horror when I drove home and it went from 100% to 40% in one direction on the first trip. Other notable trips- full at Scone and 200 km to Armidale and arrived with 13% left. THE 2023 TESLA Y HAS A UEABLE RANGE OF ABOUT 240 km of open road driving at 100km hour and in the early 20degree temperatures range. Nowhere near the 455 range advertised. Other than that, and a loud cabin rattle, virtually no handover when buying and not being able to speak to someone directly without hours in hold, we love it. Next year we will trade it in on a different EV and probably not a Tesla due to the above- especially poor contact. Note that we messaged Tesla about this within the first few days and asked for a call back but it never came. Very sad as you would have had a loyalcustomer.

I hate electric but this is great – I never like Tesla beause of fires and none off road but the Tesla energy consumption is good, they are silent ( except for when you reverse) and electricity for it is even in the shopping malls. The clear roof is a bit annoying but this car can tow and has optional roof racks. This car is recommended for fuel saving Show details