Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive Standard 2026 Review

Introduction

There was a time when Tesla had the early adopter wow-factor – a playing field almost all to itself – and other manufacturers were scrambling to catch up.

Now, though, the tables have turned, and Tesla is just another electric car manufacturer in a huge pool of talent, competing for your money.

It’s high time, then, that it began to refresh its line-up – and that’s just what it’s done with the Model Y SUV, Tesla’s largest offering since the cancellation of the Model X.

The revamped Y now goes up against a whole host of competitors, including the Audi Q4 e-Tron and Q6 e-Tron models, the BMW iX3 and Porsche Macan EV, not to mention the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, Kia EV5, and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

And, in fact, it's the lower end of the market Tesla hopes to reach more with a brand-new cheaper version of the new Model Y, which we’re testing today. It was called the Standard at launch, but since the arrival of a Long-Range version has now reverted to just being called the Rear-Wheel Drive.

More powerful models are offered, of course, such as the Long Range All-Wheel Drive and Performance, but the new entry-level version costs several thousand pounds less to buy than the previous generation Model Y’s cheapest model.

This new Rear-Wheel Drive Standard model is predicted to hold on to its value better, too, meaning surprisingly low car finance payments for what used to be seen as a very expensive car.

This new version is technically a facelift, but with so many changes, you could consider it a second-generation model.

Price and Options

The Standard version starts from £41,990 – though adding Tesla’s famed Enhanced Autopilot option pushes the price up to £45,390, while the full-beans Self-Driving Capability pack nudges the price tag to £48,790.

It comes well-equipped as standard, with 19-inch Crossflow alloy wheels, a large 15.4-inch portrait infotainment screen, digital radio and satellite navigation.

You also get LED headlights (but no light bar), fabric and synthetic leather upholstery, a covered glass roof, two wireless chargers and a hands-free powered tailgate.

Keyless entry and go, heated front seats, and remote climate control (which lets you set the cabin temperature before you enter) are also included.

Power comes in the form of a single motor driving the rear wheels, producing around 300PS (Tesla never confirms power).

If you’re feeling slightly flusher with cash, the Premium model is available with rear-wheel drive (also 300PS) for £48,990, or all-wheel drive with 514PS, priced at £51,990 – though those prices don’t include the Enhanced Autopilot or Self-Driving add-ons.

Premium Model Ys add an eight-inch rear touchscreen, ventilated front seats, power-reclining and heated rear seats, wraparound ambient lighting, frequency-selective suspension, a transparent glass roof, additional speakers, and acoustic glass.

The Performance model is only available with all-wheel drive, outputs up to 627PS, and costs £61,990, though again that price is only with the standard-fit Basic Autopilot functionality.

It adds 21-inch alloys, sports seats, a subwoofer, adaptive dampers, red brake callipers, a carbon fibre rear spoiler, performance bumpers, puddle lamps, aluminium pedals, a carbon fibre dashboard and a larger 16-inch infotainment screen.