Published:
Readtime: 5 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
- Tesla Model Y Launch Series is priced from AUD$63,400 plus on-road costs.
- Front and rear lightbars are designed for aerodynamics, efficiency, and range.
- Revised interior with ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, and fold-flat powered second-row seats
- Tech-wise, there’s a 15.4-inch front touchscreen and an 8-inch Bluetooth-enabled rear touchscreen.
- Updated suspension for increased handling, comfort, responsiveness, and a quieter ride.
The 2025 Tesla Model Y (from AUD$63,400 plus on-road costs) has been revealed, and it’s brought a Cybertruck-like design with the largest light bar in the industry (1.6 metres), and a new interior that takes inspiration from the new Tesla Model 3 we reviewed last year. Tesla has also made significant changes to key aspects of the driving experience, including revised handling, aerodynamics, and ride comfort. Hilariously, they’ve even made note of the new “precision-engineered indicator stalk” in light of customer feedback.
While it’s tough to distance yourself from the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, and his political ties to Donald Trump, the Tesla Model Y is Australia’s best-selling EV. With the changes made to this new model, it looks to hold onto the crown for at least another 12 months. Now, let’s take a closer look at the new 2025 Model Y.
RELATED: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Review.
There will be two “Launch Series” model grades to choose from at launch (due in May 2025) and they are as follows:
- 2025 Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (from AUD$63,400 plus on-roads):
- Range: 466km (WLTP)
- Top speed: 201km/h
- Acceleration (0-100km/h): 5.9 seconds
- 2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive (from AUD$73,400 plus on-roads):
- Range: 551km (WLTP)
- Top speed: 201km/h
- Acceleration (0-100km/h): 4.3 seconds
As part of the limited release “Launch Series,” both models come with 20-inch Helix 2.0 wheels as standard alongside plenty of exclusive Launch Series badging on the rear liftgate, puddle lamps, doorsill plates and other areas. If you choose the more expensive, and quicker, Long Range All-Wheel Drive Launch Series model, it comes with Acceleration Boost as standard, too.
Colour options are shared across both models, and all optional paints are included at launch:
- Pearl White Multi-Coat
- Glacier Blue
- Stealth Grey
- Quicksilver
- Ultrared
Of course, all of these colours are shared with the new Tesla Model 3 except for the new Glacier Blue paint option that looks awfully familiar to the Arctic Blue paint option found on the BYD Seal.
Finally, you’ll have a choice of black (standard) and white ($1,500) interior colours.
Speaking of the interior, there are serious changes here that mimic most of those found in the new Model 3, including ambient lighting, front-seat ventilation, and a rear 8-inch second-row display. However, the customisable steering wheel switches and precision-engineered indicator stalk are both new.
The good news for Uber riders (of which there will be millions) is that the rear seats have longer cushions with an optimised headrest design. More importantly, the flat-fold rear seats now feature electric recline adjustment so you can set the angle for maximum comfort and Tesla’s Airwave 2.0 ventilation system. These are typically features you’ll only find on high-end luxury SUVs from European brands.
Rounding out the interior is an upgraded version of the brand’s Premium Audio system with the 16-speaker sound system (with subwoofer) available exclusively on the Long Range All-Wheel Drive model. The standard Rear-Wheel Drive model also gains the enhanced the mid-range door speakers.
Our driving impressions will have to be reserved until we get behind the wheel. However, if the improvements to the new Model 3 are anything to go by, this new Model Y is shaping up to be an impressive vehicle. Tesla has shared some statistical information to back up the various changes they’ve made to the ride and handling of the new Model Y, including:
- 51% improvement in ability to absorb bumps on rough roads
- 22% reduction in road noise
- 20% reduction in impact noise
- 20% reduction in wind noise
The all-new 19-inch Crossflow wheels and 20-inch Helix 2.0 wheels are said to be the most efficient designs yet, and help the New Model Y set the record for the lowest level of brake drag achieved amongst all Tesla vehicles for an estimated 5% range increase with the same battery energy.
The 2025 Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive is priced from AUD$63,400 plus on-roads, while the Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive is priced from AUD$73,400 plus on-roads in the “Launch Series” specification. Deliveries are expected in Australia from May.
You can configure a car, and place an order, right now at the Tesla website linked below.
You’ll also like:
