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Electric
2025 Tesla Model Y electric SUV: price, specs, release date in Australia
Toby Hagon
January 17, 2025
The Tesla Model Y has a sleek new look, more power and added tech as part of a major update to freshen up the best-selling electric vehicle in Australia. From pricing to specs, here’s what you need to know about the new 2025 Tesla Model Y medium SUV.
Tesla has released details of the updated 2025 Tesla Model Y mid-size electric SUV.
Instead of the familiar media drip feed and flashy launch party, the new version of the top-selling EV in Australia was simply uploaded to the Tesla Australia website with specs and pricing information, allowing owners to get their orders in ahead of first deliveries expected from May 2025.
It’s a very ‘Tesla’ way of doing things, and one that has instantly whipped the brand enthusiasts into a frenzy with what’s changed and what stays the same compared to the outgoing Tesla Model Y.
Unsurprisingly, many of the changes mimic those made late in 2023 to the closely related Tesla Model 3 medium sedan.
The 2025 Tesla Model Y looks much different to its predecessor at both the front and rear end.
How much does the 2025 Tesla Model Y cost in Australia?
For now, the 2025 Tesla Model Y is available exclusively as a Launch Series model that comes highly equipped. There are two variants: entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and pricier Long Range, although down the track we’ll also likely see a Performance variant.
Each costs more than the models they step in for. The Tesla Model Y RWD is now $63,400 plus on-road costs, a full $7500 more expensive than previously. At $73,400 plus on-road costs, the latest Tesla Model Y Long Range is $3500 more expensive than the model it replaces. That narrows the gap between the two variants to $10,000, $4000 less than previously, and is likely to tempt some buyers into the more expensive model.
Of the 21,253 Tesla Model Y EVs sold in Australia last year, 3699 were Long Range and only 672 Performance models, according to data published by the Electric Vehicle Council. The rest (16,882 units) were the most affordable Rear-Wheel Drive.
One area the Model Y still lags is in its factory warranty. At four years or 80,000km, Tesla’s warranty is inferior to those of all major rivals. The battery warranty is better, at eight years/160,000km for the Rear-Wheel Drive and eight years/192,000km for the Long Range (the variation is due to different battery chemistries).
Tesla is already taking orders for the 2025 Tesla Model Y in Australia and estimates that first deliveries will take place in May 2025. Interested buyers can head to Tesla’s Australian website to place an order.
It will arrive soon after the 2025 BYD Sealion 7 hits the road, which is taking aim at the Model Y. A host of other new Chinese car brands are lining up to take on Tesla this year, many with medium SUVs.
Drivers of the new 2025 Tesla Model Y can select Drive and Reverse through the main infotainment screen, but the indicator stalk remains, unlike the Tesla Model 3.
What is the range and performance of the 2025 Tesla Model Y?
Tesla has improved efficiency with the 2025 Tesla Model Y via better aerodynamics and tyres with a lower rolling resistance.
The Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive uses a single electric motor and draws energy from a lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) battery. Improvements to efficiency have stretched the claimed range from 455km to 466km (WLTP). Tesla hasn’t detailed the battery capacity but it appears to be the same 60kWh of the outgoing model.
The Tesla Model Y Long Range adds a front motor for a dual-motor layout and changes the battery chemistry to nickel manganese cobalt (NMC or NCM). That means higher energy density for a larger capacity – somewhere around 80kWh – for a claimed driving range of 551km, up from 533km (WLTP).
Charging is also quicker on the Rear-Wheel Drive, the maximum charge rate increasing from 170kW to 175kW, in turn marginally improving how quickly it charges. For the Model Y RWD you can add 229km of range in 15 minutes while the Long Range – with its 250kW charging peak – can pile on 266km in the same time (5km more than before).
The new 2025 Tesla Model Y also accelerates faster than the model it replaces, suggesting there’s more power (although Tesla doesn’t quote outputs). The Rear-Wheel Drive is claimed to take 5.9 seconds to reach 100km/h, a full second quicker than the model it steps in for. The Long Range reaches the same milestone in 4.3 seconds, 0.7 seconds quicker than before.
There is one caveat with that Long Range figure. Tesla has traditionally offered an Acceleration Boost for the Long Range – it is a software update to grow revenue – and the new Launch Series comes with it standard.
Despite the extra punch, the Model Y has a lower top speed, now 201km/h (the previous car was rated to 217km/h). It seems Tesla has electronically limited the top speed due to the fitment of lower rolling resistance tyres, which in turn improve efficiency (it did the same thing with the updated Model 3).
It’s all part of the improved dynamic equation for the Tesla Model Y. One of the biggest changes to the Model 3 was the fitment of frequency selective dampers that can adjust damping force depending on the size and severity of a bump. It turned a firmly sprung car into something that is a lot more comfortable and compliant.
Tesla hasn’t detailed the changes but says the 2025 Model Y has revised suspension that “offers smoother handling, added comfort, more responsive steering and a quieter ride”. Part of that quieter ride is down to improvements to insulation and the revised aerodynamics as well as fitment of ‘acoustic glass’, presumably to the windscreen.
The 2025 Tesla Model Y has a new 8.0-inch rear touchscreen behind the centre console box.
Higher quality materials and extra features and technology are found in the new Tesla Model Y.
The rear seats in the new Tesla Model Y now fold electronically.
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What are the specs and features of the 2025 Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y has always been well equipped, with headline features including a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, powered tailgate and heated seats.
These remain on board while Tesla has added more equipment, such as an 8.0-inch touchscreen in the rear that allows those in the back to stream video content or play video games (it operates with wireless headphones). Like the Model 3, the Model Y also picks up ventilated front seats. Plus, there’s adjustable ambient lighting.
There’s one extra often overlooked by those shopping for an EV: the Tesla charging network. It’s vast, reliable and makes road trips a little bit easier.
What is the exterior design of the 2025 Tesla Model Y like?
The new 2025 Tesla Model Y may look radically different, but there are some clever design tweaks concealing plenty of the original Model Y beneath the skin. It’s what the industry refers to as a facelift, albeit a significant one that changes the design dramatically.
The biggest change is to the front and rear, each of which now gets a distinctive LED light bar and slim headlights and tail-lights. Tesla says it draws from the radical look of the controversial Tesla Cybertruck ute available in America. There’s also a new bonnet and bumpers, as well as 20-inch wheels replacing the previous car’s 19s.
At 4792mm long, the new Model Y is 41mm longer than the previous model, all of it down to the reprofiled bumpers (the height and width haven’t changed). And there’s a new colour – Glacier Blue – to add to the mix.
What is the interior of the 2025 Tesla Model Y like?
Revisions to the interior of the 2025 Tesla Model Y centre on higher quality finishes and materials, although there’s also more features and technology.
As before, there’s a minimalist look to the cabin. It’s dominated by the 15.4-inch central touchscreen that is the nerve centre of the car, incorporating everything from the instrument cluster and owner’s manual to buttons to open the bonnet and glovebox.
Thankfully, Tesla listened to criticism of the push-button indicators introduced in the Model 3 and has kept the indicator stalk for the Model Y. But the drive selector stalk previously to the right of the steering wheel is no longer there; instead, Drive and Reverse are selected through the main screen.
Recharging times are now quicker in the entry-level RWD version of the 2025 Tesla Model Y.
What safety features are included on the 2025 Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y previously received a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2022, something likely to lapse due to the changes made to the exterior of the car. But Tesla claims the new 2025 model “builds upon the strengths of its predecessor” from a safety perspective.
As with all Tesla EVs, the Model Y comes with Autopilot, which is not a self-driving function (as the name may imply) but a suite of driver assistance systems, including autonomous cruise control and lane keep assistance. There’s also blind spot warning and autonomous emergency braking.
A new forward-facing camera is accessible to the driver; Teslas have always had cameras looking forward but they’ve only been used for driver assist features – such as cruise control and autonomous braking – rather than displaying an image on the screen to help with parking.
Cabin space is unchanged because the core of the Tesla Model Y carries over for the new 2025 model. But the Model Y has always been one of the most spacious five-seat medium SUVs.
There's 971 litres of boot space, some of it beneath the boot floor. Another 117L under the bonnet (in the frunk) is handy for charging cables and valuables.
And the rear seats of the Launch Series now fold electronically. It looks as though the 40/20/40 split-fold functionality has been retained too.
What changes can we expect with the Tesla Model Y in future?
The 2025 Tesla Model Y Launch Series is claimed to be a “limited release”, although exactly how limited and what will change in Australia is unknown. Best guesses are that the regular models will arrive within a few months and miss out on some equipment, in turn lowering the price.
Expect 19-inch wheels to be standard (rather than 20s of the Launch Series), and there’s a chance the electric-folding rear seats will be relegated to the options list. Also expect regular Model Y Long Range models to do without the Acceleration Boost, instead making that an option too.
We also wouldn’t be surprised to see Tesla again start charging more for some colours.
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