Used Tesla Model Y 2022-present review

The Tesla Model Y didn't end up looking similar to the Tesla Model 3 by coincidence. You see, a plethora of parts are shared between the two cars.

Essentially, you can think of the Model Y as a Model 3 that's been pumped full of growth hormone to give it a higher driving position, more room inside and some SUV style. It's essentially been turned into an electric SUV, which is a very popular class of car, with rivals including the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3, Kia EV6 and Skoda Enyaq, among many others.

Power and performance: You can choose between RWD, Long Range and Performance versions of the Model Y, depending on how important acceleration and range is to you. As for the former attribute, the Model Y isn’t quite as rapid as an equivalent Model 3 (blame the extra weight for that). Mind you, at our private test track, we timed a Long Range version from 0-60mph and it managed the sprint in 4.8sec. How about the range-topping Performance model? Well, that has a supercar-rivalling official 0-60mph time of 3.5sec.

Meanwhile, the post-April 2025 Performance version, which you can about in our Tesla Model Y review, can officially accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.3sec and manage 360 miles on a charge.

The entry-level RWD (rear-wheel drive) Model Y managed 0-60mph in 6.9sec in our tests – that's plenty fast enough for most buyers. The RWD has a much shorter official range than the Long Range (283 miles against 331 miles). The Performance version officially manages 319 miles on a single charge.

The post-facelift Long Range AWD receives a larger 79kWh (usable capacity) battery, increasing its official range to a maximum of 390 miles.

Ride and handling: While undoubtedly quick, the rest of the driving experience leaves a few things to be desired. For a start, comfort isn't its strong suit, because the ride is quite busy, often jostling you around in your seat over uneven patches of road. It's nowhere near as comfortable as a Q4 or Enyaq.

The incredibly quick steering that works well on the Model 3 has been carried over. However, with the slightly more lethargic responses of an SUV, it makes the Model Y feel a bit nervous in the bends.

Interior and practicality: The Model Y's interior is about as minimalist as it gets. Almost everything is controlled via the 15.0in touchscreen, which uses the same infotainment system as the Model 3. Thankfully, the operating system is fairly intuitive, and while some of the smaller icons can be distracting to hit accurately while you’re driving, the system is responsive once you’ve made your selection. Unfortunately, there's no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay available.

As for quality, the Model Y is a big improvement on the brand's early cars, which were a bit patchy in this area. Everything feels tightly screwed together, plus the stalks and steering wheel buttons have a nice solid feel to them. There are plenty of squidgy plastics and suede-like materials, too, even in the back seats. It's more plush than an EV6 inside, but it can't quite match the iX3 for overall solidity and quality.

Anyone sitting in the front is unlikely to have any complaints about space in the Model Y, no matter how tall they are. Plus, as we touched upon, there's more rear leg and head room in the Model Y than in the Model 3 (although not by a dramatic amount). A couple of six-footers will be more than comfortable enough on a long journey and, thanks to the flat floor, a third passenger sitting in the middle won’t feel too hard done by.

The Model Y has a huge boot – especially when you factor in the large well hidden under the floor. There’s also a smaller underfloor storage area directly behind the rear seats, which is a great place to stow the charging cables. In total, we managed to fit nine carry-on suitcases in the Model Y's boot and one in the front. To put that into context, the EV6, Q4 e-tron and Renault Scenic swallowed seven.

The hatchback tailgate makes the Model Y a much more practical option than the Model 3. Fitting a big buggy inside is no problem at all, and all versions have an electric tailgate that can be opened and closed using the touchscreen, from the Tesla app on your phone or by pressing a button on the boot lid.

Trims and equipment: All Model Ys come equipped with front and rear parking sensors, along with multiple cameras positioned around the car to make manoeuvring easier. LED headlights are standard, as are cruise control and adaptive cruise control, faux-leather seats (heated in both the front and rear), an electric tailgate, and keyless entry via a smartphone app.

The central touchscreen includes a wide range of features, from practical tools such as satellite navigation and web browsing to entertainment options like Netflix and Spotify, plus some light-hearted extras – including driving games controlled by the steering wheel and the ability to play novelty sounds. There are also two conveniently placed wireless phone-charging pads beneath the infotainment screen, along with USB-C ports in the large, covered centre console for fast device charging.

Facelift: The Model Y was given a heavy facelift in 2025. It introduced a sleeker, more aerodynamic design inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck (featuring new bumpers and LED light bars). Key upgrades include a more refined ride with improved suspension, significantly reduced interior noise at speed, a modernised interior with ambient lighting, and a new 8.0in touchscreen for the back seat passengers.

"I'm not exactly a tech geek, but I found the Model Y's screen surprisingly easy to get along with. It operates much like a smartphone." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

If you're interested in finding a used Tesla Model Y or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Currently, you'll need at least £17,000 to pick up a Tesla Model Y. It'll likely be a 2022 RWD or Long Range model that has around 60,000 miles on the clock. Look to spend more than £18,000 on a 2023 car and £22,000 on a 2024 model. You'll need more than £40,000 to get into a 2025 facelift car.

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Charging

The Tesla charging infrastructure is a big reason to choose a Model Y over rivals. The company’s Supercharger network is extensive, reliable and, in ideal conditions, allows you to charge the battery from 10-80% in less than half an hour. Alternatively, if you plug into a 7kW wallbox at home, a 0-100% charge in the entry-level RWD will take around 9hr 15min or roughly 12 hours in the Long Range and Performance variants.

Insurance

The Model Y ranges from insurance group 46 to 50 (out of 50), making it pricy to insure.

Servicing

On the Model Y, Tesla recommends a cabin air filter replacement every two years, a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter change every three years, and a brake fluid test every four years. You can check the Maintenance Summary on the touchscreen to see when vehicle maintenance actions were last performed, along with when they should be performed next. You can schedule, change and cancel a service appointment via the Tesla app.

For servicing costs, we were quoted £195 (plus VAT) for a minor service and £320 (plus VAT) for a major service and a brake inspection, all from an independent electric car specialist. You can expect to pay a touch more when servicing the HEPA filter, which is an expensive item to replace on the Model Y. From the same specialist, we were quoted £185 (plus VAT) for a minor service and £235 (plus VAT) for a major service and a brake inspection for an Enyaq and Volkswagen ID 4, which fall under its VW Group servicing costs.

Warranty

From new, every Model Y comes with a four-year, 60,000-mile warranty on most components. That's pretty good, but you get a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty with an EV6 and a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty with a Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Safety

The Model Y was awarded a full five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP in 2022. A closer look at the scores reveals better adult-occupant protection than the EV6 and about the same as the Q4 e-tron. Child protection was found to be exceptional. All Model Ys come with automatic emergency braking (AEB) and blind-spot monitoring as standard.

Reliability

Despite a very strong showing in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, real-world owner reviews say the Model Y is a bit of a mixed bag for reliability. While its electric motors and batteries prove remarkably dependable, the car is often let down by inconsistent build quality, such as misaligned panels and leaky seals. Inside, owners have reported software glitches and touchscreen issues, and while Tesla’s mobile repair service is convenient, the physical service centres can be a challenge to access.

To find out more about used Tesla Model Y reliability, head to our dedicated reliability page.

Unless you're a speed freak and will pay anything for the astonishing acceleration of the Performance, go for the Model Y Long Range. When used, the Long Range goes for similar prices to the RWD, which is slower and has a shorter range.

Our favourite Tesla Model Y: Long Range

The Skoda Enyaq is arguably the Model Y's arch nemesis. It's cheaper to buy used, but it's significantly more comfortable to drive, thanks to its supple suspension. Interior space and range is competitive with the Model Y, too.

The Kia EV6 is another favourite of ours. Its ride is more composed than the Model Y and its handling is more polished, not to mention it's a cheaper used buy. It has a good range, too, even if it won't go quite as far as the Model Y will on a single charge.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is closely related to the EV6. While it's cheaper than the Model Y, its interior isn't quite as plush and early models are very softly sprung, resulting in a poor ride and handling balance. Later models are better for this, though, and it's very spacious inside. Range is similar to the EV6, too.

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If you're interested in finding a used Tesla Model Y or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.