Even beyond the headlines made by its CEO, Tesla is in a bit of a pickle. The Cybertruck doesn’t seem to be living up to expectations, sales are down for the brand’s cars across the board, and it seems like the future product pipeline largely consists of reheated stuff. Case in point: The new Tesla Model Y Performance has finally dropped overseas, and at face value, it’s no longer the impressive performance crossover it once was.
The fast electric crossover segment has been absolutely ruthless over the past few years. From Ford’s gravel-running Mustang Mach-E Rally to the Chevrolet Blazer SS to Hyundai’s ballistic Ioniq 5 N, it feels like a rite of passage for just about every automaker under the sun to extract serious juice from their plug-in default-shaped cars. As a result, the updated Tesla Model Y Performance is launching into a whole new world, and judging by the specs of the model sold around most of the globe, it probably isn’t enough to move the needle.
Let’s start with the sparky bits. For the new Model Y Performance, Tesla has stuck with the 75 kWh battery pack from the Model Y Long Range, but then used it to feed a rear-mounted 4DU drive unit borrowed from the Model 3 Performance. The result is 460 horsepower, 181 fewer than Hyundai’s weapons-grade Ioniq 5 N and 20 fewer than Ford’s Mustang Mach-E GT. As you can probably expect, this translates to a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, right on par with a Mustang Mach-E GT with the $995 Performance Upgrade, about level with the heavy Chevrolet Blazer SS, and a clip behind what the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N can really do. Quicker than what the old Model Y Performance can do, but only just about keeping up with some of the Joneses.
So what about other go-fast bits? Well, the new Model Y Performance features adaptive dampers from the Model 3 Performance, a new set of sport seats, 21-inch wheels, and that’s about it. No track mode, nothing that really lets you play around with torque split and remove the leash of stability control, no real USP here other than that it’s quicker and slightly different-looking than other Model Ys. Sure, there’s a launch mode, but what fast car doesn’t have a launch mode these days?
So, other than some cosmetic bits and middle-of-the-pack performance stats, what else does the new Model Y Performance give you? Well, 250 kW charging is competitive, and a top speed of 155 mph isn’t any lower than that of the old Model Y Performance, but the main selling point here is performance and range. This thing’s rated at 360 miles of range on the WLTP cycle, 40 miles more than a Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and 82 miles more than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Still, “your mileage may vary” is a real caveat, and the new Model Y Performance is only about $4,187 cheaper than a more enthusiast-oriented Ioniq 5 N, according to U.K. pricing at current conversion rates. For the sort of person who’d buy a fast EV, that seems like it could be $4,187 well-spent.
Of course, it’s worth noting that we haven’t yet seen the U.S.-spec model yet. Considering the European-spec Model 3 Performance is limited to the same 460 horsepower as the new rest-of-world Model Y Performance but puts out 510 horsepower in America thanks to different battery chemistry, it’s possible we could see a boost in output for the U.S.-spec Model Y Performance, but it might not be enough to matter. After all, Motor Trend hustled a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N from zero-to-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, and given how Tesla claims zero-to-60 mph in 2.9 seconds from the U.S.-spec Model 3 Performance, a bigger Model Y equivalent shouldn’t be any quicker.
In a moment of crisis, Tesla’s responding with something that really isn’t worth caring about. On first glance, the new Model Y Performance is not particularly innovative or unique or even hugely desirable above its competition on anything other than rated range. It’s a niche offering that will make up a small portion of the sales mix, at a time when Tesla needs something with mass appeal. At this point, other automakers have pretty much caught up with the former industry leader, and it feels like only a matter of time before they go flying by.
Top graphic image: Tesla
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Is this a review of the car or the company?
I’ve been shopping for a new car for the last month or so, placed an order on a Y just in case I decided to get one (at the time end of September was mandatory as a delivery date to get the EV tax credit, not an order date), and as much as I dislike the mad guy – this thing is leaps and bounds above and ahead everything I tried.
First thing first, to be clear, we’re talking about the new Y. Apparently the previous one was rattling and whatnot.
This thing is comfortable, composed and tight with the original wheels. I suspect it will be a bit harsh with the optional larger ones.
It is humungous inside for its size. Trunk is huge. Undertrunk storage fit my friend’s saxophone. The frunk got his second one. Could have put both if I was willing to squeeze them – I didn’t. The console storage is about the size of a bucket.
Back seats recline. Front seats are heated and ventilated, and both heat and ventilation really work. AC and heating are second to none. Huge glass roof (with no shade stock, it is true).
Cameras at a whole different level. A dashcam setup in any other car that will record less witll be north of $400 install not included. And it won’t have the side cams.
The services provided in the $9.99 monthly connectivity plan are a laundry list long as my wife’s legs. It has pretty much everything I can think of and several things I never thought of. My 10yrs old Hyundai’s plan for remote start and location adds up to $30/mo.
Performance is clear – I won’t comment on it.
It does have a setting to chill a bit on the regen brakes – like in the Type S. The others apparently don’t have that. I learned to one-pedal drive in about 3 minutes, but for others it might matter.
There’s a turn signal stalk.
The headlights are – stock – matrix headlights with selective blinding like on the big Germans.
Sitting parked, engine running to keep the AC on, my Hyundai loses one mile of remaining range per minute. That’s the equivalent to driving at 60mph. On a full tank, that would be about five hours.
On the Y, it was losing around 1 mile of range per 3-4 minutes. This thing is the ideal car for anyone that has to sit in the car stopped for extended amounts of time. I’d say anyone who’s a cab driver or has a wife.
And they bake in the $7500 EV credit in the cash price right off the bat, as opposed to the leasing gymnastics everybody else does. Which puts it at $44.5k with the expensive colors and dual motor. Get it in black and RWD, and it’s four grand less.
And most of all – OMG, the ordering. The testing. A different world. Tested it several times for an hour, then they gave me a 48 hours test, no pressure, and a smile. The lady pushed us to try everything we wanted. We tried the 3 and the X. I have to say – those were absolute jokes, for different reasons. The 3 was simply bouncy, small and all around worse, the X was like a parody of what a futuristic car should look like on the inside, from the perspective of someone who never saw a car. Bouncy (despite a million suspension settings), cramped small seats in an otherwise spacious interior – an absolute joke.
We didn’t end up buying it and I’ll lose my $250 deposit, and will feel guilty towards the people who worked with us and were genuinely nice, but it was worth it if only for the 48 hours I got with it (which happened to occur when we were one car short in the family as well).
Yes, it has its quirks. Yes, the screen is counterintuitive as hell. Yes, you need to go through a menu to open the frunk or the glove box. Yes, it has no knobs and buttons. Yes, I hate that.
It has drivers profiles which remember every single setting, and opening frunk and glovebox can be made easier with aftermarket goodies. There are even electric pano roof shades on Amazon. Stupid we have to get there, but it is widely outweighted by the bonuses.
It is an amazing car at its current discounted price. It will be less so at its 50k price, but even then it will still be almost worth it.
Gobblin’ is a very fitting name for this post.
Walks like a dick, talks like a dick – the gods of probabilities are merciless my friend.
Objectively, this is an incremental improvement of a very good car for a reasonable price.
Straight from the Belgian configurator sites:
ioniq 5N: € 78 000;
Mach E GT: €84 000;
Model Y Performance: €63 000.
I dislike the uberpedofuhrer as much as the next guy, but these cars sure do offer value.
Many years ago, a terrific restaurant opened in the trendiest part of town. From the decor to the menu, it was clever, innovative and good, as far as the upscale clientèle they chased. I dined there several times, and it really was good.
Within a month, every restaurant in the area had acceptable copies of their best recipes on their own menus. Within a year, there were cheaper restaurants that copied the look and feel of the place, and within another year, there were better restaurants with improved food.
The original place made minor improvements but thought their reputation would hold their customers.
Which was, of course, the beginning of the end.
They were innovative. Then they stopped. And everyone else caught up and then surpassed them.
They could have tried new menu items, they could have revamped the restaurant. But they did nothing. And being a media and customer darling was of no real help.
Thush endeth the lesshon.
Before we write off Tesla as a company, I have a question.
Forgive my lack of knowledge in this area, but do Teslas have enough US content to offer cars at a better price than anything that gets stuck in the tariff quagmire?
If the tariffs are high enough for long enough, our preferred rides might either be too expensive or no longer imported into the States. Teslas might fill a void in that scenario, which could be the lifeline they need to survive.
Unintended consequences of tariffs will be everywhere, and many of them will surprise the hell out of us.
Maybe Tesla’s beleaguered CEO should green-light the addition of a Sabbath mode feature to his slow selling vehicle line up. Something similar to the setting offered by Samsung and LG on their ovens and refrigerators that allow Shabbat-observant Jews to use them during the Jewish Sabbath and holidays.
Its an interesting thing.
I think this site used to be much more honest about “no politics.”
Now its a whole lot of “we really don’t get into politics, but lemme just jump right in with some political stuff right here!”
Makes sense in that as in all things internet, politics gets clicks.
Look at me here commenting on same.
And I get that politics are super crazy right now, and all kinds of really norm-busting stuff is happening, which totally impacts the car-o-sphere.
But this could be an area to tighten up on editorially.
Or, again, not, if you want the traffic, which of course you do.
And we all can’t look away.
Or maybe we can, and will…
I don’t see any references to politics in this article. Unless I missed it on the first read and then the skimming I did to check after reading this comment.
Just mentioning “CEO” and talking about Tesla’s current troubles is enough to trigger some folks I guess
Umm.. huh? Where are you seeing politics here?
Mentioning that the CEO has been making headlines for something other than his car company is political? It’s political because said CEO literally inserted himself in politics.
Excuse me, which part of the article is political?
Just because you can no longer identify what’s political and what’s not doesn’t mean the industry and everyone else can’t.
Agreed. Politics is why I quit reading the other site. Does the CEO of any other manufacturer get mentioned except for maybe batshit crazy Pieche era VW mentions. Would I line to see a 2.6 second Y, sure, but trying to act like the Y isn’t an absolute success is carrying political baggage into an area unnecessarily. Love or hate the car it’s selling like hotcakes, especially compared to the Mustang.