The Model Y’s history is a classic Tesla story of “evolution through data.” Launched globally in 2020 and arriving in New Zealand in mid-2022, it was built on the foundation of the Model 3 but designed to meet the world’s insatiable hunger for the compact SUV.
While early models were lauded for their efficiency, they were sometimes criticised for a firm ride and a cabin that felt, perhaps, too minimalist. Over the last few years, Tesla has iteratively improved the vehicle, adding a heat pump, revising suspension tuning, and introducing the “Vision” camera-based safety system.
However, this 2025 update marks the most significant leap forward for the Model Y. The suspension has been upgraded with a new adaptive damping system, and further enhancing passenger comfort is the inclusion of double-layered acoustic glass. Visibly, a significant design refresh has improved its appearance, and thanks to the full-width light bar, it moves further away from resembling an over-inflated Model 3.
The release of this new Model Y coincides with a pivotal shift in Tesla’s global strategy. As outlined in Master Plan Part IV, the brand is aggressively transitioning from a pure-play automotive manufacturer into an AI and robotics powerhouse.
In New Zealand, this shift is visible in the car’s hardware. The new Model Y Performance is designed to be “full self-driving ready,” with the latest software, cameras, and sensors.
What We Like and Dislike About The 2025 Tesla Model Y Performance
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Range Easy to live with Ride quality Whisper-quiet interior Ventilated and heated seats “Insane” mode acceleration Rear passenger screen Interior storage Tesla app and tech ecosystem | No HUD Rearward vision is limited No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto Fixed glass roof with no shade Remote steering feel |
What’s In The 2025 Tesla Model Y Range?
The 2025 Tesla Model Y lineup in New Zealand has been streamlined into three distinct variants, each catering to different performance and range requirements following the “Juniper” refresh.
Beginning with the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), it starts at $67,900, featuring a single 220kW motor that delivers a 0–100km/h time of 5.9 seconds and a 466km (WLTP) range.
In the middle is the Long Range AWD starting at $77,900. This model has a dual-motor setup producing 280kW, cutting the 0–100km/h time to 4.8 seconds while extending the range to 600km (WLTP).
Our test car is the flagship Performance variant, and it starts at $100,900. It is the enthusiast’s choice; utilising high-output “4DU” motors generating a combined 343kW to achieve a 0–100km/h time of 3.5 seconds, and a WLTP range of 580 km. Beyond raw power, the Performance model distinguishes itself with exclusive hardware, including adaptive suspension, 21-inch wheels, and upgraded sports seats.
2025 Tesla Model Y Colour Range
For the Performance model, the selection of any colour from the available range is included at no extra cost. The Marine Blue colour option is only available on the Performance model, while the Glacier Blue colour is only available on the RWD and the AWD models. For both of the two lesser models, any colour other than Pearl White incurs additional costs as identified in the following table.
| Colour | Rear-Wheel Drive | Long Range All-Wheel Drive | Performance |
| Pearl White Multi-Coat | included | included | included |
| Diamond Black | $1,700 | $1,700 | included |
| Glacier Blue | $1,700 | $1,700 | Not available |
| Marine Blue | Not available | Not available | included |
| Stealth Grey | $2,300 | $2,300 | included |
| Quicksilver | $3,000 | $3,000 | included |
| Ultra Red | $3,000 | $3,000 | included |
There is also a colour option for the interior across the range. While the standard colour is black, white is available at an additional $1,700.
Our Review Vehicle’s Optional Equipment
- Ultra Red exterior No extra cost
- Black interior No extra cost
- Full Self-Driving (Supervised) $11,400
Including the optional equipment, our review car’s retail price is $112,300.
For a full list of specs and options available for the Tesla Model Y Performance, head on over to Tesla New Zealand’s website.
How Does The 2025 Tesla Model Y Performance Compare To Its Competition?
The Performance model faces stiff competition from the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Kia EV6 GT, although the Tesla significantly undercuts these Korean rivals on price. While the IONIQ 5 N offers a more visceral, “simulated gear-shift” enthusiast experience, the Model Y Performance remains the practical choice for Kiwi families, offering superior boot capacity and exclusive access to the seamless Tesla Supercharger network.
New Chinese entrants like the MG IM6 Performance, BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X are challenging Tesla on interior luxury and 800V fast-charging speeds, but the 2025 “Juniper” refresh has largely neutralised previous criticisms regarding ride harshness and cabin noise.
Consequently, the Model Y Performance maintains its position as the “default” high-performance EV in New Zealand, providing a level of straight-line speed and technological maturity that its competitors at this price point struggle to match.
| Make/ Model | Battery Capacity kW-hr | Power/ Torque kW/Nm | 0-100km/h seconds | Range (WLTP), km | Boot Space, litres | Price |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | 84 | 478/770 | 3.4 | 448 | 480 | 149,990 |
| Kia EV6 GT | 84 | 430 / 740 | 3.5 | 424 | 480 (+20 frunk) | 129,990 |
| Audi Q4 55 e-tron quattro | 82 | 250 / 670 | 5.4 | 510 | 520 | 120,990 |
| Polestar 4 Dual Motor | 100 | 400 / 686 | 3.8 | 590 | 526 (+15 frunk) | 119,990 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | 91 | 434 / 955 | 3.7 | 515 | 402 (+100 frunk) | 116,990 |
| TESLA MODEL Y PERFORMANCE | 82 | 343 / 639 | 3.5 | 580 | 854 (+117 frunk) | 100,900 |
| Volvo EX40 Ultra Twin | 82 | 300 / 670 | 4.8 | 485 | 410 (+31 frunk) | 99,990 |
| Skoda Enyaq RS | 79 | 250 / 545 | 5.4 | 520 | 585 | 99,000 |
| Zeekr 7X Performance | 100 | 475/710 | 3.8 | 543 | 537 (+62 frunk) | 94,990 |
| MG IM6 Performance | 100 | 572/802 | 3.4 | 505 | 646 (+32 frunk) | 89,900 |
| BYD Sealion 7 Performance | 82.6 | 390 / 690 | 4.5 | 456 | 520 (+58 frunk) | 79,990 |
Please note that DriveLife does its best to ensure the information above is correct at the time of publication, however, prices, specifications and models can change over time. Please bear that in mind when comparing models in the comparison table.
First Impressions Of The 2025 Tesla Model Y Performance
The “Juniper” update to the Tesla Model Y introduces a more modern, minimalist aesthetic with design elements inspired by the Cybertruck and the updated Model 3. This refresh focuses on clean lines, enhanced lighting, and a refined, technology-integrated interior.
The exterior changes blend form and function, primarily focusing on aerodynamics and a bolder visual identity. The front of the car is cleaner and more cohesive, featuring sleeker, split LED headlights and a full-width LED light bar that serves as daytime running lights. Even the traditional “T” emblem has been removed from the front for a minimalist look.
At the rear, it too has significant updates. Like the front, it too features a full-width light bar, albeit an “indirect reflective” LED taillight, “a first of its kind” according to Tesla. I have to say, at night, that rear light is very cool, giving it a seamless, modern glow; its smooth tonal illumination picking up the raised TESLA letters. The license plate is relocated to the bumper, allowing for an uninterrupted tailgate design and a larger, more prominent rear diffuser.
The Ultra Red paint on our test car is a stand-out colour, matching the car’s “Performance” promise and highlighting its elegant forms.
My expectations took a further lift, even before I’d travelled to pick it up, as if in a celebration of “tech”. Before I’d left the office, on loading the Tesla app on my phone, and with an emailed link, I already “had” the keys to the car. The app confirmed its location, that it was fully charged, and even the interior temperature. It also confirmed it had the software for FSD or “Full Self Driving”. How cool!!
On arrival at Tesla, I was shown the car and all its new features. After reading their FSD disclaimer and agreeing that I would “supervise” the car when it is “self-driving”, this function was activated. At this point, I was feeling a mix of excitement and some apprehension. I trust autopilot on a Boeing, but pilots have the advantage of an empty sky. My Tesla has to navigate narrow lanes, chaotic intersections, and the unpredictable whims of other road users —all things noticeably absent in the relatively empty sky.
What’s The Interior Like In The 2025 Tesla Model Y Performance?
Inside, it’s another masterclass in elegant simplicity. Great materials, attractively mixing textures and finishes – very minimalist.
On first getting into the car, you are greeted by an unusually simple steering wheel (although not if you are already familiar with Tesla), with two roller-ball styled buttons, a few touch “buttons”, and most importantly, this new model includes an actual indicator stalk proving someone did listen!! Yay.
Around the roller-balls are some quick-link buttons that are very well considered. On the right is the Full Self Driving switch, speed limit settings and a microphone for verbal instructions to the car, and on the left is a convenient high-beam flash function and another for wiper operation.
In the centre of the car is the classic “Tesla” command centre screen, all 16 inches of it. Anyone at all familiar with Tesla, or in fact almost any new car, will know to expect controls for “everything” to be accessed through this screen. Tesla started this idea, so are the old hands at this. The new screen is significantly more refined with much thinner bezels and a noticeably higher resolution. It’s snappy, intuitive, and remains the best in the business for mapping and responsiveness. While I am not a fan of features like the air-con being controlled through the screen, it is large enough and sufficiently accessible to the driver. Clear key icons take you into the main menus and features.
However, the real news is the new 8-inch rear display mounted on the back of the centre console. It allows rear passengers to adjust their own climate, heated seats, and even stream Netflix or YouTube, and play games. It’s a peace-keeper for parents, though it does sit quite low, requiring kids to look down, and at 8” proved to be a little on the small side for watching movies or playing games on the move.
The “Juniper” update has finally killed off the scratchy plastics and wood trim of old. The dash is now wrapped in a high-quality grey textile that feels modern and “Nordic,” and the carbon fibre inserts exclusive to the Performance model are genuine and well-fitted. While Tesla’s “panel gap” reputation still lingers, our test unit showed much tighter tolerances. The interior door panels are now soft-touch, including the pockets with their felt linings, and the new ambient lighting strip that wraps around the cabin hides the joins beautifully, giving the car a much more premium, cohesive feel at night.
The most immediate change for the 2025 Performance model is the seating. Gone are the standard “armchair” seats, replaced by aggressive, ventilated Performance sports seats. They are well-formed and comfortable for any length of journey. Those in the front are sports shaped, featuring much deeper side bolsters that do more to hold you in place when you’re exploiting that 3.5-second sprint speed, but not as supportive as they might first appear. For those of us who find typical SUV seats a bit flat, these are a revelation. The seating position feels slightly lower and more “car-like” than the pre-facelift model, providing a better connection to the chassis, though you still retain that high-command view of the road that Kiwis love. The addition of cooling (ventilation) is the cherry on top for those warmer summer days.
In the back, Tesla has listened to feedback about the “bench-like” feel of the old seats. The squabs are slightly longer, providing better under-thigh support for adults. Headroom remains class-leading; even with the sloping roofline, a six-foot-tall passenger will have plenty of clearance. A new feature here is the powered recline, allowing rear passengers to tilt the backs for a snooze on long trips. Plus, the middle seat still folds down independently, making it easy, for example, to slide a set of skis through the centre without sacrificing the two outer seats.
One unfortunate finding was that the centre rear passenger doesn’t have much in the way of lateral support from the seats for when the driver chooses to have a little fun in the esses. The only real option is to hang onto the edges of the front seats and/or to lean on those sitting on either side – not always “acceptable”.
Despite our car having the darker “Performance” interior trim, the Model Y is the antithesis of claustrophobic. The signature panoramic glass roof is standard and extends all the way back, flooding the cabin with light. It is great for creating a spacious interior feel and for sightseeing. However, on a good sunny summer’s day, the new protection did not prevent us from feeling somewhat overheated. To compound this, we struggled to find a suitable setting for the air conditioning to manage our comfort, without being blasted.
The massive front windscreen, relatively low window line of the doors and the glass roof make for one of the most commanding views from a car. For 2025, the specification of the glass roof has been upgraded with improved UV and infrared protection to help manage the “glasshouse” heating that the previous model was known for.
Storage remains a Tesla superpower. The centre cubby is cavernous—deep enough to swallow a handbag or a large DSLR camera—and features a smooth-sliding lid that feels more “Audi” than “Appliance.” The glovebox is still electronically opened via the screen (which remains a bit annoying), and it’s relatively small, mostly occupied by the owner’s manual.
As for the Qi wireless chargers, there are two pads under the screen. Thankfully, they are now finished in a high-friction material. Your phone stays pinned to the charger even when you’re testing that 0-100km/h claim, a huge improvement over the slippery plastic of older models.
If there is one area where the updates have not really improved, it’s the rear-view visibility. Because of that high tail, coupe-SUV silhouette, the view through the rear-view mirror is still very much a “letterbox” slit. In general driving, you’ll rely heavily on the door mirrors, and when reversing, those crystal-clear side and rear cameras.
The boot is a massive 854 litres with the seats up, which is staggering for this segment. It is a single-height floor (no adjustable shelves), but because it sits flush with the opening, sliding heavy boxes in is a breeze. With the rear seats folded down (done via electric latches in the boot), the floor is almost perfectly flat, creating a 2,100+ litre cavern. The loading height is sensible—lower than a traditional off-roader but high enough that you aren’t straining your back to lift groceries in.
There is a 12-volt power socket located on the left-hand side wall, perfect for a portable fridge on a camping trip. You also get deep storage “bins” on both the left and right sides of the boot floor—ideal for stowing the odd wine bottle to prevent it rolling around. In addition, there is the standard underfloor storage, arguably the deepest in the class; you can easily fit a full-sized carry-on suitcase in the primary sub-floor well, with a second, smaller and shallower well closer to the back seats.
I really liked how the panel you lift to access the underfloor area automatically falls into a shallow slot that simply holds it open until you need to close it – no struts or cords to keep it in place as you load, and should you wish to leave the panel in the “up” position, the boot lid can be closed without impacting it. So well considered.
In typical Tesla fashion, there is no spare wheel and no space to store one. New Zealand buyers are also not provided with a puncture repair kit or a pump as standard—Tesla expects you to call their 24/7 Roadside Assistance. Given our remote backroads and “metal” (gravel) roads, it can leave you feeling a little nervous. Often, many of these backcountry areas have no cell phone coverage for that 24/7 assistance. Perhaps if this is your gig, then best you invest in an aftermarket repair kit and a portable compressor to keep in one of those deep underfloor bins.
What’s The 2025 Tesla Model Y Performance Like To Drive?
The sheer drivability of the Model Y Performance remains its headline act. With 0–100km/h arriving in 3.5 seconds, it’s on par with supercars. There are three acceleration modes: “Chill”, “Standard” and “Insane”. After trying all three, and to my surprise, I chose to leave it in Insane. It gave me full access to the astonishing acceleration while also being perfectly easy to live with in the worst traffic. On hill roads like the Remutakas, its ability to accelerate enabled me to make the most of the relatively short overtaking bays, even with five adults on board.
With great power comes the need for serious stopping ability, and the Performance variant wears its red Brembo-sourced callipers (labelled “Tesla”) with pride. Under hard braking, the car remains impressively stable, with very little nose-dive thanks to the revised suspension geometry. The pedal feel has been sharpened for the 2025 update, offering a more progressive bite that gives you confidence when diving into a tight corner. While you’ll rarely use the friction brakes in daily driving due to the aggressive (and highly efficient) regenerative braking, they are more than up to the task of repeated high-speed stops.
The new adaptive suspension is a game-changer for NZ roads. It has finally cured the “crashy” sensation of the old Model Y. It rounds off the edges of potholes and settles quickly after a bump, making it a far superior long-distance cruiser. Handling remains flat and clinical; it won’t give you the tactile feedback of a BMW, but the grip from the 21-inch Pirelli P-Zeros is immense. Noise insulation has also seen a massive leap, thanks to 360-degree acoustic glass; the “tyre roar” on coarse chip-seal is significantly muted, making the cabin a much more serene place to be.
Our review car also had the optional Full Self-Driving (FSD) package loaded, so the other question here is “What’s the 2025 Tesla Model Y Performance Like at driving itself? As apprehensive as I was, I just had to try it for myself. Out of the showroom, directly onto State Highway One, I set it going along a route I’d pre-loaded into the navigation system. The screen graphic showed the car following a blue line, and in a grey-on-grey interpretation of the world, it highlighted all the other relevant road users, lanes and pedestrians (not many on the highway) that it was observing and avoiding. This dynamic graphic is remarkably comforting, confirming to you that the world the car is seeing is the same one you are looking at.
On the highway, it would indicate and change lanes to overtake slower vehicles, returning to the left lane after, etc., and all this was handled with conservative ease (wish all motorists would return to the left lane when finished overtaking……). However, no matter how reassured I had been by this, when taking an off-ramp, there are so many other factors to consider and decisions to make. This absolutely took all of my resolve to let the Tesla “drive”.
I am pleased to report that it handled all this safely, if anything, a little more conservatively than I would have driven it. It smoothly controlled the slowing on the steep descending off-ramp to halt at the giveaway exit into a roundabout. After waiting for a suitable gap in the traffic, we entered the roundabout. Throughout all manoeuvres, it had suitably managed the speeds and correctly applied the indicators for all lane changes through the entry to and exit from two roundabouts. If it were a driving test, it easily would have passed, perhaps with a comment or two that its skills will improve with more practice.
I was advised by Tesla that FSD is about 97% reliable, and I agree with that assessment. There were a few times I would have placed the car better on the road. For example, it positioned the car diagonally across a turning bay, as this lined up with the road we were entering. Nothing unsafe, just not perfect.
FSD is great fun for unsuspecting passengers, and as impressive as it is, for most of my time in the Tesla, I thoroughly enjoyed driving it myself. While FSD could be beneficial to many, for me, I took most comfort from knowing the car was like driving with a back-up driver, effectively a safety net should you have missed seeing something. That said, FSD is a high-cost option, not a standard feature included in the purchase price.
Fred spent a week using only FSD, you can watch his results here:
The seats also add to the all-around improvement package. They are well-formed and comfortable for any length of journey. Those in the front are sports shaped, but not as supportive as they might first appear. Those in the back are good too, and similar to those in the front, the angle of the rear seat backrests can be electrically altered. However, nothing really helped the person sitting in the middle seat over the Remutaka hill. They didn’t have the best experience, having limited lateral support in the corners.
On a separate run, and with only 4 people in the car, all reported a comfortable ride, including during “Insane” mode overtakes.
From the driver’s seat, the “Juniper” feels lower and more “plugged in” than the original. The front visibility is panoramic—the low bonnet line and lack of an instrument binnacle make you feel like you’re in the front seat in an i-Max cinema. However, the rear view is still the “letterbox” slit we’ve come to expect. You’ll rely heavily on the excellent suite of cameras, which are a godsend for avoiding those 21-inch wheels getting “kerbed” in tight Wellington parking buildings.
The “one-pedal” driving is arguably one of the best in the business; it is smooth, predictable, and allows you to navigate almost all driving without ever touching the brake pedal. The Remutaka Hill road highlighted this; I was able to drive the entire route solely using the accelerator. For 2025, the power delivery feels even more linear, losing that nervous “twitchiness” in the initial throttle tip-in that plagued earlier models.
While the 15.4-inch central screen is faster than ever, there’s still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This just feels like a design miss in today’s world, where life pivots around our phones. I also did not favour the single central screen being the source of all information, including my speed – give me a HUD anyday.
Interaction with the screen did not always need to be initiated by touch; many times, verbal commands could be given by using the microphone button on the steering wheel and simply speaking a request to the car. Generally, this worked OK, although it could be a little hit and miss at times, particularly around navigation.
While we don’t talk in “litres per hundred,” the energy efficiency of the Model Y Performance is remarkable. During our testing, we covered some 460 km, and averaged 15.8 kWh/100km. Even when pushing hard over the Remutaka Hill, the range didn’t plummet as drastically as some of its European rivals.
Diving into the fuel consumption history of the car, it had covered 1,798 km, recording an energy consumption rate of 17.1 kWh/100km; excellent for a car that is used solely for press and publicity. This then indicates it is reasonable to expect it to have a practical range of 450 to 480 km, good for Wellington to around the Hamilton, Rotorua or Waitomo regions.
READ ON TO CHECK OUT OUR SUMMARY OF THE 2025 TESLA MODEL Y PERFORMANCE.
2025 Tesla Model Y Performance – Specifications
| Vehicle Type | Medium EV SUV |
| Starting Price | $100,900 |
| Price as Tested | $112,300 (excl Delivery, Order and Registration fees) |
| Engine | Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (Induction & Permanent Magnet) |
| Power, Torque kW/Nm | 461/741 |
| Transmission | Single-Speed Fixed Gear (Automatic) |
| Spare Wheel | None (no spare wheel, and no tyre repair kit/sealant & compressor) |
| Kerb Weight, Kg | 2,033 |
| Length x Width x Height mm | 4,796 x 1,982 x 1,611 (width – mirrors folded 1,982, mirrors extended 2,129) |
| Boot Space / Cargo Capacity, Litres (seats up/seats down) | 854 (Seats Up) / 2,138 (Seats Down) |
| Battery capacity, kWh | 82 (NMC Lithium-ion) |
| Energy Economy, kWh/100km | Advertised Spec – Combined – 16.1 to 17.2 Real-World Test – Combined – 17.1 Low Usage: 6-10 / Medium Usage 11-19 / High Usage 19+ |
| Towing Capacity Kg, unbraked/braked | 750/1,600 |
| Turning circle metres | 12.1 Small: 6-10m / Medium 10-12m / Large 12m+ |
| Warranty | 5 years unlimited kms 8 years or 192,000 km (whichever comes first) Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty, promising at least 70% battery retention. 5 years or 100,000 km Supplemental Restraint System Rust 12 years unlimited miles |
| Safety information | ANCAP Rating –5 stars – Link Rightcar.govt.nz – 5 Stars – RHE73 |
Have you enjoyed this review? Be sure to join our monthly email newsletter list so you don’t miss a single car review!
