Hot 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance here in December

UPDATE, 05/09/2025: The 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance will arrive in Australia this December priced from $89,400 plus on-road costs – significantly less than its Kia EV6 GT, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N competition.

The all-paw high-performance electric SUV will also be the first locally-offered Tesla product sourced out of the brand's new Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany.

The original reveal story from September 1 is unchanged below:

An even quicker, more aggressive-looking 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance has been revealed ahead of its European launch this September. The more affordable Porsche Macan Electric rival is also primed to land in Australia before the end of this year.

The Tesla Model Y Performance has been unwrapped as the US EV-maker's quickest ever mid-size SUV, with deliveries commencing in Europe this month.

Australian timing has yet to be announced as we source our cars from China.

When it arrives the Model Y Performance will be capable of launching from 0-100km/h in just 3.5 seconds – 0.2 seconds quicker than before. Top speed is still limited to 250km/h.

No power or torque numbers have been disclosed, but the Model Y Performance arrives with the same upgraded dual e-motors that were fitted to the upgraded Model 3 Performance introduced last year.

Powered by a new high-voltage battery with an unknown battery capacity, Tesla says its hot mid-size SUV can now cover up to 580km on a single charge, up from the last car's 514km.

Charging remains capped at up to 250kW with a fast DC charger, while energy efficiency is claimed to be 16.2kWh/100km (WLTP).

Like the overhauled small sedan, the Model Y Performance now comes with adaptive dampers and a specific suspension tune.

The Model Y Performance sits 13mm lower to the ground than other models in the range.

Styling upgrades include a set of larger 21-inch Arachnid 2.0 alloy wheels that come wrapped in stickier Pirelli tyres.

Red brake callipers hint at a more powerful set of stoppers, but full details have yet to be released.

There's also no word if the hot Model Y will match the Model 3 Performance and come with a dedicated Track Mode, or even the ability to adjust the power split.

Advertising its extra power and acceleration, the Model Y Performance comes with new front and rear bumpers, while at the rear there's a larger spoiler made of carbon-fibre.

Inside, a pair of heated and ventilated sport seats are standard. They feature thicker bolsters and thigh support extenders.

The rear seats remain heated, with a power recline while a small 8.0-inch touchscreen nestled between the front row of seats also remains.

Injecting some added sportiness into the simple minimal cabin is carbon-fibre trim, while the central touchscreen grows to 16-inches, up from the standard car's 15.4-inch system.

In the UK pricing has been set for Model Y Performance at around 19 per cent higher than the Model Y Long Range, suggesting a price here of around $82,000 plus on-road costs.

In a bulging electric mid-size SUV segment, the Tesla Model Y Performance is no longer the default choice for drivers who want a quicker, faster, more engaging experience behind the wheel.

As well as new premium rivals like the Porsche Macan, Audi Q6 e-tron and Polestar 4, look no further than the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N if you're after a fast electric SUV from a mainstream brand.

Even cheaper alternatives from the likes of Leapmotor and XPeng are on the way to nip at the Model Y Performance heels.

Where the US brand could steal a march on the competition is if it makes a faster version of its inbound long-wheelbase Model Y L.

The combination of big performance and plenty of space potentially offers something irresistible for those large families always in a hurry.

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