At long last, a refreshed Tesla Model Y has arrived. For 2026, the electric crossover gets its first meaningful update since it went on sale way back in 2020. The big question is: Is it enough? You can interpret that in a few ways.
Is the revamped model enough to counteract Tesla's slowing sales, which dropped slightly in 2024 for the first time in the company's modern history? Is it enough to fend off stiffer competition in the electric-vehicle space, especially from Chinese companies? Is it enough to maintain the Model Y's spot among the top-selling cars in the world, even as people protest the brand and its CEO?
The answers will come in due time. We'll have our own review of the new Model Y in the coming weeks. Until then, here's what some other car reviewers thought.
For now, what's clear that most really like the new Model Y. In early walkarounds and test videos we watched from Jay Leno, Top Gear, Out of Spec, Germany's Auto Bild and CarWow, experts had mostly positive things to say about the crossover.
“It’s a much better family SUV and a much better electric car," said Tom Ford, associate editor at Top Gear, in a YouTube video posted Friday. "I think this is pretty much everything you could’ve asked for from a revised Model Y.”
How The New Tesla Model Y Drives
Lots of reviewers pointed out that the new Model Y's suspension feel is way more supple than before. One of the chief complaints about the Model Y has always been its stiff, jittery ride quality. The new version, though, is said to be much more relaxed and comfortable."It was quite noisy for an EV, and also quite wooden," said Ford. "But I’m here to tell you that, basically, you should sell your old Model Y because this is night and day better than before."
Thanks to work under the skin and new acoustic glass, you also hear way less wind and tire noise than before, reviewers said. On the AutoTopNL YouTube channel, the presenter noted the lack of tire noise while driving at around 120 mph on the Autobahn.
On his "Jay Leno's Garage" YouTube show, Leno said the Model Y feels "solid" and more planted than before, and noted how quick it is. That's a feature of most EVs, though. So quickness isn't exactly a differentiator.
"I mean this thing is so fast. It’s hilarious," Leno said. He was driving the all-wheel-drive Launch Edition, which is the first version on sale.
A Higher-End Interior
Reviewers said the new Model Y feels way fancier and more comfortable inside—and that includes our own Andrei Nedelea, who got to check out a pre-production Model Y this month. Again, buyers have long complained that Teslas don't have the build quality or premium vibe to back up their price tags.Leno said the new Model Y's door shuts with a satisfying thud. Multiple reviewers said the materials on the seats, doors and dashboard all came off more expensive and appealing than what's in the old model. They said the seats were more comfy, too.
"Immediately it already feels so much quieter and more refined than an old Model Y," said Out of Spec's Jordan Schiefer upon getting into the Model Y. “I really do like all the fine materials in here," he said, pointing out the suede material on the dash and the variety of colors.
One feature most pointed out was the turn-signal stalk, which is not a given on Teslas these days. Tesla eliminated stalks from the Model 3 when it refreshed that vehicle, and has caught unending heat for that decision. But it retained the turn-signal stalk on the new Model Y. Reviewers liked that, by and large.
“However the drive selector’s still on the screen, which I absolutely hate, to tell you the truth," said Mat Watson of the CarWow YouTube channel.
A Polarizing Design
The Model Y's new exterior design got mixed reviews, however. Watson said the facelift is "one of the most effective ones I've ever seen on any car," and fixes the old Model Y's "fish-like" appearance.
Others were less convinced.
"It does look different. It looks slicker, but I have a feeling that it’s actually slightly more generic," Ford said. "Even though I think this looks better than the old car, I’m not sure it looks much like a Tesla anymore."
As we've reported in the past, the new Model Y has a lot on its plate. Tesla's global sales are down and many once-loyal customers are turning away from the brand in response to CEO Elon Musk's role in gutting government spending and continued political activism. Sales of the new Model Y may be the ultimate barometer for how much Tesla itself will be impacted by the actions of its top executive.
What do you want to know about the new Model Y? We'll make sure to address your burning questions when we get our hands on one soon.
Contact the author: Tim.Levin@InsideEVs.com
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random redditor's impression:
