- The Model Y Performance is still quick but no longer feels exciting
- Rivals now match or exceed Tesla’s performance with better driver engagement
- The performance upgrades refine rather than transform the experience
- Standard and Long Range versions offer far better value for families
There was a time when Tesla’s Performance badge genuinely meant something. It stood for shock, awe and the kind of straight line pace that made passengers laugh nervously or feel slightly unwell.
Back then, Tesla did not just compete with traditional performance brands. It embarrassed them.
Fast forward to today, and after a week behind the wheel of the latest Tesla Model Y Performance, I found myself in unfamiliar territory. Admiring the numbers. Respecting the engineering. But emotionally unmoved.
This is still a very quick car. It just no longer feels like a disruptive one.
The world caught up while Tesla stood still
On paper, the Model Y Performance remains impressive. A 0 to 60mph time of 3.3 seconds is nothing to dismiss, especially from a family sized electric SUV. Dual motors, all wheel drive and a 155mph limited top speed make it objectively fast by any normal standard.
The issue is context.
In 2021, this kind of acceleration felt outrageous. Today, it is almost expected. Porsche, Audi, BMW, Hyundai and Kia all now offer electric vehicles that match or exceed this level of performance while delivering something Tesla still struggles with. Character.
Drive a Porsche Taycan Turbo S or an Audi RS E Tron GT and the acceleration is borderline uncomfortable. The physical sensation is violent. The Model Y Performance is quick, but it no longer delivers that same visceral punch. It is fast in a clean, almost clinical way.
Tesla has refined rather than reimagined the formula. Revised suspension, wider rear tyres, improved dampers and added aero all make the car more composed, but none of it transforms the driving experience.
The steering remains numb. The brakes are strong but lack feel and, on the test car, squealed far too often. The driving position is upright and functional, not engaging. This is still a family SUV pretending to be a performance car, not the other way around.
Performance that real families rarely need
Here is the uncomfortable truth. Most families neither want nor enjoy this level of performance day to day.
Show it off once or twice and passengers will smile. Do it repeatedly and someone will feel sick. That was certainly the case in my household. After the novelty wore off, the acceleration became something to avoid rather than enjoy.
Load the car with kids, bags, jackets and weekend clutter and the idea of driving it like a performance machine feels faintly ridiculous. This is a practical EV at heart, and the harder it tries to be something else, the more its limitations show.
The interior is pleasant enough. The white vegan leather looks striking but stains easily. The panoramic roof adds light, the rear screen keeps children entertained, and overall comfort is good. None of this is new or unique anymore.
What is new is the pricing reality.
Value tells the real story
In the UK, the gap between the Model Y Performance and the Standard version is vast. Around £20,000 separates them. That difference buys a second small electric car or covers years of charging, insurance and maintenance.
The Long Range rear wheel drive model is arguably the sweet spot. It offers more range, costs significantly less and sacrifices little in everyday usability. Shaving two seconds off the 0 to 60mph time suddenly feels indulgent rather than sensible.
More importantly, if genuine driving excitement is the goal, there are better options elsewhere. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT deliver real engagement and personality. Even BMW’s electric SUVs offer more feedback and involvement.
The Model Y Performance is not a bad car. Far from it. It is simply a reminder that being first does not guarantee staying ahead.
Tesla once redefined electric performance. Now, it feels like everyone else has rewritten the rulebook.
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