Tesla Model Y: Australian pricing revealed for electric SUV – EXCLUSIVE

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Pricing has been revealed this morning for the 2022 Tesla Model Y, the long-awaited midsize SUV from American EV specialist manufacturer will start from $67,990 before on-road costs for a single-motor RWD specification.

Australian pricing for the Model Y was released to corporate and industry customers this morning for at least two variants of the local lineup. The Model Y will join the Model 3 sedan (from $63,900) in Tesla’s Australian lineup and is expected to become the brand’s best-selling model if supply remains strong.

Buyers looking for maximum pace will prefer the Model Y Performance grade, which utilises dual-motor AWD to sprint from rest to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds. The Model Y Performance has an Australian price of $98,172 before on-road costs – a $30,000 leap over the entry-grade car.

Chasing Cars understands that a third variant of Model Y is likely to come to Australia in Long Range Dual Motor guise boasting the longest range of all Model Ys at 507km (WLTP).

Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed for the Long Range Dual Motor Model Y, but looking at the Model 3’s pricing structure, the mid-spec Model Y is likely to list for around $80,000 in Australia.

Pre-orders temporarily open

Update: Tesla briefly opened pre-orders for the Model Y on its website from the 9th to the 10th of April, where it quoted lower prices of $65,500 before on-road costs for the RWD model and $90,900 for the Performance.

The latest pricing information was published by The Driven, who were sent multiple screenshots from Tesla fans who spotted the update including one from Western Australia who claims their payment was put through.

Tesla’s decision to publish pricing that is between $2490 and $7272 cheaper, is indicative of late-stage product planning decisions and currency fluctuations that determine the final listed figure.

In 2021, Tesla sold 12,094 cars in Australia, exclusively of the existing Model 3 sedan. The strength of the midsize SUV segment indicates that the Model Y should replace it as the brand’s best-seller locally.

The Model Y will enter the Australian market to compete in the growing sub-$100K EV space with rivals such as the Polestar 2 ($59,900), Kia EV6 ($67,990) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($72,990).

However, the Model Y will – for the time being – have exclusive use among its competitive set of Tesla’s famed Supercharger network, the broadest of its type in Australia.

Two variant range from $68K to $98K confirmed, third variant likely on the way

Exact Australian specifications are yet to be confirmed, but the Model Y RWD will start from $67,990 before on-road costs with a similar grade structure to the Model 3 sedan.

The base RWD Model Y gets interior comforts such as a panoramic glass roof, heated front seats and steering wheel, leatherette upholstery and wireless phone charging.

Tesla’s technology package is impressive with all Model Ys getting a 15.0-inch floating touchscreen with Netflix and Caraoke (karaoke) among other features.

Moving up to the $98,172 Performance AWD grade adds not only more power, but also a premium 14-speaker sound system, aluminium pedals and ambient lighting.

All Model Ys will be equipped with Tesla’s Autopilot adaptive safety assistance tech with active cruise control, lane-trace assist, forward AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection and a 360-degree camera. The Model Y has scored highly in American crash-testing protocols.

Up to 413kW of power, 514km range in Model Y

There will be two powertrains available for the Model Y, a price-leader rear-drive single motor setup that produces 255kW of power with the AWD Performance rated at 413kW/660Nm.

Range is expected to be higher for the dual-motor Performance grade with its 480km WLTP claim thanks to a larger battery that (although Tesla doesn’t quote a precise figure) is estimated to be around 75kWh in usable capacity.

The standard range single motor uses a smaller battery with roughly 56kWh usable capacity allowing it to achieve a 455km WLTP figure. 

Tesla also offers a mid-spec Model Y Dual Motor Long Range with outputs rated at 393kW/493Nm and the security of AWD. With the larger battery and lower outputs, the mid-spec car’s WLTP claim climbs to 507km, though Australian pricing is yet to be announced.

Charging infrastructure is one of the big draw cards to a Tesla product, and the Model Y can take advantage of the ultra-rapid Supercharger network with a maximum DC charge rate of 210kW with its 400V architecture. Quicker than a Polestar 2 (150kW) but still a way off Porsche’s Taycan (270kW).

For the larger battery cars, 10-80 percent can be recuperated in 30 minutes, and it will take around eight and a half hours on an 11kW wallbox to charge the battery from 0-100 percent.

Model Y expected to become best-selling Tesla

With the popularity of both SUVs and electric vehicles continuing to grow in Australia, the Model Y could capitalise and become the American brand’s best-selling vehicle.

To the end of March 2022, Tesla sold 4417 Model 3 sedans, putting it in 13th spot in year-to-date sales figures. 

In North America, Tesla also offers the option of third-row seating for the Model Y that could bolster its appeal further for those who occasionally need to carry an extra pair of passengers, though the availability hasn’t been confirmed for Australia.

Depending on supply and production constraints that have affected the automotive industry broadly, the Chinese-built Model Y could very well go on to take the crown from the Model 3 after its imminent on-sale date.

Tesla Model Y 2022: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Model Y Single Motor RWD: $67,990
• Model Y Performance AWD: $98,172