Tesla Model Y.

The Gavler Review.

Tesla Model Y Review: Still the Default Electric SUV Pick

The Tesla Model Y sits at number six on our Best Electric SUVs list with an 8.8 — the highest score of any product on it — and industry watchers still peg it as the best-selling EV of all time. The refreshed "New Model Y" for 2026 sharpens the formula that made it dominant: a 337-mile Long Range rating, unmatched Supercharger access, and genuinely quick acceleration, all starting at $44,990. Buy it if charging convenience and practicality top your list. Skip it if you can't live without Apple CarPlay or want a plush, quiet ride, because everything routes through a distraction-prone touchscreen and the ride runs firm.

What it actually is

The 2026 refresh brings a sleeker front end, redesigned taillights, a rear-seat touchscreen for climate and media, and now-standard ventilated seats and ambient lighting — evolutionary changes to a car that didn't need reinvention. Underneath, the core recipe is untouched: an EPA-rated 337 miles on the Long Range trim, effortless access to Tesla's Supercharger network at roughly 250 kW peak, and over-the-air software updates that keep improving the car years after purchase — a Tesla hallmark that rivals are still catching up to.

Cargo capacity remains a genuine strength, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, a removable-floor rear area, and one of the largest front trunks available in a compact electric SUV.

In use

On the road, Edmunds' testing backs up the Model Y's reputation for driving dynamics that outpace its SUV body style: "the steering is quick to respond to inputs, giving you a sense of control and connection through a corner. There's minimal body roll too, especially for an SUV." That's a meaningfully sportier character than most compact electric SUVs manage, and it's part of why the Model Y draws buyers who might otherwise default to a sedan.

The cargo advantage gets specific praise too — "there's also a front trunk, which is among the biggest you'll find in a small electric SUV" — a detail that matters daily for anyone hauling groceries, luggage, or gear alongside rear cargo.

But the touchscreen-everything approach draws the most consistent criticism across independent reviews: "the biggest downside is the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto." For buyers deeply embedded in Apple's ecosystem, that's not a minor quibble — it's a daily friction point that persists through the 2026 refresh despite years of consumer requests.

Edmunds' broader assessment captures the trade-off precisely: "if it's speed and space for its size, the Model Y is a relative bargain compared to other luxury electric SUVs. But if interior design and comfort features are priorities, the Model Y is slightly disappointing." That's a fair summary of who the Model Y is and isn't built for — it optimizes hard for practicality, charging, and value, and is upfront about not chasing plush luxury-cabin credentials.

Where it shines

• The Supercharger network, unmatched. Edmunds calls this the easiest fast-charging and road-trip experience in EVs — a genuine, ongoing infrastructure advantage that no rival on this list fully replicates yet.
• Genuinely quick, genuinely composed. A 4.8-second 0-60 on the Long Range AWD and minimal body roll through corners put real driving engagement behind the practical SUV body.
• Cargo space that leads the class. Between the removable-floor rear cargo area and a front trunk among the largest in a compact electric SUV, few rivals match its real-world hauling capacity.

The trade-offs — who should skip it

• You rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Neither is available, and every control from climate to mirrors routes through the central touchscreen — a genuine adjustment period for new owners, and a dealbreaker for some.
• You want a plush, quiet ride. Ride quality runs firm; buyers prioritizing comfort over handling sharpness should look elsewhere on this list.
• Touchscreen-dependent controls bother you while driving. Edmunds flags this directly as a distraction risk — most functions that would be a physical button or stalk in a rival live inside the display instead.

How it compares

On the same list, the Cadillac Lyriq trades the Model Y's charging-network advantage and acceleration for a quieter ride, standard Super Cruise, and Apple CarPlay support — a fair swap for buyers who value comfort and driver-assist tech over speed and charging convenience. The Ford Mustang Mach-E splits the difference with genuinely engaging handling and a nicer cabin, but posts notably slower DC fast-charging times than the Model Y's Supercharger-backed network. The Chevrolet Equinox EV undercuts the Model Y by roughly $10,000 for buyers who prioritize value over outright charging speed and acceleration.

The Gavler verdict

An 8.8 — the top score on this list, and deservedly so. The Model Y stays the default electric-SUV pick because it nails the things that matter daily: 337 miles of range, the Supercharger network no rival matches, genuinely quick acceleration, and class-leading cargo space. Buy it if charging convenience and practicality top your list — skip it if you can't live without Apple CarPlay or you want a plush, quiet ride, because everything routes through a distraction-prone touchscreen and the ride runs firm.

Common Questions

Is the Tesla Model Y worth it in 2026?

For most buyers, yes. It's the best-selling EV of all time for a reason: 337 miles of Long Range range, unmatched Supercharger access, quick acceleration, and class-leading cargo space, all starting at $44,990. The honest caveats are a touchscreen-dependent interior with no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and a firm ride.

Does the Tesla Model Y have Apple CarPlay?

No, and it still doesn't as of the 2026 refresh — a gap Edmunds calls the biggest downside of the car. Nearly every control, including climate and mirror adjustment, routes through the central touchscreen instead.

How fast is the Tesla Model Y 0-60?

Edmunds clocked the Long Range AWD at 4.8 seconds to 60 mph and the Performance trim at 3.5 seconds — both quicker than most rival electric SUVs, including the Cadillac Lyriq and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Tesla Model Y or Cadillac Lyriq?

Choose the Model Y for charging speed, the Supercharger network, and quicker acceleration at a lower price. Choose the Lyriq if a quieter, more comfortable ride and standard hands-free Super Cruise matter more to you than outright range and charging convenience.