We picked up the Tesla Model Y Performance yesterday!
We have a whole SEVEN days with it and we want to do anything you\u2019d like us to (within reason) with it!<\/p>\n
Let us know below \ud83d\udc47 what you\u2019re interested in knowing pic.twitter.com\/BRG9nOSwGW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n With that past experience, I was truly excited to try the new Model Y Performance<\/a>, especially considering I own a Model Y already, and after six months of ownership, it has truly won me over as the best car I\u2019ve ever owned. Although my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid is a close second, mostly due to nostalgia and it being my \u201cdream car\u201d as a kid in high school at the time, the Model Y is unequivocally better, obviously. It\u2019s hard to shake the feelings of your first \u201cnice\u201d car; I think we could all relate to that in a way.<\/p>\n First charge in the Tesla Model Y Performance! \u2014 TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Before I even picked up the Model Y Performance, I was expecting a handful of things: better performance, better handling, more comfortable seats, and a thirst for spirited driving on the windy backroads of Southern Pennsylvania. Admittedly, a snowstorm disrupted a lot of my testing, but I was still able to have some fun in the car.<\/p>\n With that being said, my thoughts are sure to potentially ruffle some feathers.<\/p>\n First Impressions of the Tesla Model Y Performance<\/p>\n I picked up the Model Y Performance on January 19 and had it for one week. The Ultra Red paint with the White interior option was a great look, and it was fun to have a car with that look, considering my Model Y is Black on Black.<\/p>\n One thing that is really interesting and somewhat surprising is that Tesla hasn\u2019t adjusted the fact that the Ultra Red is a different shade than the Performance brake calipers. Additionally, the rear light bar, which signals braking, is a different shade of red than the car and the brake calipers.<\/p>\n This was something that the Tesla Showroom employees pointed out to me, and, just like they said, I\u2019ll never be able to not see it.<\/p>\n Interior Quality<\/p>\n The first thing I noticed was the Performance seats, which are geared to hug you a tad more and keep you intact during spirited drives. They were, without a doubt, more comfortable than the seats in my Premium AWD.<\/p>\n Interestingly, when I gave this opinion on X, some Performance owners said that the seats were less comfortable and, on longer drives, I\u2019d feel it. My Fianc\u00e8 and I drove about 120 miles in the car that weekend, and we had no complaints. They were supremely comfortable, and we both really enjoyed them, almost to the point that we\u2019d rather have those seats than the ones in the Premium AWD.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8 Tesla Model Y Performance White Interior is \ud83d\udd25 \u2014 TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Additionally, the center screen is slightly larger, but not to the extent that I had really noticed any true difference. In the new Model Y for 2026, the screen is the same size as the one in the Performance trim at 16 inches.<\/p>\n It was previously 15.4 inches.<\/p>\n Some other changes include Performance pedals<\/a> that are made of what appears to be a stainless steel alloy and Carbon Fiber accents on the doors and dash. Other than that, there are no significant differences; it\u2019s very similar to the other Premium trims of the Model Y. The big difference from an interior standpoint is simply the front seats.<\/p>\n Exterior Differences<\/p>\n Tesla used a lot of different techniques to help improve performance and aerodynamics, including a carbon fiber spoiler<\/a> and rear diffuser, both of which help with air displacement and improve handling, range, and overall performance.<\/p>\n These additions are clean and give the car a sporty look, perfectly catered to the aesthetic Tesla was obviously going for with the car. I\u2019ve already mentioned the brake calipers, which are an awesome touch, but the offsetting tones of red between them and the paint are a bit displeasing to the eye. I hope this is something that is resolved, but it isn\u2019t completely necessary, nor a priority.<\/p>\n The Nitty Gritty \u2013 Ride Quality and Performance<\/p>\n With all the changes from an aesthetic standpoint, including the ones that are geared toward improving performance, the real indicator of whether this trim is worth the extra $11,000 is simple: Is it faster and more fun to drive than the Premium All-Wheel-Drive?<\/p>\n I\u2019m going to break that down here:<\/p>\n Speed and Acceleration<\/p>\n There is a slightly noticeable difference in acceleration, as the 4.6-second 0-60 MPH on the AWD is 1.3 seconds slower than the 3.3-second rate on the Performance. Although that sounds like a decent difference, the big change I noticed was the sound. In the Performance, you can really hear those motors hum, which was a nice touch and really interesting and fun to experience.<\/p>\n It was definitely quicker than my AWD, but I think I really expected to be thrown back into my seat like I was with the Cyberbeast, which features a 2.6-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate. That was truly a massive difference that anyone can really feel. The 1.3-second difference between the AWD and Performance was, in a way, underwhelming.<\/p>\n I was not disappointed with it, but I really hoped to feel that same rush of adrenaline I had with the Cyberbeast. I think I\u2019m just so used to the acceleration at this point that it does not \u201cwow\u201d me any longer. At the time of the Cyberbeast Demo Drive, I was still driving a gas car.<\/p>\n The Performance, like the AWD<\/a>, is very capable. It\u2019s great for merging on the highway and getting into a tight window when traffic is heavier. It\u2019s great for taking some quicker drives, and it\u2019s a lot of fun to take out on the road. By no means am I disappointed with it, but I will say maybe my expectations were a tad too high.<\/p>\n Handling<\/p>\n This is where I will say I was sort of disappointed, because I have heard from many people that the suspension is better in the Model Y Performance compared to the All-Wheel-Drive.<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t really feel like it was \u201cbetter,\u201d but the same, which is still an absolutely amazing ride experience. My AWD is great for tight turns at increased speeds, where I felt the difference was in the seats, as those Performance ones truly did seem to \u201chug\u201d me more and keep me more stable.<\/p>\n The Performance trim features adaptive suspension, lower\/stiffer springs, and larger wheels, all of which are meant to improve handling. I\u2019m not sure if it is simply because I didn\u2019t get to push it as much as I wanted to due to weather, but I felt like the feel of the ride was really similar to my AWD. I had no complaints.<\/p>\n Overall Thoughts<\/p>\n The Model Y Performance is definitely a sportier look than the AWD and Standard models, and it definitely has its advantages. I think that it\u2019s a really great car, but I did not feel an incredible number of differences from the AWD.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8 ONE WEEK with the Tesla Model Y Performance: Review and Initial Thoughts
This is a v2 Supercharger, so not quite as fast as what we\u2019d like, but it will do for now. pic.twitter.com\/Akyb2BLMcS<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tesla-model-y-performance-2-768x1024.jpg\")
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This seriously might be the best Tesla out there pic.twitter.com\/BnSe1GJqqi<\/a><\/p>\n
We didn\u2019t get to have as much fun as we wanted in the MYP due to the snow storm, but we were able to give some initial thoughts on the car with the little bit of reasonable weather we had pic.twitter.com\/C75WQMNHKO<\/a><\/p>\n