Tesla is now under a new federal investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to an Office of Defects Investigation announcement on September 15, 2025—but it isn't about semi-autonomous driving capabilities this time.

Cars.com owned a 2021 Model Y for more than two years as a long-term test car, and we were curious to see whether the changes for 2026 address the issues we had with the prior generation.

New, high-density battery cells have an improved charge capacity, so the WLTP-claimed range is now up to 360 miles. The EPA range will be lower, and bear in mind that the previous Model Y Performance had an EPA rating of 279 miles, but with the changes to the battery cells, the new one could top 300 miles by EPA standards.

When advanced technology on the newest Tesla Model Y slips for even a moment, it can turn confidence into doubt. And when that doubt comes at highway speed, the results can’t be ignored.

Tesla launched the new Model Y in August, but the car might never land in the U.S. It has more space than previous models and delivers more power.

Tesla's new Model Y is the best electric car I've driven, but this new Performance spec takes the family SUV and gives it the power of a supercar.

The Tesla Model Y L is sold out until November in China, making it a rare bright spot in Tesla's poor sales performance across the world's markets