Tesla Model Y

Design & Quality

The Model Y interior has this fascinating vibe of minimalism, but premiumness, luxury and the most cutting-edge tech. It feels quite upmarket with synthetic leather upholstery, soft-touch surfaces, and customizable ambient lighting. An LED lighting strip now runs along the top of the cabin, which can be customised to the colour. The interior fabric material, and overall, the cabin feels a lot better, presented interior design and quality. All the touch points are quite soft at the door, entry console. In terms of build quality, the interior feels solid without any issues at all, and we checked that the door closes sound, which is quite impressive. 

The 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen allows you to control nearly all functions like climate control, radio, navigation, etc. The voice recognition is improved now, and works perfectly. There is so much on the Tesla app on the screen that you can do everything built-in for the car, including streaming options, and music apps are integrated into the infotainment. Tesla also made a change to the steering wheel; gone are the multiple stalks, but just one now for the indicator, just do up and down. There are headlights controls on the steering wheel, so overall the cabin is spacious and practical, which should delight families in Saudi Arabia.

Front Seat

The Model Y’s front seats offer a commanding driving position with excellent visibility through a panoramic glass roof and slim A-pillars. The 12-way power-adjustable seats with four-way lumbar support ensure comfort for long drives, while heated and ventilated seats combat Saudi Arabia’s extreme heat. The steering yoke (or traditional wheel) provides precise control, though stalk-free turn signals may feel unconventional. The supportive seats and quiet cabin make the Model Y ideal for urban and highway journeys. Electric tilt reach adjustment through the screen, 

Rear Seat

The Model Y’s second row feels much cooler and nicer, and within a minute, you understand how Tesla has focused a lot on this seat to give a premium vibe. The quality of material, then quite a generous legroom and headroom for three adults, with a flat floor and power-folding seats, we loved the rear seat of the Model Y, so much space, comfort and also flexibility. Map pockets, centre armrest with cup holders, USB-C ports and air vents, heated rear seats and an 8-inch touchscreen for climate and entertainment control ensure comfort. Now, for the seat row door opening, it has got a button to release, which is cool but not everybody will like it, simply because in case of an accident, it might cause trouble; however, there is a manual release in the door storage, but not very easy always. The  ISOFIX anchors and easy tether routing cater to families, though accessing lower LATCH anchors can be tricky. An optional third row seats two children, making it a versatile family SUV.

AC Vents

You gett dual zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled seats, and various modes to run the air conditioning. Also, a cool feature that does not always get enough attention is the heperilter, which helps you filter all sorts of not-so-good fumes, which is a cool function. With a heat pump for 300% better efficiency than resistance heating, it gives quick cooling through hidden front vents and adjustable rear vents. All of this is controlled through the 15.4-inch touchscreen 

Storage Options

The storage in the cabin is quite impressive, and we liked the amount of space you get in the cockpit. Two centre console compartments have deep storage space, cup holders, and more storage in the central console. Tesla certainly has given a lot of thought to practicality, providing as much storage as possible. The glovebox is okay, which can be opened through the screen, and you don’t get any sunglasses holder, so from a family’s point of view, the storage is quite good. Each door panel features a 1-litre bottle holder, ensuring hydration is accessible in Saudi Arabia’s hot climate.

Armrest

The padded centre armrest provides comfort for the driver and front passenger, doubling as a storage compartment. Its ergonomic design supports a relaxed posture with easy touchscreen access. The rear armrest, with cup holders, enhances passenger comfort, making the Model Y practical for family outings

Charging Options

Right at the front, you get two dual wireless charging pads, and then multiple USB-C ports, and a 12V socket, so that anyone in the cabin has the option for charging quickly and also connectivity for their devices. The wireless pads, located in the centre console, mean no cable and help declutter the cabin, and keep the cabin’s sleek aesthetic. These features cater to tech-savvy Saudi drivers and families who prefer connectivity as a key.

Boot Space

The Model Y offers 938 litres of cargo space with the seats up, including a 116-litre at the front and hidden under-floor storage, expands to 2,152 litres with the rear seats folded, and to do that, there is a button provided, and it's done electrically. The power liftgate and low liftover height give easy access, and remember the 3,500-pound towing capacity adds versatility to the SUV. Compared to rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (770 litres), the Model Y’s storage is pretty high, and families will love it. 

Safety is another strong element of the Model Y with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating and plenty of features.

The 2025 Tesla Model Y is an attractive-looking modern SUV with an aerodynamic design that strikes a balance between design, style and efficiency, making it the world’s popular EV, and Saudi Arabia isn’t different. Tesla deserves a lot of praise for the overall design execution of the Model Y, as the looks, feel, and appearance play a key role in its success, be it length, width or height, the SUV looks perfect on the road. Tesla has given the SUV a refresh, which now gets an even sharper front with a full-width LED light bar and slimmer headlights.

Front

In the facelifted Model Y, you can make out that the front portion is lower than its predecessor, no Tesla badge on the nose, a new LED light bar across, and an extra camera at the bottom for all the help with the assisted driving feature. It gets its washer jet to keep it clean and heated to stop it from fogging and defrosting. The headlight positioning is different with a split set-up for headlight, running lights, and indicators in LEDs, a departure from the earlier design. You will notice the absence of a traditional grille improves, and the redesigned front bumper enhances airflow, while the minimalist design aligns with Tesla’s signature aesthetic, making it a bold yet practical choice for city driving.

Side

The Model Y’s side profile is defined by smooth, flowing lines and a fastback design language focusing on efficiency and sportiness. On the side of the bumper, there has been aerodynamic space for better flow and improved drag. The rear door gets privacy glass, the glass roof, and Tesla made changes to the window glass with acoustic-type glass, which helps reduce road noise coming into the cabin. Similarly, the flush door handles reduce drag, and power-folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals add a premium touch. The glass roof now comes with far better UV protection, enhancing the cabin’s airy feel. Being an EV, you can’t expect a roof rails as needed to improve drag and so reduce extra material but Tesla-approved tow hitch supports up to 3,500 pounds, catering to Saudi adventurers

Alloy Wheels

The Model Y comes with two wheel options: the standard 19-inch Gemini Wheels (235/45R19) on Long Range trims for efficiency and grip, but you can also get the bigger 20-inch Induction Wheels (255/40R20) on the Performance trim for greater handling and superior style. The aerodynamic wheel designs complement the SUV’s overall look. Plastic wheel covers help reduce drag, and the plastic wheel arch protectors look nice. 

Rear

The rear is definitely a lot better than the Model Y with the prominent full-width LED tail light strip and a power liftgate for easy cargo access. You see the Tesla name spelt out across the back, and the number plate has been moved lower down. You see a lot of separate pieces, the bumper sticks out a lot more than before, which essentially helps bring down cost to replace any part if there is any dent or damage. The redesigned rear floor, reduced from 70 parts to one, enhances structural rigidity and efficiency. A subtle spoiler improves aerodynamics. Overall, the typical Tesla clean, minimalist design maintains a premium, cohesive look, making the Model Y turn heads. 

Colors

You can choose the Model Y among three available colours: White, Blue and Black in Saudi Arabia.

The Model Y is known for its exhilarating performance with speedy torque and smooth power delivery. The Performance trim’s 510 hp achieves a 3.5-second 0-60 mph sprint, while the Long Range RWD’s 341-mile range maximises efficiency. Regenerative braking allows one-pedal driving, and the retuned suspension promises a smoother ride. The heat pump enhances range in extreme temperatures, quite suitable for Saudi Arabia.

City Performance

In a city driving scenario, the Model Y is amazing, and made for a cool experience with the nimble handling and quick acceleration (4.8 seconds for AWD), something EVs are far better. The Long Range AWD’s 130 MPGe city efficiency reduces energy costs in city traffic; at the same time, regenerative braking makes it easy to stop-and-go driving. What we loved about the SUV is the smooth and quick electric power delivery and the silent cabin, and Tesla deserves a lot of appreciation because it makes city driving less stressful and quite delightful. The 360-degree cameras help in parking at tight spots, but it may take some time for you to get familiar with relying on cameras.

Highway Performance

On highways, the Model Y promise you quite a stable, spirited performance, with the Performance trim’s 510 hp making it effortless to overtake. The 548 km range (RWD) supports worry-free long-distance drives, and Supercharging adds 272 km in 15 minutes, which is undoubtedly a lot convenient for Saudi road trips. The retuned suspension and low centre of gravity of this EV are better and provide a controlled ride. Overall, our experience with the Model Y on the highway has been excellent. We would say it is a refined and confident highway cruiser, made for long drivers.

Ride

The Model Y’s retuned suspension and acoustic glass deliver a quieter, smoother ride; they effectively absorb city potholes and highway undulations nicely. While the 19-inch wheels provide a slightly firm ride over rough surfaces, it feels a little bouncy on uneven roads, which may be improved with tire pressure adjustments or different wheel options. The low centre of gravity minimises body roll, and the heat pump system maintains efficiency in Saudi Arabia’s hot climate. The cabin effectively protects occupants from noise and weather, offering a comfortable and dynamic ride for diverse driving conditions.

Handling

The Model Y is easy and accurate to handle, thanks to responsive steering and a balanced chassis. The Performance trim’s Track Mode makes corners agile, while AWD makes driving confident, especially with superior grip on wet or sandy roads common in the region. The Regenerative braking offers smooth and controlled deceleration, but the stalk-free turn signal controls are initially unintuitive. But, it is all good, the Model Y’s nimble dynamics and strong traction make it well-suited for both city and suburban driving environments, especially here in Saudi Arabia, and you’re assured of a confident and engaging driving experience.

The 2025 Tesla Model Y has some of the coolest and magical features, which make the SUV indeed stand out:

You can choose the Model Y from three variants.

• Long Range RWD (SAR 194,037): The key highlights of this variant include a single motor, good range, 6.1-second 0-60 mph, standard 19-inch wheels, and 9-speaker audio.

• Long Range AWD (SAR 220,591): In this variant, you get dual motors, 375 hp, 526 km of range, and performance is 4.8 seconds for 0-60 mph, 13-speaker audio.

• Performance (SAR 241,017): Dual motors, 510 hp, 487 km of range, 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds, 20-inch wheels, Track Mode. This price is on the higher side, but if you want performance and love the fun of driving, then this is the most suitable variant, if you’re willing to pay the price..

All variants get standard Autopilot, heated/ventilated seats, and a 15.4-inch touchscreen

Sayarabay Recommends: While all three variants come with a special package, we recommend the Long Range AWD (SAR 194,037) for its price and service, which best suits the average Saudi buyer of an EV. What you’re getting is a good combination of power and performance, with a higher range. The features are also noteworthy, and you end up saving a significant sum of money by choosing the Long Range AWD. The cabin is well equipped with most advanced features, good quality audio experience with 13-speaker audio, AWD traction, and Supercharger access, which turns out to be a great deal for city users, as the Model Y is good for everyday commute with power and range, and also serves well for long road trips too.

After spending considerable time with the Tesla Model Y, we can clearly say what makes this SUV the most popular across the world. There is a lot to this all-electric SUV that has become a high-selling EV in a very short period. The Model Y, redefines the traditional SUV in so many different ways, and makes EVs a strong contender, proving they aren’t second to the conventional IC engine SUVs. That is very much visible as you get to spend time with this car, and most likely start to admire it for what it has on offer.  This highly redefined midsize electric SUV looks awesome with some distinctive design elements, absolutely commanding performance, fun to drive and packed with sophisticated technology, easy-to-use features and also a lot of practicality.  We experience every element of the car, and found nothing underwhelming, be it build quality, size of battery, refinement, and anyone want to truly experience a real electric SUV in Saudi Arabia should give this car a try, take a test drive and experience, and most likely you will love it, that is what we discovered.

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