Should Tesla Model Y Owners Get the New 2026?
Key Points in This Review:
- Tesla has updated its Model Y electric SUV for 2026 with new styling and features.
- Despite the changes, the 2026 Model Y still drives and operates much like its predecessor.
- The changes for 2026 aren’t significant enough to warrant upgrading if you currently have a Model Y.
Tesla’s popular Model Y electric SUV received a host of updates for the 2026 model year, with new exterior styling, a new interior and new features. We’ve already taken a quick spin in the 2026 Model Y Launch Series, which is no longer offered, but we recently spent two weeks in the more affordable all-wheel-drive Long Range version.
2026 Tesla Model Y | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Cars.com owned a 2021 Model Y for more than two years as a long-term test car, so we’re very familiar with this EV, and we were curious to see whether the changes for 2026 address the issues we had with the prior generation — as well as how it stacks up against today’s all-electric competition.
Related: 2026 Tesla Model Y Gets Long Range AWD Variant, Starts at $50,380
This article covers the Long Range AWD version of the 2026 Model Y, but Managing Editor Joe Bruzek drove the Launch Series of the updated Model Y and we have some split opinions on the car’s changes, covered below.
Related Video:https://players.brightcove.net/1578086878/HyOJ1bP6_default/index.html?videoId=6378907053112
Ride Quality Still on the Firm Side
- Takeaway: If you thought the prior Model Y’s ride was too firm, you’ll probably think the same of the 2026 version.
Overly stiff ride quality was a big drawback of our long-term Model Y even though it did contribute to the SUV’s sporty handling. That firm suspension tuning continues in the 2026 Model Y, which is disappointing because the stiff suspension tuning can grate on your nerves after a while if you live somewhere that doesn’t have perfectly smooth roads. There’s plenty of pockmarked, potholed pavement around Cars.com’s Chicago headquarters, and it makes for a bumpy, almost brittle ride quality with the Model Y’s optional 20-inch wheels and tires (19-inch wheels and tires are standard). It’s all the more frustrating because competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 deliver more forgiving ride comfort that’s a better fit for how an SUV like this is used day in and day out.
1 / 82026 Tesla Model Y | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
An Ever-So-Slight Improvement in Outward Visibility
- Takeaway: The new Model Y’s exterior shape and windows are unchanged, so rear visibility is just as restricted as it was before, and new blind spot warning indicators near the side mirrors are only marginally beneficial.
The general shape and greenhouse of the Model Y hasn’t changed for 2026, so it’s probably not surprising that rear visibility is about as bad as it was before; it’s very hard to see what’s behind you due to the position and angle of the rear window. There are helpful camera views when reversing, but they aren’t a replacement for natural visibility.
1 / 42026 Tesla Model Y | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
About the make
Tesla
Tesla’s fast, stylish EVs and an extensive charging network helped supercharge all-electric cars’ popularity, and they remain a popular choice today.
Latest news
News
How Much Is the 2026 Audi Q8?
By Robert Duffer
September 17, 2025
News
Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
By Cars.com Editors
September 17, 2025
News
163,000-Plus Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer SUVs Recalled for Loose Trim
By Corinne Vercoe
September 17, 2025
Learn more
Shop the Tesla Model Y2025 Tesla Model Y specs and reviewsCompare the 2025 Tesla Model Y
There are also now blind spot warning indicators near the base of the front windshield pillars near the side mirrors. When a car enters your blind spot, a small red light appears in the mesh-covered area near the pillar. The warning light sometimes seemed to activate later than I would have expected, and the pinpoint red warning light is subtler than other blind spot indicators, but I like having the indicator near the side mirror, which is where your eyes might already be looking when you’re thinking about changing lanes. There are also still blind spot camera views that appear on the car’s center touchscreen.
Shop the 2025 Tesla Model Y near you
Used
2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive
14,401 mi.
$35,496 $2,504 price dropFair DealAmerican-Made IndexEV Battery Rating | Excellent
No photo available
Used
2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive
19,408 mi.
$35,988Great Deal | $2,737 underAmerican-Made IndexEV Battery Rating | Excellent
View all 2025 Tesla Model Y models for sale near 60606
Some Welcome New Features — But Some Favorites Still Missing
- Takeaway: There are new gear selector controls in the touchscreen along with ventilated front seats, but two of our favorite features — Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — remain absent.
You still interact with the Model Y much as you did in prior versions, with the main interface being the large center touchscreen, but there are some key differences for 2026. The gear selector has moved to the screen, with backup controls on the overhead console where the hazard lights button is. I didn’t mind using the new screen-based controls, which were fairly easy to get used to.
Tesla’s touchscreen user interface remains familiar if you’ve used prior versions of it, and there are now more streaming audio sources than ever in addition to conventional radio. There’s still no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, though, so you don’t have the convenience of interacting with your phone’s apps on the touchscreen.
1 / 112026 Tesla Model Y | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
I liked the 2026 Model Y’s ventilated front seats and front camera view, but the lack of an integrated sunshade for the tinted glass roof is an oversight. There were times I wished the sun wasn’t beating down on me in the car (a clip-in sunshade for the glass roof is available as a Tesla accessory).
The backseat remains roomy for taller passengers, and the new rear-seat touchscreen on the back of the front center console incorporates climate controls and a selection of games to pass the time.
Still the Sports Car of Electric SUVs
- Takeaway: With responsive steering and strong acceleration from the dual-motor drivetrain, the Model Y drives more like a go-kart than a mid-size electric SUV.
The driving experience of the 2026 Model Y is still very familiar, defined by nimble handling, responsive steering, strong power from the dual-motor drivetrain and the previously mentioned firm ride. Another quality that carries over is cabin noise, which is especially noticeable when traveling on bumpy, rutted pavement.
I wasn’t a big fan of the previous Model Y’s seats — they were narrow, seemed overstuffed and never fit me that well — and the ones in the 2026 car are only slightly better. They’re still on the narrow side, but the seat ventilation feature is great to have on hot summer days.
More Tesla News From Cars.com:
- New Tesla Model YL Is China-Only 3-Row Tesla We’ve Been Waiting For
- 2025 Tesla Cybertruck Review: Wedge Issues
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2025 Tesla Model 3?
- Tesla Refines Aerodynamics, Updates Tech for Model S, Model X
- Tesla Fined $243 Million For Autopilot Crash
If You Have a Model Y, Should You Get a 2026 Version?
The new Model Y doesn’t ride better, its visibility isn’t much better, and even though the interior updates are tasteful and add some functionality, the overall experience isn’t all that different.
So why would you choose the Model Y over something like an Ioniq 5, which is spacious and has a more comfortable ride? One reason might be the Tesla Supercharger ecosystem, which is fully integrated with the Model Y in a way it isn’t in other EVs that now have access to select Superchargers, including the Ioniq 5. Another might be overall efficiency, as our Model Y test car was EPA-rated at an impressive 123 mpg-equivalent combined. Or maybe you want a sporty-driving EV and are willing to put up with a firm ride. If so, the Model Y has you covered.
But what if you have a previous Model Y and are wondering about trading it in for this new one? Unless there’s something in the 2026 version you just gotta have, I’d say stick with what you’ve got. The new one is just not different enough from its predecessor.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
Senior Road Test Editor
Mike Hanley has more than 20 years of experience reporting on the auto industry. His primary focus is new vehicles, and he’s currently a Senior Road Test Editor overseeing expert car reviews and comparison tests. He previously managed Editorial content in the Cars.com Research section.
2026 Nissan Leaf Review: Value Victory
By Conner Golden
September 12, 2025
2026 Nissan Leaf, front | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
How Much Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Cost?
- When it goes on sale later in the fall, the Nissan Leaf S+ trim level will start at $31,485 (including destination), making it the most affordable electric vehicle on the American market, beating out the Hyundai Kona Electric and Chevrolet Equinox EV.
How Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Compare With Other Electric SUVs?
- Against the Equinox EV and Kona, the 2026 Leaf falls between them in charging, range and performance but beats both on price. It’s also one of the smaller electric SUVs available, with a footprint that’s closer to subcompact than compact.
It’s 2025 — electric vehicles are no longer novel. Folks don’t buy EVs just because they’re electric, and they especially won’t slide in the seat if there’s still a whiff of the dorky EV of yesteryear that carried a trunk brimming with cultural baggage. The Nissan Leaf? Oh, that’s one of the original EVs, right down to its dowdy hatch appearance and interior that managed to be boring, funky and outdated all at the same time.
Mind you, I’m talking the first- and second-generation Leaf, the latter replaced for the 2026 model year with the third gen of Nissan’s electric bread and butter. I’d never accuse the latest Leaf of being granola, as its scaled-up, sleekened exterior and genuine stylistic flair indicates it ain’t your weird aunt’s EV anymore.
Related: 2026 Nissan Leaf Goes Crossover, Finally Gets the Range It Deserves
Even before you set butt to seat, you can tell Nissan spent considerable effort to distance the redesigned 2026 Leaf from both its immediate ancestors and the workaday Nissan lineup as a whole. The minimalist interior offers a mature, measured translation of the familiar funky-futuristic design language found on so many EVs, surprisingly taking more inspiration from the current Nissan Murano than the Ariya, Nissan’s other electric SUV.
It’s a sharp-looking space to match the Leaf’s fastback exterior, which is a clear attempt to capture the enduring popularity of the SUV-style “coupe.” Emphasis there is on “SUV,” as the Leaf sheds its familiar compact-hatch skin for that of a (slightly) lifted, cladded crossover, an identity shift that slots right in with what’s popular among U.S. consumers.
Related Video:https://players.brightcove.net/1578086878/HyOJ1bP6_default/index.html?videoId=6379225814112
How Big Is the 2026 Nissan Leaf?
It’s a crossover, but quite a compact one. At Nissan’s first-drive event for automotive media, my Leaf test vehicle was loaded with three people, with Cars.com’s 6-foot-tall videographer sitting behind my 5-foot-11-inch frame as I rode shotgun to my drive partner. (Cars.com pays for its own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) This arrangement required that I scoot the front passenger seat relatively far forward so as to not crush my colleague’s legs. The happy medium found my legs moderately bent against the slanted passenger footwell, with my knee resting against the hard edge of the protruding panel on the dash for the push-button gear selector.
Comparing manufacturer-listed interior dimensions between the new and previous Leaf tells the full story. For the new car, front legroom remains nearly unchanged, with an extra 0.3 inch, but it cuts a substantial 1.7 inches from rear legroom that, in turn, leeches space from the front as passengers compensate. Checking over exterior dimensions reveals more shrinkage, with the 2026 Leaf actually cutting 0.4 inch from the wheelbase and 3 inches from the overall length. Nissan-measured cargo space of 20 cubic feet behind the backseat is slightly less than it was before, but maximum cargo capacity with the backseat folded blooms by 25.5 cubic feet to 55.5.
2026 Nissan Leaf, rear angle red | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
It gets stranger the more you compare. The new Leaf is wider than the old hatch but is both shorter in height and ground clearance. That’s no typo: If you plan on tackling the Rubicon, perhaps spring for a last-gen Leaf and its additional 0.6 inch of ground clearance over the new model’s 5.3 inches. (Editor’s note: Don’t take any Leaf on the Rubicon Trail.)
What Is the 2026 Nissan Leaf’s Interior Like?
Materials are the biggest conversation piece here; frosted plastic dash trim and controls give way to a neat textile panel that runs the perimeter of the cabin, lending a flat, matte appearance to the interior that’s a welcome change from gloss-black and faux carbon-fiber surfaces. Top-of-the-line Platinum+ grade features include heated seats and steering wheel, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a wireless device charger, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers and a hands-free power liftgate.
Dual 14.3-inch driver and infotainment displays arrive at the second-from-the-top SV+ trim, and they’re both responsive and high-fidelity — ditto for the current iteration of the NissanConnect infotainment system. It’s worth mentioning that some of the Leaf’s most practical goodies are reserved for the higher trims, including Google Built-In infotainment tech with route planning, a heat pump and a vehicle-to-load outlet in the cargo area.
About the make
Nissan
Nissan is one-third of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance and produces a full selection of cars and SUVs as well as the mid-size Frontier pickup.
Latest news
News
How Much Is the 2026 Audi Q8?
By Robert Duffer
September 17, 2025
News
Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
By Cars.com Editors
September 17, 2025
News
163,000-Plus Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer SUVs Recalled for Loose Trim
By Corinne Vercoe
September 17, 2025
Learn more
Shop the Nissan Leaf2026 Nissan Leaf specs and reviewsCompare the 2026 Nissan Leaf
2026 Nissan Leaf, front-row wide | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
How Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Drive?
You’d think that this ground-huggin’ stance and new rakish profile indicates the new Leaf is some manner of electro hot hatch, but you’d be dead wrong. Out on some moderately snaked California mountain roads, the 2026 Leaf was remarkably uncomposed, with a weird amount of squirminess and continued rebound from the suspension over bumps. Slow steering and an incongruously firm ride combined with those body motions for a noxious carsickness concoction that had all three of us separately remarking at just how jostling the ride can be over pavement that really didn’t seem that broken or undulating.
It can’t corner or coddle worth a darn, but you can ignore everything — everything — mentioned above if you restrict the third-gen Leaf to urban surface streets or arrow-straight highways. Through the short portions of downtown San Diego and its network of wide interstates, the Leaf was utterly and entirely acceptable from a ride quality perspective, only returning a bit of squiggle through slow road dips and over speed bumps.
Stay away from the countryside, I guess. On the other end of the spectrum, the Leaf’s brake blend — or the balance between purely regenerative resistance and the physical brakes — is well tuned. All four levels of regen braking were both usable and effective, and while Nissan’s max e-Step regen mode isn’t quite one-pedal driving, it wicks away a significant amount of speed before tapering and eventually disengaging around 5-6 mph.
2026 Nissan Leaf, wheel red | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
How Much Power Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Have?
Power and performance from the single front-mounted electric motor is more impressive than its 214 horsepower and 261 pounds-feet of torque might indicate. Even with three dudes and a load of camera gear, the electric drivetrain’s insta-torque was more than enough for safe passing and highway merging. My test vehicle was a top-of-the-line Platinum+ grade, which comes with the more powerful motor and larger battery that most trims have; stick with the basest-of-base S grade, and power drops to 174 hp and 254 pounds-feet.
More Nissan Leaf News From Cars.com:
- All-New 2026 Nissan Leaf Remains Cheapest EV Available, Starts at $31,485
- 2026 Nissan Leaf Up Close: Third Time’s Truly a Charm
- The EV Tax Credit Is Ending; What Should an EV Shopper Do Now, and What’s Next?
- What to Know Before Purchasing an Electric Vehicle: A Buying Guide
- Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy
How Fast Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Charge?
There are dual charge ports — a J1772-style port that supports Level 2 charging and a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard port that supports DC fast-charging at up to 150 kilowatts. Under ideal conditions, road trippers can expect to juice the Leaf from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes, according to Nissan, but make sure you pick the right trim for your needs, as range varies greatly. For now, Nissan only has range estimates for the bigger 75-kilowatt-hour battery that goes in every trim save the base S, with the S+ offering 303 miles of range, 288 miles for the SV+ and the heaviest Platinum+ having a still-solid 259 miles.
1 / 25| Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
But here’s the best part: As of this writing, the 2026 Leaf is still the most affordable EV available on the U.S market. As previously mentioned, the S+ lands at $31,485 (including destination), undercutting both the Hyundai Kona Electric and Chevrolet Equinox EV as the bargain champion, with the as-of-yet-unrevealed Leaf S presumably coming in around the $29,000 or $30,000 mark. The new Leaf is a no-brainer at its low-to-middle pricing, but the value proposition becomes foggy as you reach the $40,000 mark with a top trim.
It ain’t perfect, but this third-generation Leaf slingshots Nissan’s O.G. EV into the modern electric era while still retaining the affordability that made the nameplate so well liked in the first place. Look for your local Nissan dealer to stock them sometime later in the fall, but just make sure you absolutely, positively don’t have a curvy road on your morning commute.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
West Coast Bureau Chief
Conner Golden joined Cars.com in 2023 as an experienced writer and editor with almost a decade of content creation and management in the automotive and tech industries. He lives in the Los Angeles area.
Which Cars Have Head
How Much Is the 2026 Audi Q8?
By Robert Duffer
September 17, 2025
Share2026 Audi Q8 | Manufacturer image
Key points:
- For the 2026 model year, the Audi Q8 SUV starts at $76,895 (all prices include $1,295 destination fee).
- The Premium Plus and Prestige trims get more standard features for 2026.
- The SQ8 and RS Q8 performance models carry over unchanged.
For 2026, the Audi Q8 luxury SUV rolls into the new model year with more standard features and available option packages on certain trims, while the 500-horsepower SQ8 and 631-hp RS Q8 carry over unchanged. For 2026, the Q8 starts at $76,895.
Related: 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance: Brand’s Most Powerful Combustion Engine Starts at $137,495
What’s New?
After a refresh for 2024, the 2026 Q8 SUV arrives with more standard features on the mid-grade Premium Plus and top Prestige trims. The five-seat variant of the three-row Audi Q7, the Q8 represents a sportier take on the luxury SUV, especially with the SQ8 and top RS Q8 Performance variant that was updated for 2025.
The Q8’s base Premium trim can be had with a Convenience Plus Package that blackens certain exterior trim bits and adds more luxurious interior features, such as a heated steering wheel and Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Premium Plus trim now gets dual-pane acoustic glass on the side windows for a more hushed ride, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and other soft touches. (The SQ8 starts with the Premium Plus trim.)
For 2026, the range-topping Prestige adds rear-axle steering for more nimble handling at speed and for easier parking at low speeds. A Sport Plus Package takes a half-step to the SQ8 with an adaptive air suspension, red brake calipers, 23-inch wheels wrapped in summer tires and massaging front seats. (The RS Q8 only comes in the top Prestige trim and includes the goodies in the Sport Plus Package.)
Pricing and Release Date
The 2026 Audi Q8 family is on sale now. Full line pricing is as follows.
Q8
- Premium: $76,895
- Premium Plus: $82,095
- Prestige: $87,495
SQ8
- Premium Plus: $100,995
- Prestige: $108,495
RS Q8
- Prestige: $139,595
Shop the 2025 Audi Q8 near you
Used
5,216 mi.
$80,744Fair Deal
New
$82,322 $4,238 price drop
View all 2025 Audi Q8 models for sale near 60606
Powertrain Specs and MPG
The turbocharged V-6 and twin-turbocharged V-8 engines carry over in the 2026 Q8 family. The Q8’s turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 makes 335 hp and 369 pounds-feet of torque. The SQ8 has a 500-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 churning out 568 pounds-feet, shaving the 0-60 mph time from 5.5 to 4.0 seconds. Then there’s the RS Q8 with the altered V-8 tuned to 631 hp and 627 pounds-feet; it hits 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. All three models send power through an eight-speed automatic transmission to Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel drive.
Official EPA ratings for the 2026 Q8 lineup are not yet available, but Audi says the SUV gets the same EPA estimates as the 2025 model. The EPA rates the 2025 Q8 at 17/23/19 mpg city/highway/combined, while the SQ8 returns 15/21/17 mpg. The RS Q8’s trade-off is a slash rating of 14/20/16 mpg.
Read More About the Audi Q8 on Cars.com:
- Max Power: 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance Packs Brand’s Most Powerful Gas Engine Ever
- Which SUVs Can Tow at Least 5,000 Pounds?
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2021 Audi SQ8?
- Automakers Respond Quickly to New IIHS Front Crash-Prevention Test
- Research the Audi Q8
Safety Features
Audi equips the 2026 Q8 with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety systems. Standard equipment includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, traffic-sign recognition and automatic high beams. Optional safety equipment includes an upgraded forward collision warning system that watches for cross traffic during turns, an automated parking system, a 360-degree parking camera, a head-up display and a night-vision camera.
Related Video:https://players.brightcove.net/1578086878/HyOJ1bP6_default/index.html?videoId=6364758466112
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
About the make
Audi
Audi is Volkswagen’s luxury brand, offering a lineup that ranges from subcompact sedans to seven-seat SUVs and includes a growing roster of EVs.
Latest news
News
How Much Is the 2026 Audi Q8?
By Robert Duffer
September 17, 2025
News
Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
By Cars.com Editors
September 17, 2025
News
163,000-Plus Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer SUVs Recalled for Loose Trim
By Corinne Vercoe
September 17, 2025
Learn more
Shop the Audi Q82025 Audi Q8 specs and reviewsCompare the 2025 Audi Q8
Featured stories
Expert Review
Should Tesla Model Y Owners Get the New 2026?
Expert Review
2026 Nissan Leaf Review: Value Victory
M1509003_rescuedog helpanimals Dog Is My Life_part2
Leave a Reply
Logged in as admin79. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked *
Comment *SearchSearch
Recent Posts
- M1809006_This story will break your heart rescueanimals rescuedogs dog reelsvideoシ rescuedog puppies puppy rescue rescuedogsofinstagram_part2
- M1509003_rescuedog helpanimals Dog Is My Life_part2
- M1509018_He saved this gorgeous girl and bought her home_part2
- M1509019_Aguenta coração muita emoção Leuza Rocha_part2
- M0179006_Animals in disasters rescues to make your heart stand still._part2
Recent Comments
Archives
Categories
© 2025 JNews – Premium WordPress news & mag
M1709032 Por mais pessoas assim gato amor vida triste viral explorar amo vida deusnocomando viralvideos video jesús amor Andr part2
Leave a Reply
Logged in as admin79. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked *
Comment *SearchSearch
Recent Posts
- M0509007_He Couldn See And No One Saw Him Until Now_part2
- M1709032 Por mais pessoas assim gato amor vida triste viral explorar amo vida deusnocomando viralvideos video jesús amor Andr part2
- M1709031 No solo buscaba alimento para ella lo hacía por sus pequeños también part2
- M1709030 Muchos animalitos aún sufren el frío la sed el hambre por la indiferencia humana
- M1709029 Brave Puppy Saved Two Ginger Kittens by the Seashore Sweet memes part2
Recent Comments
No comments to show.
Archives
- September 2025
- August 2025
- July 2025
- June 2025
- May 2025
- April 2025
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
Categories
© 2025 JNews – Premium WordPress news & magazine them
