Image: Tesla
Tesla fans in Canada won’t have to wait much longer for the new Model Y Performance. Tesla Vice President Raj Jegannathan confirmed this week that the refreshed high-performance crossover will launch in Canada during the first quarter of 2026.
The announcement marks the end of a long wait for Canadian buyers, as Tesla has only been offering the Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variant in the country for several months. The absence of the Performance trim was largely due to steep import tariffs — 100% on Chinese-made EVs and 25% on those built in the U.S. These tariffs forced Tesla to raise prices significantly in Canada earlier this year.
That changed in July, when Tesla pivoted to exporting vehicles for the Canadian market from Gigafactory Berlin in Germany. The shift allowed the company to dodge tariffs and slash the price of the Model Y Long Range AWD by $20,000 CAD, bringing it down to $64,990 — even lower than its pre-tariff pricing.
Image: Tesla
While Tesla recently kicked off refreshed Model Y Performance production at Gigafactory Texas in the U.S., Canadian orders will almost certainly be fulfilled by Giga Berlin to continue avoiding those tariffs. Berlin began producing the updated Model Y Performance in September and has since expanded to include the new entry-level Model Y Standard, which started production this week following its debut last month. There’s still no word on when that new, more affordable variant could make its way to Canada, though.
The refreshed Model Y Performance brings a host of upgrades across performance, comfort, and technology. With a top speed of 250 km/h and a 0–100 km/h time of just 3.5 seconds, it still offers up to 580 km of range (WLTP). The SUV features redesigned front and rear fascias, a carbon fiber spoiler, staggered tires for better grip, and a new adaptive damping suspension system that automatically adjusts to road conditions. Tesla has also upgraded the brakes and added new performance-oriented drive modes.
Image: Tesla
Inside, the refreshed Model Y Performance comes with ventilated sport seats, a quieter cabin thanks to acoustic glass, and Tesla’s largest 16-inch QHD display. The second-row seats are also heated, power-reclining, and finished in perforated upholstery, adding comfort for passengers.
With deliveries slated for early 2026, Canadian buyers can expect a more refined, performance-focused Model Y that combines Giga Berlin’s build quality with Tesla’s latest tech and design improvements.
