- The Model Y receives many of the updates seen in the recent Model 3
- Faster acceleration and improved range between upgrades.
- The exterior styling is cleaner, with a full-width light bar at the front and rear.
Tesla responded to leaked images of the updated Model Y that recently appeared on Chinese social media by revealing full details of the updated electric vehicle, which has long been codenamed ‘Juniper’.
As with last year’s Model 3, the new Model Y gets a pretty major exterior overhaul, complete with full-width front and rear light bars, as well as a subtle but easy-to-spot update to the front and rear bumpers.
The sleeker exterior has improved the vehicle’s drag coefficient which, together with better soundproofing, new acoustic glass, increased insulation and the latest casting methods, has reduced the number of gaps in the body and will result in a quieter cabin. . It will also have a positive effect on battery life.
Inside, Tesla has introduced ventilated seats and countless interior ambient lighting extras to the refreshed Model Y, while turn signals are now activated by a traditional lever on Asia-Pacific models, rather than buttons on the steering wheel.
However, it remains to be seen whether the controversial button controls will remain on vehicles coming to other markets.
There is also a new eight-inch touchscreen in the rear, in addition to the 15.4-inch touchscreen in the dashboard, allowing occupants to play games and enjoy their favorite movies and television while on the move.
Currently, only rear-wheel drive (RWD) and long-range all-wheel drive (LR AWD) models have received the ‘Juniper’ updates, and as a result, they have also received reworked estimated range and acceleration specifications.
But keep in mind that WLTP cycle tests are typically more generous in their range estimates than the EPA figures used in North America.
The 2025 Long Range AWD model is said to be capable of 551 km/342 miles on a single charge, while 0.7 seconds have been shaved off the 0-60 mph sprint time, so it can now be achieved in just 4.3 seconds. Tesla claims it charges a little faster too.
A more economical rear-wheel drive (RWD) model is also offered, which can go 466 km/289 miles on a single charge and has a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.9 seconds. Customers will likely have to wait for a long-range rear-drive model, as well as higher-spec Performance versions.
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Currently, customers in China can order a Launch Series Model Y in a RWD or Long Range AWD variant, with the former costing ¥263,500, or around $36,000 / £29,000 / AU$58,000. Expensive costs ¥303,500, which converts to around $41,300/£33,600/ AU$66,900 at current exchange rate.
There’s been no word on specs and pricing in Europe and North America, but with the outgoing Model Y starting at $31,490 in the US and £46,990 in the UK, it’s likely to be more expensive than the old model . Electrek claims the figures equate to a 5% increase over previous Chinese prices, for example.
Australia is very likely to be the next market to receive the facelifted Model Y, with key European markets likely to follow soon after. However, the current uncertainty surrounding tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles in the United States will affect the speed at which the North American market receives refurbished cars.
The updated model arguably can’t be rolled out quickly enough for Tesla, as the company posted its first sales decline since 2011 in its recent fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call, according to CNBC. Musk predicted earlier in the year that this would likely happen, citing outdated models as one of the key reasons for the sales slowdown.
The recent update to the Model 3 has highlighted how sober the Model X and Model Y now look, while the range offered by their respective battery packs, once the talk of the EV industry, now It is behind its Volkswagen Group rivals, Hyundai, Kia and Peugeot.
