- The Tesla Model Y is getting its first refresh since its debut six years ago
- The updated Model Y is expected to arrive in the US this spring
- Tesla sales down in 2024
After its Model 3 refresh, Tesla released the an updated version of the Model Y a crossover, called Juniper, although it is currently for the Chinese market.
Delivery to China and other Southeast Asian countries begins in March, but US availability has not been announced yet. North American deliveries are expected to begin this springwhich would make the Model Y Juniper the latest 2025 model.
This marks the first major update for the Model Y since its 2019 launch. It's notable for exterior styling changes that seem to have been inspired by the Tesla Cybercab, including a sharp front end, narrow, angular headlights, and a small light bar. running along the leading edge of the hood. At the rear, a continuous light line includes the third brake light and taillights.
2025 Tesla Model Y (China spec)
Internally, Tesla is looking for similar changes in the latest Model 3 update, codenamed Highland, launched in 2023. This includes a quiet cabin, ambient lighting and cleaning of regulatory qualifications. Heated and ventilated seats are also available, along with a touchscreen for rear-seat passengers.
Although not specified here, the updated Model Y is expected to benefit from suspension changes similar to the Model 3 which we found to produce a more refined ride. We also noticed better fit and finish in the updated sedan, something we hope will work in the Model Y update as well.
In the Chinese market, Tesla also upped the ante and made the Model Y faster. The base single-motor rear-wheel drive version now delivers 295 hp and goes from 0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds, compared to 5.9 seconds before. The 62.5-kwh battery pack delivers an estimated range of 368 miles on the Chinese test circuit, up from 344 miles previously.
2025 Tesla Model Y (China spec)
The dual-motor all-wheel drive version, with a 184-hp engine in the front and a 260-hp engine in the rear goes from 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds (compared to 5.0 seconds before) and returns a mileage of there are 446. in the Chinese test cycle (from 428 km) with a 78.4-kwh pack.
For reference, the US Model Y lineup currently consists of single-motor and dual-motor Long Range variants and a dual-motor Performance range. The Model Y Performance does 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, while the max The EPA estimates a range of 337 miles available in single-motor Long Range form.
Tesla sales down in 2024and it may have continued to lose market share as more EV competitors arrived. The Model Y has generally been the automaker's best seller, so this update will be a key factor in arresting that decline.