Tesla rolled out its redesigned Model Y electric SUV in China on January 10, 2025, marking the company’s biggest update to its best-selling vehicle since 2020. The refresh, codenamed “Juniper,” comes as Tesla faces growing competition from Chinese automakers like BYD and XPENG.
The updated Model Y sports a sleeker look with a full-width light bar that stretches across the front and rear. Tesla borrowed design elements from its Cybertruck, creating a more minimalist appearance. The company also improved the SUV’s aerodynamics with a new front splitter that adds 20 miles of range.
Inside, Tesla upgraded the central touchscreen from 15 to 15.4 inches and added an 8-inch screen for rear passengers. The cabin now features ambient lighting that runs throughout the interior, ventilated front seats, and softer materials.
Tesla moved the gear selector to the touchscreen, freeing up space on the steering wheel for customizable buttons. Unlike many competitors’ EVs that shifted to stalk-free designs, Tesla retained the traditional turn signal stalk in the 2025 Model Y. The Long Range version now travels 447 miles on a single charge, up from 428 miles. Tesla equipped the rear-wheel drive model with a 60 kWh battery, while the Long Range gets a 79 kWh pack.
The dual-motor all-wheel drive system maintains 384 horsepower, though non-performance models’ top speed dropped from 135 to 125 mph. Tesla’s pricing strategy reflects its competitive position. The Launch Series starts at $60,000 and includes the company’s $8,000 Full Self-Driving technology.
The standard rear-wheel drive variant costs $44,990 and delivers 337 miles of range. These prices put the Model Y against rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and newer Chinese models including BYD’s Sealion 7.
The company improved ride quality with an updated suspension system that’s more comfortable than the previous generation. Tesla also reduced cabin noise to 66 decibels at 70 mph by adding acoustic glass and strengthening the vehicle’s structure. A powered boot opening now comes standard. The Model Y stretches 4751 mm in length and offers up to 2158 liters of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Model Y owners can expect maintenance costs to remain competitive, with annual expenses ranging from $316 to $643 compared to higher costs from luxury rivals.
U.S., Canadian, and Mexican customers can order the refreshed Model Y starting January 23, 2025, with deliveries beginning in March. Tesla plans to reintroduce a three-row, seven-seat version in June 2025.