An update to the Tesla Model Y has been awaited for some time; it was originally suspected the so-called ‘Juniper’ model would land in 2024. As it turns out, Tesla missed it by just a few weeks, with the refreshed Model Y finally being revealed in China on Friday.
There weren’t a lot of theatrics around the release. Instead, Tesla China quietly updated its website, revealing the facelifted version of its best-selling electric crossover. The new model also appeared on Tesla Australia’s website, while the US website continued to feature the outgoing model.
The most notable changes are obvious at a glance. The new model has a smoother, more streamlined front end with a revised lighting design. Gone are the traditional headlights, replaced with a pair of sharp LED units that blend into a strip running along the hood crease.
It’s a similar story at the rear. The back end of the Model Y Juniper sports a taillight stretching across the whole back end. It is apparently “the first indirect reflective body panel taillight of its kind,” according to the automaker. Tesla has also complemented the model with new wheel designs in 19″ and 20″ sizes for the Chinese market. The company also notes that updates to the suspension, tires, and body castings were made with an eye to increasing ride quality.
Interestingly, some interior images show what appears to be a turn signal stalk protruding from the steering column. This diverts from the design choices Tesla made on the Model 3, with the current model relying on buttons instead to activate the turn signals. Indeed, the company also eliminated turn signal stalks from the Model S and Model X in 2021. Other interior updates include ventilated front seats and powered rear seats. Rear passengers will also get an infotainment screen of their own, for both entertainment and accessing climate controls.
Tesla China lists the new model’s range as 719 kilometers (446 miles) on the CLTC test regime, up from the 688 kilometer rating (427 miles) of the outgoing model. Those figures are for the Long Range AWD model on 19-inch wheels. CLTC figures are usually a lot higher than those recorded on the US EPA cycle. Perhaps a better guide are the Australian figures recorded on the WLTP cycle, which state the new model achieves up to 551 km (342 miles) of range. In any case, the new model appears to have a small gain in range—perhaps around 5% or so.
As for pricing, Chinese models start at ¥303,500 yuan ($41,393 USD) for the Long Range AWD model, and ¥263,500 ($35,937 USD) for the rear-wheel-drive version. The AWD and RWD models achieve the zero to 60 mph sprint in 4.3 seconds and 5.9 seconds respectively. Tesla China doesn’t appear to have a Performance trim on offer. Both those figures are slower than the existing Model Y Performance, which hits 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.
The new Model Y comes with powered rear seats! pic.twitter.com/SC53b6r557
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 10, 2025
It’s worth noting that these Chinese market prices are not directly relevant to the US market. Deliveries in China are expected to begin in March. For now, no details are available for American models, but it’s expected the Juniper will become available Stateside sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, the Juniper refresh will be seen as a much needed update to Tesla’s volume seller. While the company has continued to post strong sales figures, the electric vehicle market has not stood still. In particular, Chinese automakers have been putting out their own compelling product, and Tesla will have to continue to innovate if it wishes to keep up. The Juniper update is evidence that the company is well aware of this fact going forward.
Image credits: Tesla
Musk is horrible, the cars aren’t that nice to be in and there are better options.
The rear light bar looks like a single piece with the only noticeable separation on the side markers. How does that hatch lid open and close without the two lenses flexing into each other and cracking? This is a big change over the existing model and I’d like so see some pics of the open hatch.
The same way it works on the revised Model 3 — the face of the taillights is attached to the trunklid, while the side reflectors (the left side one doubles as the charge port door) are fixed to the body. Here’s a mediocre image from Tesla’s website which shows it (from a quick lazyGoogle)
Thanks for the info. I forgot how small the trunk opening really is on the TM3. I’m curious to see if those lenses knock into each other on a cold day and crack.
One area where larger panel gaps are to your benefit! (joking)
There’s enough clearance there and the other side of the gap is also a flexible door so no cracking is gonna happen.
Obligatory Musk is trash disclaimer. I like that rear taillight bar. The interior of these vehicles are absolutely dreadful.
Aside from the obvious Musk factor that would keep me from buying a Tesla, there are still better options out there.
Such derivative headlights. Looks like 18 other Chinese brands, I guess the Shanghai-based focus groups did their job.
It looks like everything else now,congratulations Tesla.
I hope the lightbar trend dies soon.
Sadly model S is still outdated. Soon the great pyramids will be listed the same.
Fat Prius from the back, Greyscale blank interior hell inside. What’s not to love?
Outside certainly looks a bit better, but the interior still makes me cry.
The sharper, more angular front end from the Cybertruck/cab only further emphasizes the awkward bubble shape everywhere else.
The Y was never attractive but this refresh accentuates the weird proportions even more. At least the current one was consistently bubble-y, this now looks like both of Tesla’s design languages spliced together (because that’s exactly what it is).
Heckeblende
does anyone still talk about the excessive panel gaps / misaligned panels and shoddy interiors or have they fixed all that now?
They were getting much better (at least according to youtube) but changed production lines might get worse for a bit.