Tesla Unveils 2025 Model Y Update with Significant Redesign
Tesla has officially revealed the 2025 update of its popular Model Y, codenamed “Juniper,” following an online image leak. The refreshed electric vehicle is now available for order on Tesla’s website in China and other Asia-Pacific markets, with deliveries scheduled to begin in March.
This marks the most substantial redesign of the Model Y since its initial launch in 2020. Notably, the update reintroduces a physical turn signal stalk, a feature that had been replaced by capacitive buttons in recent Tesla models.
The refresh comes at a crucial time for Tesla, following the company’s first year-over-year sales decline since 2012. Industry analysts have speculated that CEO Elon Musk’s controversial behavior may have impacted sales.
The updated Model Y is available in two specifications: rear-wheel drive and long-range versions. The rear-wheel drive model is priced at 263,500 Chinese yuan (approximately $35,935) and boasts an estimated range of 593 kilometers (368 miles). The long-range version, priced at 303,500 Chinese yuan (about $41,390), offers an extended range of 719 kilometers (446 miles). These range estimates are based on China’s CLTC driving cycle, which is generally less stringent than the US EPA system.
Both models feature a top speed of 201 kilometers per hour (124 mph) and peak charging speeds of 250kW. Tesla has also made improvements to the tires, wheels, and suspension for a smoother and quieter ride. Customers can choose between 19- and 20-inch wheel options, with range estimates based on the 19-inch wheels.
The interior of the 2025 Model Y incorporates similar improvements to those seen in the 2023 Model 3 sedan update. These include higher efficiency and performance, an eight-inch touchscreen display for rear passengers, a quieter cabin with ambient lighting, and electrically foldable back seats that expand storage capacity to 2,138 liters. A front-view camera has been added to provide a wider field of view for assisted driving features.
Exterior design changes include slimmer light bars replacing traditional headlights and tail lights, as well as slight reshaping of the front and back ends to improve endurance, performance, and service life.
While mass production of the updated Model Y is set to begin in Shanghai this month, the launch timeline for US and European markets remains unclear. Based on the previous Model 3 update, which took approximately four months to reach the US, consumers in these markets may need to wait before getting their hands on the refreshed Model Y.
As Tesla continues to evolve its product line, the 2025 Model Y update represents a significant step in the company’s efforts to maintain its position in the competitive electric vehicle market.