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
Guarantee this is the 2023-24 MY with a different skin. The 2023-24 MY have had a nicer suspension than the previous models. The faster 0-60 can already be unlocked with a purchase. There was also a rolling change to an updated “FSD” computer in Q3 2024.
Eh, this is what it is. People know exactly what it is.
Looks like every other Tesla except the lights are different. In other words, boring.
It does look less “froggy” than the previous version (which I never liked and was really starting to age), but also a bit more anonymous – I guess that’s what happens when the rest of the world catches up.
The interior has the personality of a cafeteria tray.
People who buy from from Fascist Motors are complicit in this awful timeline.
Exterior design is incoherent. Elon should’ve let his Designer actually design. You can tell it’s supposed to be more in line with the Model 3 Highland with leftover elements – lights don’t match in side profile. That’s what’s throwing people off.
It doesn’t know whether to be a Model 3 or Cybercab.
The rear looks like they were tasked to make it look like the Cybercab, but ran out of time.
Eh, I guess. Better than BMW I suppose.
Tires are still too big.