Tesla finally took the wraps from its revamped Model Y, code-named ‘Juniper’,’ and published pictures and info on its Chinese consumer website. A series of upgrades are introduced to safeguard the SUV’s leading position in sales. Deliveries in China are set to begin in March.
The Model Y Juniper is one of the most essential facelifts in the industry, as it represents the world’s best-selling EV and the best-selling nameplate overall. The new design is a much more recognizable workthrough than the Model 3 Highland, as the sleeker front-end design draws inspiration from Tesla’s Cybertruck.
This seems to be the brand’s new signature style. A thin LED light bar spans the front, paired with redesigned headlights integrated into the bumper.
Slightly larger
Like most EVs, the rear end features a full-width red taillight, a sportier bumper, and a ducktail spoiler. These changes, combined with a reduced drag coefficient of 0.22 Cd (down from 0.23 Cd), improve aerodynamics, enhancing range and efficiency.
The updated SUV is slightly larger than its predecessor, measuring 4,797 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,624 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,890 mm. New 19-inch and 20-inch wheels and an exclusive blue paint option complete the exterior updates.
Upgraded cargo area
Inside, the Model Y Juniper mirrors the recent updates made to the Model 3 sedan. Hopefully, this also accounts for a hike in material quality. A 15-inch floating touchscreen powered by AMD Ryzen takes center stage, providing a minimalist cabin design that integrates all driving and vehicle information into the central display.
There’s also a screen now for back passengers to enjoy watching Netflix or games. New ventilated seats, improved rear-seat ergonomics with extended headrests, and one-button power adjustments for the second row enhance passenger comfort.
Additional features include a panoramic sunroof with a silver-plated coating, a 16-speaker sound system, and a steering-column-mounted turn signal stalk, which Tesla has upgraded in response to prior user concerns. Tesla has also upgraded the Model Y’s boot by adding electric seat-folding buttons, improving practicality for loading and unloading.
LFP and NMC chemistries
The Model Y Juniper offers two trims in China. The rear-wheel drive (RWD) version features a 62.5 kWh CATL-made LFP battery pack paired with a single rear motor delivering 220 kW (295 hp).
According to the Chinese CLTC cycle, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/hour in 5.9 seconds and offers a range of 593 km—39 km more than the previous model. The all-wheel drive (AWD) Long Range combines a 194 kW rear motor and a 137 kW front motor, producing a combined 331 kW (444 hp).
It achieves a 0 to 100 km/hour time of 4.3 seconds and delivers a CLTC range of 719 km, an improvement of 31 km over its predecessor, thanks to a 78.4-kWh NMC battery pack from LG. A Performance version is expected in a later phase.
Pricing for the refreshed Model Y represents a modest increase. The RWD Launch Edition is priced at 263,500 yuan (€34,900), a 5.4% rise from the outgoing model, while the AWD Long-Range Launch Edition is set at 303,500 yuan (€40,200), marking a 4.3% increase.
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