10 REASONS YOU SHOULD WAIT FOR THE NEW TESLA MODEL Y

When it comes to electric crossovers, it's hard not to consider the Tesla Model Y. Far and away the brand's best-selling vehicle, the Model Y used to be the standard by which all other electric crossovers are judged. Its range is excellent, its features are plentiful, and its pricing is attractive. If you can get behind the looks and don't mind purchasing a Tesla, it's a great car, but superb rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E have been catching up with and surpassing it of late, so there's no denying it's due for a refresh.

2026 Tesla Model Y
Base Trim Engine  Electric
Base Trim Transmission  Single Speed Automatic

Tesla thinks so too, which is why it has been working on a refresh behind the scenes, very careful to keep it out of the public eye. Fortunately for us, the new Model Y, codenamed Juniper, was leaked nearly in full a little over a week ago, and it's packing new looks, technology, and performance similar to the refresh the Model 3 received in 2024. Many of the Model 3 Highland updates have now seemingly been applied to the Model Y. It looks to be a comprehensive update and may be a good reason to hold off pulling the trigger on a Model Y if you're willing to wait.

We look at all the details of the upcoming refreshed Model Y before it hits the market later in 2025 and why the new model is preferable to the one currently on sale in the USA.

Refined Exterior with Updated Lighting

The first thing you'll notice about the updated Model Y is its new, sharper looks. The overall shape is still the same, but the front and rear appear to be a mix of the Cybertruck and Model 3, and that bold front end with the full-width light bar is certain to be a welcome change for anyone who doesn't love the softer appearance of the current model.

Related
The Facelifted Tesla Model Y Is Here... Sort Of

The facelifted Tesla Model Y Juniper showed up on the company's Chinese consumer site.

Instead of just having two headlight housings on the front, there are a few now: two slit headlights on the corners, a LED strip connecting them, and fog lights underneath them. In the rear, there's now a single long full-width LED brake light with the Tesla name embedded within. Along with the changes to the body, the car has a more athletic appearance than before, but we can't help but feel the ends do feel a bit incongruous with the center portion of the car, which looks to be unchanged. Perhaps we should just be thankful that Tesla gave the Model Y a distinct personality and didn't just copy the Model 3's new frontal styling.

Improved Interior Features

The interior of the Model Y is still typically Tesla, but there have been minor updates that add greater functionality and a cleaner look. The dashboard is still sparse and minimalist to a fault, and features a 15.4-inch infotainment display in the middle. It's now complemented by ambient lighting that crosses the dashboard and the door sills. Ventilated seats and a rear eight-inch screen like on the Model 3 have now been added, as well as double-layer acoustic glass for better sound insulation. However, the changes are mostly subtle, and you'll have to look for them in places like the center console and door panels to see where Tesla really spent its budget.

Power and Range Increases

Above: New and old side by side

The current Model Y already delivers some pretty impressive performance, but it's looking to get an upgrade once the refresh arrives. Since the leaks came from China, we know the upgraded Model Y Standard Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD boast improved ranges of 368 miles and 447 miles according to the CLTC, so expect lower estimates once the EPA gets a hold of them. Our current versions of both models achieve 260 miles and 310 miles respectively, however, so we still expect a nice upgrade closer to 300 and 350 miles.

Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.

Follow On  

Google News

We'll have to wait and see exactly what batteries our versions use, but the ones in China are equipped with 62.5-kWh and 78.5-kWh packs that can charge at speeds up to 250 kW, making better use of Tesla's Supercharger capabilities. It looks like power won't be upgraded on most trims, but we expect the Performance variant to get an upgrade similar to the Model 3, which now boasts 510 hp and 547 lb-ft of torque.

Exclusive Launch Edition

Above: New and old side by side

With the new Model Y comes a new Launch edition, and this comes with a few extra features that will make it that much more special. In addition to the normal upgrades, it will have unique "Launch" badging on the rear liftgate, doorsill plates, and another few spots. Puddle lights will also be added that say "Launch" as well, and the AWD versions will reportedly feature the optional acceleration boost as standard. Finally, an exclusive black interior rounds out the special edition, as well as a higher price tag that confirms your exclusivity.

A Potential Return of the Turn Signal Stalk

This one hasn't been confirmed, but photos have given some conflicting information. One of the largest criticisms of the refreshed Model 3 and the Cybertruck is the fact Tesla decided to ditch the decades-old invention of the turn-signal stalk in favor of haptic buttons on the steering wheel. In some of the leaked Model Y images, one can make out a turn signal stock on the side of the steering column, though it looks much simpler than before. Other photos, however, don't appear to have anything. It would be fantastic to see Tesla respond to criticism by giving us back some physical controls, but given the brand's track record and production processes, it may be more wishful thinking than anything else.

Related
The Most Awarded Electric SUV For The Last Five Years Is...

Electric SUVs frequently rank among the Insurance Institute's favorites, owing largely to pioneering safety tech, but this one is the IIHS' favorite.

Enhanced Ride Comfort and Handling

It's expected that the Model Y will receive suspension upgrades similar to the Model 3 that aim to improve comfort and handling on bumpier roads. On the Model 3, this meant the addition of softer springs and the inclusion of frequency-response suspension, which alters the stiffness of the damping based on the speed of the vehicle and the severity of the impact. Along with a slower steering ratio and new tires, the car is meant to be easier to control in all driving situations, if not a little less aggressive than before. Given this is a mass-produced vehicle, we imagine most buyers will welcome these changes.

New Paint and Wheel Options

A new car usually means new wheel and paint options, and this time is no different. A new exclusive Glacier Blue color will debut with the car, as well as the addition of 20-inch Helix 2.0 wheels. We assume these will replace the 20-inch induction wheels currently available on the Model Y, and we may also see new 19-inch and 21-inch wheels, though nothing has been confirmed. The Model Y is currently available in six different colors, and we'll have to see if Glacier Blue joins them or replaces the current Deep Blue Metallic as well.

Power Rear Seats And Trunk

Tesla has smartly decided it's going to give buyers a little more functionality with the car, which should make it easier to live with inside and out. On the exterior, it's apparent from the pictures that the rear liftgate has been redesigned into separate pieces instead of a single piece as on the current design. While it isn't clear whether it will open differently, we do know that drivers will now be able to open it hands-free thanks to an app on their phone. Similarly, on the inside, you can now raise or lower the rear seats at the click of a button from the trunk or the front screen, making loading and unloading large items even easier than before.

Related
The Best Tesla Alternatives For 2025

Buying a new EV? Read this before you rush your way into a Tesla.

Three-Row, Six-Seater Variant (But Not Here, Yet)

Above: Old Model Y shown

One of the interesting bits of information floating around has been the reported introduction of a longer wheelbase, six-seat version of the Model Y that would improve interior comfort for all occupants. The Model Y is currently sold with a third row here in the US as a $1,000 option, but anyone over middle-school age is going to find the last-row seating experience less than agreeable. It was essentially a non-starter for Chinese buyers, so the company has been working on a longer-wheelbase version that can accommodate them. While there's no reason to believe this model will be coming stateside any time soon, if sales are good and there's enough demand, Tesla could make a change.

Related
Smallest 3-Row SUVs For 2025

Most three-row SUVs are a chore to drive in congested areas, but not these ones.

Early 2025 Production and Promising Rollout

Tesla’s Gigafactories around the world have already begun production of the refreshed Model Y, with deliveries in Asia-Pacific markets starting around May of this year. While the car hasn't been released here yet, we expect an announcement in the next couple of months, and the model should arrive soon after. Pricing is expected to only increase slightly from the current model, which starts at $44,990 before the EV Tax Credit factors in, but that may be going away if the Trump Administration keeps good on its promises.

Sources: Tesla Australia.

2025-01-22T13:32:42Z