The long-anticipated facelifted Tesla Model Y Juniper with a cyber face launched in China ahead of its US release. The new SUV will start deliveries in March 2025. It has two trim levels and a price range of 263,500 – 303,500 yuan (35,950 – 41,400 USD). The Model Y Juniper is seemingly more expensive than its predecessor.
The Tesla Model Y became the bestselling car in China in 2023 (and worldwide). However, it became a runner-up in the first 11 months of 2024, losing first place to the BYD Qin Plus sedan. According to the China EV DataTracker, Tesla sold 418,428 units in China in January-November. So, Tesla hurried to launch a new variant of its bestseller in China.
Quick takes:
- New Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) version has 39 km more range compared with the previous Model Y (554 km vs 593 km under CLTC conditions)
- The new RWD price is 13,600 yuan (1900 USD) higher than the previous Model Y (249,900 yuan vs 263,500 yuan)
- The new RWD is 10 kg (22 lbs) heavier than the earlier version (1911 kg vs 1921 kg)
- No rumoured 800 V architecture
- Turn signal stalks are back
- The peak charging rate is 250 kW
New Tesla Model Y exterior & dimensions
The new Tesla Model Y adopts the latest front-end design with a thin LED running light unit that reminds us of a Cybertruck. Headlights of the new model sit on the front bumper. These adjustments in the front enhance the drag coefficient of the new Tesla Model Y to 0.22 Cd. The previous Tesla mainstream crossover offered a number of 0.23 Cd. Lower drag means longer range and quieter ride.
The new Tesla Model Y retained its distinguishing raindrop body shape. From the back, the car adopts a single taillight unit and a ducktail spoiler. It also adds a sportier rear bumper. Other features of the car exterior include a new wheel design (19-inch and 20-inch), flush door handles, and a new blue paint. The exact dimensions of the new Tesla Model Y Juniper are 4797/1920/1624 mm with a wheelbase of 2890 mm. It became 47 mm longer and 1 mm thinner.
New Tesla Model interior
Inside, the Model Y Juniper aligns with the new Tesla Model 3. It retains the minimalistic styling with a 15-inch gloating touchscreen powered by AMD Ryzen. The new SUV has no instrument cluster, which is a common pit for Tesla. Instead, the center screen integrates the relevant information about the car’s speed, gear, ADAS, etc. There are no buttons in the center tunnel. Instead, it has a wireless charging pad and hidden compartments.
Interestingly, the new Model Y adopts enhanced seats. Its rear seat was elongated by 15 mm. Moreover, the headrests were widened by 17 mm. The second-row seats were upgraded with one-button power adjustment. The new Model Y also offers a sunroof with a silver-plated coating and 16 speakers. The new exciting detail of the new Model Y is the steering-column-mounted turn signal stalk. Previously, the Model Y hadn’t got this element.
Another big benefit of the Tesla Model Y is a trunk. Its capacity reaches 2,130 liters with rear seats folded. It is around 100 liters more than the trunk capacity of the old Tela Model Y. It is worth mentioning that the new Model Y adopts Tesla’s latest AI4 assisted driving hardware. It is expected that Tesla’s FSD system will be implemented in China this year.
New Tesla Model Y powertrain
The Tesla Model Y Juniper offers RWD and AWD variants in China. They both stand on the 400V architecture. The entry-level model has a single e-motor in the rear axle for 220 kW (295 hp), suitable for a zero-to-hundred acceleration time of 5.9 seconds. The 62.5-kWh CATL-made LFP battery pack powers that electric motor. As a result, the new car can drive up to 593 km in CLTC conditions. The range of the entry-level Model Y is boosted by 39 km, thanks to the 1.1 kWh/100 km lower energy consumption of 11.9 kWh/100km.
The AWD variant of the Tesla Model Y Juniper has a 194-kW (260 hp) electric motor in the rear axle paired with a 137-kW (184 hp) motor in the front. The combined power output of this electric crossover reaches 331 kW (444 hp). This drivetrain is powered by a 78.4 kWh ternary NMC battery from LG. The AWD Model Y Juniper speeds up to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. Its range reaches 719 km CLTC (a 31 km increase, compared to the old Model Y), thanks to the energy consumption of 13.4 kWh/100km.
New Tesla Model Y prices
As mentioned, the new Tesla Model Y is offered in two trim levels. The prices for the launch edition of the vehicle are as follows:
- Model Y RWD Launch Edition: 263,500 yuan (39,950 USD)
- Model Y AWD Long-Range Launch Edition: 303,500 yuan (41,400 USD)
The entry-level Model Y price has risen by 13,600 yuan (1,855 USD), or 5.44%. The 4WD Long-Range variant became 12,600 yuan (1,720 USD), or 4.33%, more expensive. The Tesla Model Y Juniper’s sales deadline is February 28, and deliveries will start in March.
