Tesla Model Y facelift officially debuts in China

Unveiled in China the updated Model Y, codenamed 'Juniper': styling and interior changes. Arrival in Europe in the coming months

Photo by: Tesla

By: Alberto Carmone

Jan 10, 2025 at 3:53am ET

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The world's best-selling electric car gets a makeover. The restyling of the Tesla Model Y, known as Project Juniper, has been unveiled in China. At the moment, the battery-powered SUV is only available in the country of the Dragon (first deliveries are expected in March), but in the coming months it will also arrive in the rest of the world, including Europe.

This is a really important update when you consider that the model has been on sale since 2019 and that over the years it has had to contend with increasingly fierce competition in all markets, while remaining at the top of the sales charts all this time.

Compared to the outgoing Tesla, which is still available in our market, there are significant differences, and not just from an aesthetic point of view. Let's find out.

Inspired by the Cybertruck and Model 3

A look at Tesla's Chinese website reveals the various changes the Model Y has undergone.

The new crossover design focuses even more on efficiency and aerodynamics. Length has increased to 4,797 mm from the previous version's 4,751 mm, while width and height remain essentially unchanged at 1,921 mm and 1,624 mm.

Tesla Model Y (2025): the new colour Glacier Blue

Photos by: Tesla

Tesla Model Y restyling, the new rear LED bar

Photos by: Tesla

Tesla Model Y (2025), side view

The front end has been redesigned with a Cybertruck-inspired light signature, with thin LED headlights connected by a light strip. The bumper has also been revised, with a new front camera to support manoeuvring and improve Autopilot. At the rear, 'C'-shaped light clusters are joined by a light bar with the Tesla logo.

Five colours: Stealth Grey, Pearl White Multi-Coat, Quicksilver and Ultra Red, as well as the new Glacier Blue.

Tesla Model Y (2025), the interior

Photos by: Tesla

The interior reflects innovations already introduced with the restyled Model 3. These include thicker windows for improved soundproofing, customisable ambient lighting, ventilated front seats and power-folding rear seats, as well as new fabric upholstery for the dashboard.

Tesla Model Y (2025), the dedicated screen for rear passengers

Photos by: Tesla

The 15.4-inch main screen has been upgraded, as has the 8-inch rear passenger display. The steering wheel is similar to that of the Model 3, although the images on the Chinese site show a small additional lever, perhaps to operate the direction indicators (a function that until now could be activated directly from the steering wheel controls).

Motors and prices for China

Moving on to the powertrain, the restyled Model Y is sold in China in RWD (with a single rear motor) and Long Range versions with twin motors and all-wheel drive. The RWD version accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a claimed range of 368 miles in the Chinese CLTC cycle (which tends to be more optimistic than the WLTP), while the Long Range reaches 62 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a range of 447 miles.

Tesla Model Y (2025), the rear three-quarter

Photos by: Tesla

Both variants are equipped with LFP batteries - the capacity of which is not stated - and support fast recharging, with maximum outputs of 170 kW for the RWD and 250 kW for the Long Range. Naturally, we wait to see whether these figures will be confirmed on the European model.

What do you think?

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At the moment, there is no Performance version on the Chinese configurator, which should be introduced at a later stage.

In the meantime, in China the new Model Y starts at 263,500 yuan (approx. £29,200), which is about 5% more than the price of the previous model in China. Although we don't yet know the expected price list for Europe, it is likely that the restyled Model Y in the UK will cost a few thousand pounds more than the current £46,990. We should also remember that the car will also be produced in Europe at the Gigafactory in Berlin, unlike the Model 3 which is assembled in Shanghai and the USA.