► New Tesla Model Y shown in China
► Substantial facelift for world #1 EV
► Crossover-ish partner to Model 3
This is the new and updated Tesla Model Y – unveiled in the Chinese market to whet our appetites for what’s to come here. It’s a makeover of the world’s most popular EV and refreshes the Model Y’s wardrobe with a gently revised look for the first time since launch in 2019.
Wrapped around the same-again architecture are distinct slimline headlamps and light bar at the front, while the rear end receives more complex lamp graphics. Much of the Model Y’s surfacing remains untouched, yet the illumination front and rear do an impressive job of giving the car a fresh interest.
Tesla calls the rear light bar ‘an integrated diffuse reflection through-type taillight,’ which appears to have something of a soft glow about it (see below).
Tesla Model Y: specs and range
The Chinese-market Model Y has claimed performance figures of 4.3sec for the 0-62mph sprint and an impressive electric range on the domestic CLTC cycle of 447 miles on the Long-Range All-Wheel Drive model.
The cheaper Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y boasts a range of 368 miles, while the benchmark sprint takes 5.9 seconds.
These figures may yet change for European homologation, but we expect they will broadly follow the changes on the Chinese-market car. We will update this story when full UK specs are confirmed.
The 2025 Tesla Model Y was developed under the codename Project Juniper and it echoes the facelift given to the Model 3 last year, with an array of engineering and design tweaks throughout. It’s mostly detailed updates, which not look that different, but are said to contribute to improved efficiency and refinement, as with the new alloy wheel designs (below).
The interior also benefits from a range of improvements. In line with the Model 3, there is now a touchscreen in the rear cabin and the frunk and rear seats are electrified, opening and lowering at the touch of a button.
Tesla’s trademark touchscreen is upgraded, too, with improved software claimed to offer faster response and more features. It remains 15.4in in size.
Read on for the full background on today’s Model Y in Europe.
Tesla Model Y review
The existing UK-spec Tesla Model Y: what you need to know
The Model Y is the more crossovery derivative of the Model 3 saloon, in essence. Its design won’t surprise you much, as it follows the usual Tesla schtick: sloping rooflines, grille-less front-ends and chrome details are pretty much the norm, now.
It’s natural, then, that the Model Y doesn’t stray from the family look – it just looks like a slightly taller Model 3. The rear half is arguably better proportioned than a Model X, though, and its shape hides a party trick we’ll come on to later.
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It’s not just looks the Model Y shares with the Model 3. The Tesla Model Y slots underneath the Model X in terms of size, but CEO Elon Musk said the new crossover shares 75% of its parts with the current Model 3.
This is most evident when it comes to the interior – it’s pretty much exactly the same design as the 3’s cabin, complete with a large central touchscreen display providing all of your required information in one place. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing depends on your thoughts on touchscreens…
Tesla says Autopilot is still a thing, as is remote unlock via an app (a key is so 20th century), the usual summon function and preconditioning.
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The Model Y is a seven-seater
So that party trick? The Model Y can be a seven-seater. The brand says its baby SUV has ‘room for up to seven adults’ with its optional third row.
The second row also split-folds and total storage space is claimed at more than 1800 litres (or a whopping 2158 litres, if you count the front boot (or frunk). Now we’ve sat in the rearmost row we can fairly describe the Model Y’s sixth and seventh seats as occasional pews, designed more for young children and short hops, rather than full seven-seater family bus duties.
What will the electric range be? How far will the Model Y go on one charge?
Today’s Tesla Model Y has two battery and range options in the UK: Long Range (available in Rear- or All-Wheel Drive) and Performance (AWD only). The Long Range model has a claimed 315-mile range, while the Performance option claims 298 miles. The RWD model, meanwhile, has 283 miles of range and take up to 170kW of rapid charging.
As for other performance specs, the Long Range AWD will take 4.8 seconds to get to 62mph and hit 135mph; the Performance takes 3.5 seconds and will manage 150mph.
Like every Tesla, the Y can access the Supercharger network including the latest V3 ones for superior fast charging.
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Okay… when can I buy a Tesla Model Y and how much will it cost?
After long delays to right-hand drive deliveries, the Tesla Model Y went on sale in the UK in spring 2022 and the RWD followed in December 2022. Tesla prices historically yo-yo quite significantly (in both directions), but as of January 2025 prices stood at:
- Tesla Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive: £46,990
- Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive £51,990
- Tesla Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive £59,990
We’ll be sure to update this page when UK specs of the new 2025 Tesla Model Y are confirmed.
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