Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper’ Refresh: This Is It

A refreshed Tesla Model Y crossover appeared on the car manufacturer’s Chinese website on Thursday, giving the world its first look at the long-awaited, updated version of Tesla’s best-selling vehicle.

The redesigned crossover arrives at a crucial time for Tesla. Its global deliveries fell in 2024, marking the automaker’s first annual decline in sales in over a decade. The updated crossover could help restart sales in 2025 and beyond.

The Tesla Model Y update.

Photo by: Tesla

While most automakers give their cars mid-cycle refreshes every few years, Tesla hasn’t changed the look of the Model Y since it went on sale in 2020. Auto industry analysts say the decision — and more generally Tesla’s limited, stale lineup of cars — may have dragged down demand for Teslas as competition for electric cars has intensified.

Model Y is now the best-selling electric car in the world. That’s good for Tesla. But it also means that electric car buyers can clamor for something new and different.

The updated model has a new nose with an angular light bar reminiscent of Tesla’s Cybertruck pickup as well as the Cybercab robot taxi that was unveiled late last year. It also has a fleshy light bar running across its back. Otherwise, the exterior styling is largely identical to the current Model Y. Similar to the Model 3 “Highland” update that launched in late 2023, the side profile of the updated Model Y is similar to the outgoing model.

On Tesla’s China website, it says that the new Model Y gets an updated suspension and has been tuned for better efficiency. There’s no word yet on when the new model will go on sale outside of China, or how the details of the US-bound model might differ from the Chinese-market model. China is one of Tesla’s most important markets and by far the largest market for electric cars, which may explain why the new model goes on sale there first.

The refreshed crossover also gets a major interior makeover, bringing it in line with the recently updated Model 3 sedan.

This story is in development. Check back for updates.