2025 Tesla Model Y Juniper: This Is It

• The updated Tesla Model Y is finally here.
• New headlights and taillights, as well as a reworked interior, round out the design changes.
• It will make its debut in China first and will then roll out to the U.S. and the rest of Tesla's markets.

The Tesla Model Y is the company's best-selling EV, and we'll finally see an updated version hit the road in 2025. The Model Y "Juniper" update will be similar to what we saw with the Model 3 "Highland" in 2024; the underlying mechanicals and most of the sheetmetal won't change, but design tweaks, better tech, a reworked interior, and (hopefully) increased range and efficiency are all in the cards.

Here's a rundown of everything we know.

Exterior design changes: Same shape, new lighting

These photos come straight from Tesla's Chinese consumer site, but they confirm the changes we expected to see. Up front, Tesla has added what appears to be a split-headlight design, which is certainly a departure from the current Model Y. Around back, the taillights are also reworked, and the third (center) brake light now sits above the license plate on the trunk lid.

Remember, though, this is not a brand-new Model Y, so the EV's overall size and shape will remain the same. Aside from the new front and rear designs, the majority of the Model Y's sheetmetal has stayed the same.

Interior updates: Same big screen, plus those awful turn signals

The Model Y will continue Tesla's long tradition of forcing nearly every vehicle control and information readout into the large central touchscreen. But at least Tesla continuously pushes new software updates out through over-the-air updates, so the Model Y Juniper will not only launch with the latest version of Tesla's infotainment tech, but stay up to date for years to come.

Major interior design changes will be similar to those seen in the Model 3 Highland (above), including a reworked center console with a pair of wireless phone charging pads below the center screen. This also means the Model Y could possibly get the Model 3's new steering wheel, complete with — sigh — finicky turn signal buttons. We're hoping this doesn't make it to the Model Y.

Performance updates: We're expecting good things

While we don't know exactly what's in store for the Model Y Juniper from a performance perspective, we can once again look to the Model 3 Highland to give us an idea of what to expect. We added a 2024 Model 3 to our year-long test fleet in 2024, and when we tested it against a 2023 model, we noted some major improvements in performance and handling. However, we weren't able to hit the EPA-estimated driving range and found that the old Model 3 actually did better on the Edmunds EV Range Test. Here's hoping Tesla sorts that out for the Model Y.

Rumors have suggested the updated Model Y could debut as early as this spring, but you know Tesla — the news could drop at any time. Stay tuned.