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Over the last few years, the Model Y has defined the way we think of Tesla in Europe, establishing a template for a business-minded electric mid-sized hatch that the mainstream brands are only just getting to grips with. Just as they have, Musk's men have introduced this considerably upgraded 'Project Juniper' design, with sleeker looks and a classier interior.
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Background
The Model 3 may have been the car that brought Tesla mainstream in worldwide markets but it's hatch stablemate, the Model Y, is the car that's sold in greater numbers since its original launch in 2020. It's been produced in Europe for Europeans at the Tesla Berlin-Brandenburg Gigafactory since 2022 and was the world's best selling car in 2023. Even well into its initial production run, it still managed to be the U.K.'s fifth best seller in 2024. But competition is intensifying in the mid-sized EV segment and going forward, the Model Y will sit in a range also populated by the smaller Tesla Model 2.
Time then for a much needed update package known during development as 'Project Juniper'. Many of the changes are similar to those made as part of the 'Project Highland' update visited upon the Model 3 in early 2024. But this updated Y gets much more distinct exterior styling. Let's take a closer look.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 60990 | 60990 |
| Insurance group 1-50 | 50 | 50 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 125 | 125 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Min | Max |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 353 | 353 |
| Length (mm) | 4797 | 4797 |
| Width (mm) | 1624 | 1624 |
| Height (mm) | 1626 | 1626 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 854 | 854 |
Driving experience
This updated Y launched in the form most customers ideally want - the mid-level Long Range All-Wheel Drive variant. The entry-level Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive and flagship Performance All-Wheel Drive variants (which for the time being remain available in old-shape form) will shortly follow. In Long Range All-Wheel Drive form, the Dual Motor Model Y benefits from the sleeker body to offer 353 miles of range; performance stats have improved too, with 60mph just 4.1s away (it was 4.8s before) en route to 125mph. For reference, the original single motor Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive base version manages 351 miles of range and 60mph in 5.7s; while for the original top Performance All-Wheel Drive Dual Motor version, the figures are 319 miles and 3.5s. Expect the stats of those two variants to also improve when they come on stream.
Tesla says it's improved the driving experience of the new 'Project Juniper' design, with added comfort, retuned suspension and more responsive steering. Model Y regulars should notice an improvement in refinement. With the introduction of acoustic glass on every surface, paired with new sound-dampening materials, a whisper quiet ride is promised. Tesla says that road noise has been reduced by 22%, impact noise by 20% and wind noise by 20%. There's now no gear selection stalk, that functionality having now been moved to the centre screen. And Tesla has added a new front camera, located in the front fascia, which offers drivers an expanded view of their surroundings and is equipped with a fluid washer and integrated heating to prevent fogging and defrost in cold weather conditions.
Otherwise, things are much as before. There are still no drive modes or brake regen settings - and no fake engine noise options either. Handling is sharper that you might expect it to be and, helped by the damping changes, ride quality should be significantly better than it was with earlier Model Ys.
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Design and build
This is a much more distinctive-looking Model Y with an exterior redesign apparently conceived to 'maximise efficiency, using every kilowatt hour more effectively'. To that end, the drag coefficient is more slippery, improved from 0.23 to 0.22Cd, keeping this as Tesla is one of the segment's sleekest cars. But the first thing you'll notice is the new-look nose, which references that on the company's avant-garde Cybertruck, hence the angular lines and the ultra-thin LED light set-up.
The front bumper's been redesigned too, with more prominent side intakes and restyled surfacing. The rear is also different, now embellished with a full-width light bar. There are big 20-inch wheels and body length increases by 47mm to 4,797mm; width reduces by 1mm to 1,624mm.
Inside, those familiar with the original car will notice the new steering wheel, now featuring customisable switches for quick access to frequently used vehicle functions. Just one (redesigned) stalk now protrudes from it, gear selection duties having been moved to the near end of the 15.4-inch centre screen (also improved, though it looks much the same). The Model 3 doesn't even have an indicator stalk, but this was retained for the Y because customers don't tend to like the wheel-mounted indicator buttons on the 3. The front seats have been redesigned and can now be ventilated; and, as before, there's a choice of black or white interior finishes. The new centre console now features sliding doors with precise, smooth movement, and is covered in genuine aluminium revealing both a cupholder and extra storage.
In the rear, there's now an 8.4-inch touchscreen for climate functions and games. And the second-row seats also offer enhanced comfort and convenience with easier-to-access buckles, longer cushions, deeper bolsters, with powered recline and fold-flat operation.
And out back? Well the previous seven-seat option (popular in the UK) isn't currently available on this new car. And there's a decently-sized 854-litre boot, extendable to 1,869-litres in size if you fold the rear seats. You also get a bit of extra space under the bonnet.
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Market and model
Tesla wants around £61,000 for this updated Model Y in Long Range All-Wheel Drive form. That's about £10,000 above the base Long Range Rear-Wheel Driver version; but only slightly below the sum you're likely to need for the top Performance All-Wheel Drive variant. To lease the new Long Range All-Wheel Drive 'Project Juniper' version, from launch the brand was quoting £916 a month over three years with a 12 month down payment and a 10,000 mile annual mileage.
Standard equipment includes pretty much everything you'd want, including a new 8-inch rear touchscreen, heated front and rear seats and ventilated, power-operated front seats. As before, there's 20-inch wheels, vegan leather upholstery (in black or white), a 360-degree camera system, a tinted panoramic glass roof with ultra violet/infra-red protection and a 14-speaker premium audio system. The new low-E glass reflects 26% more solar energy, helping maintain an ideal temperature when combined with the quieter, more efficient air-conditioning system.
There's been a big step forward in media connectivity, with redesigned hardware delivering 50% faster download speeds. Wi-Fi connectivity has also been greatly improved, with download speeds up to 300% faster for smoother video streaming and software updates, and a range extension of up to 200%, ensuring sustained connectivity in areas like garages and driveways. There's a significant boost in cellular performance; plus phone key performance and reliability have seen a huge improvement, thanks to the addition of Ultra-Wideband and other enhancements, which also enable automatic tailgate opening when paired with the Tesla app.
Safety continues to be a strong point. Tesla says the Model Y is designed to be the safest vehicle in its class. The low centre of gravity, rigid body structure and large crumple zones provide strong protection. Like all new Teslas, this one comes as standard with emergency braking, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and more. And in future, the brand promises that the Model Y will have Full Self-Driving capability, enabling automatic driving on city streets and highways pending regulatory approval, as well as the ability to come and find you anywhere in a car park: brilliant.
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Cost of ownership
We gave you the driving range figure for the new Long Range All-Wheel Drive Model Y in our 'Driving' section - 353 miles. That's better even than the base single motor version will be able to manage - and there'll be quite a drop in that figure if you choose the top Performance All-Wheel Drive version.
As before, the Model Y DC charges at up to 250kW and, also as before, the biggest draw for ownership is Tela's Supercharger charging network, at which you can charge at reduced rates. At home, Tesla reckons that from empty to full, an 11kW wallbox would replenish a Model Y's 75kWh battery in about seven and a half hours, but the 7.4kW wallbox more owners are likely to have needs 11 hours and 45 minutes.
Owning a Model Y will of course be very different from owning a conventionally powered compact-to-mid-sized SUV. There'll be no fuel bills of course and servicing costs will be much smaller. The annual service fee covers an annual inspection, replacement parts like brake pads and windscreen wipers, 24 hour roadside assistance, system monitoring, remote diagnostics, software updates and new features sent through the touchscreen.
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Summary
Unlike Tesla, we don't think that fully-electrified technology is the only answer to the future of individual transportation. But it's the best answer we have right now and at present, Tesla is still delivering it in a way that makes the mid-sized EV efforts of some other manufacturers look dull and derivative.
These days of course, the Model Y has a far tougher task than it had at its original launch back in 2021, but this welcome package of 'Project Juniper' updates has kept it fresh amongst more recently launched rivals. There's a more premium look inside and out and, if you haven't tried this car for some time, you'll be impressed at the more recent improvements in driving range and refinement. Not everyone likes the stripped-out cabin vibe though, emphasised even more here; try before you buy.
As ever with the brand, the biggest ownership draw remains the brand's accessible Supercharger charging network, something that no other marque can match. In short, though the competition's getting closer, you might still feel that there's nothing in the segment quite like this Tesla.
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