Introducing the New Tesla Model Y: Exciting Model 3 Upgrades for This Beloved Electric SUV

About a year after launching the new Model 3 Highland, Tesla is now introducing the Model Y Juniper.

Tesla certainly has a penchant for quirky codenames for its models. For instance, the revised Model 3 sedan from last year was internally referred to as "Highland." Meanwhile, its SUV counterpart, the Model Y compact crossover, goes by the internal nickname "Juniper." Regardless of what you call the new Model Y, it represents a significant advancement for Tesla's global best-seller, both internally and externally. The Model Y was the top-selling vehicle worldwide in 2023, with over 1.2 million units sold.

What Makes the Model Y Juniper So Significant?

The Model Y is a perfectly sized electric SUV that offers impressive range, is supported by the extensive Supercharger network, and qualifies for federal EV tax credits, keeping its starting price in the affordable mid-$40,000 range. Given its popularity, it's no surprise that it's the best-selling EV on the market. This raises the question of why Tesla opted to refresh the Model 3 sedan before updating the higher-selling Model Y. Perhaps the Model Y's strong sales performance allowed Tesla to postpone the Juniper upgrade for a year, focusing instead on boosting the slower-selling Model 3.

While the Model Y is undeniably popular, it certainly isn't without its flaws. Our long-term test vehicle has received consistent criticism from our team for its noisy cabin, harsh ride quality, and mediocre build quality. These are precisely the issues that were addressed in last year's Highland update for the similarly problematic Model 3. Tesla also refined the Model 3's somewhat bland design with sleeker headlights and taillights, new wheel options, and enhanced aerodynamics. The updates to the Model 3 were transformative, significantly reducing cabin noise, improving material quality and features, and softening the overly stiff suspension without sacrificing its enjoyable driving experience.

What’s New?

The upgrades for the Model Y Juniper are expected to closely resemble those of the Model 3, leading us to be cautiously optimistic about similar improvements in refinement and perceived quality. While not all of these enhancements are immediately apparent in the spy photos—showing a heavily camouflaged Model Y that conceals modifications to its front and rear—this gives us a solid idea of what to anticipate when the official details are released.

The Model 3 now features a rear-seat touchscreen equipped with apps like Netflix and games, along with climate control options. It also includes standard heated rear seats, while the front seats and steering wheel are heated as well. Additionally, the steering wheel has been upgraded to include various controls that were previously located on stalks, such as turn signals and headlight controls. Tesla has also integrated the Model 3's touchscreen transmission controls, complemented by discreet touch-sensitive buttons overhead, which felt unusual at first but became familiar quickly. Although the touchscreen appears similar to the current version, it has been updated.

The exterior design of the Model Y Juniper shows some divergence from the Model 3 Highland's style, at least based on what we can see through this prototype's camouflage. While the Model 3 features sleek, modern lighting both front and rear, the Model Y Juniper appears to incorporate a split headlight and fog light design reminiscent of recent models from Nissan, Hyundai, and BMW. At the rear, it seems to have a slim, full-width taillight similar to what we expect on Tesla's upcoming Robotaxi. The Y maintains its rounded roofline, and like the Model 3, we anticipate that the Y Juniper will be a significantly refreshed version of the current model.

When Will the Model Y Juniper Make Its Debut?

As Tesla experiences a slight decline in sales—marking 2024 as the first year with lower figures compared to the previous year—the automaker seems keen to revitalize its sales momentum. What better strategy than to introduce the highly anticipated updates for its top-selling Model Y? Expect the Juniper upgrade to arrive in early 2025, with sales kicking off by the fall.

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