The new Tesla Model Y: The Juniper’s refreshed face and updates have a difficult 2025 ahead
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Last year, Tesla gave the Model 3 a welcome update inside and out. This year, the all-new 2025 Tesla Model Y gets a similar spa weekend, debuting with a new look and updated characteristics. However, last year’s best-selling EV has a tricky year ahead of it if Tesla’s public stigma and the Model Y Launch Edition’s initial reception are any indication.
The Tesla Model Y gets a new look and lease on life for 2025, but things are still looking grim
One look at the updated Tesla Model Y suggests that the EV SUV took a page out of the book of cyberpunk for 2025. Gone are the pouty headlamps in favor of a slick, Robocop-esque light bar. The styling news is the same out back, namely a body-width light bar in place of the previous model’s individual taillamp assemblies.
On the inside, the “Juniper” Model Y benefits from more premium interior materials. But don’t think of ash, walnut, and analog clocks. No, the new Tesla SUV’s formula is still minimalist. The oh-so-typical Tesla touchscreen dominates the front cabin. Still, proportions are pleasing, and the Model Y took a more liveable approach to interior updates. For instance, Tesla upgraded the sound deadening and added rear-seat interactive displays to quiet the noisiest of back-seat passengers.
As for range, the new Model Y “Launch Edition” adds around 17 miles of single-charge range over the 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD. All said and done, Tesla says the Launch Edition will cover around 327 miles before demanding another charge. That is, if the manufacturer-quoted EPA estimate is to be trusted in real-world conditions.
Sounds good, right? Well, even the fully-loaded Model Y Launch Edition and its standard $8,000 full self-driving suite doesn’t look like an EV market hotshot. After months, Tesla received enough consumer commitment to fulfill just two weeks of Launch Edition deliveries by March 25th.
And at damn near $60,000, the Launch Edition is a bit of an ask. Tesla will soon release the non-Launch Edition versions of the updated Model Y. Granted, a more affordable Model Y will attract more attention than the fully-outfitted Launch Edition.
However, Tesla has an image crisis so bad that it’s cutting into the brand’s bottom line. As such, the Model Y is going to have an extremely difficult time keeping pace with its segment-defining 2023 and 2024 sales, update be damned.
