► Substantial facelift for world #1 EV ► Crossover-ish partner to Model 3 This is the new and updated Tesla Model Y – unveiled in the Chinese market to whet our appetites for what’s to come here. It’s a makeover of the world’s most popular EV and refreshes the Model Y’s wardrobe with a gently revised look for the first time since launch in 2019. Wrapped around the same-again architecture are distinct slimline headlamps and light bar at the front, while the rear end receives more complex lamp graphics. Much of the Model Y’s surfacing remains untouched, yet the illumination front and rear do an impressive job of giving the car a fresh interest. Tesla calls the rear light bar ‘an integrated diffuse reflection through-type taillight,’ which appears to have something of a soft glow about it (see below). Tesla Model Y: specs and range The Chinese-market Model Y has claimed performance figures of 4.3sec for the 0-62mph sprint and an impressive electric range on the domestic CLTC cycle of 447 miles on the Long-Range All-Wheel Drive model. The cheaper Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y boasts a range of 368 miles, while the benchmark sprint takes 5.9 seconds. These figures may yet change for European homologation, but we expect they will broadly follow the changes on the Chinese-market car. We will update this story when full UK specs are confirmed. The 2025 Tesla Model Y was developed under the codename Project Juniper and it echoes the facelift given to the Model 3 last year, with an array of engineering and design tweaks throughout. It’s mostly detailed updates, which not look that different, but are said to contribute to improved efficiency and refinement, as with the new alloy wheel designs (below). The interior also benefits from a range of improvements. In line with the Model 3, there is now a touchscreen in the rear cabin and the frunk and rear seats are electrified, opening and lowering at the touch of a button. Tesla’s trademark touchscreen is upgraded, too, with improved software claimed to offer faster response and more features. It remains 15.4in in size. Read on for the full background on today’s Model Y in Europe.