Share After a long stream of leaks, Tesla has officially revealed the new edition of the Tesla Model Y, often referred to as its ‘Juniper’ codename, at least for the Chinese and Australian markets, though a U.S. release is surely eminent, too. The news confirms many rumors that have swirled around the first significant update to the vehicle since it initially launched in 2020. The nonchalant reveal process marks a dramatically different tact for Tesla compared to the scene of last year’s “WeRobot” Cybercab unveiling or the now somewhat infamous shenanigans of the Cybertruck reveal five years earlier. And yet, the new Model Y is a much bigger deal for the brand and the automotive world, at least in the near term. That’s because the Y is not only Tesla’s most popular model but has also long topped charts as the best-selling EV worldwide. Some automotive analytics groups have even crowned the Y as the best-selling car in the world, at least in 2023. Here’s a rundown of the significant changes in the newly revealed Tesla Y for 2025 that we know about so far. Its Updated Look Clearly Takes Cues from Tesla’s ‘Cyber’ Vehicles The new hood and headlights of the new Tesla Model Y should look very familiar to anyone who has seen photos of Tesla’s Cybercab concept revealed back in 2024. Tesla Tesla says the new Model Y is “completely redesigned,” though you’d be forgiven for thinking that at least some of the car remains the same, especially the sides. Tesla’s Hong Kong site states that the Model Y’s redesigned body castings “reduce parts from 70 to 1 for fewer gaps,” which could go a long way toward resolving the brand’s perennial issue of large panel gaps and related body construction issues. The front and rear of the redesigned Model Y are clearly different to the naked eye. What is clearly different to the naked eye is the front and rear of the redesigned Model Y. The reshaped nose -complete with split headlights and a full LED light bar running across the frunk lid- looks markedly similar to the facia of the company’s autonomous Cybercab concept while echoing the Cybertruck, too. Given that, like Cybercab and the Cybertruck, the Tesla hood emblem has vanished, too, it’s clear that Tesla is banking on this aesthetic, acting as a design calling card for its brand, at least for the decade ahead. The side panels of the new Tesla Model Y look very similar to the original Model Y, though Tesla says small tweaks have been made and considers new Model Y “completely redesigned.” Tesla Including a new front bumper camera has also attracted plenty of attention from Tesla-focused communities. No other Tesla features a camera in this position, leading many to speculate that the change might help improve self-parking and semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Tesla’s Chinese site only states that the camera “provides a wider field of view for automatic assisted driving and advanced smart summon.” Tesla says the new Model Y’s taillight is the first “indirect reflective body panel taillight of its kind.” This means that the rear light is designed to face the car and reflect back. We’re not exactly sure what benefit this design decision provides to owners. Tesla The back shares the same full-width light bar look across the hatchback. Tesla calls it the first “indirect reflective body panel taillight of its kind,” meaning that the rear light is aimed at the car instead of away from it. The tailgate also looks reworked to extend closer to the rear bumper. Tesla claims the front and rear changes not only give the vehicle a different look but also “improve the vehicle’s endurance, performance, and service life.” It’s Also Gaining a Lot of Improvements From the New Model 3 The new Tesla Model Y gains a variety of interior updates first launched in the updated Tesla Model 3, including a rear climate control and entertainment display for backseat passengers. Tesla Inside, the refreshed Model Y features the same ambient color-changing light bar, redesigned steering wheel, and rear-seat display that doubles as a climate control and entertainment screen for rear passengers introduced in the improved Model 3, which went on sale this January. As Car and Driver notes, it wouldn’t be surprising if the new Y also included the same sound-deadening updates found in the Model 3. One Key Detail Isn’t Changing That’ll Please Tons of Tesla Fans One aspect of the new Tesla Model Y has had internet sleuths analyzing images of the car’s interior. While it’s not visible in left-hand drive versions of the vehicle, photos of the Model Y in a right-hand drive configuration have shown that the updated Tesla Model Y features a physical turn signal stalk, even though it does lose a right-hand stalk for controlling gear selection and cruise control. Tesla While the Cybertruck has deservedly dominated headlines for its numerous and controversial design decisions, a smaller design choice introduced earlier to the Model X, Model S and Cybertruck has persistently generated derision among the Tesla community for years. Those aforementioned models feature buttons instead of traditional column-mounted stalks to change gears and initiate turn signaling, and many Tesla drivers hate this decision.