The 2025 Tesla Model Y will begin shipping to U.S. customers this March. Tesla has confirmed that the Launch Series Long Range AWD is priced at USD 59,990 (before tax credits, taxes and fees).
Here are the 17 confirmed changes in the new Model Y for the U.S., which is fondly referred to by the internet as ‘Project Juniper.’
Performance & Range
- While the complete specifications are yet to be announced, Tesla has confirmed that the Launch Series Long Range AWD is estimated with a range of 320 miles. This is a slight improvement over the 311 miles of range in the current equivalent variant.
- Excitingly, Tesla appears to have made changes to the drive unit. Where the current Long Range AWD takes 4.8 seconds to do 0-60 mph, the 2025 Model Y manages it in 4.1 seconds.
- The 2025 Model Y Long Range AWD has lost ground clearance. It has gone down from 6.8 inches to 6.6 inches.
Comfort & Convenience
- The 2025 Model Y gets ventilated front seats. This feature, which improves comfort, especially in hot weather, is carried forward from the refreshed Model 3.
- Powered two-way folding rear seats have replaced the manual fold. This makes seat adjustments quicker and easier.
- Hands-free power open on approach replaces the regular electric tailgate in the 2025 Model Y. This will add convenience, especially after a busy Costco run.
Interior Features
- An 8-inch second-row touchscreen has been added to the new Model Y. While not everyone is going to be excited, it enhances rear passenger entertainment and control.
- Wrap-around ambient lighting has been added to the current footwell and door pocket lighting. This should lift the mood of the cabin during evenings.
- Aluminum detailing and premium textiles replace the wooden detailing and black interior in the 2025 Model Y. This should enhance the premiumness of the cabin, as many find the black and wooden detailing dull.
- Power-actuated rear air vents replace the manual controls, thanks to the new rear touchscreen.
Technology & Connectivity
- Tesla says it has switched to the second-generation hardware for connectivity. What this should entail is a faster processor, which should make the experience more responsive.
- The 2025 Model Y comes with 15 speakers, replacing the 13-speaker system. Both versions get a single subwoofer. This shift should deliver a richer and more immersive audio quality, and is a change that would please the audiophile!
- The center touchscreen has been upgraded from a 15-inch display to a 15.4-inch display. As with the Model 3, we expect that the gain is from a thinner bezel, and isn’t any bigger than today’s unit.
Safety & Ride Quality
- Tesla says that noise reduction hardware has been added. While the exact details are awaited, we’re expecting double-layer acoustic glass, thicker door padding, new suspension bushes, and perhaps new windshield cowling to have reduced the crossover’s NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness).
- Tesla has shifted the 2025 Model Y to its second-generation suspension system. We’re expecting softer springs and new frequency-response suspension dampers for a more comfortable ride.
- A new front-facing camera has been added to the 2025 Model Y. This should address the front blind spot and can add functionality to the Vision Park Assist in narrow parking spaces.
Climate Control
- Metallic infrared reflective coating is added to the existing tinted and laminated safety glass, which should preserve the cabin temperature on a hot summer afternoon, reducing load on the AC compressor.
Also See: Future Tesla cars: Launches expected between 2025 & 2028
Featured image: Tesla
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
