Last updated on February 1st, 2025 at 01:22 pm
The Tesla Model Y, a global best-seller with over 3.5 million units produced, is receiving a comprehensive overhaul. Having already made history as the first electric vehicle to top global vehicle sales charts in 2023, and on track to repeat this feat in 2024, the Model Y is now set to raise the bar even higher with a raft of significant improvements.
The Model Y’s success story is undeniable. Produced across Tesla’s Gigafactories on three continents, including the Berlin-Brandenburg Gigafactory for the European market since 2022, the Model Y has resonated with a broad audience due to its versatility, practicality, safety, efficiency, and accessible price point. Its dominance in European registration lists in 2023, becoming the best-selling vehicle overall, underscores its impact on the transition to sustainable transport. Now, Tesla is building on this success with a significantly redesigned Model Y.
A New Benchmark: Inside and Out
The new Model Y boasts extensive re-engineering, focusing on maximising efficiency, comfort, connectivity, and safety, with a completely redesigned interior and exterior. This isn’t merely a facelift; it’s a substantial evolution of a proven platform.
The exterior redesign is striking, with a focus on both aesthetics and aerodynamic efficiency. The front end is lower and features a new cross-car lightbar, reminiscent of the Cybertruck and Cybercab designs. This full-width, three-piece lightbar is not just visually appealing; it’s engineered for optimal airflow.
Below the lightbar, an entirely new front fascia with a clean, horizontal graphic enhances the vehicle's stance and visual width. Outboard aerodynamic ducts further contribute to improved efficiency.
The rear of the Model Y also receives a dramatic makeover with a new lightbar and tailgate. The rear lightbar introduces a world-first indirect, externally reflected lighting system, projecting the rear lamp function onto a custom applique. Spanning 1.6 metres, it’s one of the largest lightbars in the industry.
The tailgate, spoiler, and rear fascia have been completely redesigned for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and high-speed stability. An extended and widened rear diffuser improves downforce while offering enhanced protection in low-speed impacts.
Completing the aerodynamic enhancements are a new rear spoiler, made from advanced thermoplastics for optimal shaping, and new 19-inch standard wheels, among the most efficient Tesla has ever produced. These changes build upon the Model Y’s existing status as the most efficient SUV in its class, with further improvements in energy efficiency achieved through meticulous refinement of every energy-consuming subsystem.
A new front camera, integrated into the front fascia with a fluid washer and heating element for all-weather performance, provides drivers with an expanded view on the centre screen.
Interior Refinement: Comfort, Connectivity, and Craftsmanship
The interior of the new Model Y has undergone a significant transformation, with a focus on refinement and ambience. The cabin is now enveloped in premium yet durable materials, including aluminium and textile, complemented by dynamically integrated customisable ambient lighting. New manufacturing processes further elevate the level of craftsmanship.
Every component has been re-evaluated with the aim of enhancing the customer experience: higher quality materials, more precise details and fitment, improved comfort and ease of use, and lighter parts for increased efficiency and range, all without adding cost.
A key focus has been on noise reduction. With the introduction of acoustic glass on every surface and new sound-dampening materials, road noise is reduced by 22%, impact noise by 20%, and wind noise by 20%, creating a significantly quieter cabin. New low-E glass reflects 26% more solar energy, working in tandem with a quieter, more efficient air-conditioning system to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature.
Ride comfort has also been improved while retaining Tesla’s signature agility and handling, thanks to new chassis hardware, including a stiffer body structure, redesigned suspension geometry and kinematics, and damping technology borrowed from the upgraded Model 3.
Enhanced Comfort, Entertainment, and Connectivity
The two front seats have been redesigned for improved comfort and are now ventilated. The new centre console features sliding doors with precise movement and is covered in genuine aluminium, revealing a cupholder and extra storage. Further aluminium accents adorn the steering wheel, door trims, and instrument panels.
Maintaining Tesla’s uncluttered driving experience, the new Model Y combines haptic switches with physical buttons. Ergonomics and usability are enhanced with customisable steering wheel switches for quick access to frequently used functions. A new precision-engineered indicator stalk ensures effortless control.
Rear-seat passengers benefit from an entirely new travel experience with an 8-inch rear touchscreen featuring integrated climate controls and entertainment options, including gaming, audio, and video streaming. The display also supports dual Bluetooth device connectivity and includes a high-powered rear charging system with 65W dual USB outlets capable of charging two laptops simultaneously.
Second-row seats offer enhanced comfort and convenience with easier-to-access buckles, longer cushions, deeper bolsters, and powered recline and fold-flat operation. Both first and second rows are heated and seamlessly integrated with the climate controls.
The audio system has been redesigned for a more immersive listening experience. Speakers are now concealed behind an acoustically transparent textile material developed in-house, enhancing both aesthetics and audio performance. Microphone improvements also enhance call quality.
Connectivity has been significantly upgraded with redesigned hardware, delivering 50% faster download speeds and a 30% greater range for cellular connectivity. Wi-Fi connectivity sees even greater improvements with up to 300% faster download speeds and a range extension of up to 200%. Phone key performance and reliability have been improved tenfold, thanks to the addition of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, which also enables automatic boot opening when paired with the Tesla app.
As with all Tesla vehicles, these hardware improvements will enable additional features via free over-the-air software updates in the future.
Limited Edition Launch Series and Availability
The new Model Y is available to order now, starting with a limited edition Launch Series, Long Range All-Wheel Drive, offering 353 miles of range (the outgoing car only reached 331 miles), 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.1 seconds (compared to 4.8 seconds for its predecessor, although this car includes the Acceleration Boost as standard), a 125 mph top speed, and specific attributes with custom finishes. Only Solid Black and Quicksilver paint colours will initially be available. In the UK, the Model Y Launch Series is priced at £60,990. European customer deliveries will begin in May, with additional Model Y trims to be launched in the future. This comprehensive update solidifies the Model Y’s position as a leader in the electric SUV segment, offering a compelling blend of performance, technology, and practicality.
Discussion about this post