Tesla watchers were taken by surprise when a redesigned version of the Model Y electric crossover SUV, which wasn't announced by Tesla, showed up on the company's website in China and in nearby markets.
But it didn't take long for EV enthusiasts to break down some of the new features of the 2025 Model Y, which updates the company's top-selling car at a 5.4% higher price (263,500 yuan, or $35,900 starting) in hopes of regaining market share in the exploding Chinese EV market. It's the first major design change since the Model Y was unveiled in 2019 and made available in 2020.Â
Deliveries of the new Model Y are expected to start in March in China and other Asia-Pacific markets, according to news reports. Tesla's Australian site indicates that deliveries there will start in May. It's unclear when the EV might come to the US and Europe.
Tesla didn't immediately respond to an email asking about when the US market might see the updated Model Y.
The new version of the Model Y, which has been code-named Juniper, has what Car and Driver calls a "smoothed out" front bumper and "new squintier headlamps" that flow into a light bar across the front. The headlights also have a similar new lighting look. "The Model Y's awkward tall and swoopy proportions remain," the publication notes.
Notably, the Model Y still has a turn-signal stalk instead of the unloved turn-signal buttons like the Model 3, which was redesigned last year. It also features some upgraded interior features, including a revamped steering wheel, ventilated front seats and a display for backseat passengers.Â
The car's range is improved to 368 miles, or 446 miles for the long-range version, according to Chinese standards.Â
According to Reuters, a six-seat version of the Model Y may be forthcoming this year. Tesla has been working against slowing demand for EVs in some markets as well as increased competition in markets such as China from EV makers including Xiaomi, BYD and Nio.Â
