2025 Model Y Juniper facelift caught uncovered with side vents and two light bars in Cybercab style

Speculation that Tesla may announce and release the long-awaited Model Y Juniper refresh the week of January 13 is mounting, and the first sighting of the 2025 Model Y facelift without test mule camouflage only pours water in that particular rumor mill.

The uncovered Model Y Juniper has been photographed from afar testing in winter conditions somewhere in China, where Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory is already assembling the first mass production batches. The facelift's rear is still somewhat covered, this time in snow, but the rumored light bar running across the rear can now be confirmed.

Just as some sightings of the test mule in camo tarp in the past week showed, there will also be a front light bar, similar to the ones on the Cybertruck and the Cybercab, for one unified design language. Not entirely characteristic for Tesla, though, as a plethora of Chinese and Korean electric vehicles feature a thin light bar running across their frontal edges. On Juniper, however, the front light bar seems interrupted and unconnected to the headlight strips for some touchless frunk opening reason or another.

It is not clear whether these latest spy shots are of a Tesla Model Y Juniper Performance version like the trim that was seen yesterday in the US, or if that will be the design chosen for all Juniper versions, but the two vents at the lower sides mimic what Tesla did with the Model 3 Highland refresh's Performance trim.

Tesla never does drastic design changes with its vehicle facelifts on the level Hyundai does, for instance, so the Model Y Juniper refresh seems to have simply taken cues from the Model 3 Highland refresh. The exterior is more streamlined and aggressive, and the interior will likely focus on minimalism and comfort, with vented seats and ambient lighting.

As for the Model Y Juniper specs, it is said to come with a larger battery and more efficient motors for longer range on a charge, as well as a HW4 self-driving kit. Faster Model Y Juniper charging is also a given thanks to the modern 800V powertrain Tesla debuted with the Cybertruck, and it will sport its 48V low-voltage architecture, too. The drive-by-wire and rear wheel steering features might not make it over from the expensive Cybertruck, though.

The Model Y Juniper refresh should be priced similar to its predecessor, starting at about $45,000 before subsidies, and early adopters might be lining up to snag one before the incoming Trump administration does away with the $7,500 EV tax credit.

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