2026 Tesla Model Y is the official name for the Juniper refresh release

When Tesla announced its long-awaited Model Y Juniper refresh, it referred to it as the New Model Y Launch Series edition, as it comes loaded with FSD and unique badging, hence commanding a higher price for those early adopters of the facelift that will be release in March.

In fact, the full name of the inaugural refresh version is the New Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive Launch Series edition. The official model year of the Juniper refresh has now leaked, however, and it is bringing some controversy.

A photo of the California emissions compliance sign in the new Model Y has emerged, and there Tesla refers to the facelift as the 2026 Model Y. In most rumors and speculation prior to its announcement, or even until now, the vehicle was referred to as the 2025 Model Y. After all, it only got unveiled in January, with a release date set for some time in the spring. 

Tesla, however, already has a 2025 Model Y, as that is how it refers to the current batches of the old design that have been in production since November 2024. They have an S as the 10th digit of the VIN number, and come with some of Tesla's rolling hardware upgrades, so it decided that they warrant a new model year.

Thus, as most automakers do, Tesla now refers to a vehicle released the current year as the next model year, despite the early January announcement and March launch.  The 2026 Model Y will therefore be the official name of the Juniper refresh upon release, while the initial New Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive Launch Series edition preorder batches are being gobbled up by early adopters.

It is an old trick that keeps buyers subconsciously convinced that they have the latest and greatest model from their favorite automotive brand for more than a year, and on which Tesla can coast at least until 2027.

After all, the Model Y Juniper facelift is mostly a design refresh with a few flashy illumination options thrown in, so Tesla has to keep it fresh in the minds of consumers. It, however, comes with the same battery with slow charging speeds as its predecessor, so 2027 seems to be the longest that Tesla can get away with before introducing a more modern powertrain on its bestselling vehicle.

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