The rumor mill pegged the Tesla Model Y Juniper refresh release date for this week, and turned out correct, as the first major facelift of Tesla's most popular vehicle was just announced.
Tesla has priced the Juniper refresh a bit higher than its predecessor, while the charging speed and range have barely budged, but gave the redesign a look that is more in sync with the times than the old Model Y that was getting a bit long in the tooth.
Tesla Model Y Juniper refresh price and release date
- $35,900 (RWD)
- $41,400 (dual-motor AWD)
The RWD Juniper refresh starts from the equivalent of $35,900, which is more than 5% higher than the price of its predecessor. The dual-motor AWD Model Y Juniper price is pegged at $41,400 in China, again higher than before
The Model Y Juniper release date is set for March in China, where it can be ordered right now, and for May in other Asia Pacific markets like Australia.
The US release date for the Model Y Juniper will probably be set in Q1 or Q2 as well, again pending regulatory approval.
Model Y Juniper facelift specs and battery range
- 310 miles EPA equivalent range (Dual-motor AWD) with 19-inch standard wheels
- 4.3 seconds 0-60 mph acceleration
- 201 km/h (125 miles per hour) top speed
- 0.22cd drag coefficient
- 250 kW charging speed (170 kW for RWD)
Unfortunately, Tesla has decided to keep the Model Y Juniper refresh manufacturing costs in check, so it doesn't have any of the top-end Cybertruck engineering like a modern 800V powertrain, 48V low-voltage system, steer-by-wire, or V2L or V2G features.
Seemingly, the rumor that the Juniper refresh will come with a larger battery didn't materialize, as the Model Y facelift's range of 719km (446 miles) on a charge has only received a slight bump compared to the 688km (427 miles) of range from its equivalent predecessor.
Such a modest 20-mile range increase can be chalked off to the increased energy efficiency of the drivetrain, rather than a larger battery. Tesla says that the Model Y Juniper was redesigned for frugal power consumption, "using every kilowatt-hour more effectively." Needless to say, this cited Juniper's range is on China's overly generous CLTC driving cycle that is usually at least a third higher than the US standard.
Thus, the official Model Y Juniper EPA range will probably hover around the 311-mile mark for the dual-motor AWD model, just like the current version sold in the US, or only be a tad longer.
The bigger Model Y Juniper specs disappointment, however, seems to be its charging speed that suggests Tesla has kept the aging 400V powertrain architecture. Tesla lists that it is capable of charging with 250 kW speeds, or the same as the current version, while the RWD Juniper refresh with an LFP battery charges even slower, at 170 kW peak power.
It remains to be seen if those Model Y Juniper charging speeds will remain that slow in the US model, though, since here Tesla is rolling out V4 Superchargers with up to 500 kW charging speeds, so the powertrain architecture may be different from China.
Model Y Juniper design, ride comfort, and interior features
- Colors: Pearl White Multi-Coat, Glacier Blue, Stealth Gray, Quicksilver, Ultra Red, Black (in limited markets)
- 19-inch black standard wheels
- 20-inch Helix 2 wheels
- Rear and front light bars
- Acoustic glass windows
- Heated and vented front seats
- Indicator stalk
- Electric folding rear seats
- Automatic trunk door
- 16 speakers
- Colorful ambient lighting
- 15.4-inch main and 8-inch rear touchscreens
The Juniper refresh design is more streamlined and aggressive, with lower drag coefficient, just as expected. There is a rear light bar indeed, which Tesla touts as "an integrated diffuse reflection through-type taillight." The Cybertruck-ish front light strip that looked interrupted on the spy shots yesterday is here to stay, too, and it is end-to-end, looking one whole with the updated headlights.
Just as rumored, Tesla has upgraded the Model Y Juniper suspension, wheels and tires for a "smoother, quieter ride" on the 19-inch and 20-inch wheelset options, tips Tesla, boasting a gigacast rear half:
An updated wheel and tire package provides smoother handling and better grip. A die-cast rear underbody reduces the number of parts required from 70 to one, providing better integrity. All improvements contribute to a quieter ride.
The Model Y facelift also finally comes with vented seats and ambient lighting, two new features that Tesla introduced with the Model 3 Highland refresh before it. Surprisingly, the Juniper refresh also comes with an indicator stalk by the steering wheel instead of a stalkless design, though it is not certain that it will make it to the US like that. As per Tesla:
The New Model Y provides effortless control with a precision-engineered indicator stalk, thoughtfully refined based on valuable customer feedback. We’ve introduced customizable steering wheel switches, allowing quick and intuitive operation of the most frequently used vehicle functions to better meet drivers' needs.
There is a 15.4-inch central console display with higher resolution and pixel density than before, as well as an 8-inch touchscreen for the rear seat passengers.
As for other comfort features, Tesla says that the rear bench seats can be folded electrically, resulting in a trunk capacity of over 2,130 liters. The rear trunk door also unlocks and lifts automatically at will to help with the loading of heavy bags.
Model Y Juniper FSD hardware
Last but not least, the Model Y Juniper features Tesla's latest set of Hardware 4.0 cameras and autonomous driving computer. This includes the front bumper camera that it installed on the Cybertruck, which "provides a wider field of view for automatic assisted driving and advanced smart summon."
Thus, the Model Y Juniper refresh will be released directly with the latest FSD v13 update for those lucky owners in the US who will be able to get a hold of one first.
Unfortunately, by the time the Model Y Juniper facelift launches in March, it might no longer be eligible for the federal EV tax credit that is apparently on the Trump administration's chopping block, along with other electric mobility subsidies.
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