2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range Review: Why Elon Musk’s antics shouldn’t distract you from how good the Juniper update is
It’s the electric car that set the template in the mid-sized SUV space. Now the 2025 Tesla Model Y Juniper has come in for a major update.
The heavily refreshed Tesla Model Y arrives with a sharper look, enhanced tech and – perhaps most importantly – a much-improved driving experience.
But the landscape has changed considerably since it first arrived in Australia back in 2022 and took the EV market by storm. The Model Y faces a lot more high-quality and cheaper oppositon, much of it Chinese.
In the background as the Juniper arrives there’s also a CEO who’s shaking the political establishment in America, in turn shining the spotlight on Tesla.
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We’ll stay out of politics for this review and instead focus on the DNA of a car that is eagerly anticipated.
So, is the new Model Y – a car codenamed Juniper during its development – enough to reverse a Tesla sales slump in the face of intensifying conception?
We jumped behind the wheel of the new Tesla Model Y Long Range to put it to the test.
And if you’re a Model Y owner considering an upgrade you can also read what’s changed from the old Model Y to Juniper here:
2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range price and equipment
The 2025 Tesla Model Y range kicks off with the Rear-Wheel Drive variant at $58,900 before on-road costs, which is $3000 more than the 2024 model. But the Long Range AWD version tested here comes in at a sharp $68,900 plus on-roads, which is cheaper than it’s ever been.
Clearly Tesla wants the dual-motor Long Range to make up more of its Model Y mix in a market with intensifying competition. The company has also created a bigger differentiation between those two models; the Rear-Wheel Drive no longer gets the premium sound system, for example, with that 15-speaker system (plus a subwoofer) reserved for the Long Range.
But the Model Y continues to pack plenty in. As it offered previously there are 19-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, power-adjustable front seats with memory functionality for the driver, a heated steering wheel and dual wireless phone chargers.
Infotainment is handled by a 15.4-inch centre touchscreen, which remains the car’s central command hub. There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but Tesla’s in-house developed software incorporates apps for music streaming, navigation and phone mirroring, alongside fun extras such as karaoke, arcade games and Boombox sound projection.
There’s also heated seats front and rear, although the centre rear seat no longer has heating, mimicking changes made to the Model Y’s sibling, the Model 3.
This update brings more gear, too. There’s now ambient lighting, new perforated synthetic leather trim that does a better job of looking like the rear thing and suede-like trim on the doors as part of the refreshed cabin.
New for 2025 is an 8.0-inch rear screen allowing passengers to stream video content, play games and adjust the ventilation.
Plus the back seats now fold and adjust the backrest angle electronically. You can activate it from the boot and the car will even temporarily adjust the front seats to ensure there’s no clash.
There’s also access to the vast Tesla charging network, which makes road trips and keeping the battery topped up easier. Along with over-the-air software updates and an excellent smartphone app – it allows you to use your phone as the car key – it makes living with a Tesla easier.
As before, the Model Y comes with Autopilot – Tesla’s version of adaptive cruise and lane centring. Enhanced Autopilot ($5100) and Full Self-Driving ($10,100) remain pricey software extras with some additional autonomy (and the promise of more in future).
Larger 20-inch wheels are available as a $2400 option and a white interior is $1500. White is the only standard colour with other hues ranging from $2300 to $2600. While there’s a new colour – Glacier Blue – Tesla no longer offers the Model Y in black.
An optional Acceleration Boost (around $3500) drops the claimed 0-100km/h time from 4.8 seconds to 4.3 seconds.
Warranty coverage is an underwhelming four years and 80,000km with the battery covered for eight years or 192,000km.
2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range: What we think
There’s always been plenty to like with the Model Y, but the way it tackled bumps was not one of its endearing qualities.
Fortunately that’s come in for a major rework with the 2025 model.
Like the Model 3 it now gets frequency selective dampers, which can adjust the damping force depending on the size and intensity of the bump.
It means the Model Y no longer jitters and fusses over bumps like it used to.
The suspension is calmer, the ride more composed and it sets the scene for a driving experience that has matured noticeably. It’s not luxury-car plush, but it’s far more liveable than before, especially when you come across successive bumps.
Cabin noise levels are also down thanks to added sound insulation and softer trim materials that help soak up reverberations inside. It’s made a relatively quiet car more hushed.
The Model Y is still among the more athletic SUVs in its class, with sharp steering, albeit toned down for this update.
Tyres look identical to those on the previous car but the 19-inch Hankooks apparently have a lower rolling resistance for improved efficiency.
They’re grippy in the dry but will occasionally skitter on a wet surface, although by family SUV standards the Model Y overall sets a high bar dynamically.
The dual-motor AWD system remains unchanged, with up to 331kW and 559Nm (that’s the combined outputs of both motors, although Tesla doesn’t officially quote numbers). More power goes to the rear wheels, helping with that athleticism.
Tesla claims 0–100km/h in 4.8 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than before.
While Tesla is often optimistic with its performance claims the Model Y Long Range is quick whichever way you cut it. Acceleration is smooth and forceful and driving through all four wheels ensures it’s a snip to get the grunt to the ground.
Tesla has also reintroduced adjustable regenerative braking, allowing drivers to choose between Standard (strong regen) and Reduced. I found the new Reduced setting more natural, especially in urban traffic.
The Long Range still gets a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery that recommends charging it 100 percent only when required.
Its claimed range increases to 551km on the WLTP cycle, although as with all EVs you can expect less in the real world. Something like 500km seemed realistic for our mostly suburban running.
Cabin space in the Model Y is still excellent and mostly unchanged, although the load areas have been tweaked. The boot now claims 822 litres of space, down from 854L. It seems the underfloor cavity is the culprit here, with the compartment redesigned to accomodate the luggage cover if you need it out of the way for bulky items.
There’s still that minimalist cabin that is an acquired taste. The emphasis remains on the 15.4-inch touchscreen, which not only packs in gadgets and gimmicks – dashcam, Sentry mode, games and essentials such as phone and navigation – but also opens the boot, bonnet, glovebox and more.
New front seats exchange some plushness for bolstering and support, which translates to better overall comfort.
The strips of ambient lighting do their job in lifting the ambience and more upmarket materials – including suede-like finishes and perforated fake leather – work to step things up.
It’s not at the level of newer arrivals, including some Chinese brands that these days have an almost luxury flavour.
There’s also some cool attention to detail, including a new magnetic glovebox latch that snaps it shut cleanly.
2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range: Verdict
This updated Model Y Long Range builds on the strengths that made it the benchmark in the electric SUV category.
Sure, there’s a sharper look and classier cabin, but it’s the driving experience that has improved most with the Model Y.
Improvements to the ride alone make it a more convincing car in a market where competition is intensifying.
Those shunning the brand because of the political antics of CEO Elon Musk will be ruling out a car that is now more convincing than ever.
Score: 4.5/5
2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range price and specifications
Price: $68,900 plus on-road costs
Basics: Electric SUV, 5 seats, 5 doors, AWD
Range: 551km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 80kWh (approximately)
Battery warranty: 8 years/192,000km
Energy consumption: 15.8kWh/100km (WLTP)
Motors: Front: 137kW/219Nm; Rear: 194kW/340Nm
AC charging: 11kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 250kW, CCS2 combo plug
0–100km/h: 4.8 seconds (claimed)
