More efficient, a rear afterburner, and a frunk Esky? Tesla Model Y Juniper designers explain all

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025 Iain Curry 622 Views 0 Comments 2025 model y, model y juniper, tesla juniper, Tesla Model Y

Tesla has published a video giving the most detailed information yet on updates and improvements for the new Model Y Juniper.

Tesla’s video attracted almost half a million views in the first two days, as designers, stylists and engineers offer some show ‘n tell about changes on the new Model Y.

The new generation electric SUV will launch in May, with the 2025 version starting at $63,400 (Rear-Wheel Drive) and $73,400 for a Long Range Launch Series (each exclusive of on-road costs).

Here’s the full video below:

It’s worth a watch alone just to have a better look at the exterior design with the new full-length front and rear light bars.

After all, this is a vehicle that will be a familiar sight on Aussie roads be year’s end. The Model Y was our best-selling EV of 2024 by a large margin, and also proved the top seller in many major overseas markets.

The video gives designers their own say, introducing them by their first name only (surnames are totally uncool, natch).

We start with Franz (von Holzhausen), Tesla’s head of design, stating the aim was to “try to give (new Model Y) a bit more of its own unique personality.”

It’s still unmistakably a Model Y so appears somewhat like a computer mouse, but the revisions – especially to the lights – add some modernising flair.

Other Tesla folk tell us “real world efficiency is up 10 per cent” after “revisiting every single component,” while an “all-new more aerodynamic thermoplastic boot spoiler” and revised aero wheels have helped improve range to a solid 568km WLTP for the Long Range variant.

The current Model Y is oft criticised for its crashy ride, which looks to have been addressed with a “brand new suspension design specifically focusing on improving ride comfort, and especially impact harshness”. It’s likely part of that rejigger of the suspension will include frequency selective dampers, as used on the latest Tesla Model 3.

We’re also promised road noise is down by about 20 per cent thanks to acoustic glass all round and better seal materials.

The video shows how an “industry first reflective rear lamp” (the rear strip light) runs the width of the back end, which “gives a puddle of red light behind the car, a bit like an afterburner”. Top Gun Tesla indeed.

Equally cool and actually practical, the frunk is shown full of water with a happy camper cleaning mud off his shoes. A drain plug releases the water, offering you a handy sink on-the-go.

Being sealed, quite obviously that means it can also be an under-bonnet Esky. Tip ice in and you can have access to the cold ones whenever you’re stopped. The video also shows the ice box able to be removed if you want to move the party away from the car.

The Model Y already has a superb boot, but we’re assured the tailgate opening is now even wider for easier access. From inside, there are buttons to power fold flat the rear seats.

There’s talk of “more premiumness through the interior” thanks to all-new heated and cooled seats and ambient lighting.

There’s also a central infotainment screen for the rear occupants (as seen on the latest Model 3), with the ability to pair two audio headsets via Bluetooth.

On the safety front, there are nine airbags and nine cameras around the car, including a 180-degree field of view for the front camera.

There’s a sound system with up to 16 speakers and revised voice control, while Tesla promises there are set to be further improvement with OTA software updates.

We’re still in the dark regarding exact specification of Aussie-bound Model Ys, but deliveries will start with a Launch Series limited release version in both Rear-Wheel-Drive and Long Range guises.

Ultimately we’re expecting a hot Performance grade too and more affordable Model Ys before long.

2025 Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper’ update: What’s changed

New bonnet and new tailgate
New Cybertruck-inspired lights front and rear
New bumpers front and rear
New 20-inch wheels (19-inch wheels likely to be offered later)
New interior trim for a classier look
Seat ventilation for the front seats
Ambient lighting in the cabin
Addition of front camera for parking
Addition of 8-inch rear touchscreen with video streaming and game functionality
New colour added – “Glacier Blue” – and deletion of Solid Black colour
Removal of the right-hand steering wheel stalk (previously used to toggle between Drive and Reverse)
New steering wheel with Tesla spelled out across its face
Removal of the Telsa logos from the tailgate and bonnet
Added power to lower the 0-100km/h times
Revised suspension with frequency selective dampers
Lower rolling resistance tyres
Lower electronically limited top speed of 201km/h (previously 217km/h)
Base Rear-Wheel Drive no longer gets a premium sound system
Improved data capability for clearer phone calls and faster software downloads
New acoustic glass windscreen for a quieter cabin
Revised glass said to reflect seven times more solar energy
Efficiency improvements to increase the range (+11km on RWD, +18km on LR)
Marginally faster DC charging for the RWD (175kW maximum, previously 170kW)

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Iain Curry

A motoring writer and photographer for two decades, Iain started in print magazines in London as editor of Performance BMW and features writer for BMW Car, GT Porsche and 4Drive magazines. His love of motor sport and high performance petrol cars was rudely interrupted in 2011 when he was one of the first journalists to drive BMW's 1 Series ActiveE EV, and has been testing hybrids, PHEVs and EVs for Australian newspapers ever since. Based near Noosa in Queensland, his weekly newspaper articles cover new vehicle reviews and consumer advice, while his photography is regularly seen on the pages of glossy magazines.