BYD, Toyota, Polestar reprieve: Tesla Model Y to soldier on without major update in 2024, says Elon Musk
The Tesla Model Y will soldier on unchanged until at least 2025.
Tesla chief Elon Musk has confirmed via an exchange on X (formerly Twitter) that there are no plans to update Tesla’s best-selling Tesla Model Y this year despite rumours it was about to give it a similar makeover to the Model 3 sedan in July.
“No Model Y ‘refresh’ is coming out this year” the outspoken Tesla CEO told X user CuriousPejjy.
“I should note that Tesla continuously improves its cars, so even a car that is 6 months newer will be a little better.”
It was hoped by fans of the brand that the US car-maker was plotting a major overhaul of the world’s top selling car – and Australia’s best-selling EV – replicating the improvements introduced by the Tesla Model 3 Highland that brought more range, an upgraded interior, a rear infotainment screen, extra safety kit and a mild update of its looks.
The lag in a major refresh of the Model Y will give a reprieve to electric SUV rivals that are piling on the pressure to Tesla. They include the newly-arrived Volvo EX30 as well as the BYD Atto 3, Toyota bZ4X, Subaru Solterra, the Kia EV5 launching now and the upcoming Volkswagen ID.4.
In China, where the Model Y already faces many of its new rivals, the mid-sized battery-electric SUV has already been tweaked with the updates improving both range and performance.
It was hoped that an upgraded Model Y could arrive Down Under within months, possibly confusing owners and Tesla fans that a bigger facelift was coming.
It’s unknown where Tesla will price the updated Model Y when it eventually arrives, although the brand would no doubt like to implement minor increases over the current car, as it did initially with the Model 3 Highland.
But slowing Tesla sales and increased competition have some dreaming of even sharper prices as the EV specialist looks to protect its share.
Currently the Model Y is priced from $55,900 and tops out at $82,900 (plus on-roads) with delivery times falling to just one to three weeks depending on derivative.
Since 2024 has now been ruled out for the Tesla Model Y it’s thought it will be overhauled in 2025, which will mark the fifth year the mid-size electric SUV will have been in production.
