Cheaper Tesla Model Y ‘within a few weeks’: ‘Juniper’ version of top selling EV begins fightback
The Tesla Model Y will soon get more affordable, with non-Launch Edition cars set to hit the Tesla website within weeks.
That’s the word from Tesla Australia country director Thom Drew, who also confirmed to EV Central the new model would be more affordable as a result – providing added firepower against newcomer rivals such as the BYD Sealion 7, Deepal S07, Geely EX5, XPeng G6 and upcoming Zeekr 7X.
Until now the so-called Juniper update to the top-selling Model Y has only been offered as a Launch Edition with a high level of standard equipment.
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As a result, prices were towards the premium end, with the Rear-Wheel Drive Launch Edition at $63,400 plus on-road costs and the Long Range Launch Edition at $73,400.
“General production, as we’re calling the non-Launch Edition [will go on sale] within the next few weeks,” said Drew at the recent Everything Electric show in Sydney.
Late last month Tesla stopped selling Rear-Wheel Drive versions of the Launch Edition because the limited pre-allocation had sold out. Drew says the Long Range will soon sell out too.
But by the end of March Tesla will start selling regular models – at a lower price.
“With the Launch Edition we put in a lot of options as standard plus a few other little bits and pieces to celebrate the Launch Edition, said Drew. “So take that away, obviously prices will be reflective of that.”
How much cheaper will the new Model Y be?
As for what the price of the regular production Model Y will be, Tesla isn’t saying for now.
But it seems it should comfortably slide under $60K before on-road costs. Late in 2024 – before either car was updated – the Model Y was only $1000 more than the Model 3.
Given the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive currently starts at $54,900 plus on-roads, we wouldn’t expect it to be too much more.
As for what will change on the non-Launch Edition – or regular production – versions of the Model Y, Drew outlined some of the items it will be missing.
They include:
- 19-inch wheels instead of 20s; the 19-inch wheels get Hankook tyres, as per the outgoing Model Y
- Acceleration Boost software update for the Long Range will cost extra
- Puddle lights on side mirrors
- Launch Edition badging and scuff plates
- Launch Edition bezel around the wireless phone charger cradle
- Dash and door trim reverts to a grey flecked material rather than vegan suede
And whereas all exterior colours were the same price for the Launch Edition cars, no surprises to learn that buyers of the regular production models will have to pay extra for any colour other than white (on a Model 3 the option colours range from $1500 to $2600).
Still packed with gear
That said, the Model Y will still come packed with equipment, including convincing faux leather with perforations.
Big ticket items still standard on the Model Y regular models include power folding back seats, which continue with the 40/20/40 split-fold.
And like the Model 3 it gets an eight-inch rear infotainment screen that can be hooked up to Bluetooth headphones.
The front seats are also power adjustable, heated and ventilated.
And while the rear seats are also heated, the middle position no longer has heating; as with the Model 3 update it’s been removed.
The Model 3 also gets a power adjustable steering column and two wireless phone chargers.
And the sound system of the Long Range model still gets a whole lot of speakers (the Rear-Wheel Drive gets fewer speakers because it now misses out on the Premium sound system it previously got).
And as with the Model 3, some of the speakers are now hidden. Get your ears close to the windscreen pillars – or A-pillars – and you’ll hear speakers hidden just behind the join for the two pieces of trim.
More changed that we first thought
There’s also a lot more changed on the new Model Y than we first thought.
The 19-inch wheels still have plastic covers but now let you see part of the alloy wheels. Five of the spokes are visible among the lighter grey of the plastic cover. However, removing those plastic covers is trickier; you have to unclip each of the spokes independently then unclip the centre of the wheel cover.
The panoramic roof also has a new coating to better reflect heat, in turn keeping things cooler.
There’s now acoustic glass all around, too, as part of efforts to lower noise levels in the cabin.
The new cabin materials – including carpet in the door pockets – are also designed to absorb sound waves, in turn further reducing noise.
Plus the underfloor of the boot has been redesigned to accommodate the luggage cover when it’s not in use. There’s also deeper side buckets in each corner of the boot.
The new tailgate is designed with repairability in mind; ding the rear trailing edge and it’s now separate to the rest of the tailgate.
Will the Tesla Model Y be the top selling EV in 2025?
It’s no secret Tesla sales have dropped.
As for how much of the sales decline has been as a result of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s political views?
Unsurprisingly Drew isn’t taking that bait.
“We’re just focusing on our brand, not getting involved in politics.”
At least some of the reason for the recent decline has been the imminent arrival of the updated Model Y.
Drew says early interest in the Model Y has been high, something the brand expects to translate into healthy sales.
“We’re really happy with the [sales] performance of it, which will come through when we start deliveries,” he said.
“Whether it will be a record (year) or not, have to see how we go.”
Drew pointed to the growing competition, many of which nominate the Model Y as the prime target.
“There’s a lot of competitor products available, so we’re going to have to work for it, absolutely.”
But he says the brand will defend its top selling EV position.
“We’re certainly giving it all we can. We’re up for a good fight!”
