It’s literally only the second day of the new year, and we already have some interesting new hotness coming our way: a Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper’ facelift has just been spotted undergoing road testing in California, US. A photo shared by Drive Tesla’s X account shows a small cut-out at the rear of the camouflage, revealing what appears to be a full-width lightbar for its taillight design as many have expected.
First released in 2020, the Tesla Model Y is now nearing its fifth anniversary and has received several minor updates throughout the years. Now, with the release of the Tesla Model 3 ‘Highland’ facelift back in 2023, the current Model Y is long overdue for a refresh.
The Model Y ‘Juniper’ is expected to carry forward the design of the Model 3 ‘Highland’, or even borrow design cues from the Tesla Cybertruck or the recently announced Cybercab to give the aging SUV a new sleeker exterior.
Also expected is a range of updates, including improvements to the powertrain for increased range. This aligns with the recent Model 3 ‘Highland’ facelift, which introduced a more efficient powertrain and increased range, the latter also thanks to aerodynamic updates.
The ‘Juniper’ could also see an interior redesign, potentially aligning with the Model 3’s stalk-free design, where functions like indicators and gear selection are controlled through the touchscreen or steering wheel buttons. We should also be seeing the addition of an ambient lighting system, with the kit now already on sale for the existing Tesla Model Y in China.
It remains unconfirmed whether the facelift will introduce a rumoured six-seater version, originally planned for production in late 2025.
Currently, Tesla is selling the Model Y as a five or seven-seater in the US. The debut of a six-seater could be enticing for those who need more passenger capacity than the five-seater but don’t need the space of the seven-seater.
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The key question now is: when is Tesla launching the Model Y ‘Juniper’? According to news sources in China, closed-loop production for the Model Y ‘Juniper’ was due to start on 22 October 2024, with mass production starting in November 2024.
However, we are now of course in 2025, and we’re just now only seeing pre-production test mules on the roads – which means it’s likely Tesla is once again not very faithful to its promised timelines. Remember the Tesla Roadster, which was supposedly to be available back in 2020?
Perhaps this is a case of “Tesla time”, where deadlines are more of a rough estimation or a motivational tool, rather than a fixed target. As of now, Tesla has not indicated when the Model Y ‘Juniper’ will officially launch.
So for the time being, it seems like Malaysians will have to be content with the current Model Y sold here, available in three variants: Model Y RWD, Model Y Long Range Dual Motor AWD, and Model Y Performance Dual Motor AWD. Prices for the American EV SUV (imported from China) start from RM191,000 before options.
