2025 Tesla Model Y “Juniper” First Impressions: Meaningful Tactile Improvements

The 2025 Tesla Model Y was unveiled earlier this year, but production for the North American market has yet to kick off. Elsewhere, however, like in Europe and in Asia, the Model Y is already hitting Tesla showrooms. Thankfully, I live in Asia, and I’ll be able to give all of you a first look at the Model Y before it hits North American stores.

The good news is, that there’s plenty to like about the Model Y, especially since the current model is already aging and newer competition has started to steal buyers from it. Oh, and there’s the CEO himself, too, but that’s a story for another day. The Model Y was the world’s best-selling vehicle overall in 2023, which is a monumental feat for an EV. Global automotive sales numbers for 2024 haven’t been revealed yet, but if Tesla wants to maintain the Model Y’s dominance, this update couldn’t have come at a better time.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including JATO Dynamics and Tesla.

Fresh Look That’s Best Appreciated In Person

The 2025 Tesla Model Y that you’re seeing here is a Philippine-spec model that’s sourced from Shanghai. Regardless, this will be the same as what everyone else in the world will be getting, design-wise. Of course, there are a few North American homologation requirements like those side amber lights, but by and large, this is what you’ll be seeing at a Tesla showroom soon.

Light Bar For Days

The overarching theme in the new Model Y’s design is its dominant LED light bar located at the back and the front of this car. Starting with the front end, the Model Y didn’t just adopt the Model 3’s face as initially anticipated. Instead, the LED light bar I think is best appreciated in person rather than in photos. Ditto the separate main LED headlight clusters, which are likewise well designed, in my opinion, thanks to how thin they are compared to how other automakers do split LED headlights. Finally, do you also notice anything that’s missing? Well, the “T” logo has disappeared. Tesla says the Model Y already looks distinct enough, they’re confident that people will easily identify it anyway.

Now, the side of the Model Y remains largely unchanged, save for a new set of 19- or 20-inch wheels. Even the 19s with aero covers look nice already, and this is crucial if you want to extract the most range out of your Model Y. More on that later. Finally, the rear end gets another LED light bar, but implemented in a way that’s never been done before in the automotive industry. That’s because the LED light bar is an indirect light, wherein the LED strip points downward to the panel containing the Tesla script. This light bar visually connects the two C-shaped LED taillights, and the resulting design gives the Model Y a distinct rear end.

Beauty Is More Than Just Skin-Deep

Tesla, however, didn’t just enhance its looks, but it also made structural improvements that should result in improved safety and refinement. That’s only going to be verified by a test drive or a crash test, but for now, Tesla claims that it has reduced the body castings from 70 parts to just one singular part. We don’t exactly know what this means, but the Model Y may be a beneficiary of Tesla’s Gigacasting improvements over the years.

Furthermore, there’s also a perceived improvement in build quality, though, of course, I’ll be clear with the word “perceived”. The door thud has a more satisfying thunk and with fewer rattles. The panel gaps, however, are still a hit-and-miss. Take a look at the white display vehicle in the photos, and you’ll see that there’s something that’s a bit off from the rear bumper. The other units look fine in our eyes, but clearly, while there have been build quality improvements, there are still areas that need improvement.

Improved Interior Environment

Just like the exterior, incremental improvements have been made to the interior. On the upside, however, it’s actually the interior that has taken a noticeable step up in quality, as well as fit-and-finish.

Improved Perceived Quality

For the 2025 Tesla Model Y, the interior gets a new dash design. Though it looks largely similar, the panel itself is new, as it now contains an improved feel for the soft-touch plastics, which have been complemented by a new textile material that helps the Model Y have a homey feel. Even the solidity of the interior has been improved, from the center console and even how the storage bins have improved damping for a more upmarket feel.

Even the synthetic leather being used feels nicer this time around, though you better like white or black because these are the only interior options that are available. And then that upmarket feel is also enhanced by a new LED ambient light strip that surrounds the front occupants, as well as extending to the rear doors.

Improved Tech, And The Stalk Returns, Sort Of…

Apart from the ambient LED lighting, there are a few improvements in its tech features as well. The main 15.4-inch infotainment system is incrementally larger than before, and this has been achieved by making the bezels slimmer. The sound system of the Model Y remains a highlight, making your audio music sound rich despite being in a compressed state (no thanks to wireless connections and all). Finally, those at the rear get their own 8-inch touch screen, which allows them to control various vehicle functions, and even watch content. Speaking of which, the rear seats fold electronically through a button on the cargo area. You can either raise or lower it without every breaking a swear.

There are also a few ergonomic highlights, too. The stalks are making their return in the Model Y, but it’s only limited to a signal stalk. The headlights are still primarily controlled through the steering wheel’s capacitive buttons, while the gear lever is still MIA. The swiping action for the PRND remains embedded in the screen, or through an overhead panel if this fails. You know it’s 2025 when even stalks are a big deal as the war on physical controls continues.

The Promise Of Improved Driving

For this section, this can only be verified through an actual test drive, but Tesla has made a few promises that we trust will make their way into the new Model Y. After all, the Model 3 did deliver on its promise of improved road manners and efficiency.

Better Handling And Refinement According To Tesla

One of the aforementioned highlights of the new Model Y is its improved structure. Thanks to the reduction of parts, from 70 components down to just one, Tesla promises improved quietness and, at least in theory and experience, improved chassis rigidity. The improved rigidity should improve both vibration suppression and safety, but we can only imagine what a Model Y would be like to repair (or even write off) if it were to encounter a collision. Nevertheless, along with the improved wheel and tire package, we expect the Model Y to feature the same refinement improvements as the Model 3.

Tesla executives at the Manila press event responded to queries about any other improvements, and yes, there are also a few suspension and steering tweaks to improve its ride and handling ever-so-slightly. Acoustic glass is now fitted all around the Model Y, which should mean another marked improvement in noise suppression.

Unparalleled Efficiency

What Teslas are best known for is their unparalleled efficiency. Tesla championed the idea of a long-range EV, and the new Model Y is no exception. However, rather than stuffing the car with so many batteries, thus increasing weight and reducing efficiency, the Model Y can use smaller, lighter batteries for more range through efficiency improvements. For now, you guys in North America are limited to the Model Y Launch Series, which is based on a Long Range AWD version. Compared to the previous Long Range AWD, the new Launch Series (which is only for limited release) has 16 miles more EPA-estimated range at 327 miles, while it is also 0.7 seconds faster from zero to 60 mph at just 4.1 seconds.

Tesla Model Y vs. Model Y Juniper Specs

These efficiency improvements include an improved drag coefficient from 0.23 to 0.22 Cd, along with the aforementioned new wheel and tire combo that not only improves refinement but also has less rolling resistance. No tweaks were made to the battery or electric motors, so it’s impressive on Tesla’s part to merely rely on design changes to improve the Model Y’s range.