Tesla Model Y Juniper Buyers Guide
Last updated 28-Jan-2025
The Tesla Model Y Juniper has now been released world wide although in a number of countries it is being sold alongside the outgoing model. Tesla have introduced it as a Launch Edition Long Range All Wheel Drive, although China also gets the option of a Rear Wheel drive variant.
The inclusion of Right Hand Drive countries suggests both RHD and LHD production will start from the begininng, something that has not traditionally been the case.
First a bit of background. The original Model Y was launched in 2020 and has become the top selling car in the Tesla lineup. It is made in numerous factories including two in the US, Germany and China. The design inherited and learnt from the Model 3 with a more resolved interior and some engineering enhancements compared to earlier Model 3 versions. The Model 3 was revamped a year ago as the Model 3 Highland, although neither Juniper or Highland are terms Tesla wish to publiocally recognise.
The outgoing Model Y was not without its issues. Primarily these relate to the suspension which many found too hard and unsophisticated. It also allowed noise ingress into the cabin. Whilst on good road surfaces it was ok, it didn't like poor road surfaces at all. Tesla altered the suspension a number of times by adjusting the springs and dampers, but the problem has never been completely eradicated.
Exterior
Tesla have always been keen to follow a house style and whilst many of the interior changes are familiar, there are some new details not really seen before.
The key visual changes revolve around the merging of Cybertruck front light bar with the familiar face of the outgoing model. The front lights are now split into the light bar across the whole front, reminisent of the Cybertruck. This provides the day time running lights. There are further individual light units on each side which provide the main beam units. The design is very reminiscent to just about every other EVs that is on the market. The change does create a more rectangular front compared to the slightly bulbous appearance of the previous car and is a larger departure than normal for a mid life update. Many felt the outgoing model was, to be frank, ugly from the front. Whilst the face echos the cybertruck, it is a departure from the house style of the car line up which is somewhat surprising so soon after the Highland Model 3 update.
The rear is more slab sided than before with little detail to break up the appearance. The numberplate position has dropped to within the bumper element, and this is now split and pretrudes further behind the car than the boot making accident damage easier to deal with. The overall impact is to create an expanse of bodywork, saved only by the light bar at the top and in many ways we feel it resembles rear of current Range Rover cars. The lights, like the Model 3 Highland, extend past the boot opening, rather than split to either side, but the big news is the light bar which we'll cover in a bit. There are also some smaller detail changes. The tailgate bodywork is in more than one piece, and it now gives the opportunity to have an adjustable spoiler on the back of the car on the Performance Model. The glass has also been squared off. Overall, the design is more angular than before.
The rear light bar is not a light bar as we might imagine. Tesla say 'Our single, cross-car lamp is the first indirect reflective body panel taillight of its kind.', and from the profile picture it appears to comprise a notable overhang with the illumination pointing back/down towards the surface of car which is covered in a reflective strip. We can only presume that the design helps with the aero of the car because from some aspects it looks fairly awkward. Like the front light bar, a rear light bar as a feature is not new, and Tesla are following the market by adding these.
You could be forgiven for thinking there are no changes to the side profiles. The only notable change that we have detected is linked to the wheel arches. The previously large hard plastic inset piece lining the wheel arch has been replaced with a slightly thin unit and with a new profile. The side profile looks so similar to the outgoing model we are a little disappointed as it does not feel in keeping with the sharper and more aggressive changes to the front and rear. There are also wheel changes, but wheel design changes are not unusual.
We now have the introduction of double paned glass all round which will helop with acoustics and insulation. The car is a cm or so longer. We also have a new Glacier Blue colour which is lighter than the outgoing Deep Sea Blue. On the launch model, the choice of Paint is a no cost option.
Interior
As expected much of the Model 3 changes have been carried over. The interior sees the introduction of more ambient lighting.
The one significant change from the current Tesla direction of travel has been the inclusion of an indicator stalk, at least in some markets. The move to indicator buttons on the steering wheel has been the cause of much controversy and we've long held the belief the change could only have a negative impact on sales. As a result Tesla have retained an indicator stalk, at least in some countries, claiming this is due to public opinion, however they're not admitting they got it wrong! They have still moved over controls such as drive select to the screen. It will be interesting to see if this change of heart results in other models in the line-up, notably the Model 3, returning to an indicator stalk.
Ventilated seats are, as expected, now here, with all seats being perferated and of a better quality than before, although only the front get the ventilated capability. There is the expected rear screen whilst the front screen has also been tweaked with a thinner bezel in a similar way to the one in the Model 3 Highland. The screen position is however still fixed and can not be tilted towards the driver as some expected. They have also introduced powered folding rear seats which was unexpected, and the trunk overall has grown slightly in size. The rear seats also have a deeper seat base which should make them more comfortable.
The in car entertainment has gone through another iteration with further changes to the number of speakers. If the cabin is quieter, the sound quality should further improve, especially on quieter passages.
As we expected, and following the Model 3 Highland, claims of significantly improved sound deadening are part of the makeover. We're not quite convinced with the Tesla claim that it's a "reimagined cabin environment" as we've seen pretty much all of it before, but it's still welcome non the less.
Despite some so called "spy pictures" the steering wheel looks fairly traditional.
Technical and Autopilot updates
We could probably talk about what is not included as much as what is.
Range is very slightly improved. Juniper in RWD form and 20" wheels has an estimated WLTP range of 466km v 465km on the 19" wheels. The Long Range, AWD car now has a WLTP range of 551km, also on "20 wheels, v the 533km on "19 wheels. It's a small uplift and reminiscent of the Model 3 Highland changes, and we suspect for similar technical improvements. These things are also claimed as they have not been formally tested yet.
Performance wise, the LR AWD Launch model comes with Acceleration Boost as standard giving a 0-100kms (0-62mph) of 4.3s v the outgoing model which was 5s without performance boost. Interestingly the RWD also seems to have a gain, the outgoing car in Australia had a 0-100km/h time of 6.9s v the Juniper model being 5.9s. Oddly, this means the Juniper RWD car is quicker to 100kmm/h than the M3 Highland RWD, so we believe this is likely to a mistake on the website. Tesla mention a drag coefficient reduction from 0.23Cd to 0.22Cd. This will help the efficiency, but also have cause a slight improvement in wind noise when driven.
The suspension has been stated as improved, although there is no talk of air suspension, nor any adaptive suspension features, although this may come with the Performance model when it is released. Some reports suggest the suspension is now firmter than before, which would be a worry, and none of the tsters were allowed to drive the car. We will have to wait for road tests to see if it has improved as this was a major weakness on the outgoing model.
Bluetooth enhancements and a move to HW/AI4 is included as expected. Tesla have made quite a big thing on Autopilot but as we all know, this is largely a software matter and not specific to this model. The bluetooth changes will allow automatic trunk opening similar to the Model 3 Highland.
Another change brought over from the M3 Highland is the inclusion of a blind spot warning light, although this time it is in the mirrors and not in the speaker which didn't really work well.
There is now a front bumper camera, like the cybertruck. Again this appears to be an admission that the Tesla Vision parking system struggles with the blind spot immediately in front of the car, something that many, including ourselves, predicted would be a problem when ultrasonic sensors were removed. They just need to bring back a rain sensor!
Tesla also mention a new design to maximise (production) efficiency by reducing 70 parts down to 1. As buyers, we don't see why we should care unless in manifests itself in significantly cheaper cars, and there is of course the risk that repair costs after accidents could increase.
There is also no mention of Vehicle to Load capabilities, like the Cybertruck.
There is also no mention of Steer by wire.
Overall, the performance changes are broadly in line to what we expected. The carry over of the changes first seen in the M3 Highland. It's quieter, a little more efficient, more comfortable, performance is perhaps a little better, but it is not a radical departure from the outgoing model.
Driver experience.
Nobody has driven the new car yet so it's hard to comment, but based on the specification changes and claims, we can expect a similar improvement over the old model that the Highland model had over previous generation Model 3. That has received some mixed views. Nobody has thought it was better, but some have felt the improvements were fairly slight. Everyones perspective varies and can even be down to the quality of the road surfaces where you live.
In conclusion our belief is it will be more of the same, just with a degree of enhanced refinement in cabin noise and ride.
Price
Tesla have started with a Launch edition which includes a number of bundled extras including bigger wheels, Acceleration Boost and a tow hook. There are also premium colours included although the range of colours and whether they were a cost option before varies from country to country and factory of production to factory. There are a few interior cosmetic changes as well.
The US also get FSD included, although other countries do not, and not even EAP.
All this comes at a price. In the US the car is $12k more than the equivalent previous generation car which is still available to order. In Canadar its Ca$20k more. In the UK its £9k more and without FSD. Even taking into account hte cost of the tow bar, acceleration boost and larger wheels, there is still a notable uplift in the price, and not everybody wants the options.
The picture is even more marked if we look at lease prices. In the US and the UK the new car is double the price on a 3 year lease, while oddly in Canada its only abour 30% more. As in most countries the old and new and both still available to order it is easy to comare the prices. What we would say is the outgoing model on lease is great value compared to the new car.
Juniper Model Y expected release date
Deliveries are expected from March although some countries will be a few months later. These dates haven't gone backwarkwards rapidly which suggsts the order book has not caused significant delays like we've seen in the past.
Conclusion
What we've got is pretty much what we expected. A new colour, a cabin reminiscent of the M3 Highland, a little more efficient, a little quieter and more refined. The light bar front and rear have been talked about and whilst we were not convinced we would see one at the front, there is one and it does change the face of the car which was previously a little bulbous.
It should be a welcome update and help refresh the car although it is still lacking in some areas compared to the competition. There's no 800v battery and not Vehicle to Load, but beyond that, and with the grateful inclusion of indicator stalks, it is a worthwhile update without any real concern.
The biggest issue with the launch edition is the price. Its currently very hard to recommend it over the outgoing model given the significant price hike, especially if leasing.
