Tesla Model Y Juniper Buyers Guide
Last updated 10-Jan-2025
The Tesla Model Y Juniper has now been released in China and Australia and other countries will follow in due course. This is probably linked to China production starting first, as Europe and North America are served from Berlin, Fremont and Texas factories. The inclusion of Australia shows Right Hand Driver models will be available from early on, something that is not traditionally the case.
Details are still emerging, but we run through the key features and facts as we know them.
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 as a result the changes are all familiar from one model or another.
The key visual changes revolve around the merging of Cybertruck front light bar with the familiar face of the oitgoing model. The front lights are now split into the light bar across the whole front, reminisent of the Cybertruck and which appears to provide daylight running illumination and indicator lights. There are further individual light units on each side which appear to provide full beam and the adaptive capabilities in those countries where they are permissable.
The contrasting colour of the lower valance is similar to that on cars like the Volvo EX90 and is a style that is increasingly popular with EVs in general, especially ones designed in China.
Overall, the front now appears more like a Cybertruck than it does the other car models, with a squarer visual than the previous oval one.
The rear is more slab sided than before and the numberplate position has dropped to within the bumper element. The overall impact is to create an expanse of bodywork as there is nothing to break up lines. In many ways we feel it resembles rear of current Range Rover cars. The light bar is one continuous piece, and like the Model 3 Highland it extends past the boot opening, rather than split weither side. Tesla say 'Our single, cross-car lamp is the first indirect reflective body panel taillight of its kind.', whatever that means. Many cars have had lightbars before, both front and rear, so we can only think this is either related to the "single piece" nature of it, or the "indirect" aspect. We also hope this is better weather sealed than some Tesla light units in the past that have suffered badly from condensation build up.
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. Previously there was a large hard plastic inset piece lining the wheel arch, this has been replaced with a smaller unit. There are wheel changes, but wheel design changes are not unsual.
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. Tesla have retained an indicator stalk, at least in some countries. although they have moved over controls such as drive select. 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, asexpected, now here, as is the rear screen. The screen has also been tweaked with a thinner bezel in the same way the Model 3 Highland. Ther is no suggestion that the screen position can 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 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.
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 are conflicting views on a front bumper camera. We saw early renders of the Model 3 Highland with a camera which didn't come to pass, and the same is here with the Juniper. Tesla also make reference to the front Camera view, but this could just be referencing the AI4 windscreen cameras. We'll not be convinced until we see more evidence.
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
Based on the prices in Australia:
- RWD, base colour, black interior and 20" wheels is Au$68,770 v Au$59,700 for a similar car (we've included the optional "20 wheels). This is a Au$9k price increase, and with the outgoing model is widely available with a further Au$4k discount, the effective premium around Au$13k.
- LR AWD, base colour, black interior and 20" wheels is Au$79,270 v Au$72k with the outgoing model available with a Au$7k discount, a difference on list of circa 7k and on actual purchase price Au$14ktaking into account current discounts.
- Tesla do offer a free choice in paint on this model, at least as part of the Launch version, and has a few further cosmetic tweaks as well as Performance Boost being standard. This may mean the Performance model is a long way off arriving.
Juniper Model Y expected release date
Its now been launched in China and Australia and will no doubt appear in other countries over the coming days.
Delivery is expected from May 2025.
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.
