A facelifted version of the world’s best-selling electric car, the Tesla Model Y, has been revealed, and the update brings a new look for 2025 inspired by the controversial Cybertruck.
Photos released for the Pacific regions, where the new Model Y will go on sale first, show exterior and interior upgrades.
It is an exciting announcement for the electric vehicle sector, given that the Model Y is the most popular new model in the UK, across Europe and on the global market, and because it has remained relatively unchanged since its debut five years ago. years.
The Model Y became the first electric car to become the world’s best-selling model in 2023, as well as being the only electric vehicle to crack the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK last year.
A fresh face, with a feature lifted from the Cybertruck, banned in the UK, and improved performance figures for 2025 should help Tesla fight off fierce competition from Chinese EV rivals such as BYD and SAIC, and help revitalize the decline in sales in recent times.
While the electric car company’s British subsidiary won’t reveal much information to us upon request, we can expect to see the updated Model Y on our roads within a few months.
Here’s what we expect it to cost…
Tesla’s best-selling electric car, the Model Y, has been updated for 2025. Images and specifications have been released for the Asia Pacific region, where it will launch first, ahead of its availability in the UK.
Probably the biggest draw for aesthetics-focused buyers will be the sleek new look, which has been a long time coming.
The exterior is sleeker with a wraparound light bar front and rear, the same as the Cybertruck, and reshaped bumpers.
While subtle adjustments are made, they make the car more modern and refined looking, which Tesla says also serves to “maximize efficiency, using every kilowatt-hour more effectively.”
To achieve this efficiency, Tesla explains that the new design of the tires, wheels and suspension are also modified.
Tesla now puts the car’s coefficient of drag (Cd) at 0.22, up from 0.23, taking it to the top of the most aerodynamic EV rankings.
As well as changing its appearance, the Y has grown and is now 47mm longer (4797mm), but is 1mm narrower (up to 1624mm wide).
The new Model Y is bigger than before. It is now 47mm longer at 4797mm, but 1mm narrower at 1624mm wide.
Tesla says the exterior adjustments “maximize efficiency, using each kilowatt-hour more effectively.”
The light bar at the rear is the main update to the rear end, which is a little more squared off but otherwise very similar to the previous one.
The Model Y’s updated look largely mirrors the Tesla Cybertruck (pictured), especially the front and rear wraparound light clusters.
Due to the improved drag coefficient (which also reduces wind noise), the long-range all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive variants will have ranges of 447 miles and 368 miles on a single charge.
While this is an increase of 73 and 37 miles respectively over the previous version, the figures from the more stringent European WLTP tests are expected to be lower than the results from the Chinese vehicle test cycle when the European cars arrive.
Other improved performance stats include the all-wheel drive’s 0-60 mph time, which now takes just 4.3 seconds (0.5 faster than before).
However, the single-motor option is set to be 0.3 seconds slower than before; Not that many people notice the change.
Ultra-fast charging remains at 250kW across the board, which is the market-leading speed, giving you 172 miles in just 15 minutes with the new Superchargers.
All 2025 Model Ys will be able to ultra-fast charge at 250 kW, giving you 172 miles in just 15 minutes on a supercharger.
New display updates, available on all models and via OTA updates, include precipitation overlay feature added to maps, tracking live weather data
Inside, Tesla designers have given the Model Y just a slight upgrade to keep it consistent with the latest Model 3. This includes new materials, with ventilated front seats and electronically folding rear seats.
As usual, the 15.4-inch touchscreen is the central control center and has updated software for better quality and responsiveness.
The big news for passengers is that for the first time there is a touch screen in the rear.
As said, the Y, which recently became a seven-seater SUV, was only launched for the Asia Pacific region with initial deliveries starting in late February in China.
Full UK specifications are expected to be released soon, but as pricing has increased in China, the UK market is likely to reflect this and buyers will pay around £50,000 for the base price.
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