Tesla sure has a thing for random-seeming codenames for its models. The Model 3 sedan revised last year, for example, carried the internal designation “Highland.” For the 3’s SUV sibling, the Model Y compact crossover, the internal nickname is “Juniper.” Whatever you call the new Y, it marks a huge step forward for Tesla’s global best seller—not only internally, but externally, as well. The Y was the number-one selling nameplate worldwide in 2023, with over 1.2 million finding new homes. We finally have our first look at this highly anticipated Y update thanks to its apparent reveal in China (hence the not-English-language elements visible in the photos below) and its subsequent reveal on Tesla’s U.S. website in Launch Edition guise (more on that below).

Why Is the Model Y Juniper Such a Big Deal?

The Model Y is a right-sized electric SUV that delivers solid range, is backed up by the Supercharger network, and it qualifies for the federal EV tax credit, keeping its starting price low in the mid-$40,000 space. It’s little wonder it is the most popular EV out there, so we do wonder why Tesla chose to upgrade the Model 3 sedan before the higher-volume Y. It could be that the Y’s sales were so good, the Juniper upgrade could wait a year while giving the slower-selling Model 3 a boost.

What we do know is the Model Y, popular as it is, is hardly perfect. We have one in our long-term test fleet, and it is regularly panned by our staffers for its loud interior, stiff ride, and so-so build quality. Those just happen to be the areas of concern addressed by the Highland overhaul on the similarly afflicted Model 3 last year. (Tesla also touched up the 3’s doughy styling with sleeker headlights and taillights, new wheel designs, and improved aerodynamics.) The 3’s changes were revolutionary, quieting the once-loud interior, which also saw major gains in material quality and features, and easing up the overly firm suspension without impacting the car’s fun-to-drive nature.

Details surrounding changes to the Model Y’s batteries, motors, and driving range will have to wait for official U.S.-market specifics to arrive when the full lineup of Juniper models is revealed. So far, only the launch version (Launch Series) special-edition model is detailed. It is based on the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Long Range iteration promising 320 miles of range—9 more than the outgoing Dual Motor Long Range Model Y’s 311 miles—and a quicker 4.1-second zero-to-60-mph time (down from 4.8 seconds previously, thanks to a standard Acceleration Boost). We expect lower-cost rear-drive models and higher-performance Performance models to follow, in non-Launch-Series guises.

The range estimates suggest that, like for the Model 3, Tesla eked out some efficiency gains for the Y through minor aerodynamic tweaks and revised tire choices—so don’t count on big-time advances in range.

Currently, the Model Y is available in single motor, rear-drive form (337 miles of range, $46,630); dual motor all-wheel-drive form (311 miles of range, $49,630); and higher-performance Performance guise (277 miles of range, $53,130). The Juniper-grade Launch Series is listed for $61,630 and includes Full Self Driving, special badges and puddle lights, and upgraded wheels. Again, we expect all three variants to eventually be offered in the Juniper generation, though the Performance model may lag a while behind the single motor Long Range and Dual Motor Long Range versions as it did on the Model 3 Highland.

When Can We Expect to See the Model Y Juniper Debut?

With Tesla’s sales slipping somewhat—2024 was the first year it posted lower sales than the year before—we suspect the automaker is eager to jumpstart sales. What better way than to roll out anticipated updates for its best-seller, the Model Y? The Juniper finally appeared on Tesla’s U.S. website late in January 2025, though only that “Launch Series” special-edition model is listed so far, with deliveries slated to begin in March.