the surprises (and failures) of the new design

FINALLY ! It was awaited by many, and the new Model Y was unveiled quietly on January 10, 2025, just to start the year off well for Tesla. It of course takes the codes of its little sister, the Tesla Model 3, but there still remain some particularities specific to the flagship SUV of Elon Musk’s firm.

We will see together what is changing for the better, and also for the worse, on this restyled Tesla Model Y, which should be a hit in 2025.

A futuristic design that is a leap forward

Since the tidal waves of Tesla Model Y deliveries in Europe from 2022 to today, it has become difficult not to come across them when you hit the road. As a result, there can be an effect of weariness when faced with a design that no longer stands out at all from the ordinary. Moreover, the previous generation Model Y was anything but beautiful: it was the most practical but the least sexy Tesla.

In 2025, Tesla therefore chose to restyle the front and rear of its best-selling SUV, to mark its new identity. The front is much more futuristic, with a strip of LEDs that runs along the entire bottom of the hood, connecting the two headlights, which are much thinner than before. This is a much more aggressive side, which will probably appeal to more people than the old one.

The rear is also retouched, since the lights are connected by a huge LED bar which occupies the entire width of the tailgate, and the license plate will also be housed on the plastic part, lower down. In this way, we find a rear that is more refined, more aggressive, and quite futuristic. You only have to see the before/after images from the online configurator just above to realize the notable differences. Another particularity to note, the restyled Model Y is 4 cm longer (4.79 m compared to 4.75 m for the old one).

Batteries that unfortunately do not change

For those who were expecting a 2025 version of the Model Y with increased autonomy and a larger battery, it is not for this time. Indeed, in countries where the configurator for the restyled Model Y is online, we note a range of 466 km WLTP for the Propulsion version, and 551 km for the Long Range All-Drive version.

Currently, these versions in France have a WLTP range of 455 km and 565 km respectively in the most energy-efficient configurations, i.e. with the 19-inch Gemini rims. For the Launch Series version of the restyled Model Y, Tesla only offers 20-inch rims, and when 19-inch rims are offered, we can imagine an increase in autonomy of around 5%, which which corresponds more or less to continuous improvement in terms of aerodynamics and engine efficiency.

In other words: no new batteries for this restyled Model Y, which means that we will always have a version equipped with 60 kWh (Propulsion), and all the others recover the 80 kWh battery that we know well.

Although it has never really been mentioned in the rumors, you should not expect an 800 volt architecture as is the case on the fast charging champions that are the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6, or the Kia EV6, or even like the Tesla Cybertruck. The restyled Model Y retains the same architecture as before, and charges at a maximum power of 250 kW.

A commodo that disappears, another that remains

The restyled Tesla Model 3 was talked about when it was released, since the controls located behind the steering wheel had disappeared. For the restyled Model Y, Tesla seems to have heard the complaints… but with only one ear.

More precisely, if the restyled Model Y does not say goodbye to the two controls, it does make one disappear: the one allowing you to switch to forward or reverse gear, and to activate Autopilot. We therefore find on the steering wheel the buttons necessary for activating the windshield wipers, Autopilot and voice commands, as well as one to manage the headlights. But unlike the restyled Model 3, no buttons for the turn signals.

For us French people, this is undoubtedly a good point in terms of ergonomics, since we must admit that finding the right indicator in the middle of a roundabout with the steering wheel at 90 or 180 degrees was a challenge. a feat.

A front camera that may be there (or not)

When the first photos of the restyled Model Y appeared, we immediately thought of what had happened with the Model 3. Remember, in September 2023, the visuals revealed a camera located at the level of the front bumper, therefore promising to see much better during low-speed maneuvers.

Almost 16 months later, it is still noticeably absent on the Model 3, and Tesla hastened to modify the images so that it no longer appears. What do we see in the images of the restyled Model Y? You guessed it, the same camera as in the first images of the restyled Model 3.

You shouldn’t get carried away though: unfortunately, Tesla nowhere highlights the fact that there is a new camera, and the online manual has not been updated. This is probably the same mistake as when the restyled Model 3 was released, just a year and a half older. We hope we’re wrong, but don’t order the new Model Y just expecting a bumper-level camera.

A more upscale interior and cool features

It was expected, and Tesla did not disappoint: the seats, the dashboard, the materials, the central console, everything has been revised in this restyled Model Y. The first point on which Tesla communicates is silence on board. New acoustic glass is fitted to all windows (windshield, roof, side windows and tailgate) and promises cathedral-like silence.

The front seats are now ventilated, which again corrects a notable difference between the Model 3 and the Model Y since summer 2023. Rear passengers discover a central screen at the level of the armrest of the passengers in the first row, allowing them to control seat heating, air conditioning, music, and a whole bunch of infotainment options. This was indeed what was missing on the Model Y until now since the facelifted Model 3 arrived.

If on the old Model Y it was possible to lower the rear seats from the trunk via two buttons located on the left, on the restyled version, these same buttons will be able to raise the seats. It’s quite practical, and it avoids having to reopen the doors to manually raise the rear seats.

The rear trunk now opens automatically when the driver approaches (if the option is activated) provided that they have their smartphone registered as a key. This is well known among some manufacturers but in a different form, since you generally have to kick under the bumper. With the restyled Model Y, no need: it’s automatic.

An outing in 2 or 3 stages?

This first version of the restyled Model Y is only available in countries that are delivered by the Shanghai factory. This corresponds to Asia and the Pacific, and therefore does not include Europe or the United States. For these two regions, you will have to wait a few weeks, or even a few months, for the online configurator to be updated.

As it stands, the Long Range Propulsion and Performance versions are still missing, and if we base ourselves on what happened with the restyled Model 3, we will have to wait a long time to see a Model Y Performance restyled point the end of its hood.

Prices remain almost unchanged, and in the meantime, Tesla wants to sell off its stock of old Model Ys. The Long Autonomy Propulsion version is also strangely less expensive than the Propulsion version.