Introduction to the 2025 Tesla Model Y
Given what a massive commercial success the Model Y has been for Tesla on a global scale, it hardly needs any introduction, but this one does, as it's the second generation of the all-electric SUV. Given what an improvement Tesla made to the Model 3 when it was revamped in 2023, we're expecting big things from what is known as the 'Juniper' edition of the Model Y.
Our first chance to drive the 2025 Model Y was on Irish roads, at the wheel of the high-spec 'Launch Series' model.
Pros & Cons of the 2025 Tesla Model Y
Pros: More stylish than before, more refined, more comfortable
Cons: Image issues, nothing special to drive
Exterior & Design of the 2025 Tesla Model Y
• Comprehensively redesigned
• Appearance references the Tesla Cybertruck
• Aero improvements add up to greater range
Although the new Model Y is obviously that, it has come in for a comprehensive restyle, some of it in the name of aerodynamics, some of it to align the SUV with Tesla's newer products - namely the hideous Cybertruck and the 'vapourware' Cybercab. Nonetheless, we approve of the Model Y's new appearance, especially when viewed from the back.
There you'll find a distinctive full-width lightbar with a difference, as the LEDs reflect off the bodywork rather than being visible as the main light source. This softens the effect and gives the back of the Model Y a pleasant red glow.
The tailgate, spoiler and rear bumper have all been reshaped in the name of aerodynamics. Influence from the wind tunnel is even more obvious up front, where the new nose appears much lower and smoother than the old car's. Indeed, aside from the full-width, three-piece lightbar, it's devoid of much detail. There isn't even a Tesla badge on the front.
The Model Y's proportions are largely unchanged, though the new one is about 40mm longer. Here are the overall dimensions:
Length: 4,790mm
Width: 1,982mm (folded door mirrors)
Height: 1,624mm
Wheelbase: 2,890mm
In terms of paint colours, Tesla is notoriously stingy, with the optional colours being considerably more expensive than they are from most other manufacturers. The standard colour for the AWD Long Range is Stealth Grey, with Pearl White Multicoat, Solid Black and Deep Blue Metallic costing a chunky €1,300 apiece. However, either Quicksilver or Ultra Red are a whopping €2,600 upgrade.
Similarly, all three launch variants of the Model Y run on 19-inch 'Crossflow' alloys as standard, but the two upper Long Range models (both single- and dual-motor) can be upgraded to 20-inch 'Helix 2.0' wheels - for a hefty €2,600.
Interior, Practicality, Tech & Comfort of the 2025 Tesla Model Y
• Simplistic design retained
• Thankfully, so is the indicator column stalk
• Huge boot and storage
At a glance, the casual observer may not realise that the minimally styled cabin of the Model Y has been completely overhauled, as it retains the clean look of the original car, dominated by a large, 15.4-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard.
We're not bowled over by reliance on that display (you even use it to choose forward or reverse), as impressively packed with functionality as it is, and we do wish it supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Nonetheless, the rest of the cabin has taken a notable step up in quality and tactility, with more pleasant materials used - including real aluminium trim accents. Customisable ambient lighting also enhances the feel of the interior at night.
New seats are complemented by a redesigned centre console, and the latter houses a vast storage area, along with the expected cupholders and neat, sloped wireless charging pads. There are large door pockets, too.
Thankfully, it appears that Tesla listened to criticism of the new Model 3's layout - which uses steering-wheel-mounted buttons to operate the indicators - and retained a conventional steering column stalk for this function in the updated Model Y. Actually, it's a new stalk with a tight, well-engineered movement. The wipers are now activated through touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel, but we can live with that.
There's more change in the back of the car, where there's loads of headroom and legroom as before. The seats are new, however, designed for better comfort thanks to longer bases, more bolstering and an electrically adjustable back angle.
The rear occupants are treated to a touchscreen of their own, an eight-inch unit allowing access to the climate control, gaming and streaming. It even supports the connection of two Bluetooth devices, while two high-powered (65W) USB charging ports are also fitted.
Tesla has upgraded the sound system, now featuring 16 speakers - some of them hidden. It also claims to have improved microphone clarity, the speed of cellular downloads, the on-board wifi and phone key performance.
In terms of practicalities, Tesla only quotes the boot volume to the roof of the car - when most car manufacturers tell you the figure up to the luggage cover - but it's a massive boot by any standards, and it has a large hidden area underneath. There's also usefully sized extra storage under the bonnet up front.
New to the car is what Tesla calls the “seat dance”. Press the buttons in the boot to fold down the rear seats and first of all the front seats will shuffle forward to make room. They move back to their previous position when the seat behind is finished folding. It works well, though the motors involved make more noise than we'd have expected.
Black is the standard interior on every Model Y, with the two-tone, black-and-white cabin setting you back a further €1,200. Our test car had synthetic suede in the passenger compartment, and very nice it was to the touch, too.
Performance of the 2025 Tesla Model Y AWD Long Range
• Powerful electric motors for rapid acceleration
• Undulating roads a challenge for the suspension
• Improved comfort very welcome
We criticised the original Model Y for its lack of suspension sophistication, and thankfully Tesla has used the excellent Model 3 as a yardstick for the upgrades - and they're extensive. Not only have the springs and dampers been changed, but even the geometry is new, while the whole structure has been stiffened up to allow the suspension to do its job better.
The result is a far smoother, more comfortable and civilised driving experience. The interior serenity is aided by the use of acoustic glass all-round and it really is a very quiet and very refined car at a cruise.
Keener drivers won't be excited by it, however, as there's precious little feedback from the steering or brakes, and the body control is lacking when cornering a little quicker. Also, if you live in an area beset with bumpy roads and large undulations in the surface, make sure you give the Model Y a proper test on those roads before you decide to go for it, as it's not at its best in such an environment. Most drivers will appreciate its newfound refinement, though.
Gone are the days when Tesla's rapidly accelerating EVs were noteworthy, as there are dozens of fast electric cars these days, though someone coming from a regular petrol, diesel or hybrid model may still be surprised by how quickly a car such as this gathers pace.
The sensation is arguably amplified by the lack of engine noise, but response to the accelerator is undoubtedly fast and the car really shifts away from a standstill if you want it to. How responsive it is to that pedal can be tweaked by the driver, selecting the smoother Chill setting or the snappier Sport mode. The Model Y is certainly friskier at the latter level, but more pleasant to drive in its more relaxed mode.
Tesla for some reason is a little coy about its cars' power outputs, but we understand the Launch Series makes up to 389hp and 510Nm of torque from its two electric motors, enabling a claimed 0-100km/h time of just 4.3 seconds. That sort of acceleration can make passengers feel unwell, and it's more an indication of the car's instantaneous response, and the traction afforded by the all-wheel-drive layout, than it is an important metric for a practical electric SUV.
Range, Battery & Charging of the 2025 Tesla Model Y
• All versions officially capable of at least 500km
• 250kW DC max recharging rate
• 20-inch wheels reduce AWD's range
Tesla is a bit of an unusual company when it comes to specifying battery sizes and charging times, but as far as we know the Model Y has retained the same electric motors and power packs from its pre-facelift range, which means this AWD Long Range has the 75kWh battery, whereas the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive variant uses a 60kWh unit.
Nevertheless, that latter Model Y will do 500km to a single charge, according to the company, while the powerful AWD Long Range manages 586km on its standard 19-inch wheels. Opt for the 20-inch Helix alloys and that is trimmed back to 568km. Those wanting the most distance between battery top-ups will need the single-motor RWD Long Range, which can officially do up to 622km in one go, even on 20-inch wheels.
Tesla has its own network of chargers, known as Superchargers. For the AWD Long Range, they will top the battery up at a peak rate of 250kW DC, resulting in 260km of range being added for every 15 minutes the car is hooked up. That means a 10-80 per cent charge will be in the region of 25-30 minutes.
And while Telsa won't say what the peak AC charging rate of the Model Y is, we know the pre-facelift car ran at up to 11kW on three-phase outlets. On a typical 7.4kW domestic wallbox, the car will require roughly 10.5 hours for a 0-100 per cent charge, not that anyone runs their battery completely flat before charging.
Running Costs of the 2025 Tesla Model Y
• The Model Y is an efficient car
• Superchargers 30-40 per cent cheaper
• Minimal servicing costs as with all EVs
Tesla is renowned for its electrical efficiency, and the Model Y AWD Long Range is no exception. A quoted 15.3kWh/100km on the 20-inch wheels is a remarkably low level of energy consumption for a powerful, all-wheel-drive SUV like this and puts the Model Y ahead of most of its comparable rivals. The most efficient model is quoted as 13.9kWh/100km.
Our real-world testing in a variety of circumstances - in which we aim to drive normally without purposely maximising efficiency - the Launch Series car averaged between 17- and 18kWh/100km.
Tesla says its proprietary Supercharger network is typically 30-40 per cent cheaper than equivalent ultra-rapid chargers from third parties, so running a Model Y AWD Long Range should be more affordable for those that have to rely on regular charging outside the home or work.
All Teslas come with a basic four-year/80,000km vehicle warranty and a Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty for five years or 100,000km. For most versions of the new Model Y, the drive battery and motors are covered for up to eight years or 192,000km. The mileage limit is reduced to 160,000km for the entry-level single-motor variant for some reason.
Tesla suggests there is no regular servicing required on its cars.
Irish Pricing & Rivals of the 2025 Tesla Model Y
• Line-up kicks off at €44,990
• Dual-motor AWD from €52,990
• Exclusive features on Launch Series
The pricing for the 2025 Tesla Model Y is competitive, with the entry point set at a reasonable €44,990. That's for the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) model with the smaller battery. Stepping up to the RWD Long Range sets you back another €5,000 from there, while adding a second motor in this AWD Long Range is €3,000 on top of that - but €52,990 still seems reasonable for a near-400hp electric SUV that'll do more than 550km to a single charge.
The Launch Series we tested is a time-limited specification that bundles in extra gear and model-specific details. These include bespoke badging on the tailgate and for the puddle lights in the door mirrors, as well as the word 'Launch' being emblazoned on the sill plates and the wireless smartphone charging pads.
It also comes with a synthetic suede interior, plus the 20-inch wheels and a choice of Solid Black or Quicksilver paint - our test car was in the latter. There's even a part of the kit called 'Acceleration Boost', which trims the AWD Long Range's 0-100km/h time by fully half-a-second, resulting in a swift time of 4.3 seconds.
Ordinarily, options on the Model Y range are limited to the six body colours, the upgraded alloys, the bicolour interior finish and then two different enhancements of Tesla's (misleadingly titled) 'Autopilot' tech - this basically means 'radar cruise control'.
However, the top bundle is called 'Full Self-Driving Capability' (FSDC) and costs €7,500, but no matter what Tesla says about over-the-air updates that will eventually bless the car with FSDC, the legislation and level of technology required for that simply isn't in place for the car to ever truly drive itself, so you should treat this option with caution.
Verdict - Should You Buy the 2025 Tesla Model Y?
There has been a lot of negative press for Tesla due to the political involvement of Elon Musk with Donald Trump, which has the potential to reduce demand for its cars. Nonetheless, the Model Y has been massively successful, and the market was crying out for an updated one, so it's still expected to sell well.
For what it's worth, though the Model Y has a multitude of strong rivals these days, it's still an electric car with a lot going for it: efficiency, practicality, performance and even good value at the lower end of the lineup.
FAQs About the 2025 Tesla Model Y
What does 'Juniper' refer to with the Tesla Model Y?
It is simply an internal Tesla codename for the updated Model Y. The Model 3 had a similar one, called 'Highland', and fans of the American marque refer to the revised cars by these names once they're out in the wild.
Will there be a Performance model of the updated Tesla Model Y?
Almost certainly. It should use the same dual-motor and 75kWh battery arrangement as this Long Range AWD, but the power is likely to climb to 462hp and the 0-100km/h be reduced to 3.5 seconds as a result.
Want to know more about the Tesla Model Y?
Is there anything else you'd like to know about the Tesla Model Y? Or anything you feel we haven't covered here? Then just head over to our Ask Us Anything section and, well, ask us anything. We'll do our best to answer your questions.
