A facelifted version of the world’s best-selling electric car, the Tesla Model Y, has been revealed – and the update brings a fresh look for 2025 that’s inspired by the controversial Cybertruck.
Released photos for the Pacific regions – where the new Model Y will go on sale first – show exterior and interior upgrades.
It’s an exciting announcement for the EV sector, given the Model Y is the most popular new model in the UK, across Europe and the global market – and because it has remained relatively unchanged since debuting five years ago.
The Model Y became the first electric car to become a world’s best-selling model in 2023 – as well as being the only EV to make it into the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK last year.
A fresh face, with one feature pinched from the UK-barred Cybertruck – and improved performance figures for 2025 should help Tesla fight off fierce competition from Chinese EV rivals such as BYD and SAIC, and help reinvigorate slumping sales of late.
While the UK arm of the electric car firm won’t reveal much information to us on request, we can expect to see the upgraded Model Y on our roads within months.
Here’s how much we expect it to cost…
Tesla’s best-selling electric car, the Model Y, has been upgraded for 2025. Images and specs for the Pacific Asia region – where it will launch first – have been released ahead of UK availability
Likely the main draw for aesthetic-focused buyers will be the sleek new look, which has been a long time coming.
The exterior is more stylish with a wraparound light bar front and rear – the same as the one on the Cybertruck – and reshaped bumpers.
While subtle tweaks, they make the car more modern and refined-looking, which Tesla says is also to ‘maximise efficiency, using every kilowatt-hour more effectively’.
In order to achieve this efficiency, Tesla explains the new tyre design, wheels and suspension are tweaked too.
Tesla now puts the car’s drag coefficient (Cd) to 0.22, down from 0.23, pushing it right to the top of the most aerodynamic EV ranks.
As well as changing looks the Y has grown and is now 47mm longer at 4,797mm, but it’s 1mm narrower – down to 1,624mm wide.
The new Model Y is bigger than before. It is now 47mm longer at 4,797mm but 1mm narrower at 1,624mm wide
Tesla says the tweaks to the exterior ‘maximise efficiency, using every kilowatt-hour more effectively’
The light bar at the back is the main update to the rear, which is a bit boxier but otherwise very similar to before
The updated Model Y looks are very much a reflection of the Tesla Cybertruck (pictured), especially the wrap-around light clusters front and back
Due to the better drag coefficient (which also reduces wind noise), the Long Range All-Wheel Drive and Rear-Wheel Drive variants will have claimed ranges of 447 miles and 368 miles on a single charge.
While this is up 73 and 37 miles respectively on the old version, harsher European WLTP testing figures are expected to be lower than the Chinese Vehicle Test Cycle results when the European cars arrive.
Other increased performance stats are the All-Wheel Drive’s 0-to-60mph 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 it was previously – not that many people will notice the change.
Ultra-rapid charging remains 250kW across the board – which is market-leading fast – and gives you 172 miles in just 15 minutes on the new Superchargers.
All 2025 Model Y’s will be able to ultra-rapid charge at 250kW which gives you 172 miles for very 15 minutes hooked up to a Supercharger
New screen upgrades – available in all Y’s via OTA updates – include precipitation overlay function added to maps – which tracks live weather data
Inside, Tesla designers have given the Model Y just a light upgrade to keep it consistent with the latest Model 3. This includes new materials, with front ventilated seats and electronically folding rear seats.
As usual the 15.4-inch touchscreen is the central control hub, and this has updated software for better quality and responsiveness.
The big news for passengers is that there’s a touchscreen in the back for the first time.
As said the Y – which recently became a seven-seater SUV – has only been released for Asia Pacific region with initial deliveries beginning at the end of February in China.
Full UK specs are expected to be released soon, but as the price has risen in China, it’s likely the UK market will reflect this and buyers will be paying around £50,000 base price.
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