Tesla’s Model Y crossover finally gets a facelift—just in China for now

Yesterday, Tesla revealed a facelift for its bestselling Model Y crossover. Or at least it did if you live in China—customers in the US and Europe will need to continue to wait for the revamped electric vehicle.

Better efficiency was a goal—in the past, Tesla simply ignored complaints over its exaggerated range claims, but now it says the Model Y, codenamed “Juniper,” has updated suspension, wheels, and tires that “make the driving experience smoother and quieter.”

Tesla says that range has increased from 427 miles (688 km) to 446 miles (719 km), albeit under the Chinese efficiency testing regime, which produces very different numbers from the more realistic tests used by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

More obvious are the new treatments for the front and rear, with a full-width daylight running light at the front and a full-width rear light. On the inside, Tesla has added ventilated front seats and an infotainment screen for the rear passengers, and there are now blindspot monitors, all additions that will help Tesla stay close to feature parity with its many rivals in that market.

Chinese customers will be expected to pay a price premium for the facelifted model, however. Tesla has increased the price by more than 5 percent, although at $35,939 (263,500 yuan) before incentives, it remains far cheaper than the $44,990 starting price for the Model Y in the US.

Speaking of the US, consumers here wishing to buy a facelifted Model Y probably have a few more months before that becomes possible. The even more outdated Model 3 received its “Highland” update in China in September 2023, with European sales starting a month later, but in the US, the revamped Model 3 only appeared in early 2024. A similar wait for the “Juniper” Model Y should be expected, as the company will need to refit its Model Y production lines at its factories in Germany, California, and Texas before that can happen.