The automaker’s freshened compact SUV has a claimed 327-mile range and gets updates launched last year in the Model 3 sedan
By Consumer Reports
On the outside, the freshened Tesla Model Y retains the same basic styling as its predecessor. But the real changes take place inside the cabin and underneath the SUV’s sheet metal.
It shares much of its platform with the Model 3 sedan, which saw some significant improvements in ride quality and performance from its own 2024 update. At the same time, Tesla made it more difficult to operate the vehicle by removing even more hard controls. For example, choosing Drive or Reverse now happens through the center touchscreen. But unlike the Model 3, the Y comes with a turn signal stalk on the left side of the steering column, rather than thumb buttons on the steering wheel.
As is the Tesla way, even though it’s already on sale, there’s little official information available on the updated Model Y. The first version is called the Launch Series, which is available only in a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration. This specific Y has a 327-mile EPA-estimated driving range on a full charge, a top speed of 125 mph, and a 0-to-60-mph time of just 4.1 seconds.
The $59,990 Launch Series comes standard with the active driving assistance system that Tesla calls Full Self-Driving (Supervised), 19-inch wheels, five-passenger seating, and the ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds. You can get any interior color so long as it’s black (the white one is sold out). There’s no word on what versions will be available after the Launch Series sells out. Consumer Reports has a Launch Series on order and we anticipate it arriving sometime in April.
Here’s what we know so far.
What it competes with: Chevrolet Blazer EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Honda Prologue, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X, Volkswagen ID.4
Powertrain: 394 hp (estimated), dual electric motors; 1-speed direct drive; all-wheel drive
Price: $59,990 (before the available $7,500 federal tax credit)
Range: 327 miles (EPA estimate)
Destination fee: $1,390
On sale: Now
The interior of the freshened Model Y has upgraded materials that better reflect the EV’s price.
Photo: Tesla
CR’s Take
The latest Tesla is not a $25,000 electric vehicle, a self-driving Robotaxi, or a flying roadster. It’s a moderately updated version of the Model Y, which is currently the bestselling electric vehicle in the U.S., thanks to its practical combination of size, driving range, and price. The changes largely mirror those we saw on the freshened Model 3 last year. We have one on order and anticipate getting it to our facility to test, just as we do all new vehicles.
Instantly recognizeable as a Model Y, the freshened SUV has prominent fenders and a lip at the rear of the hatchback.
Photo: Tesla
Outside
Even with a “completely redesigned exterior,” as Tesla says, the EV is instantly recognizable as a Model Y—and at speed, it can easily be confused with the previous-generation models.
The Model Y retains the short hood in front of the egglike design of the cabin. In many ways, it looks like a Model 3 sedan that had its roof inflated. The most noticeable changes come at the front and rear of the SUV. The hood—which covers the front trunk—is flatter and drops down to a narrow, Cybertruck-like light bar that runs the width of the Y’s nose. That bar connects to super-slim headlights that sit at the leading edge of the front fenders.
Below that is bodywork where the license plate would mount. Whereas the last Model Y had concave, oval-like bodywork in the space, the new version has a flat, rectangular panel. Restyled vents sit at the leading edge of the front wheel arches, while the low air vent at the bottom center of the nose looks similar to the last model.
From the side, the new Y is almost indistinguishable from the 2024 model, even at a longer glance. The side-marker light at the rear of the front fender is larger, with a styling detail that extends into the front doors. The SUV retains the flush door handles that aid the Model Y’s aerodynamics but require an awkward hand pivot to pull them out.
When compared with the 2024 Model Y, the panel changes are more evident, with deeply sculpted fenders, a number of sharp creases, and a large scallop that bridges the front and rear doors.
The biggest change at the tail is the large, single light bar that spans nearly the entire width of the SUV. It uses LED lights that face inward, with their light reflecting off of the bodywork to create a glow. A pronounced lip spoiler sits above the light and is integrated into the bodywork. This aerodynamic aid is larger than the standard one found on the previous Model Y.
Nearly every function is controlled either through the center touchscreen or dials and touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel.
Photo: Tesla
Inside
Like the Model 3 we tested, the Model Y’s interior is very much a minimalist design, which can seem bare-bones upon first inspection. But the materials appear to be high-quality, including swaths of soft suede trim on all four doors and the dash, as well as contrasting stitching on the door armrests, center armrest, and the front part of the center console. The biggest difference between the interiors of the 3 and Y is the SUV’s additional headroom and its hatchback cargo area. The rear seats can be power-folded down to form a large, flat load floor that greatly expands the cargo area.
The Launch Series models come with premium trim and synthetic suede, special doorsill scuff plates, and special badges on the tailgate and the puddle lights.
Front visibility is expansive because the lack of a driver’s instrument panel gives a straight view out over the hood. Visibility appears to remain good to the front and sides, although the sloping rear roof and thick roof pillars are likely to compromise visibility, just as in the older Model Y.
With the freshened interior comes the same unfortunate controls that the company rolled out on the Model 3, Model S, and Cybertruck. Besides the steering wheel, there are almost no other physical controls. Nearly every function is handled either through touch-sensitive surfaces on the steering wheel or the 15.4-inch center touchscreen. The driver selects Drive or Park by sliding or tapping a finger along the left side of the touchscreen, moving an icon to make their choice. We found Tesla’s move frustrating in the Model 3.
However, in the Y the turn signals are operated by a stalk on the left side of the steering column instead of through buttons on the steering wheel, as in the Model 3.
Rear-seat passengers get an 8-inch touchscreen that allows them to adjust the climate and some entertainment aspects. But in the Model 3, we found the screen was positioned too low and far away to use comfortably.
The center console has two standard wireless charging trays. The rear seat comes equipped with two USB Type-C ports.
Two wireless phone chargers sit at the front of the center console between the seats.
Photo: Tesla
What Drives It
The first—and only—version available is the Launch Series, which uses two electric motors to give it all-wheel drive. According to Tesla, this model’s EPA-estimated driving range is 327 miles on a full charge.
Our AWD Model 3 made 394 horsepower between its two motors, which gave it a 4.1-second 0-to-60-mph time. That’s in line with Tesla’s claim of 4.1 seconds for the new Y.
The Y also gets an updated suspension. Whether it’s identical to what we experienced in our tested Model 3 remains to be seen. But in our tests, the sedan had a more compliant ride than its predecessor, which was too harsh. The last Model Y we tested had a similarly harsh ride quality, and we expect improvements with the new SUV.
The updated Tesla Model Y features a light bar that runs the width of the nose, connecting to the headlights on each fender.
Photo: Tesla
Safety and Driver Assistance Systems
The Model 3 comes standard with lane departure warning (LDW), lane keeping assistance (LKA), Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (Tesla’s name for adaptive cruise control, or ACC), and Autosteer (the automaker’s name for lane centering assistance, or LCA). It also has Autopilot, which is Tesla’s active driving assistance (ADA) system, which allows for the simultaneous use of ACC and LCA.
The Launch Series also comes standard with the system Tesla calls Full Self-Driving (Supervised) (FSD). Built on top of the Autopilot hands-free driving system, FSD is designed to control steering and speed, enabling the vehicle to navigate complex situations like highway interchanges, turns, and intersections along the entire route. In our tests of the Model 3, we found the system could cause the vehicle to unexpectedly change lanes on its own or make turns abruptly, disrupting traffic flow.
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