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Battery size: 75kWh (est)
Miles per kWh: 4.6
E-Rating™: A
Max charge rate: 250 kW
Range: 353 miles 
New Tesla Model Y: Introduction
This new 2025 Tesla Model Y isn't an all-new car; it's a facelift, so we’re talking about the same platform as the 'old' Model Y, but with a sleek new look inspired by the Cybertruck and Cybercab. It’s also more aerodynamic, has a stiffer body shell to improve handling and comfort, and we’re told it’s quieter and more comfortable on the move.
We haven’t driven it yet, though, so we’ll have to come back to you with a full verdict on whether Tesla’s claims play out in reality. We did have a bit of time with the car in a studio, so read on to find out everything you need to know about the new Model Y.
New Tesla Model Y Styling, Design and dimensions
The Model Y remains much the same size, and at 4.79-metres long it’s still a rival for a huge array of other electric SUVs, ranging from premium stuff like the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron through to more affordable alternatives like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Peugeot E-3008, Skoda Enyaq, Kia EV6, Renault Scenic E-Tech and Toyota bZ4X.
For this 2025 Model Y, Tesla has given it a new fascia with a lower front splitter and a sleek, full-width headlight that’s a bit reminiscent of the Cybertruck or Robotaxi. Or of Cyclops from X-Men, if you ask me. You get the gist – it’s all very futuristic and minimalist, and I actually rather like it. It’s also key to the improved aerodynamics that have allowed Tesla to eak an extra 20 miles of range out of the All Wheel Drive Long Range model that it’s initially launching with in the UK.
The back of the Model Y looks cool, too. I really love the way the new light strip is hidden, and reflects onto the bodywork so that you get a sort of ‘ambient’ look to it. It's a bit different to the straightforward LED lightstrips that have become a bit ubiquitous on a lot of modern cars.
Interior
Right, there’s some big news here. And it comes in the form of the indicator stalk that the 2025 Tesla Model Y gets. This is controversial, because the ‘Highlander’ 2024 Model 3 became infamous for the indicator buttons that replaced its indicator stalk, and which many of us really didn’t get along with. Not least, our illustrious leader, Ginny (you can check out her opinion, here).
Tesla won’t confirm that it’s chosen to keep an indicator stalk on the Model Y because, well, there was a lot of hate for the indicator buttons on the 3. But it seems logical that that’s why the Y has a ‘precision engineered’ stalk. Anyway, regardless of why it’s there, we’re very pleased that it is.
The rest of the interior is improved with better material finish and ambient lighting, while the glass also reflects 26% more of the sunlight to keep the interior cool in the summer and reduce glare.
The 15.4-inch touchscreen stays much the same, but obviously with Tesla’s over-the-air software updates it’ll always have the latest software. Still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but it’s a good system regardless.
Tech upgrades include improved wi-fi hotspot that’s now got greater range and faster download speeds. The phone key performance has also improved thanks to the addition of ‘ultra wideband’. Nope, I don’t know what that is, either, but it means that - if you set your phone up so that it functions as your car key for keyless entry and drive – the car will now sense your phone more reliably and from a bit further away.
Other improvements include redesigned seats, which I found usefully comfier than the seats you got in the pre-facelift Model Y – both in the back and the front. There's more side support in the front, and longer seat squabs in the back, and they feel a bit softer to me. Just nicer all round, really. In fact, comfort seems to be a priority with this update, given that ride comfort and refinement (including suspension, tyre and wind noise) are also said to have been usefully improved. We’ll report back on that when we’ve driven it.
As ever with the Y, space isn’t a problem and even a tall adult will be alright in the back despite that swoopy roofline. The trademark huge panoramic glass roof is still standard, too, which makes the whole thing feel nice and airy. You also get an 8.0-inch colour screen in the back, now, which controls the climate control in the back, or you can do some gaming on it.
One last thing to know: the seven-seat Tesla Model Y that only arrived last year (after a very, very long wait)? That's not confirmed for this facelift, yet. And they've sold out of the ones that did get brought into the UK. So if you want a seven-seat Model Y, you're out of luck unless you want to buy used. And even then, there aren't many out there.
Boot space
You do lose 20-litres of space in the boot, but it’s still pretty huge, and there’s a total load capacity of 2,138 litres including the frunk. More than that, the rear seats now fold flat electrically and the bootlid is powered, too. There’s also a funky, magnetic loadbay cover that you can fold up and back, and that can also be stowed away in a dedicated cubby under the boot floor. Speaking as a dog owner, this sort of stuff is a lifesaver when you want to get the dog in the boot, but don’t want to leave the loadbay cover behind.
Battery, charging, range and efficiency
“Tesla doesn’t state battery capacities.” So said the nice man from Tesla when I asked him about the Model Y, and I can’t say I was surprised. I’ve been asking Tesla representatives about their battery specifics for a decade now, and have always had the same response. Never mind. It’s annoying, but we’d guess that the Tesla Model Y has retained its 75kWh lithium-ion NMC battery and has made range gains through aerodynamic improvements.
The Model Y AWD Long Range that will initially go on sale in the UK has a maximum WLTP range of 353 miles, and while Tesla hasn’t confirmed anything yet, it’s safe to say that there’ll be a single motor, rear-wheel drive Tesla Model Y RWD Long Range joinging the range in the not too distant future. Assuming it gets similar range gains, it’ll likely manage a WLTP figure of close to 400 miles.
Clearly, we haven’t driven the updated Model Y so we can’t comment on real-world range, but Tesla is typically among the best for everyday efficiency, so we’ve high hopes.
Rapid charging peaks at 250kW, which is nothing new for the Model Y, but still makes this one of the fastest-charging electric family cars. It’s up there with the Porsche Macan, Audi Q6 e-tron and Kia EV6 for that, and will manage a 10-80% top-up in well under 30 minutes.
Obviously, being a Tesla, you have access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Let’s face it - this remains a benchmark for cost and reliability when it comes to public rapid charging, and is still a big incentive for high mileage drivers.
Price and equipment
Here’s the bad news… The 2025 Tesla Model Y has gone up in price. Quite a lot.
Orders are open now and deliveries begin in March this year, but the only model you’ll be able to buy from launch in the UK is the limited edition Launch Series Long Range All-Wheel Drive, which costs £60,990. That’s a huge price jump of some £9,000 from the outgoing Model Y AWD Long Range, which seems a bit much if you ask us. Sure, there’s heated and ventilated seats, all the fun adjustable ambient lighting, a choice of white- or black interiors and a truly dazzling selection exterior colours… Oh no, actually, it’s either silver or black paint. Bit boring, eh?
Obviously, it’ll come down to monthly finance costs for most buyers, but we’d wait for the initial launch fanfare to calm down, and for Tesla to introduce some of the non-limited variants of the new Model Y, as those will likely be much better value for money.
New Tesla Model Y 2025: Verdict
Overall, the new 2025 Tesla Model Y feels like more of the same – but better. Mostly, anyway. We like all of the updates, including the style stuff, and the comfier seats and prospect of better ride comfort and refinement definitely sound good to us. However, the price? Not so much. We’re willing to bet that it won’t be long before better value options become available in the Model Y range, and in the meantime it'll no doubt remain a best seller.
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