2025 Tesla Model Y Juniper First Drive – Tesla Nails the Makeover with Knobs On

Most carmakers give a model six years if it’s lucky—Tesla doesn’t play by those rules. The 2025 Model Y shares bones with its 2020 debut, while the still-sexy Model S traces its roots back to 2007, with production kicking off in 2010 and deliveries in 2012. That makes Model S a sprightly 13 years old, with a few nips and tucks along the way. And somehow, it still slaps.

Tesla, being a chaotic tech-bro fever dream, gives everything a codename. The Model 3 update was Highland. The Model Y refresh? Juniper. Possibly named after gin shots and a blurry night out—just speculation, of course.

Secrecy is Tesla’s kink. Battery sizes? A mystery. Once proudly included in the name (remember the Model S P100D—Performance, 100kWh, Dual Motor?), they now play coy. Based on the range and chemistry, the rear-wheel drive Juniper seems to pack a 62.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a claimed 466km range. I had 224km remaining at 52% charge. It’s not a rocket, but it’s practical and surprisingly consistent.

Charging? Max DC is 175kW on its 400V architecture. Not groundbreaking, but it’ll add roughly 238km in 15 minutes if you’re lucky and plugged into a decent Supercharger. Still, Tesla stubbornly refuses to offer Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), a feature becoming common on Korean and Chinese rivals. It’s an odd omission from a brand that’s all about innovation.

Styling

Juniper gets a face job and comes out looking sharper and more expensive. A full-width LED bar stretches across the front, giving the stumpy SUV a broader stance. Matrix headlights sit tucked beneath, and in true Tesla fashion, they’re activated by a wizard’s whisper.

Out back, it’s a class act: tidy tail lamps, a glowing red light band, and TESLA lettering that finally looks grown-up. Light shows at night? Divine. But it still doesn’t beat the Model X’s full Gullwing Cyber Ballet.

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ABOVE: 2025 Tesla Model Y Australian launch, Grand Pacific Drive, Royal National Park, Macquarie Pass National Park,off-grid Bowral Guest House

Cabin Vibes

The cabin’s where Juniper really spills the gin. You still get the minimalist 15.4” central screen, but now there’s an 8” rear display for Netflix, climate, and power games. Front seats are heated and cooled. Praise be. But the real headliner? The indicator stalk is back, banishing those infuriating touch buttons to the bin where they belong.

Soundproofing has been beefed up, damping is improved, and ride comfort is noticeably better, partly thanks to new tyres. Materials feel less IKEA-flatpack, more Euro-minimalist boutique.

The emergency gear selector’s now up on the ceiling, which is wild but oddly intuitive once you know it’s there. The heat pump remains, mercifully, and does a bang-up job of keeping things comfy without draining the battery.

Letter-box-esque rear vision desperately needs the addition of an electronic mirror setup. For such a huge expanse of glass only glimpses of the cars behind can be had.

How It Drives

It’s still very Tesla: fast-ish, silent, and eerily smooth. The updated ride is the real hero, turning what was once a crashy ride into something almost limo-like. The Juniper doesn’t corner like a Macan, but it’s much sharper than a 1,921kg SUV has any right to be.

Steering’s light but accurate, regen braking is strong (and customisable), and it still does the delightful one-pedal trick. Zero to 100km/h takes 5.9 seconds—not fast by Tesla standards, but plenty zippy in suburbia.

We nipped along the coast, through the Royal National Park, over the Sea Cliff Bridge and up through the magnificent Macquarie Pass National Park. We stopped in Bowral at a secluded off-grid guest house, that, like the 2025 Tesla Model Y, makes sustainable look sexy.

Tech & Autopilot

Enhanced Autopilot (yes, it’s an extra) remains camera-only—no radar, no ultrasonics—and somehow still outperforms rivals. It handles lanes, speeds, and even lane changes with eerie ease. Better than Kia or Genesis, and probably Mercedes-Benz, though I still can’t make theirs work properly.

Practicality

It’s huge inside. The boot’s massive, the frunk is still a thing, and storage cubbies are cavernous. Fold the rear seats flat and you’ve got 2,138 litres to play with. Whether you’re hauling camping gear, wine crates, or regret, it’ll fit.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Tesla Model Y Juniper isn’t just a facelift—it’s a therapy session. The return of the stalk is the reconciliation. The quieter cabin, smoother ride, and backseat screen are peace offerings. It’s Tesla admitting it went a bit too “Silicon Valley mad” with Highland.

At $58,900 before options, it’s not cheap—but the Juniper update makes the Model Y feel more complete, more mature, and honestly, more tempting than ever.

New Model Y RWD Base price: $58,900

Metallic Paint Pearl White Multi-Coat: $0 included

Optional Metallic Paint Glacier Blue or Stealth Grey: $2,300

Optional Metallic Paint Quicksilver or Ultra Red: $2,600

All Black Interior: $0 Included

Optional Black and White Interior: $1500

19” Crossflow Alloy Wheels with Aero Cover: Included

Optional 20” Helix 2.0 Wheels: $2,400

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