Tesla Model Y
Compact electric SUV · 2020–present. 372,613 units sold in the US in 2024
How it began
Tesla, Inc., led by chief executive Elon Musk, developed Model Y as a compact electric SUV. Franz von Holzhausen led Tesla’s design studio; CNBC’s original interview identifies him as chief designer since 2008 and a lead designer of Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck and Semi.
It was unveiled at Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne, California; production began in Fremont in January 2020. Regular vehicle production now uses four factories on three continents: Fremont and Texas/Austin for U.S. supply, Shanghai for China and export markets, and Berlin-Brandenburg for Europe. In its Q1 2025 letter, Tesla said U.S. Model 3 and Model Y deliveries now used entirely U.S.-built battery packs.
It was unveiled on March 14, 2019. Tesla announced in January 2020 that it was already in production in Fremont, ahead of schedule, and the first U.S. customer deliveries came in March 2020. The refreshed version, which Tesla calls the New Model Y and the public knows as Juniper, hit the configurator in January 2025 and reached U.S. customers in March 2025.
Y completes Tesla’s S-3-X-Y naming joke. Musk said the compact sedan was intended to be Model E, but Ford objected and threatened to sue. Ford told CNBC that it had enforced a 2010 agreement under which Tesla would not use or register Model E. Model 3 took E’s place, and Model Y completed the sequence; Musk joked that Ford had killed the original word.
Tesla already had an affordable sedan, the Model 3, but the U.S. market was buying more and more compact SUVs. The Model Y was the answer: the same underpinnings as the Model 3, with about three-quarters of its parts in common, but taller, with a liftgate, up to seven seats and 66 cubic feet of cargo. Sharing parts cut investment and let production start fast. Musk said it on unveil night: he expected to sell more Model Ys than Model S, X and 3 combined.
Generation by generation
- Gen. 12020–2025 · Original
The Model 3 that became an SUV and took over the world
Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0 What changed. The original Model Y adapted the Model 3 platform with a taller body, liftgate and optional third row. Its March 2019 unveiling announced four future versions from $39,000 to $60,000, with claimed ranges of 230–300 miles and 0–60 mph times of 3.5–5.9 seconds. Those were announced configurations and targets. Fremont production began in January 2020 and deliveries in March; Shanghai followed in December 2020, Berlin in March 2022 and Texas in April 2022. In January 2023 Long Range fell from $65,990 to $52,990, about 20%. Tesla reported over 1.2 million global deliveries that year. The outgoing body was still offered as MY2025 when the refresh arrived.
The innovation. Early Model Ys replaced about 70 stamped and welded Model 3 rear-underbody pieces with two large aluminum castings, before the later move to a single-piece rear casting. Tesla described its installed 2020 machine as the world’s largest die-casting press. Initial Texas deliveries at Cyber Rodeo in April 2022 added Tesla-made 4680 cells, a one-piece front casting and a structural pack integrated into the vehicle structure. These were configuration-specific developments. Model Y also introduced Tesla’s heat-pump system with the Octovalve, an eight-port rotary coolant valve.
If you buy one usedIn the retained November 2, 2026 NHTSA inventory for MY2020–2024, 20 of 35 distinct campaigns prescribe software-only remedies; 14 require physical service and one combines software with conditional computer replacement. Confirm the applicable remedy by VIN, including installed software and physical work. Large OTA examples include Autosteer misuse controls (23V838, 2,031,220 Tesla vehicles combined), Brake/Park/ABS warning-light font size (24V051, 2,193,869 combined), window auto-reversal (22V702, 1,096,762 combined), FSD Beta intersection behavior (23V085, 362,758 combined) and rolling stops (22V037, 53,822 combined). Physical examples include suspension knuckles on certain 2020–2022 vehicles (21V912, 826 Model Ys), caliper bolts (21V387), belt fasteners (21V388/21V389) and swapped camera terminals (22V317). The 2023 steering-assist campaign 25V092 has an OTA remedy. For pre-refresh MY2025 vehicles, check TPMS campaign 24V935 and camera-computer campaign 25V002; the latter can require computer replacement in addition to software. Tesla confirmed actual Texas deliveries with 4680 cells and structural packs in April 2022; verify the exact vehicle’s battery configuration from Tesla/build records rather than infer it from the factory alone. - Gen. 22025+ · Juniper (New Model Y)
The Juniper refresh: same base, different car
Photo: Ethan Llamas · CC BY-SA 4.0 What changed. Tesla introduced New Model Y, commonly called Juniper, in January 2025. This is an editorial second phase of the existing program. Introductory premium versions added full-width lighting, an 8-inch rear display, powered rear seats and revised suspension. Tesla reported road-noise reductions of 22%, and impact/wind-noise reductions of 20%. The U.S. Launch Series was $61,630 including $1,390 destination and a $250 order fee, with 320 estimated miles and a claimed 4.1-second 0–60 mph. North American deliveries began in March. The four-factory changeover cost several production weeks; Tesla said Shanghai’s six-week ramp was its quickest. The lower-priced Standard followed in October.
The innovation. More range with the same battery energy. Tesla said it retained the underlying battery technology, while original launch coverage quoted almost 10% better operating efficiency. That is a different measure from the EPA range change: Long Range AWD rose from 311 to 327 miles, while Long Range RWD reached 357, the highest U.S. EPA Model Y rating to that point. Standard cut equipment to reduce price: it omitted Juniper’s front lightbar and covered its glass roof with a headliner, removing the exposed panoramic view.
If you buy one usedIIHS identifies the redesigned U.S. Model Y as model year 2026. Its original MY2026 page gives Good overall ratings in small-overlap front, updated moderate-overlap front and updated-side tests; the older MY2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award must not be assumed to cover this design. Check recalls by VIN using the actual model year. Certain 2025–2026 vehicles have missing certification labels with vehicle-weight information (26V315). Selected MY2026 physical-service campaigns concern washer connectors (25V359), seat-back fasteners (25V410), the horn ground connection (25V490), reverse lights and wiring (25V658), battery contactors that can cause loss of drive power (25V690), and front lateral-link fasteners (26V558). Foreign-market vehicles missing required U.S. safety equipment are addressed by repurchase campaign 26V445 where eligible. These campaigns affect specified vehicles, not every refreshed Model Y; verify the actual repair instructions and completed work as well as software updates.
Tesla Cybertruck2023–present
Tesla Model 32017–present
Tesla Model S2012–2026
Tesla Model X2015–2026
Ford F-Series (F-150)1948–present
Toyota RAV41994–present (US from 1996)
Honda CR-V1995–present
Ram 15001981–present
Chevrolet Silverado1999–present
