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Tesla Model Y

The first EV to top global car sales: 1.22 million Model Ys in 2023.1

Researched October 23, 2026 from 28 sources

Also called

  • JuniperTesla's internal codename for the 2025 Model Y refresh.2

At a glance

0250500
300–496 hpPower
0510
3.3–5.9 s0–60 mph
0125250
200–249 km/hTop speed
0300600
508–590 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,816–2,120 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.2510111213

Engine
1–2 electric motors; Standard Range 60–72 kWh; Long Range/Performance 75–82 kWh24
Layout
Rear-motor RWD or front/rear-motor AWD2
Gearbox
Single-speed direct drive3910
Built at
Fremont Factory, US; Gigafactories: Texas, US; Shanghai, China; Berlin, Germany2

The story

Built as a Model 3 crossover for mainstream buyers, the Model Y introduced Tesla's first cabin heat pump. Owner data show 79% of EPA range at 32°F and 95% of original range after 5 years.234

2019: Model 3 hardware meets the SUV market20192020: January production, March deliveries · Giga Press casts the rear body20202022: 4680 packs and Berlin deliveries · 97% adult protection, 98% Safety Assist · Performance finally gets Track Mode20222023: 1.22 million: world's best-selling car20232025: Juniper adds comfort and cuts drag · Six seats for the longer Model Y L2025 Tesla Model 3 (BlueStar): 2017–presentBlueStarTesla Model Y (original): 2020–2025Tesla Model Y (original)Tesla Model Y (Juniper refresh) (Juniper): 2025–presentJuniperTesla Model Y L: 2025–present 201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones2419
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2017–presentTesla Model 3 (BlueStar)
2020–2025Tesla Model Y (original)
2025–presentTesla Model Y (Juniper refresh) (Juniper)
2025–presentTesla Model Y L
2019Model 3 hardware meets the SUV market
2020January production, March deliveries
2020Giga Press casts the rear body
20224680 packs and Berlin deliveries
202297% adult protection, 98% Safety Assist
2022Performance finally gets Track Mode
20231.22 million: world's best-selling car
2025Juniper adds comfort and cuts drag
2025Six seats for the longer Model Y L
  1. 2019

    Model 3 hardware meets the SUV market

    Unveiled in March, the Model Y expanded the Model 3 formula into a crossover aimed at mainstream buyers.23

  2. 2020

    January production, March deliveries

    Fremont production began in January, with US Long Range AWD and Performance deliveries in March; Shanghai production joined in December.2

  3. 2020

    Giga Press casts the rear body

    The Idra-supplied Giga Press brought single-piece rear castings to production in late December.2

  4. 2022

    4680 packs and Berlin deliveries

    Texas added 4680 structural packs to a family also using 2170 cells; Berlin-made deliveries began in March.25

  5. 2022

    97% adult protection, 98% Safety Assist

    The Model Y earned Best in Class recognition for 2022, scoring 97% for adult protection and 98% for Safety Assist in Euro NCAP testing.6

  6. 2022

    Performance finally gets Track Mode

    A holiday software update gave Performance owners track-data logging, a g-meter, and live readouts for the motors, battery and brakes.7

  7. 2023

    1.22 million: world's best-selling car

    The first pure EV to lead global car sales sold 1.22 million units, ahead of the RAV4 and Corolla sedan.1

  8. 2025

    Juniper adds comfort and cuts drag

    The January Juniper refresh added ventilated seats, a rear screen and a softer ride; drag fell from 0.23 to 0.22.248

  9. 2025

    Six seats for the longer Model Y L

    Shanghai's Model Y L brought a 3,040 mm wheelbase and six seats in three rows; Chinese deliveries began September 2.2

Every generation

  • Tesla Model 3
    BlueStar2017–present
  • Tesla Model Y (original)
    Tesla Model Y (original)2020–2025
  • Tesla Model Y (Juniper refresh)
    Juniper2025–present
  • Tesla Model Y L
    Tesla Model Y L2025–present

Power over the years

From 384 hp to 496 hp in 7 years.

0200400600 20202022202420262028 hp 2020 · 384 hp · Long Range AWD; EPA 316 mi2020 · 470 hp · Performance (est.); EPA 291 mi2023 · 384 hp · Long Range AWD; EPA 330 mi2025 · 454 hp · Performance (UK); WLTP 360 mi2026 · 300 hp · Base RWD; EPA 321 mi on 18-in wheels2026 · 375 hp · Base AWD; EPA 294 mi; 225-kW DC2026 · 397 hp · Juniper Long Range AWD; EPA 311 mi2027 · 496 hp · Y L Launch; EPA 328 mi; 250-kW DC 496 hp Y L Launch; EPA 328 mi; 250-kW DC 384 hp Long Range AWD; EPA 316 mi
391011121314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2020384Long Range AWD; EPA 316 mi
2020470Performance (est.); EPA 291 mi
2023384Long Range AWD; EPA 330 mi
2025454Performance (UK); WLTP 360 mi
2026300Base RWD; EPA 321 mi on 18-in wheels
2026375Base AWD; EPA 294 mi; 225-kW DC
2026397Juniper Long Range AWD; EPA 311 mi
2027496Y L Launch; EPA 328 mi; 250-kW DC

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Model Y (formerly Standard)

    Standard

    Model Y (formerly Standard)

    2026

  • RWD (Australia)

    Standard

    RWD (Australia)

    2024

  • Standard

    Long Range AWD (2020)

    2020

    384 hp

  • Standard

    Long Range RWD (UK)

    2024

  • Long Range AWD / Premium (Juniper)

    Standard

    Long Range AWD / Premium (Juniper)

    2026

    397 hp
  • Model Y L (China)

    Standard

    Model Y L (China)

    2025

  • Performance

    Acceleration Boost (2020)

    2020

  • Performance

    Performance (2020)

    2020

    470 hp

  • Performance

    Performance (without Performance Upgrade)

    2020

  • Performance (2025 refresh)

    Performance

    Performance (2025 refresh)

    2025

    454 hp

  • Special

    Model Y L Premium AWD Launch Series

    2027

    496 hp

  • Limited

    Launch Series (Juniper)

    2025

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original cars have a grilleless nose, narrow LED headlights and a smoothly curved front bumper.2
  • A high, fastback roof tapers toward a short rear overhang above a hatchback tailgate.2
  • Smooth body surfaces and mechanical flush door handles define the original side view.2
  • Juniper Premium cars have full-width light bars at both ends.2
  • Original rear ends pair integrated LED taillights with a liftgate lip spoiler and a black lower diffuser.2

Year by year

  1. 2021 model year

    Matrix headlights and double-pane glass arrived; the update also brought a heated steering wheel.5

  2. May 2021 / October 2022

    Fremont cars for North America lost radar; ultrasonic parking sensors later vanished in most markets as Tesla Vision took over.5

  3. 2023 (China initially)

    Black Gemini wheel covers, revised interior trim and extra ambient lighting appeared first in China.5

  4. 2025 Juniper refresh

    Full-width light bars join both ends; cabin updates add ambient lighting and a rear-seat screen.2

  5. 2026 base trim

    Budget Standard became simply Model Y in June; it drops the connecting light bars and uses standard 18-inch wheels.10

Don’t confuse it with

  • Model 3

    The Y has a taller, rounder body and a hatchback tailgate; the Model 3 is a sedan.13

  • Photo of a Tesla Model Y
    Model Y
    Photo of a Model X
    Model X

    Model X

    The larger Model X has falcon-wing rear doors; the Y uses conventional doors.415

Against its rivals

  • BMW X4 M Competition

    Model Y vs BMW X4 M Competition

    0–60 mph lower is better

    Model Y3.6 s
    BMW X4 M Competition3.3 s
    13
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E E4X

    Model Y vs Ford Mustang Mach-E E4X

    0–60 mph lower is better

    Model Y3.6 s
    Ford Mustang Mach-E E4X4.9 s
    20
  • Porsche Macan 4S Electric

    Model Y vs Porsche Macan 4S Electric

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    Model Y3.5 s
    Porsche Macan 4S Electric4.1 s
    14
  • Kia EV6 GT

    Model Y vs Kia EV6 GT

    UK starting price lower is better

    Model Y61,990 £
    Kia EV6 GT59,985 £
    14

Prices

Value today $26.9K–$49.1K2728

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 20202022202420262028 Value today: $26,900–$49,100 2020 · $54,190 · US base, Long Range AWD2020 · $62,190 · US base, Performance2023 · $54,630 · US base, January price cut2023 · $51,580 · US base, Long Range AWD2025 · $61,630 · US base, Juniper Launch Series2025 · $50,630 · US base, Juniper Long Range AWD2026 · $41,630 · US base, RWD2026 · $43,630 · US base, AWD2027 · $63,630 · US base, L Premium AWD Launch Series 2020 · $54,190 · US base, Long Range AWD, 2020 model year 2026 · $25,000 · 2021 Long Range, off-road mods, 25k miles, Bring a Trailer $25.0K Bring a Trailer, 2026
2310111213182426
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2020Launch price$54,190US base, Long Range AWD, 2020 model year
2020Price when new$54,190US base, Long Range AWD
2020Price when new$62,190US base, Performance
2023Price when new$54,630US base, January price cut
2023Price when new$51,580US base, Long Range AWD
2025Price when new$61,630US base, Juniper Launch Series
2025Price when new$50,630US base, Juniper Long Range AWD
2026Price when new$41,630US base, RWD
2026Price when new$43,630US base, AWD
2027Price when new$63,630US base, L Premium AWD Launch Series
2026Auction sale$25,0002021 Long Range, off-road mods, 25k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Value today$26,900–$49,100

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “1.22 million sales took the global crown”
    • “Eighth of 47, ahead of a 911 GT3”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 28 sources
  1. Tesla Model Y secures position as world’s best-selling car in 2023 - JATO jato.com
  2. Tesla Model Y - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Tested: 2020 Tesla Model Y Crosses Over Into the Mainstream caranddriver.com
  4. Used Tesla Model Y & Battery Heath (Real-world Data) recurrentauto.com
  5. Tesla Model Y history of changes by year ev-inventory.com
  6. Euro NCAP | Tesla Model Y euroncap.com
  7. Tesla includes Model Y Track Mode with early release of their 2022 holiday update [2022.44.25 & 2022.44.25.1] - Drive Tesla driveteslacanada.ca
  8. Tesla-Chefingenieur Lars Moravy im Interview - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  9. 2026 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD First Test Review: How Much Does the Juniper Update Improve the World’s Bestselling EV? motortrend.com
  10. Tested: Entry-Level 2026 Tesla Model Y Takes a Little off the Top caranddriver.com
  11. Tested: 2027 Tesla Model Y L Reinvents the Station Wagon caranddriver.com
  12. Our Tesla Model Y Two-Year Test Is Over. I’ll Never Understand How It Became the Most Popular EV. motortrend.com
  13. Tested: 2020 Tesla Model Y Performance Is Quick but Clumsy caranddriver.com
  14. Tesla Model Y Performance review – a Porsche Macan on a budget? | evo evo.co.uk
  15. Used Tesla Model Y review - ReDriven redriven.com
  16. Used Tesla Model Y (Mk1 2022-date) buyer’s guide: simply one of the best EVs | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. You can now order the Performance Model Y with the 20” Induction wheels at no charge - Drive Tesla driveteslacanada.ca
  18. 2025 Tesla Model Y Juniper EV SUV Starts Just North of $50K caranddriver.com
  19. Tesla Model 3 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. 2020 Tesla Model Y caranddriver.com
  21. Mountain Pass Performance's Tesla Model Y *SUV* Puts Porsches To Shame In Time Attack - CleanTechnica cleantechnica.com
  22. 'PUBG Mobile' update adds a self-driving Tesla Model Y engadget.com
  23. Electric Vehicle Car Camping Tips from a Tesla Owner roadtrippers.com
  24. Tesla Marks Down Its Model 3, Model Y EVs as Much as 20 Percent caranddriver.com
  25. Tesla’s $15K Full Self-Driving Option Is Only Worth $3,900 on a Trade-In thedrive.com
  26. Modified 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $25,000 on March 25, 2026 (Lot #234,966) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 2020 Tesla Model Y Price, Value, Depreciation & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  28. 2025 Tesla Model Y Price, Reviews, Pictures & More | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  • jato.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • recurrentauto.com
  • ev-inventory.com
  • euroncap.com
  • driveteslacanada.ca
  • autobild.de
  • motortrend.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • redriven.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • cleantechnica.com
  • engadget.com

Photo credits

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