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The new version of the Tesla Model Y (“Juniper”) was just revealed in China two weeks ago. It’s got an attractive new frontend with that LED light strip across the vehicle. It also has more tech packed inside — a screen for backseat passengers, for example. It still offers tremendous range, power, and software for a relatively affordable price as well. The question we had a couple weeks ago was: how long until you can order this new Model Y in the US. The answer: now.
If you head to Tesla’s website and go to the Tesla Model Y design studio, you do first see the older Model Y design. However, below the $299/month Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive option, the $399/month Long Range All-Wheel Drive option, and the $599/month Performance All-Wheel Drive option, you see the New Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive Launch Series option for $699/month.
So, yes, the new Model Y comes at a premium cost for now, but what else can you expect while production ramps up and as Tesla works to empty out older Model Y inventory?
Now, of course, word on the street is Donald Trump is pulling the plug on the EV tax credit at any moment, so the extra savings from having the $7,500 tax credit applied could be lost any day. Though, if you prefer this new Model Y over the older one, perhaps it’ll come down in price by that much in several months anyway.
If you look at the car using the cash tab, the cost for the cheapest version, the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, is $44,990, while the cost for the Long Range All-Wheel Drive is $47,990, the cost for the Performance All-Wheel Drive is $51,490, and the cost for the New Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive Launch Series is $59,990. That’s a $15,000 gap between the cheapest Model Y and the new Model Y, and it’s a $12,000 gap between the old Long Range AWD and the new Long Range AWD.
Interestingly, at long last, Tesla has always produced what is basically a traditional auto commercial/video. I’m curious to see if Tesla starts using this as a normal TV commercial anywhere:
While the Tesla Model Y is still the best selling electric vehicle in the US and the world, and this update should give it a boost in sales in 2025, the fact is you can now get a similarly sized new Ford Mustang Mach-E or Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Kia EV6 for significantly less money ($39,995, $42,500, $42,600). Though, boosting to range above 300 miles (if you really think you need that) will again increase the price of those latter two. The Mustang Mach-E, though, does offer 300 miles of range at just $39,995 — pretty impressive.
Then there’s the 2024 CleanTechnica Car of the Year in the USA, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which starts at just $33,600 while offering 319 miles of range. Astounding! That’s the same amount of range as the new Model Y (or one mile less) for about $26,000 less! Or, comparing the base RWD Equinox EV to the base RWD Model Y, it’s still about $12,000 less.
There’s also the Volkswagen ID.4 ($39,735), Honda Prologue ($47,400), Audi Q4 e-tron ($49,800), Volvo EX30 ($44,900), and others in this vicinity as well. The market offers much more today than it did 5 years ago, with plenty of different options with similar specs and pricing for people who prefer different designs, features, or brands.
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