Facelifted Tesla Model Y drops starting price to £45k

The Model Y is one of the world's best-selling cars, and is about to get even more appealing thanks to a raft of mid-life updates...

Updated24 February 2025

On sale March | Price from £44,990

What do the movie Avatar, The Bible and the Tesla Model Y have in common? Well, at one time or another, they’ve all taken the title of ‘best-selling’. And in the case of the Model Y, it was the world’s best-selling car in 2023 – before slipping into second place last year. That’s got to have annoyed the Teslarati, which is perhaps why the American brand has responded with this: the updated Tesla Model Y.

The new car looks suitably 22nd-century, with its lower front bumper split by a light bar which stretches the full width of the car. There are also new front air ducts designed to channel air around the car, while a second light bar features at the rear.

Speaking of the rear, it'll get a new hands-free electric tailgate, as well as a redesigned spoiler and rear bumper that Tesla says will maximise efficiency and increase stability at higher speeds – complemented by new 19in alloy wheels which are said to be the most efficient Tesla has ever made.

New Tesla Model Y video preview

Tesla has also made the car’s body stiffer, and fitted redesigned suspension. We hope those elements go some way to improving the Model Y’s handling, because rival electric SUVs, including the Genesis GV60, Kia EV6 and Skoda Enyaq all offer a better balance of ride comfort and agile handling.

Four versions of the new Model Y are now offered: the entry-level RWD, the Long Range RWD, the Long Range AWD and a limited-edition Launch Series.

Designed for improved efficiency, the entry-level rear-wheel-drive model gets a 275bhp motor with 311 miles of range and completes a 0-6mph sprint in 5.6sec.

The Long Range RWD version does what it says on the tin – it offers a longer range of 387 miles on a single charge. It's powered by a 304bhp motor, cutting the 0-60mph time down to 5.4sec.

If you're looking for more speed, Long Range AWD version gets an extra motor to up its total output to 370bhp, and it completes a 0-60mph sprint in 4.6sec. That said, you'll have to sacrifice some miles of range, because it gets 23 less than the RWD model.

Based on the Long Range AWD, the Launch Series model was launched last month and is currently still available. It gets 353 miles of range and an additional Acceleration Boost mode that sends it from 0-60mph in 4.1sec.

One of our criticisms of the current Model Y is that it’s not especially quiet, and Tesla has responded by fitting the latest Model Y with acoustic glass and extra sound dampening materials. That new glass also does a better job of reflecting the sun’s heat, helping the car to stay cool in summer temperatures.

Elsewhere inside, you’ll find new front seats which are ventilated as well as heated, new customisable ambient lighting and a redesigned centre console with extra storage. Tesla’s 15.4in infotainment touchscreen remains in place and controls almost every function, and despite some of its smaller icons taking time to get used to, we’ve found that it’s quick to respond to your inputs. It’s also packed with features, allowing you to stream videos or play games at your leisure.

In the latest Model Y, the kids can get in on the fun too, because there’s a new 8.0in screen for rear passengers, offering many of the same streaming features as the main infotainment screen, as well as climate controls. New heated rear seats also get new powered adjustability, with a fold-flat option.

There’s no change to the space available inside the Model Y, which means it should be capable of carrying the same 10 carry-on suitcases split between its front and rear boots as the current car – and that’s more than you can get into the Audi Q4 e-tron or Kia EV6. Elsewhere, the EV6 or Volkswagen ID Buzz are both more comfortable for rear-seat passengers over long trips. And despite a seven-seat version of the current Model Y having just been announced, there are no plans to offer those on the new car.

Tesla’s suite of self-driving tech has also been upgraded, with a new front-facing camera helping the on-board systems to better recognise what’s in front of you.

As before, a maximum charging speed of 250kW means that topping up the Model Y’s battery should be a quick affair – especially if you’re using one of the brand’s super-fast Supercharger stations.

Prices start from £44,990 for the entry-level RWD version. That's less than the Q4 e-tron and EV6, but a Skoda Enyaq won't set you back as much. You'll pay from £48,990 for the Long Range AWD and £51,990 for the Long Range AWD.

The Launch Series costs a hefty £60,990 – a £9000 price increase over the other variants.