Introduction
The Tesla Model Y is a battery-electric compact crossover SUV [5] produced by Tesla, Inc. since 2020. The vehicle was presented in March 2019 as the company’s fifth production model since its inception after the Roadster, Model S, Model X, and Model 3.After its 2019 introduction, the Model Y started production at the Fremont Factory in California, US, in January 2020. [6] Production at Giga Shanghai, China, was added in December 2020, and at Giga Texas, US, since late 2021. [1][7] Deliveries from Giga Berlin, Germany, started in March 2022.
The Model Y is based on the Model 3 sedan, with around 76 percent of parts being shared between the two.[9][10] While most Model Y are configured with two-row seating, in the US the Model Y offers optional third-row seats for a seven-passenger seating capacity.
What are the benefits of the Tesla Model Y?
One big advantage to the Model Y is access to Tesla’s proprietary Supercharger network. It provides trustworthy and reasonably priced recharging that comes in handy when you need a bunch of range quickly.
Tesla Model Y: Paving the Way for Electric SUVs with Production Across Continents
Tesla originally announced plans at the unveil to assemble the Model Y at Giga Nevada (in Sparks, Nevada), along with the battery and drivetrain for the vehicles, unlike the Model 3, where drivetrains and batteries are assembled at Giga Nevada, with final assembly completed at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. Two months later, in May 2019, Tesla said that they instead planned to shuffle production lines at the Tesla Fremont Factory to make space for Model Y production.
On January 29, 2020, Tesla reported in its Q4 2019 earnings report that Model Y production had already started in the Fremont factory, that one can now place an order for their premium versions with all-wheel drive, and that delivery of Model Y would begin in Q1 2020.
United States deliveries started in March 2020 for the Long Range AWD version and the Performance version. Later in 2020, Tesla began shipping cars to the Canadian and Mexican markets.Initial production of the made-in-China Model Y began in mid-December 2020, with 250,000 Model Y expected to be produced in 2021 in China alone.[7][35] In November 2020, Tesla signed an agreement with LG Chem to supply battery cells for Model Y production in China.
2025 Tesla Model Y Spied with Camouflaged Facelift
Changes for the compact SUV will likely mirror those given to the Model 3 sedan, which has a sleeker front end, improved noise isolation, and updated technology.
The Tesla Model Y compact SUV is gearing up for a minor facelift later this year.
Our spy photographer spotted a camouflaged 2025 Model Y testing on public roads in Europe.
Changes will likely follow those given to the Tesla Model 3, which included a new front end, a quieter cabin, and improved standard features.
Tesla Model Y updates tend to come with a Wi-Fi connection and a new flatulence recording for the custom horn feature. Occasionally, though, Tesla bestows a physical facelift on its products. Our spy photographer spotted a camouflaged 2025 Model Y testing on public roads in Europe.While the front and rear bumpers are both wearing disguises, we can spot what look like updated headlights and taillights on the new Y. The headlights look to take after the trimmed look found on newer Model 3s, though modified with a split-headlight design for the Model Y.
Tesla Model Y Heat Pump Details Infrequently Discussed By The Media
The addition of the heat pump, the liquid-cooled condenser loop, and the 8-way octovalve opens up many ways of moving heat.
Tesla’s new system “boosts” the heat pump to give it better efficiency than regular heat pump systems and uses some unique methods for heating below -10 degrees C.
There’s been a lot written about the Model Y climate control system. The “go-to” talking points are the new heat pump and the octovalve, but there’s way more to this system. We’ll discuss some of the finer points of the system in this article.
If you have an appreciation for thermodynamics, you will love this description of Tesla’s new system. The system conducts thermodynamic arbitrage from finite source thermodynamic sources and has the ability to augment those finite sources
Elon Musk clarifies reports of radar in Tesla Model Ys in China
During the recently held Q3 2023 earnings call, Tesla Model Y CEO Elon Musk provided some explanation about the company’s speculated use of radar in its all-electric vehicles. While Musk admitted that Tesla is testing a custom-designed radar in the Model S and Model X, he noted that there are no plans to use such a component in the Model 3 and Model Y.
A few days ago, reports from China emerged indicating that Tesla had filed for a new Model Y variant in the country. Regulatory filings from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) suggested that the Model Y had radar as an option. This brought speculations that Tesla may be bringing back radar for its best-selling all-electric crossover. It was then no surprise that during the Q3 earnings call, Canaccord Genuity analyst George Gianarikas inquired if Tesla was indeed including radar as an option in its Model Ys in China.
That’s it. We’ll see whether that experiment is worth it, but there are no plans to integrate radar into 3, or Y Musk said. The CEO noted that radar only really makes sense if it could pave the way for actions that are only based on radar data, such as radar-only braking. Otherwise, Musk noted that a disambiguation problem would usually emerge between vision and radar.
A peek at Tesla Model Y single-piece front casting for the Model Y
It needs 169 fewer pieces and 1,600 fewer welds the Austin-Made Model Y Body Structure has now appeared outside the Berlin Gigafactory. This first look in the real world may offer insight into the future for Tesla. Elon Musk recently stated the next vehicle would use lessons from all models to make the next Tesla with half the time, cost and effort.
Musk showed off the simplification of vehicle structure during the shareholder meeting in the summer. “We are really rethinking the whole way in which a car is made,” said Musk. He added that Tesla created the largest casting ever produced. These complex castings “make it lighter and stiffer with better ride handling, better noise vibration harshness, and better sealing against water; it is really better in every way.
It’s a gigantic improvement,” the CEO told the audience. “We are going to keep enhancing the casting.” Tesla Model Y showed how the improved castings reduce the number of bodyshop robots working on the production lines. Even on Model 3, we are at about 30 percent less robots used than on the (new) Tesla Model Y.
We are getting a close-up look at the more advanced castings thanks to drone footage courtesy of Tobias Lindh. He posted a video (below) on his YouTube channel of Giga Berlin. His drone takes wide shots of the yard outside the factory with several Tesla Model Y. But as he moves across the yard, he zooms in on Model Ys with the front casting. Its interesting because the previous models are beside the new version with the new front.
Conclusion
We’ve driven 35,000 miles in 16 months on our 2021 MYLR 7-seater, including 20k miles on cross-country trips with our family of 5. While phantom braking can be an issue, we’ve adapted by driving manually when needed. Autopilot’s nag takes getting used to, but it makes long trips easier. The range isn’t perfect, but we love the car so much that we traded it for a new 2022 MYLR last week. Despite its flaws, we’d choose this over ICE travel any day.
FAQs
How many can sit in a Tesla Model Y?
Five people in its standard configuration or seven with the optional third row.
How do you save energy on a Tesla Model Y?
Slow down your driving and avoid frequent and rapid acceleration.
Can you talk to your Tesla Y?
Tap the microphone button on the touchscreen or press the right scroll button on your steering wheel.
