The new 2025 Tesla Model Y has been officially revealed as sales of the updated crossover begin in China.

Codenamed Project Juniper and spotted testing in Europe earlier this month, the facelifted Model Y arrives as Tesla faces intense competition in all global markets. 

Broadly, the upgrades match those made to the Tesla Model 3 last year and are focused around improving the Model Y's efficiency, refinement and quality. 

The headline change for the world's best-selling electric car is its freshly redesigned exterior, differentiated from the current car by wraparound light bars at the front and rear and subtly reshaped bumpers.

The SUV’s immense commercial success makes it Tesla’s most important asset and the American EV maker will look to leverage it in an attempt to move out of a prolonged dip in sales.

Because the car has not been updated in almost five years, it no longer offers such an obvious usability and performance advantage over its rivals. The SUV’s maximum 331-mile range, for example – seen as a headline attribute at its launch – has now been surpassed by cheaper rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq and Peugeot e-3008.

Tesla says the new look has been conceived to "maximise efficiency, using every kilowatt-hour more effectively" and claims the new suspension, wheels and tyres will help in this endeavour.

The car's drag coefficient (Cd) is said to have been reduced from 0.23 to 0.22, which should boost range and reduce wind noise.

The revised Model Y is also 47mm longer than the current car, at 4797mm, but a scant 1mm narrower, at 1624mm wide.

Inside, the crossover follows its saloon sibling in being treated to a subtle refresh of its materials and technology, rather than a wide-reaching overhaul. 

There is now a touchscreen in the rear, for example, and the back seats fold electrically to increase boot space. The fronts are now ventilated too and can be upholstered in new fabrics that "make you relax as if you are floating in space", according to Tesla. 

All main controls are hosted in the dash-mounted 15.4in touchscreen, which runs on updated software that is said to improve response and quality. 

Only the Long Range All-Wheel Drive and Rear-Wheel Drive variants have been refreshed so far. They have claimed ranges of up to 447 and 368 miles per charge, respectively. The former gets from 0-62mph in 4.3sec while the latter needs 5.9sec.

Peak charging speed remains at 250kW.

Full UK specifications are expected in the coming weeks as the first cars head to dealers. If it mirrors the price rises in China, the facelifted crossover is likely to start from just under £50,000, compared with the outgoing model's £46,990 entry price.