Tesla's new redesigned Model Y has its fans divided on social media

tesla (TSLA) Fans, rejoice.

Elon Musk's prolific automaker has unveiled the redesigned version of its smash hit, the Model Y crossover.

According to new information on Tesla's Chinese and Australian websites, the refreshed electric vehicle includes many improvements, such as a gradual increase in range, new exterior styling, and an updated interior that features a host of new technology.

Beyond its looks and technology, Tesla claims the new Model Y is faster, quieter, smoother and has more range than the model currently on sale.

Up front, the new Model Y shares similar styling cues as the updated Model 3 unveiled in late 2023, save for some very minor styling details.

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The most obvious change to the updated Model Y's exterior is its new front end, which features a revised bumper, new headlights, and an LED light bar that looks like something straight out of the Cybercab and/or Cybertruck autonomous robotaxi.

However, things get different from behind. The latest model can be easily differentiated from the previous model as it features Tesla's first “indirect reflective body panel taillight,” essentially a large LED taillight that runs across much of its width.

Inside, Tesla kept the latest Model Y's interior design within the confines of its signature minimalist design while also making some incremental improvements.

If you thought Tesla would redesign its interior with knobs and buttons for essential functions, think again.

Front and center is the Model Y's massive infotainment touchscreen. Instead of a 15-inch screen on the dashboard, the new car has a slightly larger 15.4-inch screen that houses many features, including the gear change.

In addition to the new display, the Model Y is packed with new toys. Like the updated Model 3, rear-seat passengers can play games with an 8-inch touchscreen mounted on the center console, and all passengers enjoy a new sound system with hidden speakers.

All passengers sit in a new seat design, featuring an upholstery material that Tesla says provides more comfort and support. Additionally, Tesla includes ventilated front seats and power reclining rear seats that can also be folded for large Costco runs or IKEA furniture boxes.

As for power, Tesla has not revealed how much power its motors generate, although it noted that the Model Y in both versions is slightly faster.

According to Tesla, the standard rear-drive model goes from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.9 seconds, one second faster than before. Meanwhile, the special Long Range AWD 'Launch Edition' comes equipped with an 'Acceleration Boost' function, allowing it to go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds, 0.1 seconds faster than the Model And outgoing.

As for range, Tesla claims the rear-drive version has an estimated range of up to 593 kilometers (approximately 368 miles) on the CLTC cycle, while the long-range version claims a range of 719 kilometers (~446 miles). . It's important to note that China's CLTC cycle for range varies differently than the US EPA's methods for calculating electric range.

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At this time, the updated Tesla Model Y is only available in select markets within the Asia-Pacific region. Depending on the market, deliveries are scheduled to begin in April or May of this year.

Prices vary depending on the markets. In Australia, the RWD version costs AU$63,400 (US$39,300), while the Long Range AWD version costs AU$73,400 (US$45,500).

However, in China, prices start at around 263,500 Chinese Yuan (~$35,935) for the rear-wheel drive version, while the Long Range AWD version will cost Chinese customers 303,500 Yuan (~$41,390).

Tesla fans and social media watchers are divided over the new design.

On social networks, fans are contradictory about the news of the expected redesign.

In the comments below, a post about the refreshed Model Y. in the r/TeslaLounge community on RedditTesla owners and fans are divided over the Model Y's new look.

“I don't HATE it, but the new model 3 looks 100 times better than this one,” said Reddit user u/ScaleSurvivor.

“That rear end has Pontiac Aztec vibes. Don't hate the front. But we'll see. It might look better in person,” said Tesla Model 3 owner and Reddit user u/cssxssc.

Below a post on the r/teslamotors communityReddit user u/mlon_eusk12 alleged that Tesla was trying to “combine the current Tesla with Cybercab/CT,” and noted that the brand may be testing a new styling identity around such models.

However, criticism is present.

“It looks like an ai-generated Porsche Macan,” said Reddit user u/parental92.

“The interior looks very plain and cheap. I'm not sure if I like it at all,” said user u/farfromelite.

In the r/wallstreetbets community, one user expressed an extreme level of disgust.

“It's the same damn car with different lights, damn I don't know why anyone would buy this shit,” u/Thedude11117 said in a comment. below a post about the new Model Y.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet”>

Remember when some people felt the original Model x was ugly and then they liked it?

Remember when some people felt the original Model Y was an ugly, bloated Model 3, but then it became the best-selling car in the world?

Remember when some people in the Tesla community… pic.twitter.com/thardKRxU3

– Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1877588802732216684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 10, 2025

in a <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1877588802732216684″>publish in xProminent Tesla commentator and Tesla investor Sawyer Meritt noted that despite the criticism, he feels that, like most other Tesla vehicles that others have deemed “ugly,” he believes the redesigned Model Y will grow in awareness. of the general public.

“Remember when some people felt the original Model x was ugly and then they liked it?” Meritt asked. “Remember when some people felt that the original Model Y was an ugly, bloated Model 3, but then it became the best-selling car in the world? Remember when some people in the Tesla community initially thought the Cybertruck was ugly, but now they love it? Remember when photos of the new Model 3 leaked on the internet 2 years ago and a lot of people thought it looked generic and ugly, but now people love the design?

“I have a strong feeling that people who don't like the new Model Y design will like it more and more as time goes on, especially after seeing it in person.”

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