We’re heading down to North Hollywood Tesla to get our eyes on the highly anticipated Model Y Juniper (Launch Series).
I’ve been driving my 2022 Model Y Performance for a while now, and I’ve seen the third-party accessories that mimic these “new” features, so I went in with a healthy dose of skepticism. But seeing it in person—especially in that Quicksilver finish—definitely changes the perspective. Here is the technical breakdown and my first impressions of the refresh.
The Journey: Testing the Cybertruck’s V4 Speed
Before we reached North Hollywood, I had to stop and top off the Cybertruck. I visited a V4 stall (with V3 internals) at 12% SoC to see if the recent software updates improved the charging curve.
- The Result: I peaked at 216 kW. While it’s not the 350 kW “true V4” speed we’re waiting for, it’s punchy and holds that 200+ kW range well. I preconditioned the battery on the way, which is a must if you want to see these speeds.
Meeting the Community
I met up with Andrew (Socal Teslaruns) and some of the Santa Clarita Tesla Club members. It’s always great to hear different perspectives. My buddy Oli made a great technical observation: the tow hook access on the Juniper has been moved. On the previous gen, you had to dig through your trunk to find it, but now it’s easily accessible in the front tub area—a small but huge win for utility.
Exterior Highlights: What’s New?
The Model Y Juniper brings a much sleeker, more modern aesthetic that aligns it with the Model 3 Highland.
- The Lighting: The new front light bar is the centerpiece. Interestingly, when the frunk is open, the light bar actually looks quite different, and the hood itself has a more “squared-off” design.
- Rear Diffuser: I’m a fan of the new rear diffuser. It looks more aggressive and less “slapped on” than the current version.
- Integrated Camera: The rear-view camera is now seamlessly integrated into the body rather than sitting as a separate piece above the license plate.
- Front Camera: There is a new front camera for better visibility, though unlike the Cybertruck, it does not have a built-in washer.
Interior: Launch Series Details
Inside, the Juniper feels refined. The materials on the dash and door panels (lots of Alcantara) give it a premium feel.
- Launch Series Branding: This specific demo has “Launch Series” etched into the door sills and the wireless charging pad.
- The Seats: They feel physically the same as the current Model Y, but they are now perforated to accommodate the new ventilated seat feature—something I’ve been begging for!
- Center Console: The design has been updated to match the Highland, with cleaner lines and a new storage layout.
- The Steering Wheel: It adopts the Highland style, but interestingly, this demo still had stalks. I actually prefer stalks for daily driving, so this was a welcome surprise, though I expect the final production versions might go stalkless.
The Verdict: To Upgrade or Not?
As someone who owns a 2022 Model Y Performance, am I racing to trade mine in? Not yet. While the Quicksilver and Ultra Red colors are stunning, and the ventilated seats are a major draw, the overall “bones” of the car feel very similar. I’m reserving my final judgment for the Juniper Performance trim. If Tesla brings the bucket seats and the upgraded motors from the Model 3 Performance over to the Y, then we might have a different conversation.
Also, with the Rivian R2 on the horizon, the competition for the “perfect electric SUV” is heating up. The R2 offers a lot of rugged utility that the Model Y still lacks.
