I had seen more than enough Teslas in cities, glowing silently at traffic lights or vanishing silently onto autobahns. But I wanted to take the facelifted 2025 Model Y somewhere that would challenge its real, world refinement, somewhere off the spreadsheets and onto worn backroads, sweeping forest curves, cobbled lanes, wet village corners, and long empty stretches where peace and performance can duel. Wingst, in Lower Saxony, felt like a perfect playground. An old forest range nestled between the Elbe River and the North Sea, it’s more known for wild boars and timber routes than silent electric SUVs. But that’s where this story needed to begin.
So there I was, early morning mist rolling off the forest floor, climbing into a car that’s been both the hero and the scapegoat of electric mobility. The Tesla Model Y. But not just any Model Y, this was the freshly facelifted 2025 version, refreshed not with gimmicks but with quiet, deliberate improvements. And Europe is watching, because Tesla’s market share here is bleeding. The question: Can this redesigned Model Y stop that slide?
More Than a Glow, Up: What’s Really Changed
Let’s cut past the halo and talk substance. The 2025 Model Y hasn’t reinvented itself, but the changes are immediately tangible once you’re inside. The exterior looks sleeker, especially with that full, width light strip at the back that now gently glows like the horizon just before dawn. Subtle, futuristic. It’s grown too, about four centimeters in length, and six in width. Not that you’d notice from the cockpit, which still feels commandingly high.
The cabin, though, is where the transformation hits. The new dash design feels more solid, like it was engineered rather than styled. The 15.4, inch central touchscreen is slimmer, faster, and surrounded by ambient light that feels more premium lounge than electric crossover. It’s still a buttonless temple to Elon’s design vision, but I must confess, Tesla’s minimalism feels less frustrating here than in the new Model 3. There’s no removal of the indicator stalk, thank God. You still get tactile cues for turn signals, because some things are not meant to go on a screen.
And yes, the rear seat screen. At first, I thought it was just Netflix bait, but when my passenger fiddled with climate settings independently while I blasted AC toward my face up front, it proved its worth. Tesla calls it “dual comfort,” but I call it smart design finally catching up with use case.
Suspension That Listens to the Road, Not Fights It
If you’ve ever driven the pre, facelift Model Y over cobblestones or uneven farm roads like the ones slicing through Wingst’s forest edges, you’ll know the suspension was… not the highlight. It always felt a bit too bouncy, slightly stiff, like it never really settled.
But now? The new frequency, selective dampers are working overtime to change that. As I rolled over weather, warped tarmac near Cadenberge, the Y no longer jolted. It absorbed, filtered, and occasionally floated. The firmness is still there, it’s no EQE or Air, sprung Audi, but it’s finally matured into something I’d call composed. The Model Y now feels less like a tech marvel trying to act like a car and more like a proper, road, tuned machine.
Powertrain Still Packs a Punch, With Familiar Quirks
Tesla hasn’t messed with the fundamentals of propulsion. You still get that punch, in, the, gut acceleration that makes passengers involuntarily gasp. With a combined output of 378 kW (514 hp), the Model Y AWD Long Range leaps from 0, 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. In the forest lanes of Wingst, that felt borderline illegal, but entirely controllable.
The front motor delivers 215 hp while the rear motor pushes 299 hp. There’s a slight front bias in mild acceleration but stomp your foot and the dual motor system distributes torque like it’s solving an equation in real time. Still, the high, mounted front seats rob you of any low, slung sports car feel. You’re fast, but you feel tall doing it, almost like driving a fast elevator.
Tesla’s new “suggested gear” function also debuted here. When parked, the system sometimes guessed if I wanted to reverse or go forward, then highlighted it on screen, asking me to tap the accelerator to confirm. It’s clever, but not flawless. Once, it guessed wrong while I was nosed toward a tree. The AI still has some forest lessons to learn.
Interior Comfort and Real, World Practicality
Now here’s where the Model Y earns back some points. Comfort. Tesla has reduced cabin noise significantly. Laminated glass, fewer structural joints, new tires, it works. While slicing through the dense quiet of Wingst, the Y let in very little wind or tire hum. I even tried rolling over some gravel near the Forstamt, no rattles, just a soft hum underfoot.
Seats have also been redesigned. The short leg support still frustrates me, especially at 6’1”, but side bolstering is solid and long drives don’t lead to fidgeting. There’s ample room for rear passengers, and yes, that panoramic roof does add a dose of theatre. Sadly, it still lacks a dimming feature. On bright days, it’s like driving with your head in a lightbox.
The boot remains enormous. With rear seats folded, 2022 liters of usable space awaits. I tested that with my full mountain bike setup, helmet, pump, hydration pack, and even the bike frame itself fit without any disassembly. Bonus points for the 116, liter frunk up front, which held my wet gear after a sudden forest rain.
Charging, Range, and That Test Consumption Problem
Here’s where the magic wears thin. Tesla claims a WLTP range far above what I achieved. On our run through Wingst, with ambient temps around 11°C and moderate use of HVAC, I logged an average consumption of 24.9 kWh/100 km. That gave me a realistic range of around 385 km, not bad, but significantly below Tesla’s promises.
Still, with Supercharger infrastructure so ubiquitous, that shortfall never felt threatening. I topped up in Stade at 250 kW, got nearly 70% in under 20 minutes, and was back on the road before I’d finished my coffee. Tesla still rules when it comes to fast, fuss, free charging.
Technical Specifications
We rely solely on Tesla’s official website for the most accurate and dependable technical data.
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine Type (Front/Rear) | Asynchronous / Synchronous Electric |
| Combined Power Output | 378 kW (514 hp) |
| Continuous Power Output | 179 kW (243 hp) |
| 0, 100 km/h | 4.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 201 km/h |
| Test Consumption | 24.9 kWh/100 km |
| Real, World Range | Approx. 385 km |
| Battery Type | NMC (Approx. 77 kWh) |
| Transmission | Single, speed, All, Wheel Drive |
| Length / Width / Height | 4790 / 1920, 2129* / 1624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2890 mm |
| Seat Height | 690 mm |
| Boot Volume (rear/front) | 822, 2022 L / 116 L |
| Unladen Weight | 2007 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1600 kg |
| Payload | 510 kg |
| Warranty | 4 years / 80,000 km |
| Starting Price (Germany) | €52,990 |
| Optional Add, ons | Tow hitch (€1,350), 20” wheels (€2,200), Autopilot packs |
Conclusion: Has the Model Y Reclaimed Its Crown?
There’s no one big change in the facelifted Model Y, no tech leap or battery revolution. But what Tesla has done is quietly refine every weakness. The suspension is no longer a liability. The cabin feels truly premium. The noise levels are finally quiet enough to enjoy the eerie silence of Wingst without intrusion. Even the ride quality now feels like it belongs in a €50k+ car.
Still, range vs. reality remains a sore point. And while some may love the clean, buttonless design, others (like me) still find the heavy reliance on touchscreens occasionally distracting.
But driving this Model Y through Wingst, its winding hills, scattered rain, misty tree tunnels, felt like piloting something that finally understands it’s a car, not just a tech demo. It’s matured. Grounded. Quieter. Better.
And yes, it’s good enough to fight back against the European sales decline. Maybe not win all the hearts back overnight, but enough to matter.
Has the range improved in the new Model Y?
Not significantly. Real, world range remains around 385 km, despite official figures being higher. Cold weather and spirited driving affect it more than expected.
Is the Model Y suspension comfortable now?
Yes. Tesla introduced frequency, selective dampers that dramatically improve ride quality over uneven surfaces.
What’s new in the interior of Model Y?
A redesigned dash, improved seat comfort, a quieter cabin, and an 8, inch rear screen make it feel more upscale.
