2024 Tesla Model Y Digitally Borrows Model 3 'Highland' Design, Looks Almost Stunning

It's easy to understand why the world's best-selling car so far into 2023 is the Tesla Model Y. Buying one is effortless thanks to the automaker's online straightforward platform. You can order a new EV by tapping your phone or clicking some buttons. Nearly all the useful crossover SUV information is available at your fingertips.

Besides that, the Model Y boasts an improved ground clearance, can seat seven, and has a longer wheelbase than the Model 3. Add the pre-incentive $50,000 MSRP for the Long Range model, the fact that it's eligible for the full EV tax credit, and the NACS plus the Supercharger network combo that enables range anxiety-free road trips, and it becomes fairly obvious why Americans and other people around the world spend their hard-earned money on this EV.

If you're ready to ditch the internal combustion engine-powered vehicle, the Model Y awaits you with open arms.

But now it might not be the right time to buy one. The Model 3 facelift brought forward several changes that enhanced the sedan overall. It's more aerodynamic, which, in turn, enables the vehicle to travel farther. It has double-glazed glass for the front and the rear doors, as well as an acoustically-treated windshield and rear glass. A tweaked suspension system and new tires are available to make an even quieter cabin.

But the new rubber rings don't allow the electric car to reach the same top speed as before. However, aside from the Germans and their Autobahns, few people dare to drive over 120 mph (193 kph) regularly. Plus, forcing an EV to stay at such high speed will drain the battery and most likely get the driver in trouble.

Inside, there's a new center screen with sharper graphics and smaller bezels. Rear passengers also get a small display of their own, like in the Model S and Model X. The driver lost the indicator stalks, which might take some getting used to, but that's not something that can sway one away from the vehicle immediately. There's also a more potent sound system and a backup gear selector that sits on the ceiling, right between the dome lights!

Outside, we have a new front fascia, slimmer headlights with matrix functionality (but no software to activate it yet), and more minimalistic taillights. Sadly, there's no bumper camera to help with parking. Removing the ultrasonic sensors may have helped Tesla save some cash and fast-track production. Still, it should have spent some money on allowing drivers to see from the inside where the car's nose is going when maneuvering in tight or unknown places.

Capturing the entire market

We expect all these upgrades to carry over to the upcoming Model Y. It's the logical thing to do. That's Tesla's best-seller. We'd dare to think about even more cool additions, but the manufacturer is all about simplifying the production process. As such, we really can't hope for more than what the Model 3 facelift introduced.

A Twitter user with the LaMianDesign handle who says they are a car styling designer took the liberty to imagine what the Model Y facelift would look like. The all-electric crossover SUV features cleaner surfaces that could make it more slippery through the air, the new lighting signature, and an overall much better exterior look. If that's how the real Model Y will end up looking like, it might just remain a winner.

However, keep in mind that these rendered images are unofficial. The Model Y will likely look similar to these digital creations, but waiting for the real deal is always good. Plus, let's remember that Tesla could always do something unpredictable, like putting the indicator stalks back on the car after seeing the feedback from those who got to see the new Model 3 in the flesh.

It might not be long before Tesla unveils the updated Model Y. Delivery windows for the Chinese market have already gone from September-October to November-December!

Finally, the facelifted 2024 Tesla Model 3 isn't yet available for the North American market, presumably because China got the first shot at building the popular all-electric sedan. Since tariffs make importing one from Asia a costly affair, Americans might have to wait for the Fremont Model 3 production line to come online. But the British share a similar fate, despite Tesla presenting a right-hand drive unit. It's all part of a bigger plan, we're sure.