At least, we’re assuming it’s “Juniper”—and if it is, it looks like the next-gen Y’s getting some light bars front and back
- Spied! Is this the upcoming 2026 Tesla Model Y, the one codenamed “Juniper”?
- These winter testing shots sure seem to suggest so, and show off some of its new exterior styling
- The changes are reportedly more than skin-deep: its interior will also get a refreshen
Think what you may about the Tesla brand and those who lead it, there’s no denying its model lineup forced legacy automakers (for better or worse) into developing electric vehicles which (mostly) work in the real world, instead of the tepid science projects they had begrudgingly been producing for years.
A unique headlight bar appears to stretch across the entire front of this test mule, proving that Mercury had it right all along back in the ‘80s. Expressive sculpting in its front bumper remove the blank fish mouth with which the current model is afflicted, though it’s difficult to tell from this distance if those are actual aero aids or simply fake news.
Around back, an area slathered with accumulated snow cover on this test mule, we find taillights spanning the hatchback, with a strip of red that looks a suspiciously like that found on a Hyundai Kona Electric. That being said, this winter tester has much of its rear lamp concealed by accumulated snow; the main lights seem to be vaguely similar to today’s Model Y.
Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on Instagram ,Facebook and X to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.