Tesla has begun rolling out interior updates to the Model Y in China, offering a subtle but meaningful refresh for the popular electric SUV. The updates come after rumours circulated on Monday that Tesla was preparing to make some changes to the Model Y, and while those did come true, the changes are limited to the interior and not the exterior.
One of the upgrades is to the center touchscreen. In all trims of the Model Y, the 15.4-inch display has been replaced with a larger 16.0-inch screen, bringing it in line with the display first introduced on the six-seat Model Y L and later the Model Y Performance.
However, this larger screen is no longer limited to higher trims. In China, all Model Y variants—including the base Rear-Wheel Drive model—now come standard with the 16-inch display.
But perhaps the most notable update—especially for longtime Tesla fans—is the switch to a black interior headliner. The A-pillar trim, headliner, seatbelt D-rings, and sun visors have all transitioned from light gray to black across the entire Model Y lineup in China. This effectively marks the end of the gray headliner for the Model Y in that market, as the dark headliner is also included on the white interior option.
The move has been a long time coming. A darker headliner gives the cabin a more premium, cohesive look and reduces glare, especially in bright conditions. It’s a change that owners of both the Model 3 and Model Y have been requesting for years, ever since the vehicles were first introduced.
Tesla isn’t new to dark interiors. The Model S and Model X have historically offered black headliners in a suede-like Alcantara material as part of premium interior configurations. This darker finish remains available today on Model S and X models.
As with many Tesla updates, China often serves as the proving ground. Past examples—from interior materials to hardware tweaks—have shown that changes introduced at Giga Shanghai tend to make their way to North America and Europe over time.
While Tesla has not confirmed timing for other regions, it’s reasonable to expect that North American Model Y buyers will eventually see the black headliner and larger display become standard as well.
