We’re not audio engineers, just Tesla owners and YouTubers that would like to show you guys how impressively quiet it is in the new Model Y Juniper compared to the older Legacy Model Y.
In the video above, we did our own side-by-side cabin noise test between the 2021 Legacy Model Y and the new 2026 Model Y Juniper to settle a question we keep getting:
“Is the Juniper actually quieter?”
Our “Not-So-Scientific” Sound Experiment
Let’s set the scene. We used our trusty Zoom H6 recorder with a mid-side mic setup. It’s been with us for a long time, and while this test wasn’t lab-grade, it made a lot of sense for what we were trying to do: capture ambient noise inside the cabin—no filters, no fancy editing, just real-world driving sounds.
Here’s how we ran the test:
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We placed the mic in the center of the cabin (between the driver and passenger seats) attached to the glass roof and facing down.
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Drove a 20-minute route in the Model Y Juniper.
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Drove that exact same route in the 2021 Legacy Model Y, immediately after.
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Same road, same conditions, same driver. No changes to AC, tire pressure, or anything else. We even tried to go the same speeds.
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Recorded raw audio, and displayed decibel levels side by side for an honest comparison.
So… Which One Was Quieter?
Here’s the short answer: The Model Y Juniper was roughly 20–30% quieter inside the cabin than the Legacy Model Y.
Now, 20–30% might not sound like a huge difference on paper, but inside the car? It’s night and day. You hear fewer road vibrations, less wind noise, and the overall experience is just calmer. You might even catch yourself saying, “Wait… is this too quiet?”
We’ve heard people say they can actually hear the motors now—that’s how much of the usual ambient noise has been eliminated.
It’s Not Just the Noise—The Ride Feels Smoother, Too
During the test, we also noticed something else: the ride quality in the Juniper felt smoother. Whether it’s refinements in the suspension or better cabin insulation (or both), the difference was subtle but real. It’s like Tesla took everything we liked about the Legacy Model Y and just… tuned it better.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been debating an upgrade and ride comfort or quiet driving matters to you, the Model Y Juniper delivers. It’s a more refined experience—not just in design, but in how it feels to drive and ride in.
We know it’s easy to say “it’s quieter,” but we wanted you to hear it for yourself. That’s why we made the video, kept it raw, and let the decibel meter speak for itself. So, grab your headphones for the ultimate experience and listen in the video above!