With the Model X out of the lineup, Tesla is looking to stretch its smaller SUV to better fit larger families. While the Model Y offers a third row of seats as an option on just one variant, it’s really designed more for people who want the idea of a third row. Fortunately, the company offers a solution in other markets, and it seems like that solution is set to come to the US by the end of the year.
L Means Longer, For Actual Third-Row Space
Tesla Model Y LTesla
Tesla launched a Model Y L in China last year. The L has a six-inch longer wheelbase than the standard Y, and it is 7.9 inches longer overall. Almost all of that space goes to the rear seats, and it transforms them from an afterthought into an actual usable feature.
Now, after launching in several other international markets, the Model Y L is coming to North America. Not A Tesla App says that its sources put the launch of the extended Model Y for the US at August or September.
!!!MODEL TAG!!! Listing Carousel 2026 Tesla Model Y
/cars/tesla/model-y/2026/
The long wheelbase Model Y will be built at Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas, the report says. The site is currently being upgraded to support the extra model, and prototypes have been seen testing around the area and at Tesla’s Fremont site test track.
Related
Tesla Model Y Juniper Vs. Model Y: 10 Major Updates
Here are all the changes made to Tesla’s best-selling crossover.
This lines up roughly with a comment from CEO Elon Musk made last August. He said in a tweet that “this variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the US until the end of next year.” Though Musk followed that up in the same post saying that it “might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America.” There have been no major changes in the area of autonomous vehicles in the US or with Tesla specifically, though, so the L seems like a safe bet.
Tesla Model Y LTesla
The current Model Y L is a six-seater, not seven. The two middle-row seats are captain’s chairs and there is no option to add a larger bench seat. The L is more than just an extended version, and it includes more luxury features for rear-seat passengers.
Tesla heats and ventilates the middle seats, and the passenger screen is a larger 16-inch unit. The model has extra vents for rear seat passengers, additional seat controls, and has unique suspension tuning meant to improve rear seat comfort.
Related
All The 3-Row Electric SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
Want something electric but are constantly carrying lots of people? We’ve got you covered.
Tesla currently offers the Model Y L in China, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and a handful of other Asian countries. In Australia, the L has an MSRP of AUD $74,900 before taxes and fees, versus the Model Y Premium AWD at $68,900. For that extra $6,000 (US $4,100), you get a significantly larger cabin as well as an extra 50 miles of range to bring the total to 422 on the WLTP cycle.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Tesla Model Y LTesla
While Kia, Hyundai, Lucid, and Volkswagen have entered the large three-row electric crossover space, there is still little for drivers who want a smaller, more occasional third row. Tesla is also still the top-selling brand of electric vehicles in the US. Adding the L at a price that CarBuzz estimates at around $55,000 would be a big win for a company that hasn’t had one in a while, as well as for families looking to electrify without moving to a midsize or larger vehicle.
Source: Not A Tesla App
