Tesla‘s quietly been cooking up something special in China – a stretched Model Y with proper six-seat capacity. Dubbed the Model Y L (for “Long” not “Lazy”), this new variant adds 15cm to the wheelbase while keeping all the tech that made the original such a hit.
Why Stretch an Already Spacious SUV?
At 4,750mm long with a 2,890mm wheelbase (that’s 150mm longer than standard), the Model Y L isn’t just playing games. The extra length goes entirely to rear legroom, allowing for:
- A proper three-row configuration with six individual seats
- Second-row seats that slide 130mm fore/aft
- Third row that’s actually usable for adults (unlike some rivals)
- 1,158L boot space with all seats up
The design changes are subtle – just extended rear doors and a slightly longer rear overhang. From the front, you’d struggle to tell it apart from the standard Y.
Performance: Still Properly Quick
Tesla’s keeping the powertrain options simple for now:
- Dual Motor AWD with 514hp (0-100km/h in 5.0s)
- Long Range battery (CLTC-rated 640km/398 miles)
- Same 250kW max charging speed
Interestingly, the extra weight (about 150kg) barely affects performance or range – Tesla’s engineers clearly did their homework.
Interior Tech: Still the Benchmark
The cabin gets all the usual Tesla goodness:
- 15-inch central touchscreen (now with better rear camera views)
- Upgraded HVAC system for the extra space
- Optional rear entertainment screens
- Enhanced noise insulation
The big win is the new seating configuration. Unlike the cramped Model X third row, these seats are mounted higher with proper under-thigh support. Tesla claims 861mm of second-row legroom at maximum slide – that’s luxury sedan territory.
Availability and Pricing
Currently only confirmed for China with deliveries starting Q1 2024. Pricing starts at ¥300,000 (£33k) after incentives – about 10% more than the standard Y.
No word yet on European or US availability, but given the Model Y’s sales dominance, this seems like a no-brainer for markets where families actually use third rows.
For once, this isn’t just another Tesla gimmick – it’s a genuinely practical evolution of their best-seller. Now if they could just sort out those panel gaps…
