July 7, 2026
Longer, pricier Model Y variant brings six seats, more cargo space, and premium features to American buyers for the first time
Tesla is finally bringing its stretched Model Y L across the Pacific. Chinese customers have had access to this roomier SUV for close to a year, but American shoppers are only now getting the chance to buy one.
A Bigger Model Y Finally Crosses The Border
For nearly twelve months, buyers in China have enjoyed a larger, more spacious take on Tesla’s best-selling crossover. That changes now, as Tesla rolls out the Model Y L stateside, timed right around the country’s 250th birthday celebrations.
Only One Trim Available For Now
Rather than offering multiple configurations, Tesla is launching with a single, fully loaded option. Interestingly, this trim actually sits above the Performance model in terms of price, making it the priciest Model Y you can currently order.
The Model Y L Premium Long Wheelbase All-Wheel Drive Launch Series carries a sticker price of $61,990. That’s a noticeable jump when stacked against the standard lineup, where the base AWD starts at $41,990 and the Premium trim runs $49,990.
Extra Inches Where It Counts
That higher price comes with real, tangible benefits. The L stretches 7.3 inches longer than a standard Model Y, with 5.9 inches of that added length built directly into the wheelbase. For families who actually plan to seat adults in the back row, this extra room makes a meaningful difference.
Third Row That Fits Actual Humans
The six-seat configuration delivers 31.0 inches of third-row legroom, a major improvement over the cramped 25.8 inches found in the seven-seat Model Y. Curiously, that extra space comes at a cost elsewhere: second-row legroom actually shrinks slightly, dropping to 39.7 inches from 41.1 inches. Front-seat passengers, however, keep the same 41.8 inches regardless of configuration.
More Room For Cargo, Too
Space isn’t limited to passengers. With every seat folded flat, the Model Y L offers 85.6 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, the most generous figure in the Model Y family. With the second row upright, that number drops to 38.0 cubic feet, and behind the third row alone, there’s still 14.8 cubic feet to work with. By comparison, the standard seven-seat Model Y manages 69.4, 27.1, and 13.1 cubic feet respectively.
Loaded With Extra Comfort Features
Beyond the added length, Tesla packed in a long list of premium touches. Buyers get upgraded front seats with adjustable headrests and thigh support, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs with power-folding armrests, a fully powered third row, an 18-speaker sound system, seven USB-C charging ports, a full year of Full Self-Driving, and vehicle-to-load functionality for powering external devices.
Range And Performance Barely Take A Hit
Despite the extra size, efficiency remains impressive. Tesla says the Model Y L can travel 325 miles on a single charge, just two miles short of the Premium AWD’s rating. It’s actually quicker off the line too, hitting 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, compared to 4.6 seconds for the Premium AWD.
Who This Model Is Really For
This version likely won’t become Tesla’s top seller, but it fills a clear niche. For buyers craving a more spacious, upscale experience without switching brands entirely, the Model Y L offers an easy upgrade path, and could pull some shoppers away from the standard Model Y lineup entirely.
