Tesla has just done something rather unexpected. Rather than simply bolting two extra seats into the back of the world’s best-selling electric vehicle and calling it a day, the company has gone and engineered an entirely new variant. The Model Y L is longer, taller, and for the first time in Model Y history, seats six. Orders open tomorrow (March 13) in Australia and New Zealand, with deliveries from Q2 2026.
At $74,900 before on-road costs, the Model Y L slots neatly between the standard Long Range AWD ($68,900) and the Performance ($89,400). For that money, you get a car that is 177mm longer and 44mm taller than the regular Model Y, with a 150mm longer wheelbase that creates genuine third-row space rather than the performative leg-crushing exercise most seven-seaters offer.
The six-seat layout is configured as a 2-2-2 arrangement with proper captain’s chairs in the second row. These are heated and ventilated, which is a first for any Model Y anywhere in the world. They also fold flat electronically at the touch of a button, as does the third row. Both rear rows get ISOFIX and top tether points, which will matter enormously to the family buyers Tesla is clearly targeting here.
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ABOVE: Tesla Model Y L inside and out
Under the bonnet (well, under the floor), the Model Y L produces 378kW and 590Nm from its dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, good for a 5.0 second sprint to 100km/h. Not exactly leisurely for something that weighs 2,088kg and seats six. The WLTP range is a claimed 681 kilometres, and DC fast charging peaks at 250kW. Those are serious numbers that put considerable pressure on everything from the Kia EV9 to the BMW iX.
Perhaps the most interesting addition is Vehicle-to-Load capability, a first for any Tesla in Australia and New Zealand. The Model Y L can pump out up to 3.3kW to power external devices or even charge another vehicle, which makes it genuinely useful for camping, tradies running tools, or simply showing off at the next electric vehicle meet.
Inside, there is a 16-inch central touchscreen up front and an 8-inch screen for the second row, a 19-speaker audio system, and a wireless charging pad that now delivers 50 watts on the driver’s side with active cooling. The air conditioning has been upgraded with additional vents on the B and C pillars because, as anyone who has sat in the third row of anything in an Australian summer knows, the back of the bus can get rather hellish.
The suspension gains continuous variable damping with two selectable modes: Balanced and Rear Comfort. That second option suggests Tesla has thought carefully about keeping third-row passengers from losing their lunch on undulating roads.
Two exclusive colours mark the Model Y L out from its five-seat sibling: Cosmic Silver on the outside ($2,600) and Zen Grey inside ($1,500). Exclusive 19-inch Machina 2.0 wheels complete the visual differentiation, along with a redesigned rear roofline and a wraparound spoiler pinched from the Performance model.
With a 5-Star ANCAP rating, 2,539 litres of total cargo space with all seats folded, and an 8-year/192,000km battery warranty guaranteeing 70% capacity retention, this is Tesla doing what it does best: making the competition look overpriced. The Kia EV9 starts at $86,770. The BMW iX xDrive40 is north of $120,000. Tesla’s six-seater is $74,900 and it’ll go further on a charge than either of them.
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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