- New Tesla Model YL is a longer, six-seat variant of the Model Y launching in China this year.
- It measures 4976mm long with a 3040mm wheelbase and features dual motors rated at 142kW and 198kW.
- YL variant uses LG-supplied NCM battery cells and is expected to be priced around NZ$80k.
Tesla’s most popular vehicle just got longer - literally.
Say hello to the Model YL, a stretched, six-seater take on the newly refreshed Model Y SUV, set to launch in China later this year.
A little more legroom, a little more luxury?
Revealed on Tesla’s official Weibo account and confirmed through China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Model YL shares much of its DNA with the standard Model Y, but with a few crucial growth spurts.
The newcomer stretches to 4976mm in length (up 179mm) while the wheelbase gains a notable 150mm, now at 3040mm. Height sees a modest bump too, rising to 1668mm.
Despite this added size, top speed remains unchanged at 201km/h. But weight and performance do shift: the YL tips the scales at 2088kg and offers a dual-motor configuration rated at 142kW front and 198kW rear, compared to the current Model Y’s 220kW single motor.
Third row, second wind?
Tesla hasn’t outright said it, but the YL seems designed to go head-to-head with a wave of Chinese-market three-row EVs.
Vehicles like the aggressively priced Xiaomi YU7 (starting around NZ$60k) are already putting pressure on Tesla’s dominance in the midsize electric SUV space.
The Model YL’s move upmarket, with its LG-supplied NCM battery cells and chunkier rear tyres (275/45R19), suggests a likely price tag closer to the equivalent of NZ$80k. That’s a notable jump, even for added seats.
Bigger isn't always cheaper
While Tesla hasn’t confirmed final specs or pricing just yet, DRIVEN Car Guide understands the Model YL will remain exclusive to China for now.
Whether it makes its way beyond that remains to be seen - but if it does, it’ll need to do more than just grow a few inches to stay competitive in global markets where third-row EV options are multiplying fast.
With several rivals already gaining traction, the YL might just be Tesla’s way of keeping pace - by adding space.
