Tesla confirms bigger three-row Model Y L

TESLA has confirmed that a stretched, three-row version of its Model Y electric SUV will enter production alongside the existing two-row SUV on the company’s Shanghai, China gigafactory line ahead of a September 2025 release date in the Chinese market.

Badged the Model Y L, Tesla announced the decision to go ahead with a long-mooted expanded SUV on its Chinese Weibo social media account with two images, and a statement reading: “Model Y L, see you in the Golden Autumn.”

The term “Golden Autumn” refers to the September-October period in China which is that market’s most frenzied new vehicle buying season.

Although the “L” is not the first Model Y with a third row, this version differs significantly from previous US-built seven-seater Model Ys, which being shorter and smaller were considered too compact for global export markets including China and Australia.

Meanwhile, the Model Y L—which has both a longer body and stretched wheelbase—appears well-positioned for a broader international rollout including Australia, where the two-row version remains the best-selling electric vehicle locally.

Tesla Australia has delivered 10,431 units of the five-seat Model Y locally in the first six months of 2025, only gently trailing the run rate reflected by the SUV’s 2024 calendar year total of 21,253 deliveries.

A local introduction of the Model Y L would be made easier by its origins at Tesla’s Giga Shanghai facility which supplies all Australian-bound two-row Model Ys (and the Model 3 sedan).

Comments made to GoAuto earlier this year by Tesla Australia country director Thom Drew indicate the local arm of the US electric vehicle specialist is interested in bringing such a vehicle to our shores.

“I’d love to see a higher-capacity Model Y … I’d love to see an expanded vehicle,” Mr Drew said. “I would need to look more closely at the specific (car) before I make a decision on it.”

GoAuto has contacted Mr Drew for an updated comment following the release of specifications and images of the Model Y L, via Chinese regulators.

Technical details for the Model Y L were published by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in a standard process for new China-built models.

MIIT documents reveal that the Model Y L measures 4976mm in length (179mm longer than the standard Model Y) while its wheelbase has been extended by 150mm to a remarkably long 3040mm, allowing a much roomier third row.

Additional dimension changes include a 44mm increase in height of the already tall Model Y (to 1668mm) plus a heftier kerb weight (by 60kg) while overall width remains unchanged at 1920mm.

The MIIT filing confirms a six-seat configuration in a 2/2/2 layout. Although the Model Y L’s badge (which places two strikes next to the Y) could be implied to mean a seven-seat layout, axle load limitations might be the reason for keeping the seat count capped at six.

According to the same documentation, the Model Y L will launch exclusively for China with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain with no mention of a cheaper, simpler rear-wheel drive version at this stage.

The AWD system comprises front and rear axle motors with power outputs listed by MIIT at 124kW and 198kW respectively, reflecting Tesla’s usual preference for a rear-biased system.

While battery capacity and official WLTP figures are yet to be announced, it has been confirmed that the battery pack will be supplied by South Korea’s LG Energy Solution. It is likely to have nickel manganese cobalt chemistry.

Chinese sources suggest a price premium of 27 per cent (over the five-seat Long Range AWD version) is expected for the Model Y L. If that differential applied in the Australian market, the L would be priced at about $87,000 plus on-road costs.

Should this pricing estimate hold true for an Australian release, the Model Y L would sit between two key three-row EV rivals, both with seven seats: the smaller Mercedes-Benz EQB250+ ($85,400 + ORCs) and the larger Kia EV9 Air ($97,000 + ORCs).

If standard specification (other than seat count) carried across from the lavish Model Y Long Range AWD, the L would be more generously-equipped than either the ‘Benz or the Kia.