The Tesla Model Y L is several things for the electric vehicle maker. It is a competitor in China’s unforgiving premium family hauler segment, and it is also a dedicated family car that rivals the Model X in space at a far more affordable price.

More importantly, the Model Y L is a deathblow for competitors in the autonomous ride-hailing market, such as Waymo.

All space and comfort

A look at the Model Y L’s cabin would immediately give the impression that Tesla worked hard to ensure that the vehicle is as comfortable as possible. Its second row seats are equipped with cooling and heating functions, and its third row seats are actually spacious enough for regular-sized adults. 

A number of the Model Y L’s features are evidently designed to provide optimum comfort to passengers, such as its second row seats’ electric armrests and extendable thigh support system. Even otherwise minor improvements in the Model Y L like its A/C vents on the third row seem designed to ensure that passengers on all three rows are provided with a luxurious and comfortable ride every time they step inside the vehicle.

The price and scale advantage

The Model Y L’s amenities are great for road trips and short stints across the city, and they are especially great if one were to look at the vehicle as a dedicated autonomous Robotaxi. As a Robotaxi, the Model Y L will be very difficult to challenge. It could easily offer comfortable seating for five passengers while still providing a lot of cargo space for Robotaxi riders. And considering all its amenities, Tesla could even position Robotaxi rides in the Model Y L as a slightly more premium option for customers.

But ultimately, it would be the Model Y’s price and scalability that would be the true killer in the autonomous ride-hailing market. Tesla sells the Model Y L in China for $47,180, which is only a fraction of the cost that it takes to produce one autonomous Waymo self-driving vehicle. The Model Y L is also produced in the same lines as the standard Model Y, which means Tesla would likely be able to build large fleets of Model Y L Robotaxis in a very short time. When that happens, Tesla’s dominance in the Robotaxi market may indeed be undeniable. 

The Tesla Model Y L has been officially launched in China. The new variant of the all-electric crossover went live on the country’s Model Y configurator Tuesday morning local time. 

With a starting price of RMB 339,000 ($47,180), the Model Y L seems to have the makings of a potential best-seller.

Tesla Model Y L at a glance 

As could be seen in Tesla China’s official configurator, the Model Y L features a CLTC range of 751 km (467 miles). It also has an estimated 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds, as well as a top speed of 210 km/h. 

The Model Y L features a long wheelbase six-seat layout, second row independent seats, continuously variable body damping shock absorbers, and a maximum storage space of 2,539 liters. The vehicle is also offered with an exclusive paint option called Starlight Gold, which is offered for an additional RMB 12,000. 

The Model Y L is only offered with 19-inch Mecha Wheels, which feature a unique star-esque pattern. The vehicle is also exclusively offered with a Dark Premium interior for now, though Tesla China stated that a Light Gray Premium interior option will be made available later. 

Tesla Model Y L distinct features

What truly makes the Model Y L unique is its extended wheelbase, which allows the vehicle to comfortably seat seven passengers, even if they are all adults. On its website, Tesla China noted that “each seat has ample legroom and is electrically adjustable and heated, with the second-row seats equipped with electric armrests. Optimized sound insulation effectively reduces noise.”

Interestingly enough, the second row seats of the vehicle also feature electric armrests, which should make things more comfortable for passengers. The second and third row seats also fold flat, which would be perfect for camping. Based on images of the vehicle’s interior, air vents have also been installed on both the second and third row seats, ensuring that all passengers are comfortable during trips.

Estimated deliveries of the Tesla Model Y L are expected to start September 2025.

Tesla has been teasing and is nearing the launch of the new Model Y L in China, which has been marketed as a longer, more family-friendly version of the all-electric crossover.

But there’s more than just a six-inch wheelbase expansion with the Model Y L compared to the standard Model Y. In fact, there are a variety of new features, which we will go over in this article.

Comprehensive Tesla Model Y L insights shared by early reviewer

From an exterior perspective, the Model Y L definitely looks longer, and it’s among the longest compact EV SUVs on the market. Here’s how it stacks up to other notable and similar vehicles:

• Tesla Model Y: 113.8 inches (2,890 mm)
• Tesla Model Y L: 119.7 inches (3,040 mm)
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 118.1 inches (3,000 mm)
• Kia EV6: 114.2 inches (2,900 mm)
• Ford Mustang Mach-E: 117.5 inches (2,984 mm)
• Volkswagen ID.4: 109.1 inches (2,771 mm)
• Nissan Ariya: 109.3 inches (2,775 mm)
• Porsche Macan Electric: 113.9 inches (2,893 mm)
• BMW iX3: 112.8 inches (2,864 mm)

This is not the only thing Tesla upgraded with the vehicle; there are also quite a few improvements from an interior perspective. Tesla could potentially integrate a few of these into the regular Model Y in the future.

Here’s what’s new with the new Model Y L:

Black Headliner

In the Model Y with both the Black and White interior options, the headliner is the standard grey color. However, the Model Y L will have a black headliner, marking the first time Tesla has introduced this color to this model:

New Front Seat Design

The front seats are now a new shape and have adjustable headrests that allow for a more custom feel that caters to each person occupying the driver or passenger seats.

🚨 The interior of the Tesla Model Y L — take a peek! https://t.co/vWJcoZuf4H pic.twitter.com/F43gIQ15fG

— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 18, 2025

Six-Seat Configuration Upgrades

The six-seat configuration of the Model Y L now features second-row Captain’s Chairs with powered armrests:

Here are the powered armrests on the captains chairs in the second row seats in the new Tesla Model Y L pic.twitter.com/lkpGgojcIJ

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) August 18, 2025

New Air Vents for Rear Passengers

The new Model Y L also features four new rear vents located on the pillars, giving those passengers in the rear seats the ability to adjust their air circulation preferences.

It is strange seeing manual vents in a Tesla, as airflow is usually controlled on the center dash screen.

Additional Features for Rear Passengers

Rear passengers will also have cupholders, which is a small but valuable addition to the car. The second and third rows are now also powered and will recline and collapse at the touch of a button.