New Tesla Model YL Is China-Only 3-Row Tesla We’ve Been Waiting For
Missing the seven-seat configuration offered in the prior-generation Tesla Model Y? Too bad — at least for now. While the standard version of the recently refreshed Model Y has yet to meaningfully expand its seating configurations, the U.S. automaker revealed a stretched, six-seat variation of its popular mid-size electric SUV — but there’s a big catch.
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Surprise! As is the case with so many extended-wheelbase three-row variants of smaller vehicles, this new SUV is exclusive to the Chinese market. Tesla bluntly calls this new, larger model the Model YL, and aside from the extra seats and an identical width, it’s both taller and longer than any Y offered on our shores. According to Electrek, official figures registered with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology state the YL is 7.3 inches longer and 1.7 inches taller with a 5.9-inch wheelbase stretch.
That’s bigger, but not quite the same footprint as the existing Model X, which remains the only three-row Tesla offered on U.S. shores as of this writing. We’re not yet privy to occupant space and interior dimensionality, but given both the size-up and existing customer feedback on the prior three-row Model Y, people of all rows should be more comfortable, especially with the second row now offered as captain’s chairs.
What Do We Think About the Tesla Model YL?
If Tesla does want to sell a three-row Model Y in the U.S., we hope it’s either the YL outright or at least not too far off. Our long-term 2021 Model Y’s third row was both expensive and cramped, with usable passenger space ideally for small- to mid-size children and adults only comfortable for brief jaunts. It was good for emergencies and very short trips, but nothing more. This made the $3,000 option sting, especially since it was only available on the mid-level Model Y Long Range trim.
Ouch. If we’re to get a next-gen six-seater, we’re very much hoping it’s a federalized version of China’s Model YL as is. Of course, we’re not sure how popular the prior three-row option was on the prior-gen U.S. Model Y, so Tesla might not see the sense in prepping and certifying the Model YL for our shores. If it does, we expect it to be a direct replacement for the aging and slow-selling Model X, or offered in conjunction with the hot-selling two-row variant.
Either way, it’ll likely be more expensive, more powerful and offer more range. It’s also likely that we’re not going to hear about it until later in the year at the very earliest. Stay tuned.
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