2026 Tesla Model Y Review: Six-seater version of Australia’s top-selling EV adds to the appeal
It’s been a long time coming, but the Tesla Model Y L is finally here.
So what’s it like?
In a nutshell, it’s good – better, in fact – and very convincing.
The opposition should rightly be worried. Here is Australia’s best-selling electric car – and one of the nation’s most popular SUVs – with more space and an extra row of seats.
The Model Y L stretches Tesla’s hugely successful mid-size electric SUV by 150mm between the wheels, creating room for a third row and turning the Model Y into a genuine family hauler.
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And importantly, it does it without losing the strengths that have made the original Model Y so successful.
2026 Telsa Model Y L Long Range AWD price and equipment
The Model Y L arrives in Australia as a single variant called the Tesla Model Y L Premium All-Wheel Drive, priced from $74,900 plus on-road costs.
That represents a $6000 premium over the regular Model Y Long Range, but buyers gain a longer body, six seats and a larger battery that boosts driving range.
The extra wheelbase allows Tesla to introduce a 2-2-2 seating layout, with second-row captain’s chairs and two additional seats in the third row. All six seats are electrically adjustable and heated, while the front and middle rows also include ventilation.
The cabin retains Tesla’s familiar minimalist approach, centred around a 16-inch central touchscreen, with an 8-inch rear display for passengers in the second row.
There’s plenty of equipment as standard, including a panoramic glass roof, heated steering wheel, matrix LED headlights and faux-leather trim.
And the dual wireless phone chargers have been upgraded – or, at least, one of them has. The driver’s side one has a thin slot with ventilation to cool it down as it’s now providing up to 50W of electricity, up from 30W on offer on the one on the left.
A 19-speaker audio system (18 speakers plus a subwoofer) delivers impressive sound quality, while all six seats get their own USB-C charging port.
Charging is handled via 11kW AC charging or up to 250kW DC fast charging, allowing a 10-80 per cent recharge in roughly 25-30 minutes.
Tesla has also introduced vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, enabling the Model Y L to power appliances or even charge another electric vehicle – though it requires a separate adapter plugged into the charge port rather than a built-in power outlet.
The Model Y L get unique 19-inch wheels shod in Continental tyres. And they’re a staggered configuration, with 255mm-wide rubber up front and 275mm at the rear.
WLTP range is rated at 681km thanks to a longer battery, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces a combined 378kW and 590Nm.
That’s enough for a 0-100km/h time of 5.0 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds slower than the five-door Long Range (blame it on an additional 96kg).
The Model Y L is also available with a new colour, Cosmic Silver, which brings a $2600 premium.
While white is no longer available as an interior colour option, you can get the very-close-to-white Zen Grey for $1500. Our test car pictured here was sporting both new hues.
2026 Telsa Model Y L Long Range AWD: What we think
It’s largely about the seats in the Model Y L.
The extra 150mm between the front and rear wheels creates a longer cabin and makes space for the third row of seats – something many families have been waiting for from Tesla.
Instead of a traditional three-seat middle row, Tesla has opted for two captain’s chairs, which gives the interior a slightly more premium feel and also improves access to the third row.
The downside is obvious: most SUVs this size offer seven seats rather than six, so families wanting maximum seating may still prefer a traditional three-row SUV layout.
Still, Tesla has done a good job making the interior flexible. The middle row seats slide and recline electrically, while both the second and third rows can be folded from the boot.
Practicality remains strong. There’s only modest luggage space behind the third row, but Tesla includes a deep underfloor storage area as well as a 116-litre front trunk. Fold the third row and the boot expands to 1076 litres, and folding both rows opens up 2423 litres of cargo space.
The driving experience will feel familiar to anyone who has spent time in a Model Y.
Steering remains sharp and accurate, acceleration is effortless and the overall chassis balance is composed.
The longer wheelbase actually improves ride comfort slightly, making the SUV feel more settled over bumps and less prone to pitching, particularly over speed humps.
Despite weighing 2088kg – 96kg more than the Model Y Long Range – the Model Y L still feels brisk and responsive.
Five seconds to 100km/h is quick for any SUV, let alone a family-focused six-seater.
The new Continental tyres also provide plenty of grip and confidence in both wet and dry conditions.
Adaptive dampers provide with two subtly different modes: Balanced and Rear Comfort, the latter softening the ride slightly to prioritise passenger comfort in the back seats.
There are some compromises, though.
Rear visibility isn’t quite as good as the regular Model Y due to the higher rear window and additional headrests, and some families may wish Tesla had squeezed in a seventh seat.
Getting to that third row is also a task best left to the little ones.
But overall the Model Y L remains a compelling extension of Tesla’s best-selling SUV formula.
2026 Telsa Model Y L Long Range AWD: Verdict
The Model Y L is a logical next step for Tesla.
By stretching the body and adding a third row of seats, Tesla has made its most popular model more appealing to families. The space and seating in the cabin is one of its big appeals.
Importantly, it achieves its target without sacrificing the strong range, rapid charging capability and enjoyable driving experience that helped make the Model Y Australia’s best-selling EV.
It’s not perfect. Some buyers may still want (or need) a seven-seat SUV and there are the usual Tesla quirks.
But the Model Y L is an impressive package that should keep interest in the electric SUV ticking along.
SCORE: 4.5/5
2026 Tesla Model Y L price and specifications
Price: $74,900 (plus on-road costs)
Basics: EV, 6 seats, 5 doors, SUV, AWD
Range: 681km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: circa-85kWh NMC
Battery warranty: 8 years/192,000km
Energy consumption: 14.6kWh/100km
Motors: Dual motor AWD, 378kW/590Nm combined
AC charging: 11kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 250kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 5.0 seconds
