Tesla Model Y L is real! Stretched family-focussed six-seat version of Australia’s top selling EV inbound

Just two years after axing its three-row Model X in right-hand-drive, Tesla is secretly hatching a new cut-price alternative for families in the market for a zero-emission SUV.

Pictures of the inbound long-wheelbase 2026 Tesla Model Y L have now surfaced ahead of its launch in the last three months of this year.

The catch is, for now it’s thought the more spacious new six-seat Tesla Model Y L has only been locked in for Chinese sales.

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Liberating the extra space comes via stretching the recently facelifted Model Y’s wheelbase and adding on a longer rear body to comfortably accommodate a third row of seats.

Other changes include the necessary longer rear-doors, fresh alloy wheels, a black spoiler, new badging and punchier e-motors to offset the inevitable weight gain of 96kg over the five-seater.

According to the filing with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) the new Tesla Model Y L measures in at 4976mm long, 1920mm wide and 1668mm high, with a wheelbase of 3040mm. That’s a considerable 150mm longer than the standard Model Y.

Debuting with a 2+2+2 seating layout, there’s no word if the new long mid-size electric SUV will be offered with the more traditional 2+3+2 seat arrangement, but it’s likely.

Weighing in at 2088kg, Chinese government intel reveals the dual-motors produce 340kW – 9kW more than the Chinese-spec standard wheelbase Model Y.

Chassis changes to cope with the extra weight include fitting wider 275mm rear tyres, in place of the five-seat Model Y’s 255mm rubber.

Marking the first time ever a three-row Model Y has been offered in China, Tesla will be hoping it will help turn around struggling sales in the region.

Despite becoming China’s best-selling car in 2024 with an incredible 480,309 cars finding homes, in the first half of 2025 Tesla has reportedly only sold 171,491 cars, representing a 17.5 per cent fall.

While sales are reportedly strong for the current facelifted Model Y Down Under, it’s thought the arrival of the stretched Model Y could help the brand chase down record sales of its already best-selling mid-size SUV.