First Review: Tesla Model Y L, the Awaited 3-Row EV Arrives in the U.S.
Filmogaz.com presents a first review of the Tesla Model Y L, the awaited 3-row EV and its chances of arriving in the U.S. I spent time with the Chinese-made Model Y L at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2026. The three-row variant debuted in China in August 2025 and has sold well there.
Context and U.S. prospects
Tesla discontinued the Model X in 2026. That move leaves a gap in the brand’s three-row SUV offering. Elon Musk has not ruled out U.S. sales, but no local prototypes or regulatory filings have appeared.
Design changes
The Model Y L shares the regular Model Y design up to the B-pillar. The body is 7.0 inches longer and 1.7 inches taller. Rear glass area is larger and the C-pillar has been reworked.
Tesla added a bigger ducktail spoiler and a new wheel design. A Starlight Gold paint option is reserved for this variant. The stretched layout focuses on family utility.
Interior and packaging
The cabin offers a six-seat layout with second-row captain’s chairs. Wider front seats and pillar-mounted vents distinguish it from the five-seat model. A 16-inch central touchscreen and an 8-inch rear display are fitted.
The front seats sit high and feel supportive. The reviewer at 5’7″ had more than 10 inches of headroom. Materials include soft-touch padding and textile trim on the dash and doors.
Doors use electronic latches but still open manually. Soft-close lids appear in the center console. The second-row captain’s chairs slide and recline with power functions, heating, and ventilation.
Second-row passengers benefit from four AC vents. Headroom there measured about eight inches for the reviewer. The inner-side armrest deploys via a button beside the cushion.
The third row is reachable through a walk-through gap between the second-row seats. There is a floor hump and knees must angle outward to fit. Legroom exceeded expectations, but under-thigh support is limited.
Third-row features include AC vents, cupholders, USB-C ports, and power recline. I found it usable for city trips but not ideal for long drives for six-foot adults. Both rear rows fold from cargo-area controls.
Technology and comfort
Highlights include a cooled wireless charging pad and an 18-speaker audio system. B- and C-pillar AC vents improve airflow to rear passengers. Cargo-area buttons fold the second and third rows remotely.
Specifications
The wheelbase is 119.7 inches, 5.9 inches longer than the standard Model Y. Overall length is 195.9 inches and height increased by 1.7 inches. Tesla quotes a 0.216 drag coefficient.
Dual motors are rated at 142 kW and 198 kW. Output is slightly higher than the regular Long Range AWD. Tesla lists a 0-62 mph time of 4.5 seconds.
The three-row model uses an 84.7 kWh battery with LG Energy Solution M53 cells. Australian-spec charging can add up to 288 km in 15 minutes. Tesla quotes 751 km of CLTC range.
Cargo capacity rises to 89.7 cubic feet and curb weight reaches 4,604 pounds. The car adds continuous variable damping and bi-directional charging. V2L output is up to 2.2 kW.
Pricing and availability
In China, pricing starts at RMB 339,000, about USD 49,270. That is roughly eight percent above the five-seat Model Y Long Range AWD. Tesla has not announced U.S. pricing or confirmed U.S. production dates.
In August 2025, Elon Musk said U.S. production would not start before the end of 2026. He also said U.S. production might not occur as Tesla focuses on self-driving vehicles. The Model Y L is confirmed for Australia and New Zealand, with deliveries due in two to three months.
Filmogaz.com observed the Model Y L firsthand at the motor show. We will continue to track official U.S. developments and availability.
