Families are buying it. Tesla's Australia and New Zealand country director, Thom Drew, said in the EV Council's June sales release that the Model Y L had "resonated incredibly well with families, capturing a significant share of Model Y sales". So what are those families getting?
The measurements
| Tesla AU spec sheet | Model Y L Premium | Model Y Premium LR AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,969 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Height | 1,668 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Seats | Up to 6 | 5 |
| Cargo (max) | 2,539 L | 2,138 L |
| Range (WLTP) | 681 km | 600 km |
| 0-100 km/h | 4.5 s | 4.3 s |
| Weight | 2,088 kg | 1,992 kg |
| Peak Supercharging | 250 kW | 250 kW |
The L is 177 mm longer and 44 mm taller than the regular Model Y. Despite carrying about 96 kg more, it's rated to go 81 km further. Tesla credits the stretched roofline and revised body for the efficiency gain.
Seat by seat
Row two: two captain's chairs with heating, ventilation, powered armrests and one-touch folding. That suits two child seats with a walkway between them.
Row three: power recline, one-touch folding and its own vents. Tesla fits side airbags back there, plus window and beltline airbags for row two.
Everyone: 19-speaker audio, an 8-inch second-row screen and extra microphones in rows two and three for voice control.
On the road
Adaptive suspension with electronic damping is standard, on 19-inch wheels, and Tesla quotes up to 288 km added in 15 minutes of Supercharging. Using Tesla's Outlet Adapter, the battery can also run appliances such as power tools or a space heater. The battery and drive unit are covered for 8 years or 192,000 km.
Who should buy one
If your family regularly carries five or more people, or you want long range without stopping on interstate trips, the L is worth a look. A family of four that rarely uses a third row is better off with the regular Model Y Long Range, which is cheaper and roomy enough.