Bigger 2026 Tesla Model Y L on the way

The 2026 Tesla Model Y L has been exposed ahead of its launch later this year following images that were leaked as part of the US brand’s application to sell the six-seat electric SUV in China from the final quarter of this year.

Featuring longer rear-doors, a bigger rear-overhang, fresh alloy wheels, a black spoiler and new ‘Model Y //’ badging, the longer Model Y measures 4976mm long, 1920mm wide, 1668mm high and sits on a 3040mm wheelbase according to a filing with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Those figures make it 226mm longer, 1mm narrower, 44mm taller and 150mm longer between the axles compared to the current model; all reflective of the three-row, six-seat interior configuration.

Helping to offset the 96kg weight increase is a 340kW dual-motor powertrain offering 9kW more than the standard version.

The extra power and weight have in turn dictated a wider set of 275mm rear tyres in place of the five-seat Model Y’s 255s.

This will be the first time a three-row Model Y has been offered in China while reports suggest a three-row version based on the standard wheelbase is also planned for the region.

Last year the Tesla Model Y was China’s best-selling car with an incredible 480,309 cars finding homes, accounting for 74.6 per cent of Tesla sales, with the Model 3 making up the rest.

According to other reports, increased competition from Chinese EV makers has seen just 171,491 Model Ys sold in China over the past six months, representing a 17.5 per cent fall compared to this time last year.

In Australia, the new family-friendly Tesla Model Y could serve as an indirect replacement for the three-row Model X but there has been no official confirmation of plans to export the longer model outside of China. As well as the new longer take on the Model Y, Tesla is rumoured to be readying a cut-price smaller SUV that could be badged the Model Q.

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