Tesla Model Y L Six-Seater: A Deeper Dive into China’s Latest EV Offering

Tesla has officially rolled out its new Model Y L, a six-seat variant of their popular SUV, into showrooms across China. Dealerships are now open for consultations and viewings of this highly anticipated model, which hit the market yesterday with a starting price of 339,000 yuan (approximately 47,120 USD). Deliveries are expected to begin in September 2025.

Performance and Features of the Model Y L

The Model Y L is designed to carve out a significant share in China’s rapidly expanding family SUV market. It sports a “2+2+2” six-seat configuration, all-wheel drive, and continuously variable damping shock absorbers for a smoother ride. On the performance front, it boasts a CLTC-rated range of 751 km and can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a brisk 4.5 seconds. This launch is happening amidst a fiercely competitive domestic SUV landscape, with strong pure electric contenders like the Onvo L90 and the Li Auto i8 already making waves.

First Impressions and the Third Row Challenge

Local automotive media outlet, EV Insights, got an up-close look at the Model Y L at a Tesla store in Tianhuan Plaza. Sales staff confirmed September deliveries, but test drive vehicles aren’t available yet. They wisely suggested that customers hold off on ordering until they can get behind the wheel.

EV Insights focused heavily on the Model Y L’s third-row seating. The second row offers a premium experience with two individual seats, complete with heating, ventilation, new speakers, and clever electric pop-up armrests that fully retract, though their height is fixed and there’s a slight risk of pinching. However, the third row tells a different story.

Thanks to a 150mm longer wheelbase and 44mm increased height over the standard Model Y, along with sliding second-row seats, cabin flexibility and space are certainly improved. But getting into that third row reveals a roughly 100mm high central hump, which could be a bit of a nuisance.

For someone around 170cm tall, legroom in the third row is acceptable, leaving about a fist’s distance to the second row and space to stretch one leg into the central aisle. But here’s the catch: EV Insights described the third-row seats as “small benches,” offering minimal thigh support and making them truly suitable only for occasional, emergency use. The Model Y L retains its coupe SUV design, which unfortunately severely restricts headroom.

A 170cm passenger would find their head uncomfortably close to the rear window, with barely a fist’s clearance, raising concerns about bumps causing head contact. Plus, that large rear window, so close to the head, sparked doubts about its ability to block sunlight and UV rays effectively, potentially leading to a “scalding” experience for occupants.

When all three rows are in use, the trunk space is pretty tight, fitting only about three backpacks. While a useful under-floor compartment can hold two more bags and there’s a 116L front trunk, overall practicality for larger items is limited. One customer summed it up perfectly, saying the third-row experience was “like driving a convertible.”

Ultimately, EV Insights concluded that the Model Y L’s third row falls short, mainly because Tesla stuck with its coupe SUV body style. While this design keeps the Model Y’s signature look, it clearly sacrifices comfort, especially when it comes to headroom and sun protection. It seems the cramped third-row space in the Model Y L is a known issue, as it is the smallest among its rivals.

Competitor Comparison

Here’s how the Model Y L stacks up against some of its key competitors in terms of size:

This comparison clearly highlights the Model Y L’s more compact dimensions, particularly its length, which is likely a significant factor in the perceived tightness of its third-row seating compared to its larger rivals. Tesla’s focus on retaining its distinctive coupe SUV styling has certainly influenced these spatial compromises.