Tesla is officially bringing its highly anticipated family hauler to the Southern Hemisphere. Following the successful debut of the larger Model Y L in China last year, the stretched, six-seat variant of the world’s best-selling EV is confirmed to be launching in Australia and New Zealand in 2026, according to a press release from Tesla Australia and New Zealand.
While official pricing and dates for local markets remain to be confirmed, recent Australian Design Rule (ADR) certification documents give us a crystal clear look at exactly what buyers can expect from the Model Y L down under.
Supersized Best Seller
The Model Y L is not just a minor interior refresh. Instead, it features a physically larger body to comfortably accommodate a third row of seating. The vehicle measures 4,969mm in length, making it 177mm longer than the standard Model Y. This extra length is largely thanks to a wheelbase that has been stretched by 150mm.
Inside, that extra space is utilized for a 2+2+2 seating configuration. Instead of the standard second-row bench, the Model Y L features two independent captain's chairs equipped with heating, ventilation, and power adjustment. The two-seat third row also features standard heating.
Performance and Range
Under the floorboards, the Australian and New Zealand variants are expected to mirror the Premium Long Range AWD setup. Regulatory filings confirm a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain with a combined listed output of 378kW, as expected.
Powered by a battery pack in the 84kWh range, European approval documents note the aerodynamic Model Y L could deliver up to 681 kilometers of driving range on the strict WLTP testing cycle.
We did a detailed deep-dive on the Model Y L last year that you can read here if you’re interested in learning everything that’s new about this variant and how it compares to the Model Y.
Filling the Void
For buyers down under, the arrival of the Model Y L fills a massive gap in Tesla's lineup. Since Tesla officially pulled the flagship Model X from these right-hand-drive markets in 2020, local buyers have been completely without a three-row Tesla option.
With the 2026 launch of the Model Y L, Tesla finally has a direct, highly practical competitor to take on the rising tide of electric family SUVs entering the local market.
