Tesla's six-seat Model Y L variant is set for launch in South Korea as early as the first half of 2026, following regulatory approvals. The extended-wheelbase model, already available in China since August 2025, will also arrive in Australia and New Zealand next year. However, U.S. customers face delays, with no immediate plans for entry.
Tesla's Model Y L, a long-wheelbase configuration with seating for six, has cleared energy-efficiency certification from the Korea Energy Agency, signaling an imminent launch in South Korea. Filings indicate it as an all-wheel-drive electric passenger vehicle with a 97.25 kWh battery supplied by LG Energy Solution, offering a combined range of 543 km at room temperature and 454 km in colder conditions. The model, produced at Tesla's Giga Shanghai facility, features a wheelbase extended by 150 mm and an overall length of approximately 4,976 mm, enabling a 2-2-2 seating layout for improved legroom and cargo space up to 2,539 litres with the third row folded.
A camouflaged prototype was spotted testing on Korean highways around the time of certification. Tesla has also secured approvals for Australia and New Zealand, with deliveries expected in 2026. The variant includes dual-motor all-wheel drive with 378 kW output and a WLTP range of up to 681 km in some filings. It addresses the family SUV gap left by the Model X, discontinued in right-hand-drive markets in 2020, and comes with features like heated second- and third-row seats, a 16-inch front touchscreen, an 8-inch rear screen, 18-speaker audio, and dedicated air vents for rear passengers.
The Model Y L debuted in China last year and has been a hit there. CEO Elon Musk stated the six-seater "wouldn’t arrive in the U.S. until late 2026, if ever," citing focus on Full Self-Driving and robotaxi platforms. This global rollout tailors the vehicle to regional demands, particularly in Asia and Oceania, where it positions Tesla against growing competition in the electric family SUV segment.
