Key Points
- Tesla Model Y L starts at $74,900 before on-road costs, $6,000 more than the Model Y Long Range AWD at $68,900.
- The Model Y L adds a third row, two more seats and 95km more WLTP range (681km vs 586km) for that $6,000 premium.
- Both variants share the same 378kW dual-motor AWD powertrain, 250kW DC charging and 1,588kg braked towing capacity.
The Tesla Model Y L is Tesla's first three-row SUV in Australia since the Model X. It sits directly above the five-seat Model Y Long Range AWD in the lineup, sharing the same battery chemistry and dual-motor powertrain but stretching the body for a third row of seats.
The Model Y L costs $74,900 before on-road costs. The Model Y Long Range AWD costs $68,900. That is a $6,000 gap for two extra seats, a 150mm longer wheelbase and 95km more WLTP range. Both run the same 378kW power output and identical 250kW DC charging, so the price difference buys space and range, not outright speed.
Note: Pricing and specifications are current as of June 2026 and sourced from Zecar's EV Database and Tesla Australia's official owner's manual.
Pricing
The Model Y L carries a $6,000 premium over the Long Range AWD for two extra seats and more range.
Price comparison
Variant | Price (before on-road costs) |
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD | $68,900 |
Tesla Model Y L (6-seat) | $74,900 |
Difference | Model Y L is $6,000 more |
The Model Y Long Range AWD starts at $68,900 before on-road costs. The Model Y L starts at $74,900, a $6,000 step up. Both are sold in a single specification grade. There is no base or stripped-back version of either car, so the listed price is what every buyer pays before on-road costs and options.
Paint and interior trim are the main options on both. Solid white is the only no-cost colour. Every other exterior finish, including Deep Blue Metallic, Stealth Grey, Quicksilver and the new Cosmic Silver (exclusive to the Model Y L), adds to the price. Interior choice is limited to a standard black or the Zen Grey theme, which is exclusive to the Model Y L. 19-inch wheels are standard on both, with no factory upgrade option.
Dimensions and Size
The Model Y L is 179mm longer and 44mm taller than the Long Range AWD, almost entirely from a 150mm longer wheelbase.
Exterior dimensions
Measurement | Model Y Long Range AWD | Model Y L | Difference |
Length | 4,790mm | 4,969mm | Model Y L is 179mm longer |
Width (excl. mirrors) | 1,920mm | 1,920mm | Identical |
Height | 1,624mm | 1,668mm | Model Y L is 44mm taller |
Wheelbase | 2,890mm | 3,040mm | Model Y L has a 150mm longer wheelbase |
Ground clearance (unladen) | 167mm | 169mm | Model Y L sits 2mm higher |
Turning circle | 12m | 12.1m | Model Y L turns 0.1m wider |
Kerb weight | 2,072kg | 2,088kg | Model Y L is 16kg heavier |
The two cars are identical in width at 1,920mm excluding mirrors, so neither is harder to park or garage than the other on that measurement alone. The Model Y L's extra size comes from length and height. It is 179mm longer overall, with 150mm of that added to the wheelbase to create room for the third row. The roofline is also 44mm taller to preserve headroom further back in the cabin. Kerb weight is close, with the Model Y L only 16kg heavier despite the larger body and extra seats.
For context, the Model Y L's 169mm ground clearance is well short of a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's 195mm, though both Tesla variants clear speed humps and shallow driveways without issue.
Interior space is where the Model Y L earns its $6,000 premium.
Interior dimensions (1st / 2nd / 3rd row)
Measurement | Model Y Long Range AWD | Model Y L |
Head room | 1,041mm / 1,001mm / N/A | 1,056mm / 1,064mm / 967mm |
Leg room | 1,063mm / 1,029mm / N/A | 1,063mm / 1,009mm / 788mm |
Shoulder room | 1,433mm / 1,351mm / N/A | 1,433mm / 1,384mm / 1,089mm |
Hip room | 1,371mm / 1,283mm / N/A | 1,370mm / 1,318mm / 940mm |
Second-row head room is actually larger in the Model Y L (1,064mm vs 1,001mm) thanks to the taller roofline, while second-row leg room is marginally tighter (1,009mm vs 1,029mm) because that row sits further forward of its own travel range to leave space for the third row behind it.
The third row is the entire point of the Model Y L. Tesla's official figures put third-row head room at 967mm, leg room at 788mm and shoulder room at 1,089mm. That is tight by first-row standards but usable for adults on shorter trips. Independent reviews from carsales.com.au and other outlets reported third-row head room as adequate for adults around 175cm tall, with leg room described as better than expected for a third row in this price bracket.
Cargo capacity
Measurement | Model Y Long Range AWD (5-seat) | Model Y L (6-seat) |
With all seats up | 822L | 420L |
Rearmost row folded flat | N/A (no 3rd row) | 1,076L |
2nd/3rd row folded (behind 1st row) | 2,022L | 2,423L |
With all seats in use, the Long Range AWD's single cargo area (822L) beats the Model Y L's third-row-up figure (420L), since the Model Y L's third row eats into boot space when occupied. Fold the Model Y L's third row flat and the gap closes: 1,076L plays against the Long Range AWD's 822L. Fold every rear seat in both cars and the Model Y L's larger body shows, 2,423L versus 2,022L, a 401L advantage.
Range and Performance
The Model Y L has 95km more WLTP range despite being 16kg heavier, the result of a larger useable battery.
Range and performance comparison
Spec | Model Y Long Range AWD | Model Y L |
WLTP range | 586km | 681km |
0-100km/h | 4.8s | 5.0s |
Top speed | 201km/h | 201km/h |
Towing (braked / unbraked) | 1,588kg / 750kg | 1,588kg / 750kg |
Power | 378kW | 378kW |
Torque | 493Nm | 590Nm |
The Model Y L's 681km WLTP figure is the longest range of any Tesla currently sold in Australia, beating the Long Range AWD by 95km. This is despite the Model Y L weighing 16kg more. The gap comes down to battery size: Tesla quotes an 88.2kWh total capacity (86kWh usable) for the Model Y L against 78kWh total (75kWh usable) for the Long Range AWD, an 11kWh larger pack.
Acceleration is marginally slower in the Model Y L, 5.0 seconds to 100km/h against the Long Range AWD's 4.8 seconds, a 0.2-second difference unlikely to be noticeable outside a drag strip. Top speed and the 378kW power figure are identical. The Model Y L's 590Nm torque figure is higher than the Long Range AWD's 493Nm, despite matching power output, reflecting a different motor tune to manage the heavier body.
Both variants share the same 1,588kg braked and 750kg unbraked towing capacity, so towing ability is not a factor in choosing between them.
Battery and Charging
Both variants charge at the same maximum AC and DC rates, but the Model Y L's bigger battery takes longer to fill and is the only one with V2L.
Battery and charging comparison
Spec | Model Y Long Range AWD | Model Y L |
Usable battery capacity | 75kWh | 86kWh |
Total battery capacity | 78kWh | 88.2kWh |
Chemistry | NMC | NMC |
Max AC charging power | 11kW | 11kW |
Charging speed is identical on paper. Both cars accept up to 11kW on AC and up to 250kW on DC. Tesla states a 10-80% DC charge takes roughly 25-30 minutes for both variants, despite the Model Y L's larger battery, because peak charging power and the battery's charge curve are matched between the two.
Where the gap shows up is full charging time, simply because the Model Y L has more kWh to fill. Zecar's EV Database estimates an 8 hour AC charge for the Long Range AWD's 75kWh usable pack against 8 hours 42 minutes for the Model Y L's 86kWh pack, a 42-minute difference for a full 0-100% AC charge.
Vehicle-to-Load is the clearest difference between the two. The Model Y L is the first Tesla model in Australia to offer V2L, rated to 3.3kW, enough to run camping equipment, power tools or a fridge during an outage via an adaptor on the charge port. The Model Y Long Range AWD does not offer V2L, V2H or V2G in any form.
Driver Technology
Both variants run the same driver assistance suite, but FSD v14 has not yet been activated on the Model Y L.
Both the Model Y Long Range AWD and Model Y L come standard with Tesla's Basic Autopilot, covering Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer, plus the full active safety suite: automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and front and rear cross-traffic alert. Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) are optional extras on both variants at the same price.
One software difference exists at the time of writing. Tesla's updated FSD v14 stack has begun rolling out to the regular Model Y in Australia, but has not yet been activated on the Model Y L, reportedly due to additional validation requirements for the longer-wheelbase, six-seat platform. This is a temporary software gap, not a hardware difference, and Tesla has not given a firm date for when FSD v14 will reach Model Y L owners.
The Model Y L's third row adds dedicated safety equipment not found on the Long Range AWD: side airbags at the third-row window positions, plus ISOFIX anchors and top-tether mounts across all four rear seats. The curtain airbag does not extend to the third row, stopping at the second row on both variants.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment hardware is shared between both variants, with the Model Y L adding a dedicated second-row touchscreen.
Both cars run Tesla's in-house infotainment system on the same central touchscreen, with no separate instrument cluster and no support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Over-the-air software updates and the Tesla smartphone app work identically across both variants.
The Model Y L's main addition is a second 8-inch touchscreen mounted between the front seats for second-row occupants, controlling rear climate, music and entertainment options. This is not available on the Long Range AWD.
Other Features
Exclusive to the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD:
- Single-piece rear bench seat with three-position 60:40 split fold
- Lower kerb weight by 16kg, marginally quicker 0-100km/h
- Larger single cargo area when all seats are in use (822L vs 420L)
Exclusive to the Tesla Model Y L:
- Third row of seating, taking total capacity to six occupants in a 2+2+2 layout
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), rated to 3.3kW, not available on the Long Range AWD
- Second-row captain's chairs with heating, ventilation and power-adjustable inboard armrests
- Heated, power-folding third row with reclining backrests
- Continuously variable adaptive suspension with selectable 'Balanced' and 'Rear Comfort' modes
- Second 8-inch rear touchscreen for second-row climate and entertainment control
- 95km more WLTP range (681km vs 586km)
- Exclusive Cosmic Silver paint and Zen Grey interior theme
Verdict
The Model Y L wins on space and range, but the Long Range AWD remains the better buy for anyone who does not need six seats.
On pure specifications, the Model Y L wins more categories. It has more range, a third row of seats, V2L capability, adaptive suspension and a second-row entertainment screen. None of that is surprising given it costs $6,000 more before on-road costs.
The Model Y Long Range AWD remains the more sensible choice for buyers who do not need six seats. It is lighter, marginally quicker, has a larger single-row cargo area for everyday use, and saves $6,000 that buys nothing if the third row will rarely be used. For families who regularly carry five or more passengers, or who want V2L for camping or blackout backup, the Model Y L's extra cost is easy to justify.
Get a novated lease quote
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
