Tesla to launch 6-seater Model Y L internationally in 2026

Tesla launched a new 6-seater Model Y L in August, with prices starting at $A72,700 in the competitive Chinese market. That model reportedly raked in nearly 40,000 orders on its first day.

Now, reports out of Europe confirm that Tesla will be selling this model in international markets, with approval documentation hinting at a possible Q1 launch.

A European regulatory data expert, Eivissa, on X shared an upcoming variant of the Model Y, highlighting key details.

This Model Y will include six seats and an all-wheel-drive powertrain, according to the post and packs an 88.2 kWh battery pack with 4,600 cells. 

It’s likely to be LG’s Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) pack, which is used in the AWD variants produced at Tesla’s Shanghai factory.

On the range front, this battery delivers up to 681 km on 19-inch wheels, according to the latest documentation.

Kerb-weight has also been disclosed at 2,163 kg, with the battery pack itself coming in at 465 kg.

Last month, reports from Europe also revealed that a 7-seater model was heading to that market, which may have been early indications of this model.

At that time, enthusiasts in Europe said: “We need a 6-seater!”, referring to the Model Y L, which Tesla launched three months earlier.

The Model Y L is priced around 10% above the Model Y Long Range in China. It does, though, come with quite a bit of an update over the standard car.

Among the new features of the longer Model Y L is a larger screen, coming in at 16 inches instead of the 15.4-inch found on the standard Model Y. There are also adjustable headrests for front seats, allowing for more comfort for the driver and front passenger.

In the second row, It has two “captain’s chairs” with retractable armrests. These can be controlled with the rear seat screen or a button to the side of the seat cushion. 

Having sat and reviewed the car in China on a recent trip, it’s quite a clever design, and I can see how families could benefit from it by allowing ease of access to the third row.

There is also the third row with two seats and cup holders on either side, making it quite spacious for third-row passengers.

The second and third row seats in the Model Y L can be easily put down with buttons in the boot, delivering over 2,500 litres of boot space.

It’s also thanks to the extended wheelbase of the car, which is 186 mm longer than a standard Model Y, now bringing the car’s length to 4.96 metres.

On the road, the Model Y L will use continuously variable dampers found in the Model 3 and Model Y Performance variants. 

After August’s unveil, deliveries of this model started in September in China and now appear to be pencilled in for international markets in the first half of 2026.

We will keep an eye on any developments, as it could be something families looking for an electric SUV with more than five seats could be waiting for.

Riz Akhtar

Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.