Following its debut in China last year and recently in Thailand during the Bangkok International Motor Show 2026 (BIMS 2026) last week, the new 2026 Tesla Model Y L has finally made its official appearance here in Malaysia.
First shown in a special media preview session at the Tesla Malaysia Experience Centre in Cyberjaya, this long-wheelbase, six-seater version of Tesla’s best-selling model packs a lot of promising figures, including a maximum WLTP range of up to 681 km.
Bigger, Longer, and Heavier
At one glance, the Model Y L does look very similar to the ongoing Model Y ‘Juniper,’ featuring the same visual upgrades given to the facelifted model last year.
But once you look at it from the sides, you’ll immediately notice how long this three-row EV SUV stands, as its overall length has grown shy of the 5-metre mark at 4,976 mm. While its width remains unchanged at 2,129 mm, the Model Y L does stand higher at 1,668 mm over the standard Model Y (1,624 mm), while its ground clearance grew from 167 mm to 169 mm.
Perhaps the most important growth spurt for the Model Y L is in its wheelbase, going from 2,890 mm to over three metres at 3,040 mm on the new version. Not to mention, the overall bulk has also resulted in the Model Y L weighing almost 100 kg heavier than the standard Model Y Long Range AWD model, tipping the scale at 2,088 kg now.
And just like the Thai market, the Malaysian-spec Model Y L will be offered solely in a single Premium AWD trim. Some key new exterior changes primed here include the new Cosmic Grey colourway, the redesigned Model Y L badge on its tailgate, and the new 19-inch ‘Machina’ wheels shod in Continental EcoContact 7S tyres measuring 255/45/R19 at the front and 275/45/R19 at the rear.
Three Rows of Seats for Better Practicality & Flexibility
By far the biggest changes for the new Model Y L lie inside the car, as it now features a six-seater layout spread across three rows of seats—a feat made possible by its extended wheelbase that grows 149 mm longer than the standard Model Y.
With a 2-2-2 seating configuration, the Malaysian-spec Model Y L swaps the three-seat bench at the second row for two captain-style seats with power-retractable armrests, as well as both heated and ventilation functions. The six-seater model also gets more substantive third-row seats that are both powered and come with proper headrests over the seven-seater Model Y L sold in the US and Europe.
Not to forget, the bulk-up also grants the Model Y L a larger maximum cargo room of 2,539 litres over the standard Model Y’s 2,138 litres of space.
Other cabin amenities for the Model Y L are mostly carried over from the standard Model Y Premium AWD spec, which includes:
- 16-inch Central Infotainment Screen
- 8-inch Second-Row Touchscreen
- Heated, Ventilated & Powered Front Seats w/ Power-Adjustable Thigh Support
- 2x Wireless Chargers w/ Active Cooling
- 18-speaker Sound System with 1x Subwoofer
- New Zen Grey Premium Interior Option
- Optional Enhanced Autopilot & Full Self-Driving (FSD)
Same Powertrain Specs as Model Y LR AWD
The single Model Y L Premium AWD variant also shares the same powertrain specs as the equivalent Model Y, featuring a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup rated at 462 PS (340 kW).
Tesla claims this setup is enough to propel the bigger and heavier Model Y L from 0 to 100 km/h in just five seconds, which is two tenths of a second slower than the regular model. Its top speed, on the other hand, is capped at 201 km/h.
Power is drawn from a slightly larger 82-kWh NMC battery pack that enables a longer WLTP range of up to 681 km for the long-wheelbase model, as opposed to the 629 km WLTP figure given to its regular twin. DC charging is still capped at 250 kW, and the claimed energy consumption for the Model Y L is rated at 12.8 kWh per 100 km, Tesla claims.
To compensate for its bigger and heavier body, Tesla has equipped the Model Y L with its Adaptive Damping Suspension system. Unlike some of its Chinese counterparts that go for the more premium air suspension setups, the Model Y L settles for active mechanical suspensions instead that feature a dedicated mode for rear passengers’ comfort.
Australia and Thailand Done, Malaysia Soon?
As of now, Tesla Malaysia has yet to unveil any tentative pricing for the new 2026 Tesla Model Y L, nor has it announced the exact launching date for this long-wheelbase EV SUV. For reference, the Aussie-spec Model Y L retails at AUD 74,900 (RM206,716), while folks at the Land of Smiles need to pay more for the same model, as it retails higher in Thailand at THB 1.999 million (RM244,744).
Given the Tesla Model Y LR AWD Premium retails at RM242,450 here in Malaysia, could the 6-seater model be priced around the same range as its five-seater twin?
