Last week, Tesla sent me the Model YL for five days to test, evaluate, and enjoy for reporting purposes. It’s always a pleasure to purchase a multimedia vehicle, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tesla and Ford to conduct hands-on reviews of their products.
This one was exceptionally exciting for a few reasons: first, because it’s the car I have, but bigger, so I was really excited to see if that extra space would be worth it; and second, because my fiancée (we’re only 18 days away from officially being my wife!!!) and I are planning on filling a car with kids in the near future, so it was really nice to have a test run with a car that would potentially be in our driveway in a few years.
I did a full 10-minute video review of the YL Model, which I’ll post at the end of this more condensed written version. If you prefer to see a review, continue and skip to the end.
For those who prefer to write, I’ll break down the important things I noticed about the Model YL, focusing on the big addition/difference this car has over the Model Y: the third row. Tesla also added small but mighty changes to the YL that I really wish were on my Model Y Premium, so I’ll be sure to mention those as well.
What makes it different from the Model Y?
Credit: TESLARATI
The first thing to keep in mind is that the interior of this vehicle, from the first row, is generally the same. You really feel like you’re in the exact same car with a slightly different seating arrangement. Of course, Tesla’s interiors feel like that, at least with the Model 3 and Model Y, but there are no drastic differences between the Model YL and the Model Y in the front row.
This is to be expected, so definitely don’t go in thinking you’ll know you’re in a different car. It is a very similar experience to that of the Model Y.
Tesla Model YL: new features that make it better than the standard Model Y
The real differences come from the last two rows. The only real difference from the front is the addition of a new dynamic feature included in the “Ride and Handling Priority” menu, which now allows you to adjust the suspension damping to prioritize a comfortable ride for everyone or one that is noticeably better from the rear two rows. In terms of ride comfort, the front rows definitely feel the impact of this; It’s a noticeable difference and much stiffer in the driver’s seat with this setup rotated to prioritize rear occupants.
What changes from an engineering point of view between these two configurations @elonmusk @larsmoravy?
There is a very noticeable difference in comfort from the driver’s seat between these two configurations. pic.twitter.com/KFP12jleHj
– TESLARATI (@Teslarati) September 14, 2026
There are also a number of small improvements, such as the taillight is now towards the spoiler, which must be a strategy to make the rear glass actually useful on the YL compared to the regular Y.
It’s crazy to see how different the rear windshield is compared to the Model Y.
Not even close in size pic.twitter.com/IjNbWwMBcS
– TESLARATI (@Teslarati) September 14, 2026
Some other small changes are the addition of small magnets for the trunk lid, which is a great addition and something I would like to do on my Model Y; I find the Model YL’s liftgate motor to be less whiny than my Model Y’s; and all three rows of climate can be controlled from the front touchscreen.
I talk about them in a short video here:
🚨 Five things you might not have known about the new Tesla Model YL! pic.twitter.com/I42VTQoS5R
– TESLARATI (@Teslarati) September 14, 2026
Second and third row legroom
The Model YL’s main feature is the third row, and Tesla did a great job of making it roomy enough for more than just your nine-year-old nephew. It actually has an adequate amount of legroom for adults, but it depends on the height of the people in the first- and second-row seats in front of you.
This is where I noticed some slack from those who have also sat in the Model YL and believe there is enough room for anyone of any height. I certainly think those who aren’t complaining could sit there for a several hour drive and not complain. I would love to sit in the back row because I think it’s comfortable; The air vents are perfectly placed on the C-pillars for maximum comfort, and I found there was plenty of room back there for me. I’m 5′ 8″, so I’m definitely not tall. However, I found that I had more than enough legroom:
Credit: TESLARATI
The picture above shows where my fiancée could sit comfortably in the second row in front of me and she is 5′ 1″. There’s a lot of give and take with these seats, and I think most groups could make it work. She was comfortable in the front seat of the second row in this position and as you can see, I have plenty of room. She could easily back off a few inches and I would still be comfortable.
This is where I think people would really benefit from seeing what the space looks like in this car for themselves. To me it seemed more than adequate for a group of friends to go out and for everyone to be comfortable. There may be some strategy if you have taller friends, but it’s definitely doable.
Overall, space in the YL in the back two rows is excellent: The second-row captain’s chairs have mechanical armrests that automatically lower when you leave the car and raise themselves again when you return. The second row also features ventilated seats; You will only have the option to warm up in the third row.
Credit: TESLARATI
General thoughts
It really was a fantastic five days with the Model YL and I think it is a great car for families. I don’t think it’s perfect. It’s truly a great option for those who can make do with what is truly a compact crossover stretched to make way for a third row. However, I think more families simply want something big, like a large Tahoe or Expedition, and the Model YL doesn’t necessarily answer that call.
I think it is more than reasonable for a family of six to have this car and run it. It’s safe, it has fully autonomous driving, which I think will be non-negotiable for me in the future when purchasing a car; and it’s relatively affordable, with the Launch Edition priced at $61,990 before options. Not going to a gas station for the last year has really been a lifesaver for me, especially since charging at home has saved us a lot of money.
Tesla will need to have an answer for families who want something like a Cyber SUV or just something that qualifies as a full-size SUV. I really don’t think all families see this as enough space, and I think that’s understandable. If someone wanted to take an overnight trip with their four kids, I don’t know if it would be the easiest loading situation because without the third row folded, trunk space is limited to just 14.8 cubic feet. I couldn’t take four kids and my wife to Ocean City for a week using only the trunk space. We would probably have to get creative and I think that’s what a lot of families want to avoid.
For comparison, a Tahoe offers 25.5 cubic feet of trunk space, which is still tight, but much more manageable and forgiving.
All that said, the Model YL is still a great option and I would be willing to leave behind the charging issues due to FSD and the safety of Tesla vehicles in general. For our full review, watch the video below:
