Just days after the rumors, Tesla has released the Model Y L in the U.S. market. However, the initial version of the three-row, six-seat electric SUV is more expensive than some expected.
The new EV is available to order as the Model Y L Premium Launch Series at a price of $61,990. The outlay gets you dual motors, 325 miles of estimated range, and a claimed 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The Launch Series is a limited edition that includes one year subscriptions to Full Self-Driving (Supervised), Premium Connectivity, and Supercharging.
You also get cosmetic touches such as a unique puddle light, badging, and a suede dashboard wing.
As with the international model, the American take on the Model Y L extends the length by 7.3 inches and the height by 1.8 inches. While it replaces the three-person bench seat in the second row with two captain’s chairs, it makes the two rear seats far more usable. You can expect to fit six adults.
You won’t pay extra for different colors or larger 20-inch wheels (19-inch wheels are standard), and a tow hitch is included.
Reports of late summer deliveries are accurate. New Model Y L orders are expected to reach customers in September or October. This makes sense when Tesla was reported as updating Gigafactory Texas production for the car this spring, but it dashes hopes of buying one in time for a summer vacation.
Is the Tesla Model Y L a good deal
Hyundai and Kia are doing it better, for now
The Model Y L Premium Launch Series’ $61,990 price makes it more expensive than the faster $57,490 Y Performance, and well above the roughly $54,000 that observers expected. Tesla is expected to release more affordable variants over time, but it’s not clear when those will arrive.
For now, that makes the Model Y L more expensive than its immediate three-row competition, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 ($58,955 in base trim) and Kia EV9 ($54,900). You will get more range and quicker acceleration from Tesla’s SUV, however.
The high initial price might not matter
Tesla might not be worried about the pricing. The car is filling a gap Tesla created when it discontinued the Model X. Moreover, Tesla still dominates the U.S. EV market and just achieved a record second quarter with 480,126 deliveries. The Model Y L may be appealing simply because it’s a three-row SUV from the country’s most popular electric automaker.
