Tesla Model Y L Premium AWD 88kWh Review: A Model Y with extra Ribbit!

With an extended wheelbase to house two more seats, the Tesla Model Y L is the most versatile of the lot. Now, the guy with the extended family can Tesla too

Singapore — Perhaps this is a stop-gap, or perhaps this is the only way Tesla would want you to have a six-seat people mover. Whichever way it is, Tesla did not simply bolt another two seats to the rear of a vanilla Model Y and say, “Bob’s your uncle.”

Compact-sized people carriers have long become the chariot of choice for those who need to transport their extended family. For the Tesla Model Y L, the competition is varied.

Cars such as the Toyota Noah and Nissan Serena are offered as more affordable hybrid MPV alternatives, while if you need an SUV, the Škoda Kodiaq is rather compelling, with its frugal 1.5-litre MHEV engine and more affordable road tax. If you like something that can go the distance, there is also the Jaecoo 8 PHEV and BYD Sealion 8 DM-i.

Back to the Model Y L, and you’d almost not be able to tell the difference between the longer car and the regular-sized SUV.

The wheelbase of the three-row variant has been lengthened by 150mm, while the car itself is 180mm longer. That sleek bodywork, paired with a large, somewhat disproportionate greenhouse, can be visually jarring to some.

Tesla’s “blobject” styling does pay off, though. The Model Y L achieves a very slippery drag coefficient of 0.216Cd — moderately better than the regular-bodied Model Y’s 0.22Cd, and even better than the Model 3. For contrast, the figure for most average vehicles hovers around 0.3Cd.

Aside from its increase in length, the Tesla Model Y L sports neat 19-inch aero rims and a lip spoiler at the rear. The rear quarter glass is notably larger, while the rear windscreen has also ballooned and stretched further back.

Familiar interior, but more backy-spacey

Allow me to jump into the important bit first.

Despite its minimalist design approach, the Model Y L’s third row actually comes with some decent kit. You get two USB-C charging ports located at the base of the bench, ventilation ducts along the C-pillars and, thankfully, cup holders.

Headroom for passengers at the rear is surprisingly decent, although on a warm day, that extended rear windscreen — despite its UV coating — is still going to let enough direct sunlight in to bake the tops of the occupants’ heads.

To gain access to the third row, there is an aisle between the middle-row seats for easier passage. The middle seats also get retractable armrests, which stow flat against the seats. They come with ventilation too, while cooling vents on the B-pillars aid air circulation.

Controls for all three rows can be accessed via the 16-inch infotainment touchscreen. This includes folding the third-row seats.

Like all Tesla cars, the infotainment system is chock-full of features, along with a near-equal amount of gimmicks to keep any new-age screen addict occupied.

The audio system also receives an update, including a subwoofer. Tesla’s new ‘Immersive Sound X’ software adds significant depth to music, which, in my books, is my favourite feature of the Model Y L.

Aside from the generous 116-litre frunk, the Model Y L offers 420 litres of boot space with the rear seats deployed. While this is 402 litres less than the regular five-seater Model Y, you still have a very respectable and flat load space.

I also like that there is a bin below the boot floor, which gives you a good amount of flexibility in how you might want to stow your items.

With the third row folded away, the Tesla’s cargo room increases to 1,076 litres. Fold both the second and third rows, and the Model Y L can swallow 2,423 litres — or about 400 litres more than the regular car.

However, due to the third row of seats, the Tesla Model Y L does lack a cargo cover.

Lots of good in its drive… but it still needs a little soul

With the extended wheelbase, Tesla has taken advantage of the additional underfloor space and equipped the SUV with a larger 88kWh battery — that’s 4kWh more than the Premium Long Range variant.

As a result, the Model Y L’s official range increases by a modest 17km to 681km.

For those hungry for more power, the Model Y L boasts 500hp and 590Nm, delivered by a front and rear motor. All of this propels the Model Y L to the benchmark 100km/h in just five seconds.

All that torque is especially necessary when there are six of you on board…

Well, actually, no.

But you can bet it is very good to have.

Within the cabin, the Model Y L cruises with near-perfect silence. The acoustic-laminated glass cuts out the bulk of the noise you would otherwise get as you pass traffic. The sound-deadening materials used within the cabin also do a fine job of buffering road rumble.

I’d like to think that, due to the third row being the most uncomfortable place to be, this is the reason Tesla endowed the Model Y L with adaptive suspension.

There are just two settings — ‘Balanced’ and ‘Rear Comfort’. The latter allows for more suspension play, providing those seated at the rear with some crucial additional damping.

Switch over to ‘Balanced’, and the Model Y L’s suspension sheds that loose rear-end feel, indulging you as you lean the 2,088kg electric SUV through some of our precious few twisting roads.

Perhaps for a car buff like me, the Tesla Model Y L feels rather like a piece of polished white goods.

It gets the job done, and there is no denying that it does it very well.

But that is the way Tesla builds its cars. While they can come across as a little too cold, the company has won over a sizeable number of fans.

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Would a lesser version of the Model Y L make a better car?

As I pen my thoughts down, the above question comes to mind.

The Model Y L costs $26,000 more than the standard-body Premium Long Range. It isn’t so much the purchase price that will turn would-be buyers away.

Rather, you’d be staring at a $5,400 annual road-tax bill — which comes close to two-and-a-half times what an owner of a next tier Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range would pay.

I doubt that this would be a difficult thing for Tesla to do.

Therefore, never say never.

Actually, why not just call it the Model YYY?

Text & Photos: Clifford Chow

Pros	Cons
Fabulous handling and comfort	A little soulless
Lots of features, second screen for middle row	Expensive road tax
Ventilated middle row seats	Rear windshield doesn’t do favours for those seated behind

Tesla Model Y L Premium AWD 88kWh

Drivetrain	Full Electric
Layout	Dual Motor, AWD
Motor power / torque	500hp / 590Nm
Battery capacity	88kWh
Efficiency	14.7kWh/100km
Electric Range	681km
0-100km/h	5 seconds
Top Speed	201km/h
VES Band	A
Dealer	Tesla Singapore
Price	S$267,999 with COE and VES
Verdict	Now even the guy with the extended fam can Tesla.