Tesla Opens US Orders for $62,000 Three-Row Model Y L

Tesla opened US orders for the Model Y L on Thursday, bringing a three-row, six-seat version of its best-selling SUV to the American market.

The $62,000 price sits above the standard five-seat Model Y but below the larger Model X. Deliveries are expected to begin later this summer, the company said.

The Model Y L went on sale in China earlier this year and quickly became one of the country's top-selling electric SUVs. Tesla reported strong demand there, citing order backlogs in Shanghai.

The US launch fills a gap in Tesla's lineup. The Model Y is the company's top seller. It lacked a three-row option until now. Families often choose the Model X for seating capacity; at roughly $80,000, it competes at a higher price point. The Model Y L splits the difference.

Tesla did not specify production volumes for the US version. The Model Y L will be built at its Austin and Fremont factories, the company said. The China version is produced at the Shanghai Gigafactory.

The three-row layout adds about 2.2 inches of length compared with the standard Model Y, according to Tesla. The third row is suitable for children or shorter adults. The seats fold flat for cargo. Standard features include Tesla's Full Self-Driving option, a 15-inch touchscreen, and a panoramic glass roof.

The $62,000 price undercuts competitors like the Rivian R1S, which starts near $75,000, and the Kia EV9, which starts around $56,000. The Model Y L uses a slightly larger battery pack for added range, though Tesla has not published official EPA estimates for the US version.

The launch arrives as Tesla navigates a softer EV market in the US. First-quarter deliveries slipped year-over-year, Tesla reported. The Model Y L is now listed on Tesla's US configuration page. Deliveries are expected to begin in August.