339,000. Be among the first to experience the Tesla Model Y L: The third row is hardly a selling point.
On the morning of August 19th, Tesla suddenly officially announced the launch of the Tesla Model Y L. It is priced at 339,000 yuan, 25,500 yuan higher than the top - of - the - line version of the currently available Tesla Model Y.
According to the released configuration information, the Tesla Model Y L is also equipped with a front - and - rear dual - motor system, and the maximum power of each motor is slightly higher. Coupled with its larger body size, the price of the Tesla Model Y L seems quite reasonable.
Screenshot: Tesla official
Coincidentally, the domestic SUV market has been booming recently, with the popularity of pure - electric SUVs such as the LeDao L90 and the Li Auto i8 remaining high. Can the Tesla Model Y L, with its added third - row seats, quickly replicate the success of the Model Y?
Only through practice can we gain true knowledge. Dianchetong went directly to a nearby Tesla store to find out. Here is our sharing of the experience.
The store is bustling! Fans of the Model Y L are enthusiastic
The Tesla store in Tianhuan Square is not very large in area, but there are quite a few customers lingering around, especially showing great interest in the silver Tesla Model Y L in the store.
Dianchetong noticed that the customers entering the store were mainly interested in the Tesla Model Y L. Among them were young people just strolling around, small families with children coming to look at cars, car enthusiasts who pay close attention to the automotive circle information, and there was also an owner of the Tesla Model Y who came to check out the new car during his break time.
Especially this Tesla Model Y owner who just picked up his car. He had actually noticed the information about this three - row SUV a long time ago, but the reason he didn't choose the Tesla Model Y L in the end was that he didn't have much need for the third - row seats. He cared more about the storage space, and the current Model Y already met his needs.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
In addition, in his opinion, the Tesla Model Y L is just a branch of the current Model Y series. There won't be much difference in the car - infotainment system, assisted driving, configuration, powertrain, etc. compared with the current Model Y. Moreover, after the body size is lengthened, it may be less maneuverable than the current Model Y. That's why he finally decided to buy the Model Y.
Configuration is not Tesla's advantage. The Li Auto i8, also priced at more than 300,000 yuan, can offer users a more user - friendly "refrigerator, color TV, and big sofa". The LeDao L90, with its top - of - the - line version priced under 300,000 yuan, has completely solved the problem of space.
However, after communicating with other potential customers, it was found that although they knew that domestic pure - electric cars at the same price range had high - end configurations, such a comparison didn't make much sense to them. They valued more the status and influence of Tesla in the mid - to - high - end pure - electric vehicle market.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
In their view, driving a Tesla itself is a very important emotional value, which other car manufacturers can't achieve by simply piling up configurations.
The salesperson revealed that the first batch of vehicles is expected to be delivered in September. Currently, there is no test - drive car available. The salesperson said, "If you're not in a hurry to get a car, I'd recommend you take a test drive before deciding whether to place an order."
Experience the rear seats of the Model Y L: Some friends may be disappointed
On the day when the application drawings were released, Dianchetong had already analyzed the Tesla Model Y L. Compared with the current Model Y, the new car has an increased height and wheelbase, and a third - row seat has been added. Therefore, like most customers, the first thing Dianchetong did when entering the store was to directly head to the rear seats of the Model Y L.
The current Model Y uses a traditional "2 + 3" five - seat layout, while the Tesla Model Y L uses a "2 + 2+2" three - row six - seat layout. So, let's first take a look at the changes in the second - row seats.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
Both independent seats support heating and ventilation functions. At the same time, a total of three speakers have been added under the rear control panel and on the roof. A rather unique change is that electric adjustable armrests have been added to the inner sides of the two independent seats, which can be fully retracted with a single - button control. However, Dianchetong believes that it would be more popular among users if the height could be adjusted according to the passengers' needs.
Compared with traditional seat armrests, electric adjustable armrests can reduce the space in the passage to the third row, but on the other hand, it increases the hardware cost and there is a possibility of pinching hands during the lowering process.
To be honest, when Dianchetong saw Tesla, which is good at cost control, come up with this design, there was more shock in the heart. It was hard to figure out whether Tesla is better at saving money or spending it.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
In terms of the space that everyone cares about, the wheelbase of the Tesla Model Y L is 150mm longer than that of the current Model Y, and the height is 44mm higher. Coupled with the fact that the second - row seats can move forward and backward, the seating space and spatial freedom of the Tesla Model Y L are much better than those of the current Model Y.
These are all the changes in the second - row seats. Next, Dianchetong left a fist - sized gap for the second - row seats to see how the controversial third row performs.
It should be noted that when Dianchetong was about to enter the third row, he was bumped by the bulge in the middle of the passage. This bulge is about 10cm high. Friends who want to experience the real car may want to pay attention to it.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
Dianchetong is 170cm tall, and there is about a fist - sized legroom from the second - row seat. The legroom is indeed sufficient, and there is an aisle in the second - row seat, allowing one leg to stretch into the middle aisle.
Moreover, the third row is also equipped with charging sockets, air - conditioning vents, cup holders, etc. There is also an electric folding function for the rear two - row seats on the side of the trunk, which can be flattened with a single button when placing large items.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
With such legroom and configuration, Dianchetong's colleague "Chadu Zhanggui", who has driven a Highlander for many years, evaluated that it is much better than the Highlander. Dianchetong checked social platforms and found that netizens who gave positive reviews of the third - row seats of the Tesla Model Y L mainly praised it for its legroom and configuration.
Okay, let's stop the praise here. Next, it's time to talk about some things that made Dianchetong uncomfortable.
It's true that the legroom is sufficient, but it's also true that the third - row seats are like small stools. When Dianchetong sat down, his thighs were almost hanging in the air. This performance can only be used for emergencies.
Since the Tesla Model Y L still has a coupe - style SUV body, the distance between the head and the rear windshield is very small. When Dianchetong sat in the third - row seat, there was only a little more than a fist - sized gap. Dianchetong's first reaction when sitting in the third - row seat was not to feel the comfort of the seat, but to fasten the seat - belt, already worried that the head would hit the rear windshield once the vehicle bumped.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
More importantly, currently, there is no test - drive car for the Tesla Model Y L, only the exhibition car in the store. So, there is one thing that almost all netizens and the media haven't pointed out: the third row may be very sunny.
The rear windshield can't even completely filter the incandescent light in the store. Dianchetong strongly doubts its ability to filter sunlight and ultraviolet rays. Moreover, since the glass is very close to the head, considering that the glass absorbs heat, Dianchetong even suspects that sitting in the third - row seat may give a "hot - head" feeling.
In addition, when all three rows of seats are in use, the basic volume of the trunk is actually a bit small, probably able to hold three backpacks. The practicality is indeed lacking. Fortunately, there is also a storage space under the trunk, which can hold two backpacks. Coupled with the 116L front - trunk volume, the storage space can barely meet the needs of daily travel.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
If users don't know the changes in the size parameters, many of them may think that the Tesla Model Y L is just an upgraded version of the current Model Y with two additional seats directly placed in the trunk.
An on - site car - looking old man directly gave a sharp comment: "Sitting in the third - row seat for the first time feels like driving a convertible."
In Dianchetong's view, the legroom and configuration of the third row of the Tesla Model Y L are indeed better than those of traditional fuel - powered cars such as the Highlander, but the overall performance can't get a passing grade.
Maybe you might say that such a small space can be used for children to sit. However, this is just a stop - gap measure. If you use the third - row seat for emergencies, anyone might sit in the third row. Moreover, just the questionable sun - protection and heat - insulation abilities mean that no one sitting in the third - row seat will feel comfortable, which can't be compensated even by more air - conditioning vents.
Image source: Shot by Dianchetong
Looking at all three - row SUVs in the domestic market, there may be many models whose third - row seat width and legroom are not large due to reasons such as a short wheelbase and rear - suspension design. However, no three - row SUV still adheres to the coupe - style SUV body shape, making users bear the risks of sun exposure and hitting the head.
Of course, these problems only occur because Tesla adheres to the coupe - style SUV design. If the official changes this new car to a traditional SUV shape, Dianchetong definitely won't give so many negative reviews. It's just that the Tesla Model Y L mainly wants to use the best - selling Model Y as one of its selling points. With such persistence, the official seems to have no reason to abandon the most recognizable coupe - style SUV shape design of the Model Y.
It now seems that the Tesla Model Y L is really a bit of a "forced effort".
So, can the Tesla Model Y L still become a best - seller?
The increase in the car length and wheelbase does help to increase the storage space. The Tesla Model Y L can indeed attract customers who have requirements for space and love the Tesla brand.
Judging from the fact that several customers placed orders at one store on the day of the launch, the Tesla Model Y L may attract