Model Y L approved for Australia; U.S. timing uncertain

Model Y L approved for Australia as global rollout looms

Tesla’s long-wheelbase Model Y L is moving beyond China: the vehicle has received approval for sale in Australia, indicating that a broader international release is likely approaching.

X user @RobGrieves noted a new entry on Australia’s ROVER regulator site listing the variant "YL5NDB" among approved vehicle types. No launch date is specified, but this kind of approval typically precedes appearance on the local order page.

Tesla's First True Three-Row SUV

Positioned for families who consider the standard Model Y too small and the Model X too costly, the Model Y L is presented as a "Goldilocks" option. It debuted in China last summer and stands apart from a simple seven-seat retrofit.

The wheelbase is longer by 150mm and overall length grows by 177mm, enabling a genuine 2-2-2 configuration: two foldable captain’s chairs in the second row with a walk-through aisle to two foldable seats in the third row. Additional hardware includes a comfort-tuned suspension with continuously variable dampers and a larger 16-inch center display.

It also serves as a lower-cost alternative to the Model X, which is slated to be discontinued later this year. With Tesla’s roomiest model departing, the Model Y L is positioned to take over as the large-family option.

Australian Approval

The Australian filing confirms right-hand-drive production. ROVER documentation indicates a dual-motor AWD configuration and an approximate 84kWh battery for the local model.

The Model Y L received type approval in the European Union in late December, and Tesla often times European and Australian launches together. It remains to be seen whether exports will come solely from Gigafactory Shanghai or whether Gigafactory Berlin will also contribute.

U.S. Launch: Late 2026 or Never?

Australia and Europe seem next in line, but North America remains a wait-and-see. Elon Musk has said the Model Y L wouldn’t reach the U.S. until late 2026 and added a "might not ever" caveat.

His rationale is that if "unsupervised" Full Self-Driving arrives, larger driver-focused family vehicles could give way to autonomous options such as the Cybercab. With the Model X set to exit, a replacement may be needed to cover the luxury SUV segment in the U.S.

Regardless of timing, the Model Y L is emerging as a global focus. For families in Australia, the wait for a "mini-Model X" may be nearing its end.