Just a few days after the rumors, Tesla launched the Model YL in the US market. However, the initial version of the three-row, six-seat electric SUV is more expensive than some expected.
The new electric vehicle is available to order such as the Model YL Premium Launch Series priced at $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 autonomous driving (supervised), premium connectivity and supercharging.
You also get cosmetic touches like a unique puddle light, badges, and a suede wing on the dashboard.
As with the international model, the US version of the Model YL extends the length by 7.3 inches and the height by 1.8 inches. While it replaces the three-person bench in the second row with two captain’s chairs, it makes the two rear seats much more usable. You can expect to fit six adults.
You won’t pay extra for different colors or wheels larger than 20 inches (19-inch wheels are standard), and a tow hitch is included.
Reports on late summer deliveries are accurate. Orders for the new YL model are expected to reach customers in September or October. This makes sense when Tesla was reported to be upgrading Gigafactory Texas production for the car this spring, but it dashes hopes of purchasing one in time for the summer holidays.
Is the Tesla Model YL a good deal?
Hyundai and Kia are doing better, for now
The $61,990 price of the Model YL Premium Launch Series makes it more expensive than the faster Y Performance at $57,490, and well above the roughly $54,000 that observers were expecting. Tesla is expected to release more affordable variants over time, but it’s unclear when they will arrive.
For now, that makes the Model YL more expensive than its immediate three-row competition, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 ($58,955 in basic version) and Let’s EV9 ($54,900). However, you’ll get more range and faster acceleration with the Tesla SUV.
High Starting Price May Not Matter
Tesla may not be worried about price. The car is filling a void that Tesla created when Model X discontinued. Furthermore, Tesla still dominates the US electric vehicle market and just achieved a record in the second quarter with 480,126 deliveries. The Model YL may be attractive simply because it is a three-row SUV from the country’s most popular electric car maker.
