We’ve put 5,000 miles on our Model Y L, including road trips, like one to Disney World in the Florida heat, and a lot of everyday commuter driving. So it’s time to answer the question we get asked most: Was it worth moving up from our Model Y Juniper Launch Edition?
Short answer: I wanted to say I missed the old car. I don’t. The Y L surprised us.
Here’s the full breakdown for anyone thinking about buying one.
Why We Picked 19″ Wheels Over the Free 20s
A lot of you asked why we went with the 19-inch wheels when the 20s were free with the Launch Edition. Fair question. Here’s why:
- It’s a family car, not a show car. My wife will be driving it most of the time, and she doesn’t care if the wheels are 19s or 20s.
- They’ll get curbed anyway. We’re being honest with ourselves.
- The range is close. The 19s get slightly better range, but the difference is small.
- Tires are cheaper. Saving $30 to $50 per tire adds up over the life of the car.
I also drove a Y L on 20s, and I couldn’t feel much of a difference. The 19s ride comfortably, and I think they look good too.
One thing to know: the Y L has a staggered setup, with 255/45R19 in the front and 275/45R19 in the rear. Because the front and rear sizes differ, you can’t do the usual crisscross tire rotation. Plan your tire maintenance with that in mind.
Wheel and tire grade: A+
Cosmic Silver Paint: Better in Person
When I first saw Cosmic Silver, I assumed it was just another version of Quicksilver. It isn’t. It leans more champagne and looks deeper and richer, especially in the sun.
We put PPF on the high-impact areas (we’re a PPF company, so of course we did). After 5,000 miles there isn’t a single chip yet. If you’re unsure about this color, I think most people will be very happy with it.
How It Drives: Familiar in the Best Way
If you’ve driven a Model Y Launch, Premium, or Standard, the Y L will feel familiar. It’s longer, but it doesn’t feel bigger from behind the wheel, and you won’t have to change how you drive.
- It isn’t as quick as a Performance model or as zippy as a Model 3.
- It still pulls hard and feels planted and in control.
- Overall, it drives a lot like a Model Y Premium.
I liked the way it drives more than I expected. We also just got a Rivian R2, and I assumed my wife would claim that one. After a few road trips in the Y L, she’s taking the Tesla. That tells you how solid it is.
The Roof: The UV/IR Coating Works
The Y L has a much longer glass roof, and Tesla gave it a new UV/IR-blocking coating. We tested it in Florida during a hot week at Disney World, and the cabin never felt hot. The back seats stayed comfortable and the kids didn’t complain once.
Because the coating works so well, we hadn’t planned to make a tinted roof PPF. Then a follower told us something fell on their Y L and cracked the glass. So we’re now finishing roof and rear glass protection film, and it’s almost ready. We’re still not offering windshield PPF because we don’t trust the technology yet. Here are are tinted roof PPF options.
Our Window Tint Setup
We tinted the car before our first big trip:
- 35% on the front windows
- 55% on the rear windows
- 55% on the rear quarter windows, which are much larger than on the standard Juniper
- Rear glass left untinted. We didn’t think it was worth doing since the rear windshield has built-in protection like the glass roof.
That setup kept us cool in both Florida and Texas, and both get very hot.
Shop DIY Tesla window tint options here.
Interior: Comfortable, Simple, Easy to Clean
Seats
After 5,000 miles, I’m a big fan of the front seats. They feel closer to the Model Y Performance seats. They don’t hug you quite as much, but they’re noticeably more comfortable on long drives.
Zen Gray Interior
Parents, this one’s for you. My kid climbed all over the seats barefoot and left dirt everywhere. I cleaned it with a simple baby wipe, and it came right off. The material has a slight texture in places, and it handles kid messes well.
Black Headliner
The newer builds have a black headliner instead of the gray one in our old Y Launch. It’s a small change, but it makes the cabin feel more premium.
Second and Third Row: Our Family Setup
This is what most people want to know about, so here’s how it works for us. We’re a family of four with a 17-month-old and a 5-year-old.
Car Seats in the Captain’s Chairs
Our 17-month-old rides in a Graco seat in the second row, and it fits well.
Heads up: the Y L’s seats aren’t flat like a standard five-seater bench. They’re contoured to hold you in place. That’s great for adults, but it can limit some car seats. Ours fit almost perfectly into that shape. Legroom in front of the car seat is tight, which is normal for rear-facing seats because of the required angle. The seat height also makes it easy to get the baby in and out.
Getting to the Third Row
This is the one real quirk we found. There’s a small gap between the captain’s chairs to reach the third row, and we usually have snacks and toys there on road trips. My 5-year-old daughter ended up climbing onto the second-row seat, twisting, and hopping into the back.
That means the second-row seat backs and sides get stepped on, and you’ll see scuffs and footprints. The good news is the parts can be replaced. We’re also working on a protective product for that area. PPF doesn’t stick well to that material, so we’re testing others.
The Third Row Is Better Than You’d Think
On long trips, our 5-year-old sat in the third row, and her car seat fit there with no problems. My wife sat in the second row next to the baby, with lots of legroom since nobody was in front of her. Our daughter played her games and could see the main screen for movies.
Some nice details in the back:
- Adjustable vents in both the second and third rows. My daughter could reach and aim hers herself.
- Seat-adjust buttons that rear passengers can reach
- Cup holders in the third row
The Center Aisle Is Great for Parents
I didn’t expect to love this as much as I do. With a toddler and a kindergartner, you bring a lot of stuff: diapers, bags, snacks, a cooler. The aisle between the captain’s chairs became our spot for all of it, and it’s within reach of everyone.
Cargo Space
The rear well is deeper than you’d expect. Our compact stroller lives back there full time, and there’s plenty of room left over.
For our cruise trip with four large bags, we folded the third row down and everything fit. If you’re traveling with a full family and luggage, plan to fold the third row on longer trips.
Tech: Same as the Regular Model Y
The tech is basically the same as the Premium Model Y:
- Hardware 4
- FSD capable
- Same camera setup
If you’re upgrading for new tech, there isn’t much here. The reason to get the Y L is the six-seat layout and the captain’s chairs.
Who Is the Model Y L For?
We’re a bit biased because the Model X is one of our all-time favorite Teslas. When our now-5-year-old was a newborn, the X’s captain’s chairs were a huge help. The Y L brings back a lot of what we loved about the X for a lot less money.
The Y L is a great fit if you:
- Have two or three small or growing kids
- Want space between siblings (we love each other, but personal space helps)
- Do a lot of road trips with lots of gear
- Want captain’s chairs without paying Model X prices
You might need something bigger if:
- You have teenagers, since the third row will feel small
- You’re always carrying a full car plus gear to sports and activities
If you already have a Model Y Premium, upgrade only if you really need the six-seat layout. Otherwise the differences are small.
Launch Edition vs. Waiting
With most launch editions, waiting for the regular version usually saves you money, because you’re paying a bit extra to be first. Our Launch Edition did come with some extras that help make up for it:
- Free tow hitch
- Free wheel upgrade options
- Mobile Connector
- Floor mats
- Launch Edition rear badge
- 12 months of free FSD
- 12 months of free Supercharging
The free Supercharging alone means we’ll be putting a lot of miles on this car through 2026 and 2027.
Final Verdict: Would We Buy It Again?
Yes.
Coming from an already well-built Model Y, a lot of the improvements are small and hard to point to. The big one is the six-seat layout, and it fits our family much better right now with a toddler and a 5-year-old.
There are a few annoyances, like getting to the third row and scuffed seat backs, but none of them are dealbreakers for us. Day to day, our daughter sits in the second row anyway.
Tesla clearly put real thought into this car for families. My wife loves it, it’s officially her car, and after 5,000 miles I can see why.
We’ve got more trips planned in the Y L soon, so stay tuned for more family road trip content.
