Tesla Model Y L on Jay Leno's Garage: Your Questions Answered

Tesla's Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy sat down with Jay Leno to walk through the Launch Series Model Y L — and the episode answered several questions that prospective buyers have been circling since the vehicle's U.S. debut in July 2026. Here's what came out of it.

What exactly did Tesla show on Jay Leno's Garage?

Von Holzhausen and Moravy brought a Launch Series Model Y L finished in Cosmic Silver with a Zen Gray interior. The episode gave viewers an unusually direct look at the vehicle from the two people most responsible for its design and engineering — not a marketing presenter, but the actual designers. It's the kind of access that tends to surface details that don't make it into press releases.

How much longer is the Model Y L compared to the standard Model Y?

The wheelbase is stretched by 6 inches (approximately 150 mm) over the standard Model Y. That extra length is what enables the third row and the six-seat configuration. According to Tesla's U.S. launch materials from July 2026, the Model Y L has been available in showrooms since then — so this episode serves more as a detailed public walkthrough than a reveal.

What is the Zen Gray interior and who is it for?

Zen Gray is the interior colorway featured on the Launch Series configuration shown in the episode. It pairs with the Cosmic Silver exterior. The Launch Series designation typically signals a higher-spec, early-production trim aimed at buyers who want the full configuration out of the gate — not a stripped-down entry point.

Why did Tesla remove the opening sunroof from the Model Y L?

This was the most pointed question of the episode. Jay Leno asked directly: "There's no sunroof anymore, right?" Lars Moravy and Franz von Holzhausen confirmed it — the Model Y L does not have an opening sunroof. Moravy explained the reasoning, which comes down to structural and packaging trade-offs that come with the longer, three-row body. Watch the clip below for their full explanation in their own words.

▶ Watch Video on X

Is the no-sunroof decision a dealbreaker for families?

That depends on what you're prioritizing. The trade-off is real: you lose the open-air option, but you gain a structurally cleaner roof that supports the longer cabin and, likely, better headroom for third-row passengers. For buyers cross-shopping three-row SUVs, the absence of a sunroof is worth factoring in — but it's not unusual in this segment. Many competing three-row vehicles sacrifice the panoramic opening roof for similar reasons.

Should current Model Y owners considering an upgrade watch this episode?

Yes, particularly if the third row is the reason you're looking at the L. Von Holzhausen and Moravy speak candidly about the design intent — this isn't a polished ad. Hearing the engineering rationale directly from Moravy on the sunroof question, for example, gives you a clearer sense of what Tesla deliberately chose versus what was simply cut. That context matters when you're deciding whether the L fits your use case or whether the standard Model Y still makes more sense for your household.

The Jay Leno's Garage format has a history of pulling out details that formal press events don't — and this episode is no exception. For anyone still on the fence about the Model Y L, it's probably the most useful 20-odd minutes of product content Tesla has put out on this vehicle so far.

This report was curated by the BASENOR Editorial Desk from the sources listed above. Read our editorial standards or email editorial@basenor.com to report an error.