Tesla seems to be reintroducing the 7-seat version of its refreshed Model Y. The hint came through the recent update of the EU type-approval, which indicates that the 7-seat variant of the Model Y Premium AWD might be released within the following weeks. This would represent the revival of the third-row option that was made available on the previous “legacy” Model Y.
The original 7-seat was slightly adopted and discontinued when Tesla released a new design of the Model Y in early 2025. However, the desire for bigger families and the desire for having more seating appear to have led Tesla to change its mind. Research indicates that the company is just about to extend the Model Y line later this year – in a 7-seat version, a rear-wheel-drive, and a performance-themed version.
What We Know (So Far)
The former 7-seat Model Y was offered under legacy design – it included a small third row: two folding facing seats. Access was by sliding and folding the second row; other third-row passengers could use two USB-C ports to charge their devices.
When all the seats were in position, there was significantly less room behind the 3rd row (reduced to 363 litres of boot space). The third row was folded to increase cargo space to 753 litres, and overall load space was nearly 2,040 litres with both the second and third rows folded.
In 2025, Tesla unveiled the new refreshed Model Y design: revised exterior design, cabin quietness, better battery/battery-management system, and cabin comfort (acoustic glass, front seat ventilation, and new rear seat arrangement).
Model Y Long Range AWD type approval update:
▶️WLTP 19" Hankook Ventus S1 added
▶️WLTP 19" Actual = 641 km
▶️WLTP 19" Declared = 629 km▶️4D3B rear motor @ 159kW certified. (🇹🇷Türkiye!)
▶️👉7-Seater configuration added!👈
▶️7-Seater = +52kg / +102kg max
(two kids @ 25kg each) pic.twitter.com/SgBPORI2ia— eivissa⚡🔋🚁🌱🤘🇪🇺 (@eivissacopter) November 25, 2025
Why the 7-Seater Option May Be Making a Comeback
This move by the company to reintroduce the 7-seat set-up appears to be based on strategic product positioning. By the 2025 update, Tesla had only released a single variant called Launch Edition (5-seater), and buyers requiring additional seats had to wait. Tesla can attract the following customers by providing:
Families and larger groups – those that require more people to be accommodated on infrequent occasions or extended journeys.
Versatility-seekers- Buyers who sometimes accommodate more passengers and luggage, and need the option to fold up seats to carry extra cargo.
International market needs- particularly in an area (such as Europe or the emerging market) where more than average families are found and where bigger cars with stretchable seats are favored.
Analysts of EV-news websites observe that this step is consistent with the global strategy of Tesla to expand its attractiveness by providing more variant options instead of a universal product.
What’s Not Yet Confirmed
As of now, the 7-seat is also not seen yet in a public configurator of the new Model Y. Tesla has not published any specifications, including legroom, headroom, or comfort in the third row, of the new 7-seater. Since the Model Y is quite small and the third row was problematic with the previous model, its functionality in the real world is questionable.
