Tesla Reintroduces Third-Row Seat in Model Y

Key Points

• An available third-row seat was ditched when Tesla refreshed the Model Y last year.
• Now, the third-row seat is back.
• $2,500 option on one trim level only

When we had the opportunity in early 2025 to test drive the updated 2026 Tesla Model Y, we called it a “definitive improvement.” The improved suspension tuning, additional sound-deadening measures and technological enhancements combine to create a more refined overall package. But for some buyers, none of that mattered because Tesla dropped the available third-row seat in the refresh.

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Now, it’s back — on one version of the SUV, at least. Only offered on the all-wheel-drive Premium trim, which is $9,000 pricier than the entry-level Model Y as of this writing, the third-row seat is a $2,500 option. It seats two, bumping overall occupancy to seven. The new rear seat will still put many occupants’ heads either inches from or right up against the back window and doesn’t stretch the electric SUV’s length like the Chinese Model YL, but for families with young children, it could be useful. Currently, even at a price north of $50,000, the Model Y is the cheapest three-row electric vehicle available.

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