Tesla has launched a seven-seat configuration for its 2026 Model Y in the United States, available as a $2,500 upgrade on the Premium All-Wheel-Drive Long Range trim. The addition brings back a feature previously offered briefly before its removal in early 2025, though the third row remains cramped and suitable mainly for children. Alongside the seating option, the company introduced minor interior and exterior updates to the Premium and Performance models.
Tesla unveiled the updated 2026 Model Y on January 13, 2026, making the seven-seat option available through its online configurator in the US. This configuration adds a third row of fold-flat seats for an extra $2,500, but it is limited to the Premium All-Wheel-Drive Long Range model, which starts at $48,990 before fees. Including destination and order charges, the total price reaches $53,130. The third row, squeezed into the standard 187-inch-long body with a 113.8-inch wheelbase, offers limited legroom and headroom, making it practical primarily for small children rather than adults.
This is not the extended Model YL variant launched in China in August 2025, which features a six-seat layout with a 186mm longer wheelbase and more usable rear space. Elon Musk indicated that the Model YL might arrive in the US in late 2026 or possibly never. The previous seven-seat Model Y was available in the US and Europe for a short period before the early 2025 refresh, after which it was discontinued in favor of five seats only.
In addition to the seating upgrade, Tesla applied several enhancements to the Premium and Performance trims. These include a standard black headliner replacing the previous grey one, a larger 16-inch center display with higher resolution (up from 15.4 inches on non-Performance models), and matte black exterior badging across all trims instead of chrome. An optional 20-inch dark-grey Helix 2.0 wheel design is available for $2,000. The Standard trim remains unchanged, retaining the 15.4-inch screen and grey headliner.
Online reactions were mixed, with some Tesla enthusiasts expressing disappointment over the lack of the extended wheelbase. One user commented, “Pointless without the bigger Y L wheelbase,” while another stated, “No one wants this version; they want the Model Y L. You’re literally wasting your time.” These updates come amid increased competition in the electric SUV market and Tesla's recent sales decline.
