Is the seven-seat Tesla Model Y finally about to become a reality for Australia?

September 27, 2024September 26, 2024 John Mahoney 14031 Views 7 seat model y, model y seven seats, Tesla Model Y

Four years after other markets were first offered the seven-seat version of Tesla’s best-selling Model Y, the missing third row might finally be available to order in Australia.

Until now, this family-friendly option – as seen in America’s Model Ys – has never been offered on cars made in Tesla’s German and Chinese factories.

But according to X (formerly Twitter) user @eivissacopter that’s about to change as the seven-seat version of the Model Y has received European approval, paving the way for its launch Down Under.

Giving some credibility to the source, @eivissacopter is a German known to monitor regulatory databases specifically for updates and changes to Tesla models. On X, the user posted sources – unverified – of approvals for seven-seat Model Ys coming out of the Chinese factory, where Australian Teslas are sourced.

Tesla Model Y. — Tesla Model Y could soon score a coveted third row of seating for improved family practicality.

The X post states that post-approval orders could open for the new option as soon as October 2024 in Europe, Asia and Oceania (Australia).

Having seven seats could be vital for the mid-size Tesla SUV to help it fend off new competition, like the two-row XPeng G6 and inbound Leapmotor C10.

However, there’s been no official confirmation for the three-row Model Y’s launch here yet.

Even if for some reason we’re still denied it, earlier reports suggest a six-seat Model Y is already in the works and that the third row will be introduced as part of the big facelift of the Model Y (codename Juniper) that’s due next year.

But this latest leak insists the seven-seater will arrive later in 2024, ahead of the facelift.

Initially, the suggestions online are that the seven-seater will only be offered in the Long Range all-wheel-drive dual-motor Model Y with 82kWh battery.

Despite the extra weight, the mid-size SUV will still be able to cover up to 533km and return a very quick 0-100km/h of 5.0 seconds.

The documents state third row seats won’t be available on either the base rear-drive Model Y or the fastest Performance version.

Government homologation data says the seven-seat option adds just 45kg to the Model Y’s kerb weight, with the gross vehicle mass (GVM) increased by 70kg to suit.