Is the Rumor of a Longer 6-Seat Tesla Model Y Serious?

Tesla once again creates buzz with persistent rumors of a six-seater version of the Model Y with an extended wheelbase.

This variant of the Tesla Model Y, announced for late 2025 and primarily intended for the Chinese market, raises questions: will it coexist with a seven-seater version, or mark a radical evolution of the offering? And most importantly, will it actually come to fruition?

The six-seater configuration would adopt a 2-2-2 layout with individual chairs in the second row. This arrangement aims to provide increased comfort for passengers, particularly those in the third row. This model clearly targets families seeking a premium experience, where space and ergonomics take precedence over versatility. It is also a configuration that could appeal to Chinese customers, who are especially attached to interior space.

A regional strategy for Tesla?

The seven-seater version available in Europe and the United States on the previous generation of the Model Y remains more focused on functionality. Its auxiliary seats in the trunk can fold flat to maximize cargo space, but their comfort is limited, making them suitable only for young children or short trips.

The six-seater version would be produced in Shanghai, reflecting a targeted strategy to meet the growing demand in China for spacious, high-end family electric vehicles. This approach is part of an increasingly competitive premium market landscape, especially against local players like BYD.

In Europe, Tesla might continue offering the seven-seater version as an option for the Long Range Model Y, thus meeting consumer expectations for a practical and affordable electric SUV.

Coexistence, replacement, or neither?

Tesla might choose to offer both configurations to meet different needs. However, it is also possible that the Model Y remains strictly a five-seater, with the role of the European family vehicle or Chinese limousine filled by the refreshed Model X, announced for the end of the year.

For now, all of this is just speculation, and no official announcement has confirmed the introduction of this extended six-seater version. But with Tesla, such rumors rarely have purely speculative foundations. To boost its sales, Tesla needs to produce Tesla—meaning anticipate the needs of its various markets and restore its status as a pioneer in electric vehicles.

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