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Tesla Model Y 7-seat config: Front-facing third row suggested by in-car icon
Tesla has all but confirmed that the Model Y’s 7-seat configuration will have a forward-facing third row. Some speculation suggested that the electric automaker was considering a rear-facing third row, returning to the once-equipped jump seats in the Model S flagship sedan.
It appears that Tesla has been leaving breadcrumbs for enthusiasts to find that may confirm the Model Y’s third-row orientation. Tesla owner and content creator Brian Jenkins of i1Tesla spotted a graphic of the Model Y’s 7-seated third-row while driving with his trunk open.
“I was driving with the trunk open,” Jenkins told Teslarati. “Once the beeping stopped, the warning went away, showing the 3rd row. It is the icon on the screen.”
Teslarati was able to confirm the graphic that appears on the center touchscreen, which showed the third-row seats. It appears that the seats will fold upright and will be forward-facing, but that’s not the biggest piece of evidence that points to front-facing rear row seating.
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- Tesla Model Y 7-Seat Folded 3rd Row Rear Seats (Photo: Teslarati)
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- Tesla Model Y 7-Seat Folded 3rd Row Rear Seats (Photo: Teslarati)
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- Tesla Model Y Trunk Cargo Rear Hatch (Photo: Teslarati)
In fact, Tesla has an animation of the Model Y’s interior on its website that shows a normal, forward-facing third row. The rear row’s seatbelts are angled so that they would not interfere with the passengers who occupy those seats, and the base of the seating shows an area for the buckles to come through. If the seats were rear-facing, this seatbelt buckle opening would be on the opposite side.
Credit: Tesla
Speculation regarding the orientation of the Model Y’s third-row began when initial photographs of the third row showed small legroom spaces for passengers who would sit in this row. It seemed impossible that a fully-grown adult would be able to occupy these seats comfortably, and it would likely be left for smaller passengers.
Fuel was only added to the fire when veteran teardown expert Sandy Munro got his hands on a Model Y for a video series. Evidence in the Y’s initial designs hinted to Munro that the third row of seats would be rear-facing. “We can’t see anything that says that we’re going to be putting front-facing seats,” Munro said. “But, we sure can see where it could be a potential there for rear-facing seats.”
Credit: Munro Live | YouTube
Tesla has used rear-facing third-row seats before. The Model S had rear-facing jump seats, and CEO Elon Musk even used them for his kids during a cross country road trip.
Nobody knows for sure which way the third row will face, but evidence from Tesla seems to all but confirm the automaker’s intentions moving forward. The 7-seat variant was set to begin deliveries this month after Musk stated production had begun on the variant in late November. However, no deliveries have taken place up to this point, and Sales Representatives told Teslarati that they expect the car to arrive in January 2021.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk: Tesla Model Y is world’s best-selling car for 3rd year in a row
The Model Y has now established an impressive streak that would otherwise have been impossible before Tesla.
Elon Musk has announced that the Tesla Model Y has become the world’s best-selling car by volume for the third consecutive year, capping 2025 with another dominant performance.
The Model Y has now established an impressive streak that would otherwise have been impossible before Tesla.
Three years in a row
Musk posted on X: “Tesla Model Y is now officially the world’s best-selling car for the third year in a row!” The CEO’s comment echoed an update that Tesla included in its 2025 recap, which highlighted, among other things, the Model Y’s incredible streak.
The Model Y has held the title since 2023, outperforming traditional leaders like the Toyota RAV4 and Corolla thanks to its bang-for-the-buck nature and its stellar combination of practicality, performance, and tech. The Model Y is also lauded as one of the safest vehicles on the road, making it an ideal choice for families in key markets such as China.
An impressive 2025
The Model Y’s sales feat in 2025 is especially impressive considering the introduction of the vehicle’s new variant. Tesla’s changeover to the new Model Y across its global factories resulted in sales being paused for some time in the first quarter. As per Tesla’s Q1 2025 vehicle delivery and production report, “the changeover of Model Y lines across all four of our factories led to the loss of several weeks of production in Q1.”
This suggests that the Model Y’s sales remained strong in 2025 to the point where it could still claim the title of the world’s best-selling vehicle by volume, even with its sales being throttled during the first quarter of the year. It would then be interesting to see just how far the Model Y can go in 2026, especially considering the rollout of new variants like the six-seat extended wheelbase Model Y L, the affordable Model Y Standard, and the top-tier Model Y Performance.
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Tesla shares epic 2025 recap video, confirms start of Cybercab production
The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development.
Tesla has released an epic year-in-review video for 2025, recapping some of its major achievements from refreshed models to autonomy breakthroughs and production ramps.
The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development while looking ahead to an even bigger 2026.
Tesla’s 2025 highlights recap
Tesla has had a busy 2025, as highlighted in the recap video. The video opened with Elon Musk explaining the company’s pursuit of sustainable abundance. A number of milestones were then highlighted, such as the rollout of FSD v14, Optimus’ numerous demos, the opening of the Tesla Diner in Hollywood, LA, the completion of the world’s first autonomous car delivery, and the launch of the Robotaxi network in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tesla also highlighted several of its accomplishments over the year. As per the company, the Model Y was the year’s best-selling vehicle globally again, and Teslas became more affordable than ever thanks to the Model 3 and Model Y Standard. Other key models were also rolled out, such as the refreshed Model S and X, as well as the new Model Y, the new Model Y Performance, and the six-seat, extended wheelbase Model Y L.
The Megablock was also unveiled during the year, and the Supercharger Network grew by 18%. Over 1 million Powerwalls were also installed during the year, and the Cybertruck became the first EV truck to get both an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and an NHTSA 5-Star safety rating.
Cybercab production confirmed
Interestingly enough, Tesla also confirmed in its 2025 recap video that the production of the Cybercab has started. This bodes well for the vehicle, as it could result in the vehicle really being mass-produced in the first half of 2026. Elon Musk confirmed during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting that Cybercab production should earnestly start around April 2026.
Musk has also noted that the Cybercab will be Tesla’s highest-volume vehicle yet, with the company aiming for an annual production rate of about 2 million units. “If you’ve seen the design of the Cybercab line, it doesn’t look like a normal car manufacturing line,” Musk said earlier this year. “It looks like a really high-speed consumer electronics line. In fact, the line will move so fast that actually people can’t even get close to it.”
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Tesla Cybercab is changing the look of Austin’s roads, and it’s not even in production yet
Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic.
Even before entering production, Tesla’s Cybercab is already transforming the appearance of Austin’s streets, with multiple prototypes spotted testing in downtown areas recently.
Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic. Interestingly enough, the vehicles were equipped with temporary steering wheels and human safety drivers.
Recent Cybercab sightings
Over the weekend, enthusiasts captured footage of two Cybercabs driving together in central Austin, their futuristic silhouettes standing out amid regular traffic. While the vehicles featured temporary steering wheels and side mirrors for now, they retained their futuristic, production-intent exterior design.
Industry watcher Sawyer Merritt shared one of the vehicles’ videos, noting the increasing frequency of the autonomous two-seater’s sightings.
Previewing the autonomous future
Sightings of the Cybercab have been ramping in several key areas across the United States in recent weeks. Sightings include units at Apple’s Visitor Center in California, the Fremont factory test track, and in Austin’s streets.
The increased activity suggests that Tesla is in overdrive, validating the autonomous two-seater ahead of its planned volume production. Elon Musk confirmed at the 2025 Shareholder Meeting that manufacturing begins around April 2026 with ambitious targets, and during an All-Hands meeting earlier this year, Musk hinted that ultimately, Tesla’s factories should be able to produce one Cybercab every 10 seconds.
Elon Musk: Tesla Model Y is world’s best-selling car for 3rd year in a row
Tesla shares epic 2025 recap video, confirms start of Cybercab production
