.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
It is finally here. I got my hands on the Tesla Model Y L, and I'll get this out of the way first: I put four car seats in this thing. I did so many car seat installations in this car over a week, and as a mom of four and a certified child passenger safety tech, I have a lot of thoughts. The Model Y L is now Tesla's biggest SUV, and it's still a small car. For what it is, though, I was pretty impressed with how car seats fit.
Shopping for an electric family car? Compare it with the rest of our best electric cars for families.
I loved this car. The drive is great, the tech is unbelievable, and the self-driving seriously has me hooked. Just go in knowing the third row is tight and that not every car seat is going to work back there.
- Seven more inches than the Model Y: that extra length is what makes this third row actually usable compared to the regular Model Y.
- Lower anchors in four seats: according to Tesla's manual, both second-row captain's chairs and both third-row seats have lower anchors, plus a top tether at every rear seat.
- Second-row seats on tracks: I could slide the captain's chairs back for a rear-facing seat or forward to give the third row more legroom.
- Glass roof over every row: there's no shade, but the tint keeps the heat out and the third row gets a lot of natural light.
- Seat controls in the trunk: I can control all four rear seats from the back, which I love.
- A frunk: no engine means extra storage up front. Put your takeout in there.
- Adjustable second-row armrests: they go up and down, and the seats are comfortable overall.
The Exterior
The Model Y L Is Tesla's Biggest SUV Now
With the Model X no more, the Model Y got an extension, and this is what it looks like. There are about seven more inches here than in the regular Model Y, and that's what makes the third row much more usable. Still, this is a small car. Next to other mid-size three-row SUVs, it falls short on third-row legroom and headroom.
Rear Doors Don't Open Wide Enough for Infant Seats
My biggest exterior critique is the rear doors. They don't even open to an 85-degree angle, and I'd like at least 80 to 90 degrees. Going from the Model X, where you never had to think about the doors, it's a noticeable change. A wider door would make it easier for everyone, but especially for those of us lifting infant seats in and out.
A Cute Little Spoiler
I love the little spoiler on the back. I think it's so cute.
First Row
I kept my focus on the rows behind me, because that's where the kids ride. Up front, I'll say this: I had so much fun driving this car. The drive is great, the tech is unbelievable, and the self-driving has me hooked.
Model Y L Tech and Self-Driving Up Front
- Full Self-Driving (Supervised): I was hooked. Tesla offers it as an upgrade.
- Touchscreens in the first and second rows: per Tesla, there's a front touchscreen plus one for the second row.
- Glass roof: it carries over the front seats too, tinted to keep the heat out.
Second Row
The second row is two captain's chairs, and it's where car seat decisions in the Model Y L get made.
Captain's Chairs Slide on Tracks to Share Legroom
I had good legroom and great head clearance back here, and the seats are pretty comfortable. I love that these seats are on tracks, because the third-row legroom is tight as-is. Per Tesla, the captain's chairs also have heating, ventilation, powered armrests, and one-touch folding.
- Glass roof: no shade, but a nice tint keeps the heat out. I think it's so fun.
- Ventilation: no ceiling vents, but there are side vents and vents down low.
- Leather seatback pockets on the front seats.
- Adjustable armrests that go up and down.
A Rear-Facing Seat in Row Two Leaves the Third Row No Legroom
To fit my rear-facing seat, I had to push the second-row seat all the way back. That leaves basically no legroom in the third row behind it. If you plan to have rear-facing seats in the second row and passengers in the third row, I probably would not recommend this car to you. If you'll have forward-facing passengers in both rows, you'll probably be okay. There are lower anchors in both captain's chairs; see Car Seat Setup for the full layout.
Getting to the Model Y L Third Row Is the Hard Part
The aisle between the captain's chairs is very small. There's no real way for kids to get to the third row with car seats installed, or honestly without them.
Third Row
A Functional but Very Tight Third Row
Even with the extra length, the third row is super tight. Here's how I see it: if you're going to make it longer, make it a lot longer. With the second-row seat pushed all the way back for my rear-facing seat, there was almost nothing left for legroom back there.
I do like the glass roof back here, because it lets in a lot of natural light. There are side vents and cupholders, and the charging is interesting: it's at the bottom of the seat. Per Tesla, the third-row seats are heated with power recline. All in all, it's a functional third row. It's just a very tight one, and I want you to know that before you buy.
Trunk
How Much Cargo Space Is in the Model Y L?
Not a very big trunk, and not a very big car. That's fine. There's quite a bit of extra storage under the floor and a little more on the sides. I can control all four rear seats from back here, which I like, and there's a power tailgate.
The Frunk Adds Storage Up Front
No engine means extra storage. The frunk is iconic for Tesla, and I like that it's here when some other electric vehicles don't offer one. Put your takeout in it. I like it a lot.
Safety
Seat Belt Pretensioners Are in the Front Seats and Second-Row Captain's Chairs
The Model Y L has lap and shoulder seat belt pretensioners in the front seats and shoulder pretensioners in the second-row outboard seats, which are the two captain's chairs in this six-seat layout. Pretensioners help tighten the seat belt during certain crashes to better position occupants in their seats.
Airbags Cover All Three Rows of the Model Y L
Tesla says the Model Y L has airbags across all three rows, including window and beltline airbags for the second row and side airbags for the third row.
Standard Active Safety Features
The Model Y L includes these standard safety features from Tesla: Automatic Emergency Braking; Forward Collision Warning; Lane Departure Avoidance; Blind Spot Monitoring.
Lower Anchors in Both Captain's Chairs and Both Third-Row Seats
According to Tesla's owner's manual for the six-seat Model Y, lower anchors are in the second-row outboard seats (both captain's chairs) and in the third-row outboard seats. That's four seats with LATCH lower anchors, which matches what I did: four car seats in this car.
Top Tethers in Every Rear Seat
Tesla's manual puts the second-row top tether anchor on the lower half of the seat back, with the head restraint in its lowest position and the strap going over the top of the headrest. In the third row, the tether anchor is behind the seat, and a single-strap tether goes on the outside-facing side of the head restraint.
What Makes Model Y L Car Seat Installs Tricky
- Rear-facing in row two eats third-row legroom. I had to slide the captain's chair all the way back for my rear-facing seat, leaving almost no legroom behind it.
- Some car seats just aren't compatible. It isn't the Tesla's fault so much as certain seats that straight up don't fit in this vehicle.
- No easy path to the third row. The aisle between the captain's chairs is narrow, so kids can't really get back there once seats are installed.
- Narrow door opening. The rear doors open less than 85 degrees, which makes lifting infant seats in and out harder.
- Seats upright first. Tesla's manual says to put the vehicle seat back in its most upright position before installing a car seat, and not to use a car seat's side-impact support pod in the third row.
Recommended Car Seats for
Community Reviews
32 Reviews
purchase
again
Log in to see reviews by real moms
Similar models
Reach out & let’s get started
Whether you're comparing models, prepping for the dealership, or looking for car seat recommendations, we’re here to help.
