Electric automaker Tesla looks set to add both six- and seven-seat Model Ys – rumoured to include right-hand drive production for the first time – after a recent firmware update spilled the beans.
Reports from Greentheonly on the Elon Musk-owned social media platform X confirmed a six-seat Model Y was shown as part of the 2025.2 update.
The X account has a history of correct calls on upcoming Tesla details, suggesting the more accommodating Model Y won’t be restricted to the Chinese market only as previously speculated.
Tesla currently sources all Australian-market models from China, and the discovery means a six- or seven-seat Model Y could be offered locally – the first seven-seat vehicle from the automaker here since the larger Model X SUV left showrooms in late 2020.
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That would make it one of only a few seven-seat electric vehicles (EV) on sale in Australia, joining the likes of the Kia EV9, Mercedes-Benz EQB and Volvo EX90.
CarExpert has reached out to Tesla Australia for official comment.
Tesla previously offered the Model Y with seven seats in North America, but only on vehicles made in the United States, limiting production to left-hand drive before it was dropped altogether in 2023.
The upcoming six-seat version would reportedly use a 2x2x2 seat layout with a centre console potentially splitting occupants, while seven-seat versions offered in the US had a 2x3x2 arrangement.
Speculation has suggested room for the new seating configurations would come with an increase to the recently facelifted Model Y’s 2890mm wheelbase – and current 4790mm length.
This could counter criticism the previous seven-seat option offered overseas was somewhat limited in space, which may have contributed to its low take-up and eventual removal from the options list.
Tesla’s website shows the (pre-update) Model Y with seven seats, with access to the third row via a lever to tumble-tilt the second-row seats forward.
The Model X is currently offered in North America in a choice of five-, six and seven-seat configurations without any changes to its wheelbase or overall length.
Yet the ‘Falcon’ doors on the Model X offer easier entry and exit where the Model Y has conventionally opening doors – and at 5057mm, the Model X is a substantial 267mm longer.
The Model Y was the best-selling EV in both Australia and the world in 2024, and despite significant sales decline for the Tesla brand here, remains the country’s most popular EV year-to-date (end of May 2025).