While you won’t find a third row of seats in the Tesla Model S
, the Model X
and Model Y
just might deliver. They’re great options if you want an EV to seat 6 to 7 passengers—but the high prices coupled with the super-cramped third rows make them non-ideal for big families or avid road-trippers. Tesla
is famed for its innovative, simplistic, and industry-leading electric vehicles—and as far as EV specs go, none of them disappoint. Driving a Tesla is just plain fun: all-wheel drive and unbeatable torque, plus the knowledge that you’re not spewing carbon emissions into the air. But finding the right Tesla with third-row seating is a trickier task. That’s why the car insurance
comparison and broker
app Jerry
is here to walk you through it. We’ll look at the Model X and Model Y as alternatives to the Model S, and we’ll consider their space specs to help you decide if a Tesla with a third row is the right pick for you. What is the Tesla Model S’s 3rd row like?
The Tesla Model S is an all-electric liftback car—but it doesn’t offer a third row. For a Tesla with a third row, you’ll want to look at the Tesla Model X
or Model Y
The 2022 Model X has a starting MSRP of $122,440 and seats 7 passengers—upgrade to the Plaid trim for bucket seats in the second row and a total passenger capacity of 6. The 2022 Model Y has more modest pricing with a starting MSRP or $67,440, and the Longe Range AWD trim will bring you the third row of seats—and a seating capacity of 7 passengers.
Space and comfort in the Tesla Model X
But who cares about seating capacity if the seats don’t feel good? The honest truth is that third row seating in the Tesla Model X and Model Y is cramped and uncomfortable for adults. The third rows may be manageable for smaller passengers and children, but that’s about it. If you can live without third-row seating, though, fold them down and enjoy the extra cargo space.
Here’s a look at passenger space for the 2022 Model X:
Third row: 32.2 inches of legroom, 37.1 inches of headroom
Second row: 39.8 inches of legroom, 40.9 inches of headroom
First row: 41.1 inches of legroom, 41.7 inches of headroom
Total passenger volume: 193.1 cubic feet
The Model Y has a total passenger volume of 136.6 cubic feet, making it even less comfortable when carrying the maximum passenger load.
Here’s how the Tesla Model X compares with some of its competitors in the sector.
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Are the Tesla Model X and Model Y good for big families and long trips?
While it’s great for city driving, the Model X is trickier when it comes to long trips. The Model X does have an impressive driving range of 335 miles—nearly enough to take you from the Bay Area to Los Angeles in one charge—but you’ll likely need to stop to charge for long road trips.
Coupled with the cramped third row seat, the Model X isn’t our top pick for big families or long trips. If the seats are full, you’ll find yourself wanting for cargo space—and unless they’re small children, passengers in the third row won’t be comfortable.
The pros? Both models have top safety ratings from NSTSA, with the Model Y holding the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. You might be paying an arm and a leg for the ride, but your passengers will be safer than in most other cars on the market.
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Start earning nowHow to find affordable car insurance for your Tesla
Picking the right Tesla to buy is enough of a task, but what about finding Tesla car insurance
? If the chore seems daunting, you’re not wrong—finding an affordable car insurance policy all on your own for an expensive luxury vehicle like a Tesla is no easy feat. We’re here to tell you you don’t need to do it all on your own. With the help of Jerry
, you can quickly find a cheap car insurance policy that offers all the coverages you need. We bring you personalized car insurance quotes from 55+ top providers in our user-friendly app—and it takes less than a minute! We’ll comb through all your quotes and pull out your best options to make it easy for you—and we’ll get you set up with your new provider if you decide to make the switch. The best part? You won’t have to make a phone call once! And the other best part? Jerry is free to use for quote shopping—and our average users see over $800/year in car insurance savings.
"In a day's time, I had quotes, new policies and cut my premiums almost by half. Thanks Jerry
!" —Lori S.