Tesla’s seven-seat Model Y is making a comeback in Europe and China later this year. The electric vehicle company plans to roll out the three-row version starting in September or October 2025, first in China and then in Europe. This marks the return of a feature that Tesla had removed just months earlier due to low customer interest.
The seven-seat Model Y won’t be produced at Tesla’s U.S. factories. Instead, Giga Shanghai will handle production for both markets. The Chinese facility is Tesla’s largest factory worldwide and already makes the standard Model Y in high volumes. Tesla has already completed the safety tests needed for European sales, so the company is ready to launch quickly once production starts. The Model Y L’s extended wheelbase design will accommodate families seeking practical transportation solutions. Despite these preparations, reviews from the original third-row configuration noted that space remained limited for practical family use.
Giga Shanghai will produce the seven-seat Model Y for both Chinese and European markets, with safety testing already complete.
Tesla’s decision to bring back the seven-seat option comes as the company faces increased competition. The company’s car sales dropped 7 percent in the second half of 2024. BMW recently outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time since the Model Y entered that market. Offering the seven-seat Model Y is a way for Tesla to attract more customers without completely redesigning the vehicle.
The new version features a long-wheelbase design that adds extra passenger space compared to the standard Model Y. It’ll offer rear-seat comfort similar to Tesla’s pricier Model X but at a lower cost. Tesla has improved the third-row seating and cargo space for this comeback version. A six-seat variant is also being developed specifically for the Chinese market.
Interestingly, this seven-seat configuration isn’t brand new. Tesla originally offered it in China starting in 2021 but discontinued it. The company briefly brought it back in Europe in 2024 before removing it again when the redesigned Model Y launched in January 2025.
Now, based on customer demand and competitive pressures, Tesla’s bringing it back once more. Many Tesla owners also personalize their vehicles with vehicle wraps to enhance both protection and visual appeal while maintaining the car’s resale value. Currently, there’s no word on whether the seven-seat Model Y will come to North America or Australia. For now, families in Europe and China who want a larger Tesla vehicle will soon have another option beyond the more expensive Model X.