A well-known Tesla hacker claims that a new Model Y seating configuration is on the way, and it’s not just for China
June 19, 2025 at 17:10
- Tesla appears to be developing a six-seat version of the new Model Y Juniper.
- This variant could be sold alongside the five and seven-seat versions of the EV.
- Rumors also suggest it might feature an extended wheelbase and captain’s chairs.
The Model Y has been Tesla’s biggest seller, and up until last year, it held the crown as the best-selling vehicle overall. It’s a versatile, practical, fast, and modern crossover. The latest iteration, which launched recently, brings updated styling and interior refinements. Now, there’s talk that Tesla may be pushing the Model Y even further with a trio of seating configurations and potentially two wheelbase options.
The latest scoop comes from Green, a hacker and code sleuth (@GreenTheOnly), who’s made a name for himself digging through Tesla’s software to uncover upcoming features. This time, he found something interesting in Tesla’s software version 2025.14. According to Green, the firmware specifically mentions a six-seat Model Y. This is a big deal, especially since, until now, Tesla has only offered the five-seat version.
More: Tesla Pauses Model Y And Cybertruck Production, But It’s Not What You Think
A seven-seater is coming for sure. We learned that earlier this month, thanks to an email Tesla sent to customers mentioning it. We’ve already seen a version of the seven-seater in the pre-facelift Model Y, where a third row with two retractable seats was available, good for maybe a couple of third graders at best.
The six-seater, however, is a different story. The brand has never sold a six-seat Model Y, so this is all-new for the range. What’s particularly interesting is that while earlier rumors suggested it might be a China-exclusive, the Tesla code hints at it being a global model. Looks like this one’s not just for the Great Wall crowd after all.
That said, we expect it to use a 2+2+2 layout, likely with captain’s chairs in the middle row. The Model X has been available in the past with five, six, or seven seats. In that case, the six-seater was the most expensive of the trio, and that’ll likely be the case here with the Model Y as well. In theory, it should offer the best blend of interior cabin space and ease of ingress and egress.
The Long Wheelbase Question
No doubt, stretching the wheelbase of the Model Y would make it even more enticing. It would repeat the same trick used by countless automakers like BMW, Range Rover, and even Chevrolet. A long car provides more cabin space, something so many clamor for in today’s automotive market. That said, the appearance of a six-seat Model Y makes a long-wheelbase version even more appealing.
The entire point of offering a six-seater, rather than seven, is that the third row gets more space. Doubling down on that design objective could very well mean a longer wheelbase. Not A Tesla App also points out that rumors are swirling in China about just such a car. Dubbed the E80 there, it could reportedly add 5.9 inches of total wheelbase length. That’s enough to provide more comfort for the second and third row at the same time.
