The 2026 Tesla Model Y brings back the third row and adds “premium” tweaks

After nearly a year of waiting and rumors, Tesla has finally updated the US version of its best-selling electric SUV. The 2026 Model Y is officially here, and the main news is the return of the seven-seater option. Alongside the extra seats, the automaker has added a handful of cosmetic and tech upgrades reserved for the higher-end trims.

Families who have been hoping for more passenger space can now order the Model Y with a third row again. This option had disappeared from the US configurator during the design refresh in early 2025. It is back now, but it comes with a price tag of $2,500.

Buyers should know there is a catch regarding availability. You cannot get this layout on the cheaper Standard version. Tesla has limited the seven-seat configuration to the Premium All-Wheel-Drive Long Range model. If you want the extra room, you have to pay for the premium powertrain.

Having space for seven people sounds great, but the actual room inside has not changed much. The third row in the previous Model Y was known for being very small, mostly suitable for children. The 2026 version appears to be the same.

The vehicle keeps its standard dimensions - 187 inches in length with a wheelbase of 113.8 inches. Because the car body has not been stretched, the legroom and headroom in the far back remain as tight as ever. Adults will likely find it uncomfortable for anything other than very short trips.

It is important to clear up a possible confusion - the US update is not the "Model YL" that launched in China in August 2025. The Chinese market got a six-seater version with a "2+2+2" layout. That vehicle features captain's chairs in the second row and a longer wheelbase, which Tesla extended by 6 inches to create real legroom.

CEO Elon Musk has stated that the longer Model YL might not arrive in the US until late 2026, if it comes at all. For now, American buyers are getting the standard-length body with the third row squeezed in.

Beyond the seats, Tesla has refreshed the "Premium" trim with several nice touches. The most noticeable change inside is the fabric covering the ceiling. Previously, all Model Y and Model 3 cars used a light grey material. Now, the Premium Model Y comes with a black headliner. This darker material makes the cabin look more unified and upscale. It matches the rest of the interior much better than the old lighter color did.

Technological updates include a new center screen. The display is still the central hub of the car, but it is now a 16-inch unit with higher resolution. This screen was previously only found on the Performance model and the Chinese Model YL. Now, it is standard on all US Premium trims.

On the outside, the car gets a more "stealth" look. The badging is now black instead of the old chrome silver. Additionally, the optional 20-inch "Helix" wheels have been updated. They now feature a dark grey finish rather than the lighter silver used in previous years.

This 2026 update is not a massive overhaul, but it fixes a few complaints. The black headliner and updated screen add visual value to the Premium trim. For larger families, the option to carry seven passengers - even if two of them need to be small - is a useful tool to have back in the toolbox.

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