Is Model Y third row safe?

Feb 13, 2021 at 9:25am ET

Table of Contents Show

What to know about the second-row
Tesla’s third-row disappoints
Car insurance for a Tesla
Will a 3rd row fit in a Model Y?
Does the 2021 Tesla Model Y have 3rd row seats?
Is the Model Y a safe place for adults to sit?
Is the Model Y 3rd row vegan leather?
How secure is a Tesla Model Y?
Is the third row safe in an SUV?

Tesla definitely added a third row of seats in the Model Y with the clear idea that only children or people who are not tall at all can travel back there. Sure, it’s nice that a relatively compact and coupe-like crossover like the Model Y even has a third row, but if taller passengers would ever be there when the car was in an accident, chances are they’d be subjected to massive head trauma.

You’ve probably seen videos showing just how little room for your head there is in the rear of a Model Y - most people’s heads touch the glass on the hatch, yet if they move their head forward, they will hit the hatch itself. Now imagine that in the event of a frontal collision, your head would hit that ridge causing massive injuries.

In the event of a rear end collision, taller passengers’ heads would probably break the rear glass and then hit the rear edge of where the glass used to be. None of these scenarios are particularly rosy and the main problem is Tesla chose a fastback-style rear end that impedes on headroom.

Had the Model Y been a more conventional crossover, with a more straight roofline that allowed for actual headroom in the back, the third row would have been a safe place for adults. As things stand, if you are an adult of at least moderate height, then you will be extremely vulnerable (particularly to head injuries) if you are caught sitting there in an accident. Kids or anybody whose height allows their head to clear the roof and not hit it should be fine, though.

What to know about the second-row

Typically, a rear-facing infant seat is difficult to fit behind the front passenger seat. The Tesla Y Model excels in this area. During their test, Cars.com’ “rear-facing car seat’s rigid Latch connectors made easy work of the Model Y’s second-row Latch anchors.”

The second row has two sets of lower Latch anchors and three top tether anchors toward the bottom of the second-row seatbacks. The tether connector pretty much has to be angled around to make a connection.

A rear-facing convertible seat is a tight fit behind the front passenger seat, and owners will probably need to fight past the seat cushions to reach the anchor. Inner Latch anchor access is even more difficult with a forward-facing convertible due to limited clearance around the top tether anchor.

It may be a struggle for young kids to buckle up on their own in a booster seat. The seat fits well, “but the seat belt buckle sits low in the seat cushion. Couple this with a lack of seat bolstering in the second row, and our booster seat could slide over the seat belt buckle,” according to Cars.com.

Tesla’s third-row disappoints

It’s challenging to access the third row on Tesla’s luxury crossover.

Parents will need to climb over the second row, which is not easy when you’ve got a car seat or two in your hands. According to Cars.com, “there’s no pass-through, so you have to fold one second-row seat to gain third-row access; the resulting opening is small for an adult, and there’s not enough room to make it anything less than awkward and challenging—even for children.”

Unlike the second row, the third row doesn’t come with Latch safety anchors, and on Cars’ safety check, received D ratings on all other forward-facing and booster options.

There’s really only room for one car seat in the third row. Legroom is limited, even for children. Also, buckle access is blocked due to a bolstered seat-bottom cushion that pushes a booster off to the side and into the buckle. “The head restraints come up, but they’re not removable and push the booster seat forward off the seatback; it should sit flush against it for maximum safety,” notes Cars.com.

Don’t even think about installing a booster AND a forward-facing convertible at the same time. It’s just not going to happen. The head restraint should sit flush against the convertible, but instead, it pushes the convertible off the seatback.

Car insurance for a Tesla

If owning an SUV from the most dominant electric vehicle company is in your future, you’ll want to order one far in advance, as Tesla is known for having quite a waiting period.

In the meantime, make sure you and your family are squared away with the best possible car insurance. Model Y owners saved an average of $821 when they switched policies using the Jerry app. Jerry collects quotes from 50+ top insurance companies, like Nationwide, Allstate, Safeco, Progressive, and Travelers quicker than you can install a car seat.

Note: Always install child restraint systems by following the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint system.

Will a 3rd row fit in a Model Y?

People were surprised that a third row could fit in the Model Y, and now that it’s here, it seems even smaller than expected. From the photos, you can see that there appears to be no leg room between the third row and second row. However, maybe the second-row seats can slide forward a bit to provide more room.

Does the 2021 Tesla Model Y have 3rd row seats?

They just offered new third-row seats for the Tesla Model Y. However, this 2021 Tesla model is a bit small, so the seats may only be big enough for very small children. According to Electrek, you can now get the 2021 Tesla Model Y with a third-row seat to provide seating for seven.

Is the Model Y a safe place for adults to sit?

Had the Model Y been a more conventional crossover, with a more straight roofline that allowed for actual headroom in the back, the third row would have been a safe place for adults.

Is the Model Y 3rd row vegan leather?

The Model Y’s third row of seats are softer-than-leather vegan leather ,so that’s definitely a plus. But make no bones about it—you’ll be cramped if you draw the short straw (and are an adult) and are stuck in the Model Y’s third row.

How secure is a Tesla Model Y?

According to the results, the Model Y scored: 97% in Adult Occupant Protection. 98% in Safety Assist. 87% in Child Occupant.

Is the third row safe in an SUV?

Cars with third-row seating installed by the factory are highly safe. As with any other seat, third-row seats undergo extensive safety testing to ensure that passengers sitting in the third row face no greater risk of injury in the event of a collision, assuming they're properly seated and wearing seat belts.