We currently own a Model 3 and are thinking about upgrading to the X to have more space. We're having a hard time deciding between 6 or 7 seat. We've seen the 6 seater many times, but have never seen the 7 seater in the 4 different show rooms we've been to. So we have some questions on the movement of the 2nd row seats that I hope someone can answer. For context, we have 2 kids in Diono car seats.
For the 7 seater, I know there's an entry button on the seatback that you can press to get into the 3rd row. I've read mixed things on whether this 2nd row is fully manual or semi-electrically assisted. From what I've gathered, the side handle bar to tilt is manual, and the bar at the front, under the seat is also manual to move forward and backwards. But how does the hidden entry button actually work? Is this something a 4 year old can do, or does an adult need to help them get into the 3rd row?
I know the 6 seater is best for ease of access and legroom in the 3rd row. We're leaning more towards 6 seater right now, but would actually have use for all 7 seats maybe once a month as it saves us from driving 2 cars with family. So looking to hear some thoughts on seat movement/access between the two. Thanks!
We were in the EXACT same situation as you just this past summer.
We had seen the 6-seater Model X, and we loved it. We figured the 7-seater Model X would be even better because it had one more seat, more cargo space, and less automated technology to worry about breaking down later on. It all sounded good in theory.
Two or three weeks after placing our order for the 7-seater we tracked down a Tesla store that had just opened up, and it actually had a 7-seater Model X on display. The whole family, and the in-laws, headed to the store to check it out. That day changed our lives.
We got in the back row of that 7-seater and experienced something that cannot be described in measurements or specifications: namely, just how claustrophobic that back seat is. Our little son thought it was kind of neat, but the rest of us thought that back seat was a nightmare. The middle row "wall of seats" (as they are known) goes up so high that people in the back row feel like they are being locked in a trunk. The back row is completely cut off from the rest of the car. Beyond that, the feeling of claustrophobia in that back seat is so profound, we wouldn't wish it on our worst enemy.
I emailed our sales rep immediately. It was too late to reconfigure our existing order, so I cancelled our order for the 7-seater and ordered the 6-seater. Tesla was kind enough to transfer our initial deposit from the 7-seater to the 6-seater.
We had to pay a lot more for the 6-seater, and we ended up being forced to buy the premium upgrade package (which had become a standard feature at that point), and we even lost free lifetime data - all in the time between our first order and our second order. But you know what... it was worth it. We got the 6-seater and we love it. It's like driving around in a private jet, and every single seat in the car is a good one.
I should point out that the 7-seater really compromises every single seat in the car. The back row is a claustrophobic nightmare, the middle row would be squishy if it had three people in it, and the view from the front row is obstructed when looking towards the back "wall of seats." A person isn't even be aware of all the room behind the middle row bench once that "wall of seats" is in place.
Admittedly, the 6-seater is much more expensive, it has one less seat, and it doesn't have the cargo capacity of the 7-seater with the fold-down middle-row. However, in the 6-seater every single seat is a good one. The entire car - even up front - benefits from a bright, open feeling. The back row is great for kids, and it's quite fine for average-sized adults.
So the questions to ask become:
i) How much do you really need that seventh seat?
ii) How often would you really need that extra cargo capacity?
Good luck. I know it's a tough decision.
Love it!!
