Think about this for a second: Tesla may be - like usual - diverging from the mainstream. In some cases, that's going to make some people disappointed and/or angry, and could result in cancellations. In others, it's likely to make others very, very happy. I would hate to see a world where Tesla wouldn't be able to change its approach as it developed the vehicle. It may have found that no supplier was able to build seats they wanted, or that when they polled their customers with the various options, they found that the "cargo van" mode wasn't the highest priority compared with other features.
Case in point: let's compare my 2010 Chevy Traverse with the Model X. In the Traverse we have the second-row bench seat. It is a folding seat in that the bottom cushion pops up against the front row, then the seat back lies flat in the same line as the third-row seats and the deck above the fuel tank (flat cargo load deck). In order to create a flat cargo area, though, vertical room had to be sacrificed - the folding of the second and third row seat backs created a much higher load floor. There is a lot of room left beneath the seats that cannot be used because of the transformation to a flat load floor and all the sliding movement that must be done to accomplish it. When the second row seats are up, nothing can be placed beneath them or under them. A shallow pit above the gas tank but beneath the load floor gives you some storage in the back but it's pretty much worthless except for the flares, emergency gloves, and the random pieces parts to toys that have been lost.
Now, here's how I look at Model X without a folding front row... it gives far greater room when the vehicle is configured for passengers. It's intended for moving people and getting them comfortable! The pedestals give significant room beneath the seats for placing personal items, bags, etc.; things you cannot do with most other CUV/SUV's on the market. The lower floor makes it easier for the taller people to get in and out of the vehicle without cramming their heads. From what I've seen, I think it's going to be a great "soccer mom people mover" with plenty of room of mid-range hauling.
This is at the expense of being able to create a cargo van out of the Model X. Personally, I'm ok with that but I recognize others won't be. Perhaps Tesla found that those who needed conversion to cargo van mode were more willing to buy something cheap and weren't willing to pay the price point it had wanted.
