How We Came To Purchase A Tesla Model Y LR 7-Seater

The Search Begins

I had a 2019 Honda Ridgeline which I really liked, but we decided we needed something with a 3rd row so we could transport occasional extra kids or take one vehicle when going out with the grandparents. With two boys (12 and 11), we started looking at hybrid models as our first step into the EV world.

We seriously considered:

• The Hyundai Santa Fe (our leading contender)
• VW Buzz (until they didn’t offer a 7-seat option and the range was too low)
• Toyota Highlander hybrid
• The new VW Tiguan (hoping for a 3-row hybrid that never materialized)

The Santa Fe was going to be our choice—large enough without being too large and feeling luxurious. The body shape reminded me somewhat of a Land Rover, but I was going to have to get over the ugly lights and slow acceleration, which I had convinced myself I could live with.

Truth be told, we weren’t really considering a Tesla because, well, the CEO is a bit of a “look at me” kind of guy. We wanted to try an electric vehicle but weren’t planning on going fully electric just yet. Plus, our kids had ridden in their aunt and uncle’s Model Y and complained that the space in the 3rd row was practically non-existent, so we had written that option off. We also needed to ensure there was enough room behind the seats for sports gear and luggage.

The Tesla Tipping Point

Toward the end of our search, when we had almost settled on the Santa Fe, my friend bought a used Model 3 Performance. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he made an excellent point: an EV has only one system that could fail, while a hybrid has two, plus all the regular maintenance of an ICE vehicle. That got me thinking about how “smart” a hybrid would really be, especially since I hate those wasteful maintenance intervals.

My friend gave me a ride in his M3P, and the acceleration was mind-blowing—especially compared to the pokey Santa Fe. Yes, the M3P isn’t the Model Y LR, but the Model Y isn’t far off, especially with the Acceleration Boost. To compensate for getting rid of my truck, we’d get a tow hitch installed for my small aluminum trailer.

The Test Drive That Changed Everything

I decided to check out used Model X 3-rows and the 3-row Model Y. Maybe there was some user error when my kids complained about the space? The Model X seemed viable, though we’d need an older one to stay within budget. My wife and one son stopped to check one out on their way to a travel game and said the size would work for us.

I still wanted to see the 7-seat Model Y in person. Luckily, when I stopped at Tesla with my other son (on our way home from a different travel game), they had a 7-seater in the showroom. We played around with the configuration and found we could make all three rows work—not for long rides or tall people in the third row, but workable nonetheless.

The Tesla also had a surprising amount of cargo space despite its seemingly smaller size. To make the 3 rows functional, you need to:

1. Slide the front seats up quite a bit (sacrificing front passenger comfort)
2. Slide the 2nd row all the way up to create maximum room for the 3rd row

The poor roof design limits headroom in the 3rd row. Why they didn’t make this vehicle a wagon is beyond me—it would have been so much more versatile. They lie about the range anyway, so what difference would it make if it were slightly less aerodynamic?

In the end, we got the seats to work, the material quality seemed passable, and I convinced myself we could make it work for us. We were already getting solar panels installed, so we were partway to an EV lifestyle. With the advertised 300-mile range, it seemed sufficient for our needs, including road trips. We decided that any big change requires flexibility and embraced the idea of a learning curve.

The very next night, I found a used 2023 7-seat LR with only 4K miles on the Tesla app and made an impulsive decision—I bought it right then and there. A leap of faith, indeed.

Advice for Those Considering a Similar Purchase

If you’re on the fence about a Tesla Model Y 7-seater like I was, here are a few things to consider:

1. Be realistic about the third row – It’s functional but limited. Perfect for kids and short trips, not for adults on long journeys.
2. Test all configurations yourself – Don’t rely solely on others’ opinions. What doesn’t work for some families might work perfectly for yours.
3. Consider your actual needs vs. wants – We needed occasional third-row seating and cargo space, but wanted good fuel economy and reduced maintenance. The Model Y checked enough boxes to work for us.
4. Think about your charging situation – We were already getting solar panels, which made the transition to an EV more practical (though still not perfect, as I’ll discuss in a future post).
5. Be prepared for a learning curve – Transitioning from an ICE vehicle to an EV requires some adaptation in how you plan trips and think about “fueling” your vehicle.

Have you made a similar decision when purchasing your vehicle? What tipped the scales for you when choosing between hybrids and EVs? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll discuss all the aftermarket additions I’ve made to improve my Tesla experience!

This is the Wagon Y with 7 seats or really any EV wagon with 7 seats that should be made.

Tesla Wagon versions that would be great  like these.