Would you rather have a 6th seat or 5 seats with more storage?

[Luke42]

I don't think Tesla would build an actual minivan. They already have a 7 seater Model X which is much nicer and safer than a traditional minivan since the Model X is very hard to roll over. Some people think they might do a CyberSUV, but i'm unsure about even that. I really think the Cybertruck will remain a thing on it's own in Teslas' lineup.

The Model X has all of the disadvantages of a low-volume luxury vehicle for long-term ownership. Specifically, the falcon wing doors and the oversized glass just look like expensive trouble.

A minivan based on the CT platform would be a much better long-term buy, because it will be easier to source parts for a simple durable platform in 30 years.

Minivans really are the best people-mover vehicles out there.

 

[TheLastStarfighter]

110% the 6 seater version. This is one of the many reasons I think this vehicle is perfect. 5 seats just isn't enough for me. I have a wife and 2 kids, and any additional passengers usually come in 2's. A friend couple. One of the sets of grandparents. 90% of the time the seat will be down, and that "console" looks bigger than my current car, with 3 cupholders. And the two front seats look great. So no compromise. But having that 6th seat in a pinch is super handy and eliminates the need for a 7 seat crossover or whatever.

 

[CyberMoose]

110% the 6 seater version. This is one of the many reasons I think this vehicle is perfect. 5 seats just isn't enough for me. I have a wife and 2 kids, and any additional passengers usually come in 2's. A friend couple. One of the sets of grandparents. 90% of the time the seat will be down, and that "console" looks bigger than my current car, with 3 cupholders. And the two front seats look great. So no compromise. But having that 6th seat in a pinch is super handy and eliminates the need for a 7 seat crossover or whatever.

It also becomes a 20 seater with the bed cover closed if you don't care too much about your friends.

 

[Kletust]

I'm fine with the 6 seat but if would be awesome if they did it they way they did my old dodge ram. The center seat bottom cushion would fold up with a compartment beneath and there was also a compartment in the seat back. The wide seat back folded down made an awesome arm rest. They actually offered me a better deal on the 5 seat version but I liked the 6 seat layout much better because it had better storage.

 

[TheLastStarfighter]

It also becomes a 20 seater with the bed cover closed if you don't care too much about your friends.

 

[Luke42]

I don't think Tesla would build an actual minivan.

I would buy an actual minivan, if Tesla made it. Especially if it had the longevity I expect from Cybertruck platform.

A "CyberVan" would compliment the CT in my future nicely, assuming we have two commutes post-COVID.

 

[Kletust]

I would buy an actual minivan, if Tesla made it. Especially if it had the longevity I expect from Cybertruck platform.

A "CyberVan" would compliment the CT in my future nicely, assuming we have two commutes post-COVID.

Give me a Tesla Minivan with about 8,000 lb towing and I'd be in.

 

[Luke42]

Give me a Tesla Minivan with about 8,000 lb towing and I'd be in.

The towing capacity is the main reason I have a GMC Sierra Hybrid while I wait for the CT, instead of a minivan.

Minivans are awesome, but 3500lbs of towing capacity just doesn't cut it.

 

[CyberMoose]

I've never liked minivans. I'm not one of those people that just hates the look of them (which I do), but I just think a minivan isn't that great in the first place. The only reason I would ever even consider a minivan is if I needed to transport a lot of people and couldn't afford a similar SUV. I actually just googled pros of a minivan to see if I was missing something and I loved the last 'pro' of the first link which was "you don't have to own it forever".

I believe that everything a minivan can do; a Truck or an SUV can do it better while still giving you 6-8 seats and plenty of storage space.

Not hating on people that like minivans. If someone with a minivan reads this, I'm glad you like your vehicle, this is just my opinion. Kind of like a lot of people I drive past will think my Cybertruck looks stupid...but their just jealous.

 

[empiredown]

This poll is shaping up to be pretty fascinating. I didn't expect a pretty much even split like this when it started out. I chose 5 and storage based on my situation.

ẞ

 

[CyberMoose]

This poll is shaping up to be pretty fascinating. I didn't expect a pretty much even split like this when it started out. I chose 5 and storage based on my situation.

ẞ

Yeah I was actually thinking the 5 seater would be in a huge lead. I didn't think so many people wanted the option of a 6th seat.

I think a huge factor about it is that this vehicle is a jack of all trades sort of vehicle. It's big, strong, and fast; I'm replacing my casual driving vehicle and my offroad vehicle with just the Cybertruck. If the Cybertruck was just another truck, I would probably take the 5 seat option because I would be using it for truck things. I like the option for 6 seats for when I have kids and i'm even planning on using the 6th seat before that for taking my neice and nephew and any of their friends around when I visit. I can't think of any vehicle that is better at doing just about everything, which will also eventually include driving itself.

 

[Crissa]

Well, the Cybertruck gives us 6 and storage with fold-away seats so it's alot like 5.

-Crissa

 

[CyberMoose]

yeah that's another reason why I don't think I would opt for a 5 seater. Sure a 5 seater might have a bit nicer of a console between the seats, but I already like the nice big space under the screen for leg room. The seats are also heated so it's possible that they'll have phone charging and everything in the back of the middle seat, although i'm still hoping for a sliding console that comes out like a middle glove box for storage and charging.

Another reason I like the 6 seater is for the future of Full Self Driving. Think about every other Tesla, when we reach level 4 automation and actually don't have to pay attention while the car is driving, even if it's a long time away, the other Teslas are comfy but they don't give a lot of options for relaxing in the front. With the Cybertruck you could at least kick your shoes off and put your legs up across the front seats if you are alone.

 

[Luke42]

I actually just googled pros of a minivan to see if I was missing something and I loved the last 'pro' of the first link which was "you don't have to own it forever".

Your Google search missed the real answer by a mile.

A minivan gets you several things that I've never seen done as well in an SUV:

1) Floorplan with walk-in 3rd row access. Comfortable with lots of room for all kinds of passengers.

2) Sliding doors make it easier to help someone in the 3rd row.

3) Sliding doors mean that careless passengers won't ding other cars.

4) The ability to convert between a flat-floor car to vehicle and a 7-8 seat passenger vehicle in a few minutes. SUVs usually don't get the flat floor part of it quite right (though my Mazda5 flubbed this one too).

They are form-follows-function vehicles -- like Jeeps and like the Cybertruck.

They are definitely people movers. If you don't need to carry a lot of people, you don't need one.

It's a living room on wheels, and keeps your passengers comfy.

They're also a lot faster than they look -- they're driven slow because the peanut gallery starts hurling insults at you when you lay the hammer down.

I seriously considered buying a Durango RT, and the interior was more usable than it looked, but getting to the 3rd row with car seats in the bench-like second row sucked; my 2004 Sienna did this reasonably well.

Some of the Tahoes I drove had the same problem with a bench-like 2nd row, and kid-unfriendly swinging doors.

Minivans also tend to be more efficient than similarly sized SUVs, which is something I care about.

Fortunately, my kids are old enough that 3-across is possible now, even though it's less than ideal. But once I'd committed to that sub-optimal seating plan, then a truck made sense.

The only downside to the minivan is the lousy towing capacity.

If Tesla makes a real minivan on the Cybertruck platform, I'm so in.

P.S. I'm ignoring the Model X. Nice ride, but it's not quite a minivan. Also, those falcon wing doors scare me, maintenance-wise. Not a vehicle to stretch for.

 

[Luke42]

yeah that's another reason why I don't think I would opt for a 5 seater. Sure a 5 seater might have a bit nicer of a console between the seats, but I already like the nice big space under the screen for leg room.

My 5-seat GMC Sierra fills the space between the seats up to the front dashboard with a huge center console.

I use the console every time I drive, but it's proving to have an unexpected tradeoff: it limits where I can install the tow brake controller (hopefully not necessary on the CT), HAM radio, Airband radio*, and USB ports for an aftermarket stereo that I'd like to install in the truck.

Open space in the lower-middle of the dash is more useful than it looks. I've counted 3-4 things that I'd like to mount there.

* Because I regularly drive by truck on an airport surface for glider club operations. I use a handheld airband radio now, but a permanent installation would be worthwhile.