Folding the rear seats in a Tesla Model X opens up serious cargo space, and the process differs depending on whether you have five, six, or seven seats. If your wondering how to fold back seats in tesla model x, the good news is that every version uses simple latches or power buttons, so you can go from passenger mode to cargo mode in under a minute.
This guide walks you through each seating configuration step by step. You will also learn a few safety tips and mistakes to avoid.
Why The Seat Layout Matters Before You Start
Tesla sold the Model X with three rear layouts. The method you use depends entirely on which one is in your garage.
- Five-seat: One bench row behind the driver. Folds flat with manual latches.
- Six-seat: Two captain chairs in the middle, no third row bench folding needed.
- Seven-seat: A middle bench plus a third row. Both rows fold, but in different ways.
Check your touchscreen under Controls, then Software, or just look behind you. Counting seats takes two seconds and saves confusion later.
How To Fold Back Seats In Tesla Model X
Below are the exact steps for each configuration. Pick the one that matches your car and follow along.
Folding The Second Row In A Five-Seat Model X
- Open the rear doors fully so you have room to reach the seat backs.
- Find the release lever on the outer shoulder of each seat back. It sits near the top corner.
- Pull the lever firmly while pushing the seat back forward with your other hand.
- Lower the seat until it lays flat. You should hear or feel it settle into place.
- Repeat on the other side if you need the full cargo floor.
The five-seat bench splits 60/40, so you can fold just one side and still carry a passenger. This is handy when you need room for a bike plus one friend.
Folding The Third Row In A Seven-Seat Model X
- Open the rear liftgate and stand at the back of the car.
- Locate the power fold buttons on the left side of the cargo area wall.
- Press the button for the left or right third-row seat. Each side moves on its own.
- Wait while the seat folds forward and down into the floor well.
- Press the other button if you want both sides flat.
Some older seven-seat builds use a manual strap instead of buttons. Pull the strap toward you and the seat back drops forward. Push down on the headrest area to make sure it locks flat.
Folding The Second Row In A Seven-Seat Model X
- Slide the front seats forward a bit for clearance.
- Find the lever on the shoulder of the second-row seat back.
- Pull the lever and push the seat back down. The seat cushions may need a small nudge.
- Flip the seat cushion forward first if your build requires it, then fold the back.
- Check that the headrests are lowered or removed so nothing blocks the fold.
With both rows down, the seven-seat Model X gives you a long, nearly flat load floor. It swallows flat-pack furniture, ski bags, and even a full set of golf clubs with room to spare.
What About The Six-Seat Model X
The six-seat layout has two captain chairs in the second row. These do not fold flat because of their shape and the center aisle.
- You can slide them forward and recline them, but not lay them down.
- The third row in a six-seat car still folds with the power buttons in the trunk.
- For max cargo, fold the third row and slide the captain chairs all the way forward.
This is the main trade-off of the six-seat setup. You get easier access to the back, but less flat space.
Tips For A Smooth Fold Every Time
- Remove child seats and boosters before folding. They can jam the mechanism.
- Clear floor mats and loose items from the footwells.
- Lower the headrests on manual seats so they do not hit the seat in front.
- Do not force a power seat. If it stops, check for an obstruction and try again.
- Keep fingers away from the hinge area when a power seat is moving.
If a power fold button does nothing, the car may need to be in Park with the doors closed. A low 12-volt battery can also cause odd behavior, so plug in if you have been sitting for a while.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Most problems come from rushing. Here is what to watch for.
- Folding a seat with a seat belt buckled. The belt gets pinched and the seat will not sit flat.
- Leaving the center headrest up on the middle bench. It blocks the fold and can crack the trim.
- Pressing both third-row buttons at once on some older cars. Do one side, then the other.
- Assuming all Model X cars work the same. Year and trim change the hardware.
If a seat refuses to latch flat, fold it back up and start again. Forcing it rarely helps and can damage the latch.
How Much Space You Get
With the second and third rows folded, the Model X offers around 88 cubic feet of cargo room behind the front seats. That is more than most large SUVs.
Even with just the third row down, you get a deep well that fits several suitcases. The front trunk adds another few cubic feet for small bags and charging cables.
Measure your largest item before you load. The rear opening is wide, but the roofline slopes, so tall boxes may not fit even when the floor is flat.
Final Thoughts
Folding the rear seats in a Model X is a quick job once you know your layout. Five and seven-seat cars use levers or power buttons, while the six-seat version only folds its third row.
Take a minute to test each seat when you first get the car. That way, when you need the space in a hurry, you will already know exactly which latch or button to reach for.