Fellow Tesla Model Y owners are tired of scrolling through countless car seat options, wondering which one will fit perfectly in your electric fancy ride.
But after doing some serious research and testing out various car seats, I’ve narrowed down the top picks for the best car seats in a Tesla Model Y.
How We Picked
Simple to install
We have chosen car seats that are equipped with LATCH and a seatbelt lock-off device to make the installation easier.
Safe
We chose car seats that showcase strong safety features such as having a sturdy frame, side impact protection & secure harness buckles & straps
User-friendly
A user-friendly seat in the Tesla Model Y helps ensure that your child is comfortable & safe during long drives
Narrow & Compact
The compact design of the car seat helps tremendously in providing a better fit inside the Tesla Model Y
In this guide:
Best Overall | Editor’s Choice | Best Convertible | Best for Infants| Best For Preemie | Best 4-in-1
Best Car Seats For Tesla Model Y
Best Overall
Graco SlimFit3 LX
- Car seat dimensions: L20.7″ x x W16.7” x H24.5″
- Car seat weight: 19.2 lbs
- Car seat orientation: Rear-facing & Forward facing
The slimfit3 LX measures only 16.7 inches in width which makes it one of the narrowest convertible car seats you can find.
You can easily fit 3 Graco Slimfit3 LX in the back seats of a Tesla Model Y. It’s also possible to combine the Slimfit3 LX with other narrow car seats from Graco or other brands_I have a few mentioned below.
Graco is also one of the most popular car seat brands for its reliability and solid safety features.
Also, The Graco Slimfit3 LX’s 3-in-1 is an excellent investment for you as it can be used from toddlerhood to the booster stage. This eliminates the need for purchasing multiple car seats, saving you time and money in the long run.
It’s pretty lightweight for a convertible car seat. It weighs only 12.8 pounds which makes it easy to transfer between cars.
What we love
- Narrow design (Only 16.7 inches)
- 3 across compatible
- Lightweight
- Not too expensive
What can be improved
- Not suitable for infants
- Not so comfortable for longer rides
- Not certified in Canada
Editor’s Choice
Chicco Myfit
- Car seat dimensions: L21″ x W17.5″ x H26″
- Car seat weight: 25 lbs
- Orientation: Forward-facing
Chicco Myfit is a 5-point harness and booster seat. This would be your best car seat option for little big kids in the Tesla Model Y.
The car seat is pretty narrow at 17.5 inches but not narrow enough to fit 3 across in the Tesla Model Y.
The Myfit allows you to use the harness mode for up to 65 pounds. Once that’s achieved you can switch to booster mode and use it for up to 100 pounds.
With its multiple recline and headrest adjust positions, the Chicco Myfit offers much-needed comfort during long road trips.
Installation is also easy. Chicco MyFit is equipped with Premium LATCH connectors and Super Cinch for a safe and secure fit. However, good luck carrying this seat around. It weighs around 25 pounds.
What we love
- Easy installation
- Longevity (Used for up to 100 pounds)
- Roomy
What can be improved
- Very heavy (25 lbs)
- Not suitable for 3 across in Tesla Model Y
Best 4-in-1
Diono Radian 3QXT
- Car seat dimensions: L16″ x W17” x H28.5″
- Car seat weight: 32 lbs
- Car seat orientation: Forward facing & Forward facing
If you are looking for a 4in1 convertible car seat that can fit 3 across in a Tesla Model 3 but is also plush and luxurious, the Diono Radian 3QXT is the car seat to choose from.
Similar to the Graco Slimfit3, the Radian 3QXT is very slim measuring only 17 inches only. This makes it suitable to fit 3 car seats in a single row.
Also, the Diono 3QXT features extra padding that’s very comfortable for a newborn. The padding can be adjusted or removed later as the baby gains weight.
In addition to the comfy padding, the extra safety features set this car seat apart from other seats on the market.
The Diono Radian 3QXT includes a steel rear-facing anti-rebound bar, steel reinforced frame, advanced side impact protection, and Diono SuperLATCH attachment.
However, this car seat is very heavy weighing around 30 pounds which makes it difficult to carry around.
The Radian is also more expensive but I truly think it is worth the price point considering this is the only car seat you will ever need.
What we love
- Slim design (17 inches) that fits in 3 across
- Extra safety features (steel frame, side impact protection, and anti-rebound bar)
- Durable 4 in 1 car seat
What can be improved
- Takes more space front to back when rear-facing
- Very heavy (32 pounds)
- Expensive
- Does not come with recline angles (need to purchase an angle adjuster)
Best Convertible
Clek Foonf
- Car seat dimensions: L17.5″ x W16.9” x H28″
- Car seat weight: 38 lbs
- Orientation: Rear-facing & forward facing
Both the Clek Foonf and the Clek Fllo are great options for the Tesla Model Y.
The Foonf has a narrow profile (16.9 inches), making it a good option for fitting 3 car seats in the second row of the Tesla Model Y.
With the Clek Foonf, you get an extended rear-facing use of up to 50 pounds. The car seat, however, doesn’t come with an infant insert and it needs to be purchased separately (from the Clek website) to accommodate newborns.
Clek offers both a standard version and a flame-retardant-free version of the Clek Foonf car seat.
The standard version of the Clek Foonf uses a flame retardant that meets federal safety standards, while the flame retardant-free version uses naturally flame-resistant Merino wool fabric that is also soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating.
The flame retardant-free option comes in these two color options Railroad and Mammoth.
The Clek Foonf is built with a steel and magnesium sub-structure which makes it so heavy.
It’s also equipped with so many extra safety features like a steel anti-rebound bar, rigid LATCH, and side-impact protection, with deep side wings, energy-absorbing foam layers, and an adjustable structural headrest.
Overall, the Clek Foonf offers excellent value for its high price. If you want a slightly cheaper option check out the Clek Fllo convertible car seat.
What we love
- Flame retardant free
- It can fit in 3-across installations
- Excellent safety features
- Extended rear-facing
What can be improved
- Very heavy
- The infant thingy is bought separately
Best For Infants
Chicco Keyfit 35
- Car seat dimensions: L28″ x W16.75” x H22.5″
- Carrier Weight: 10 lbs
- Orientation: Rear-facing only
The Chicco Kefit 35 is a compact infant car seat that I highly recommend for Tesla Model Y owners. It is a budget-friendly car seat with so many great features.
The Keyfit 35 is designed to carry infants up to 35 pounds. It also comes with an easily adjusted headrest that grows with your child for up to 32 inches.
You can buy the Chicco Keyfit 35 alone or as a part of their travel system. It’s easy to carry to click it in and out of compatible Chicco strollers.
The Keyfit 35 is also one of our most recommended car seats for travel, you can easily install it without the base using the seatbelt.
Chicco offers a ClearTex Kefit 35 model without the use of intentionally added fire retardant chemical treatments, PFAS, BPA, and phthalates.
My two favorite features of this infant car seat are the full-coverage canopy and the anti-rebound bar for added stability and legroom.
What we love
- Compact design that fits in Tesla Model Y
- Carries infants up to 35 pounds
- Budget-friendly
What can be improved
- On the heavy side
Best For Preemies
Clek Liing
- Car seat dimensions: L27.7″ x W16.8″ x H26.8″
- Carrier Weight (Newborn Insert Removed): 9 lbs
- Orientation: Rear-facing only
The Clek focuses on space-saving design car seats, and the Clek Liing infant car seat is no different.
Measuring about 16.8 inches in width, it is possible to install 3 car seat side by side by choosing the appropriate car seats.
The Clek Liing is not only compact side to side, but it also leaves enough legroom when installed behind the passenger or the driver seat in the Tesla Model Y.
Plus, the Clek Liing offers up to 7 recline positions for the baby’s comfort and safety and a trusty bubble indicator which makes it easy for you to find the perfect angle.
When it comes to installation, The Liing is equipped with Rigid LATCH which makes the installation in the outboard seats in the Tesla Model Y very easy.
For the middle seat with no LATCH, the belt-positioning system of the Clek Liing provides an effortless seat belt installation.
Also, Clek Liing’s infant carrier is designed to work with top brands like Baby Jogger, BabyZen, Bugaboo, Bumbleride, Silver Cross, Stokke, Thule, and Uppababy, using the car seat adapter made by each stroller brand.
What we love
- Compact design
- Flame retardant free
- Excellent safety features
- Compatible with most stroller brands
- Can be purchased baseless as Clek Liingo
What can be improved
- Expensive
How to choose a car seat for Tesla Model Y?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets car seat standards for children ages 0 to 12.
To know which seat is right for your precious cargo, you have to consider their age, weight, and height. Check our car seat stages post for more information.
Once you know what type of car seat you need for your child, it’s time to niche down a few options.
The first thing to start with is the fit in your car.
Choose a car seat that will fit correctly in your Tesla Model Y and provides a comfortable ride for your child.
The Tesla Model Y is not very spacious and most car seats are bulky to use as they take up so much legroom from the front passengers.
Luckily there are car seat brands that offer slimmer, more compact designs that can fit in smaller vehicles like the Tesla Model Y, without compromising on safety or comfort for the child.
The Graco Slimfit3 LX is the slimmest convertible car seats on the market and it’s easy to achieve 3 across in the Tesla Model Y with it.
If you want a more solid and comfortable car seat, go for the Diono Radian 3QXT.
The retardant-flame-free Clek Fllo and Clek Foonf are super slim as well and can fit in the back seat of the Tesla Model Y.
For an infant car seat, I recommend both the Clek Liing and the Chicco Keyfit35.
FAQs
Can you fit 3 seats in the back seat of a Tesla Model Y
The second-row seat (back seat) of the Tesla Model Y measures 51.2 inches from door to door.
This means, to fit 3 seats in the back seat of a Tesla Model Y, you need three super slim car seats that measure at most 17 inches each.
I have listed a few car seat options that can achieve a 3 across installation but I always recommend that you test the car seats before you buy.
I also recommend that you use the seatbelt installation for all 3 car seats instead of LATCH. This gives you the flexibility to adjust all the car seats for more space.
Can you install a car seat in the third row of a Tesla Model Y?
Installing car seats in the third row of a Tesla Model Y is possible but not recommended.
The third row of the Tesla Model Y measures only 36.5 inches. You can fit 2 narrow car seats or 1 bulky car seat.
However, the issue with having car seats in the third row of the Tesla Model Y is the lack of legroom space even for small children.
Can you install a car seat in Tesla Model Y?
Yes, you can definitely install a car seat in the Tesla Model Y.
Tesla Model Y comes with ISOFIX/LATCH attachment points in the outboard seats of the second row. There is also a top tether for every seating position.
Also, unlike Tesla Model 3, the Tesla Model Y backseat head supports are removable. This makes it very friendly for forward-facing seats.
