Tesla Model X Review: Kids and Carseats
I’ve been driving my Tesla Model X for a long time now and I finally feel I have enough data to write about it without sounding like an advertisement. We’ve been through a couple of Vegas summers together and a couple of winters. I’ve been thrilled, frustrated, and entertained by my SUV with a personality. Hop in and see what the fuss is all about.
Probably the first thing you notice about the Model X (MX) is the windshield. It’s humongous and when you sit inside, you instantly feel like you’re in a fishbowl. Even though Tesla has tinted the top portion, the sun is still intense during the summer and I did get sunburned during long afternoon drives, so it was a little weird to get in the habit of putting on sunscreen before hopping in the car to run an extended errand (I know, I know—I should be wearing sunscreen all the time anyway but I hate the stuff). The 2nd row has windows in the ceiling as well, which makes it feel even more spacious than it already is.
To access the car, you press on the door handles, which is different than the Model S (MS) sedan, where the door handles pop out at you as you approach it. There’s an option to have the driver’s door open automatically, but when I enabled that option, I had a problem with the door opening and closing wildly in a parking lot when we went to dinner one night so I disabled it. It was pretty hilarious and the guy who parked a space over thought the car was having a fit. That was right after we picked it up and I haven’t been brave enough to try it again to see if Tesla fixed the problem. We also live in an area with wild winds and I don’t want to take the chance of a gust hitting the door and sending it into the car next to mine in a parking lot. Call me less than adventurous if you must.
The falcon wing doors are definitely a conversation starter! The question I’m most often asked is if the MX will drive with them open. Yes, it will :). They open in tight parking spaces, needing only a clearance of 12” on the side and have sensors to detect obstacles on the sides and above. I have had problems with the sensors seeing obstacles that weren’t there, but it’s easy enough for me to close the door and open it again. On the other hand, for a vehicle that’s this expensive, it should work the first time. There’s also a learning curve for new passengers using the back seat door controls for the first time; they tend to press on the switch instead of tap—kind of like the first time a person uses a smart phone.
Storage in the MX on the sparse side. There aren’t many cubbies and places to stash random goodies, just as you would expect in a sleek, ultra-modern design. The glove box wouldn’t hold a pair of gloves; it would dump them on the floor. I’m not sure what they were thinking with that one. There are 4 cup holders for the front seats, 2 in a pop-out in the center console for the 2nd row, and 2 between the 3rd row seats. Tesla did include a frunk (front trunk) in the MX, though it is smaller than that of the Model S, and there’s a deep well covered by a board (yep, it’s not elegant) in the rear trunk. Because the 2nd row seats don’t fold, and the back of the car slopes down, storage for large items in the back is limited.
Inside the car everything is sleek and space age-y. The backs of the vehicle seats are black and so shiny you can use them as mirrors. My 2nd row seats are on monoposts (pedestals) and move forward for easy access to the 3rd row. There are options for 3 monopost seats across the center or a bench seat that folds. It’s a Tesla, so the front center console is the equivalent to a 17” iPad, and yeah, I’m not gonna lie—it really is that awesome. Everything is controlled from the screen except for adjusting the back seats and the buttons on the dash for the hazard lights and to open the glove box.
There are 10 airbags in the MX. The most unique airbags are the ones in the falcon wing doors which deploy up and out of the base of the window to cover the window. The other airbags include the standard driver and passenger side frontal airbags, front seat torso airbags, 2nd row outboard torso airbags, front knee airbags, and side airbags for the front seats. Interestingly, there isn’t airbag coverage for 3rd row passengers.
It’s important to note that while this is a self-driving vehicle, it’s not a driverless vehicle and there’s a difference (technically it’s called semi-autonomous). I may take my hands off the steering wheel for a time, but *I* am still in control of the MX and it is *my* responsibility while it’s in motion. The self-driving mode, called Autopilot, requires driver interaction in the form of hands on the steering wheel from time to time—a jiggle of the steering wheel is enough to tell the sensors that you’re paying attention. This is not a perfect technology so you can’t zone out.
The self-driving mode works in conjunction with the traffic-aware cruise control, though the cruise control does not need to be turned on first. The driver can set a time-based following distance so that when the cruise control is set, the speed automatically adjusts when there’s a vehicle in front of the MX. If you like to maintain a constant speed, this can be frustrating, so you’ll want to set the following distance low and change lanes early so your speed doesn’t dip.
Here’s a demonstration of a lane change while Autopilot is engaged. It doesn’t quite show the abruptness of the movement—it changes lanes like my 15-year-old daughter with about 10 hours of permit driving experience does—but you’ll get the point.
When you don’t want to Autopilot, driving is an enjoyable experience. I find it to be a feeling between a manual transmission and an automatic transmission, but I never have to shift at stoplights. The vehicle has instant power—and I mean serious power—whether from a stand-still or at highway speeds. I have to be a careful driver and not sneak up on drivers too fast and scare them by coming out of nowhere. When stopping, I take my foot off the accelerator and the car immediately starts slowing down; it’s a great way to learn to judge distances. I often don’t use my brakes at all to slow down because the MX will roll to a stop based on friction from the tires on the roadway and the regenerative braking (where the brakes don’t actually engage, but the motor recovers the energy). I will press the brake pedal once stopped to put a brake hold on at a light, though. It’s a stiff, sporty ride: I’ve never been one to make “oof”-ing sounds when I go over speed bumps, but I do in the MX.
The center screen is indeed a computer. When it goes bad, the vehicle goes dead and it’s an expensive repair (we know this since it happened in my dh’s Model S recently). It controls charging, climate, doors, suspension—everything—and you can surf the web! It displays up to 2 apps at a time; I generally have the map app in the upper window and the media app on the bottom. Climate controls display permanently across the very bottom. The backup camera will display in the upper position automatically when the vehicle is placed in reverse or the app can be “permanently” on in one of the windows, though I get carsick if I leave it on ;). It’s fun to do it once.
I’ve had the center screen go out on me while driving a couple of times and surprisingly, it’s very disorienting. I generally drive close to home and only use the map’s search features occasionally; it’s much more useful as a traffic guide since it shows real-time traffic flow. However, when the screen shuts down while driving, I lose audio and climate controls. So, if I’m listening to a playlist I’m tired of or a station I want to change, there’s nothing I can do about it. I can reboot it, but it usually requires my husband reminding me how to do it since it happens so infrequently.
Very much of the MX is customizable and saves to the driver’s setting and it’s all done from the screen. All standard driver seating positions are customizable, of course, as well as door settings, suspension, the amount of force required to turn the steering wheel, creep (“on” means it will move forward like a gas-powered vehicle when you take your foot off the brake), garage door settings, and more.
The climate controls do take a bit of getting used to because really, sometimes twisting a knob is easier. The basic controls are at the bottom of the screen at all times: temperature control and the on/off control. However, to control fan speed from the screen, you have to press on the “front” or “rear.” I do have fan speed control from the wheel on my steering wheel, but it’s only for the front seat fan speed. From this 2nd level screen, you make vent choice as well as choose fresh air or recirculated air.
Model X: Kids and Carseats
Installing carseats in the MX is a frustrating proposition (check this page out for more MX carseat help). The 2nd row seats that are on pedestals (called “monoposts”) are all one piece, meaning there’s no bight (or crack), and they are comfortably stiff; the padding gives very little so you can’t “squish” carseats down into it. They’re also fairly narrow “captain’s chairs.” I’ve found this tricky for rear-facing only infant seat bases that have anti-rebound bars or an anti-rebound feature to them (like a high edge that rests against the vehicle seat back) because there will be space between the base and the vehicle seat back. The seat belt buckles are flush with the vehicle seats which I like when installing carseats, but hate for booster riders. Buckles that are flush with vehicle seats mean that they’ll never be up and in the way of a carseat belt path; on the flip side, for booster riders, it’s incredibly frustrating for a child with limited dexterity to try to buckle a seat belt over the side of a booster seat into one. Buckle extenders are a huge no-no: they alter the geometry of the belt path and often place the buckle right under the booster arm which no manufacturer allows.
Some high-end carseats that you want to love in this model of the MX are just difficult, like the Nuna Pipa using LATCH. It may work better with the fold-flat bench 2nd row seat that is not on the monoposts since that seat is built differently. It took me a good, long time to come to terms with the Pipa installed with LATCH in my MX. (My criteria for installing carseats in general? I am not willing to spend a significant amount of time or injure myself installing a carseat. If *I* have to spend a 20-30 minutes and end up needing to ice myself installing a carseat, how long is it going to take a less-skilled parent?) I haven’t found any carseats to date that have been incompatible, but I have found many—in all price ranges—to be difficult to install because of the shape and padding of the 2nd row seats.
(Unless I say otherwise, in all pics, rear-facing carseats are not touching the vehicle seat in front.)
Tether anchors for the 2nd row are located at the base of the back of the seats; the 3rd row tethers are mid-way down the back of the seats. Tethering is unconventional as well because of the design of the head restraints. Tesla wants tethers on the outboard seats to go on the outside edge of the head restraint; center seating positions differ depending on whether it’s a bench or monopost seat. Britax tethers, which are dual-strapped (V-shaped), go around the head restraint and will need to be tied in a very tight Y-shape or have the tether extender strap ordered from Britax (see pic) to keep from sliding down the smooth sides; otherwise, the Britax tether will be ineffective.
The 3rd row is tight. To access the 3rd row, there are buttons on the sides of the 2nd row seats that move the seats forward (and front seats too, if no front seat passengers are detected), including any installed carseats. I installed a forward-facing Nuna Rava and a rear-facing Cosco Scenera NEXT. There are 4” of legroom between the Rava and the 2nd row vehicle seat in front of it. The car warns of driving without the 2nd row seats locked in position, but the manual doesn’t say anything about leaving them in a forward position. I chose the Scenera NEXT because it’s a small seat that can be at any recline once a child is able to sit upright. Even nearly all the way upright, the NEXT is leaning heavily against the 2nd row seat. Also, I give credit to Tesla for including lower LATCH anchors in the 3rd row, but either get a friend to lean over the back and help you pull apart the bight or forget about using them. They are attached to the upper vehicle seat back and there is very little play in the leather; the outboard lower anchors are also tucked behind the shoulder belt. In short, it’s much easier to install in the 3rd row using the seat belt.
The roof line slopes down pretty severely at the 3rd row. I have the Nuna Rava headrest set to its tallest position so you can get an idea of height, but very tall people and children in elevated carseats may not do well in the 3rd row. Given that neither NHTSA nor IIHS has rated the MX yet (though neither rates 3rd row seating positions), and especially since the 3rd row doesn’t have side airbags, I’m cautious about using it too much myself.
Update 12/16/18: I am glad to return with an update that Tesla now allows belt-positioning booster seats to be installed with lower LATCH connectors when booster riders are using them. From the beginning with the Model S, Tesla did not want boosters LATCHed, but they’ve evidently satisfied their original misgivings about it. Yay!
The individual vehicle seats are pretty narrow, so it will be difficult for kids to buckle themselves in while using boosters because the edge of the booster will be right on the buckle.
Also, I found this to be very interesting coming from a technology company:
As early adopters for both our Model S and Model X, my husband and I knew we were getting vehicles that may have problems both mechanically and with finish. Our MS was one of the first few thousand made and it’s had its problems, but we expected it—we wanted a green vehicle with power manufactured by a visionary company. Our MX has also had some minor issues, but our service center is staffed by excellent professionals who have gone above and beyond, more than any other dealer in town we’ve dealt with for our other vehicles. The MX is so fun to drive and roomy enough to fit the stuff I haul as well. Tesla has fan groups in many cities, including my own, and owners often check out each others’ cars. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked about our cars in grocery store parking lots! I can’t write a review without mentioning Elon Musk, the man behind Tesla. Think what you want about him, but he does have a playful side. Check out this Easter Egg from a couple of Christmases ago:
https://youtu.be/b5aAht58IGQ
Music: Wizards in Winter by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
We’re coming up on the end of my lease next year and my husband wants to look at less expensive options. My MX certainly has its quirks but I don’t think I can give it up. Oh, I know! Maybe a new one! Yeah.
Pros:
- It’s electric, so there’s no exhaust (as I remind myself every time I drive behind a diesel dually)
- Regenerative braking: this alone makes me never want to drive an internal combustion engine vehicle again
- Instant power: see above Pro
- Huge windshield takes getting used to, but you have a spectacular field of view with it
- Myriad of driver customizations available
- Impressive center screen display and map feature
- Newer models able to handle reading/responding to texts
Cons:
- Internal storage space lacking
- Falcon wing sensors can be buggy
- No 3rd row airbags
- Still no Apple Play
- 3rd row is tiny for both adults and carseat installations
- Carseat installations can be hit or miss, but definitely interesting. Vehicle seats need more padding.
Hi, what is your opinion on using the graco 4Ever with model x in second row? Thank you!
Hi. It should work pretty easily. I have pics on my website of the 4Ever Extend2Fit, which is similar: https://carseatsite.com/teslavehiclesandcarseats. I have also put the Graco Grows4Me, which is nearly identical to the 4Ever, in the MX, and the TrioGrow, which is also very similar but with a great lockoff. You can find reviews of these seats with pics here: https://carseatblog.com/reviews/.
Hi there,
If I put a rear facing nuna exec or rava on the back seat, can I use seat controls in the driver seat to move the back seat forward so I can comfort my baby if she is crying or check on her while driving? Thank you.
I suppose you could, but it would only be a couple of inches at most. If your baby is crying, it’s best to pull over and tend to her in a parking lot where you can park.
Have you installed a cybex sirona s in the model x? Our model x should be here in a few weeks. We have a 1.5 yr old in a Cybex Sirona s currently and wondering if we need to get him a new seat. If so we’re looking at a clek foonf, fllo or nuna rava. Of these three would you have a recommendation? We will have a newborn in February and have a nuna pipa lite for him we’re hoping that can work. We will likely have a third in the future as well…
Hi Abby. Congrats on the new Model X! I have not had a chance to get my hands on a Sirona S. I haven’t had issues with most convertibles; the Model X generally is carseat unfriendly because the C-shape of the captain’s chairs causes the headrest to push out. If you have a bench seat, it should be easier to install carseats. The Foonf, Fllo, and Rava are easy to install in the MX, though the Rava is easier to install overall. I have a gallery here with some notes: https://carseatsite.com/teslavehiclesandcarseats/. I don’t see the Rava in it, but I think it’s in my queue to be uploaded soon.
I do have to say that the regular Nuna Pipa base is without a doubt the most difficult carseat to install in the MX that I’ve come across. Installation with the seat belt is fine, but with LATCH, I have to sit on the base to get enough pressure on it to attach to the LATCH anchors. Because of that pressure, the recline foot will leave considerable dents in the vehicle seat. Uninstalling it was just as difficult. So this is one rare case where I recommend this seat be installed with the seat belt over LATCH.
Hi! My husband and I were planning on getting a Model X, but from the photo, looks like the Britax Frontier and Advocate doesn’t seem to fit at full headrest height, at least in harness mode for the Frontier. Are there any specific convertible, multimode, and booster car seats do you recommend that fit until full headrest height? Price doesn’t matter. Thank you 😀
Hi Ashley. You’re correct that at full headrest height, they don’t do well. Graco products tend to work (check out the reviews on the Grows4Me, 4Ever Extend2Fit, Sequel, and TrioGrow). I also have some pics on my website here: https://carseatsite.com/teslavehiclesandcarseats. I add more as I get them done and was planning on working on them this weekend. I’ve heard the Graco Nautilus SnugLock works well and I’ve had it in there, but don’t remember how it fits, so it’s one of the first I want to put in the car again.
Does the Britax Advocate ClickTight fit at full headrest height forward facing?
Hi Ashley. Unfortunately, the Advocate’s headrest will be pushed forward and that’s not allowed per the carseat manual. I double-checked with our Britax contact and no amount of forward angle is allowed. Sorry!
Have 3 kids. Two are 4 and weight about 32 pounds. The other is 2 and weighs about 24 lbs. Getting the 6 seater and was wondering if you’d recommend 2 front facing seats in row two (for the 4 year olds) and 1 front or rear facing for the younger kid. Any brands you recommend for either?
Hi. Graco seats fit well, as do the Clek convertibles and the Nuna Rava. I haven’t yet had a chance to try the Nuna Exec. Britax seats do well, but you’ll need to get tether extender straps from them so you can turn the tethers into a Y shape to keep them on the vehicle seat “shoulders”.
The 3rd row is impossible for rear-facing carseats, so I would suggest putting the 2 yr old in the 2nd row rear-facing. If the 4 yr olds must be together, then I’d put the 2 yr old in the 3rd row FF, but don’t forget the top tether.
Hello – Thank you so much for your incredibly helpful reviews! We have a 7-seater Tesla Model X and have a newborn on the way. We are looking at the (1) Chicco KeyFit30, (2) UppaBaby Mesa and (3) Clek Liing. Do all of these install well in the Tesla Model X? We keep the rear row folded flat 95% of the time so expect we’d install in the middle row.
Hi Alexandra. I haven’t had a chance to install the Liing in the MX yet, but I wouldn’t anticipate a problem with it; Clek seats seem to do quite well in Teslas. The KeyFit and Mesa will fit fine; it’s a matter of features and what you want. Another seat you may want to consider is the Chicco KeyFit 35. The added anti-rebound bar, higher weight limit, and option for Euro belt routing makes that one appealing.
What is the best convertible car seat for the model X? Price doesn’t matter. I want safest possible! My daughter is rear facing and 13 months old and 17 lbs. we purchased the Cybex Sirona S but I don’t think it fits well. It wiggles a lot so it doesn’t seem safe due to the angle of the captain seat.
Hi Cara. It’s funny—I complain about how no carseats really fit the X well, but it’s like Graco seats were designed for it (I’ve never had an issue with a Graco seat in it) and the Nuna Rava fits well (haven’t tried the Exec yet). Britax convertibles also install nicely, but once turned forward-facing, you’ll have to tie the tether in a Y-shape to get it to stay on the “shoulders” of the vehicle seat (which is no big deal, since a single tether wants to slide down the side anyway). The Clek convertibles also fit very nicely. Check out my Tesla page; I’ve got pics of some seats there: https://carseatsite.com/teslavehiclesandcarseats/.
Any carseat you choose that installs well should also be easy for you to use. That will be the safest because when your child is correctly buckled each ride, the chances of being injured go down.
Great post and comments on different options for Teslas. We’re buying a new infant seat for our Model 3s. I noticed you installed the Nuna Pipa with the load leg. I’ve been trying to get an answer from Tesla on whether that is safe, since the battery is right underneath. They said probably safe but not completely sure. Any info on that?
Also buying a HB booster…I’ve heard that maxi Cosi or peg perego ones fit well.
Hi Monika. I wouldn’t be concerned about the battery being underneath, but Tesla is the final source for answers. These things are tanks! It might be worth a second thought with a taller, heavier child who would put more force on the load leg (say at the max weight limit of the new Cybex Sirona S), but most parents ditch the rear-facing only seat before the child reaches the weight limit because it’s simply too heavy and cumbersome.
Highback boosters are plain awful in the MX, which will be similar for the M3. I have confirmed with our Maxi Cosi rep that the RodiFix is a no-go because of the gap behind the head rest. I haven’t yet tried the Peg so I can’t comment on it. The Nuna Aace somewhat works and becomes a backless booster. I’d suggest that whatever booster you try, switch to backless as soon as its headwings start to touch the vehicle head restraint.
Hello. Thank you for this information! Very helpful.
We are traveling to my parents’ house for the holiday and they have a Model X 6-seater. We already have the Peg Perego 4-35 infant bucket seat for our 5 month old, and looking to buy a 5-point harness carseat for our 2yo. They will both go in the second row, and are both rear-facing. Will our Peg Perego work in this car? And do you have a recommendation on a new carseat for our two year old? She’s tall for her age (35″), but only 24lbs. These will be only for when we are traveling, so bonus points for option that are easy to install.
Thanks so much!
Cassie
I haven’t tried the Peg 4-35 in the Model X, but if the base doesn’t work out, you can always install it without the base. Darren shows you how in his video at about the 2:35 mark in this review: https://carseatblog.com/28339/peg-perego-primo-viaggio-4-35-rear-facing-infant-carseat-review/. For your 2 year old, is she rear- or forward-facing? I’ve been trying to think of a good harness to booster seat (combination seat) that would work well in a Model X, but they all have the same issue of the vehicle head restraint interfering with the carseat headwings once the headwings are pulled high enough. But, if she’s still rear-facing, that’s a different story! I’ve had great luck with Graco seats fitting well. The new Graco TrioGrow SnugLock (https://amzn.to/2NHjoC9) has the built-in SnugLock lockoff that makes installation super easy and it’s less than 20 lbs., which while not crazy lightweight for travel like the Cosco Scenera NEXT, it’s the lightest seat with a lockoff. If that’s too much, the Graco Contender (https://fave.co/2HoJS87) is another great option, but I haven’t tried one yet. If she’s forward-facing, the Graco Nautilus (https://fave.co/36zkAPt) should work well. The SnugLock version works great, but it’s MSRP is $100 more for a simple lockoff 😳.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply!
Hello, thanks for the excellent post. I have trouble making the top tether on my Graco convertibles (Mysize 65) stay in place on the shoulder on the seat… it keeps sliding down making the top tether useless. Seeing that you have successful with it, any tips?
I am also contemplating getting the Britax harness booster as I have more confidence making the v strap tether staying in place than a single strap tether. On you me picture explaining how the top tether works on the Britax, is the left picture (looks like a low v) an acceptable fit?
Your input is much appreciated!
Hi Zoe. My only trick is to pull the tether really tight. It’ll probably fall down every so often depending on how often the child crawls in and out of the carseat. I wish Tesla would have put some kind of lip up there to hold the tether in place!
When using the Britax V-tether, it must be up high over the vehicle seat “shoulders” otherwise it won’t hold the top of the carseat back in a crash. I don’t know if the new Grow With You tether is longer than the Frontier, which is what I have pictured in the review, but if it is, you may be able to tie it off into the Y shape instead of having to order the tether extender to make that happen (as pictured).
Hi! We will have a 3 yo, 5yo and a newborns feb 2020. My hubs Tesla S lease is Ending in dec and he is looking into an X. I heard its really small and not recommended. WhatAre ur thoughts?
Hi Sandra. Will you be getting the 6 seat or the 7 seat model? I find the 3rd row to have *very* little leg room; if you put a carseat/booster seat in the 3rd row, there simply isn’t any room for a child’s legs. Older riders can position their legs in the center between the 2nd row seats if you have the 6 seat model. I don’t know what people who have the 7 seat model do. Luggage/stuff space behind the 3rd row is very limited as well when those seats are up, but the extra deep trunk and frunk really help with that, though I find that I have more storage space in my Acura MDX overall.
It definitely drives differently than a Model S, so if you haven’t yet, try to take one on a test drive. It still has the great Tesla get up and go, but since it’s a 4 wheel drive, you feel that vs. the push that you get from the rear wheel drive of the Model S.
Thank you so much for all the great info regarding carseats and the X.
Do you by any chance know if the Nuna pipa lite fits perfectly well in the X? I do see that you noted that the Nuna Rava fits well, but re just purchased a Nuna Exec for when our baby outgrow the Nuna pipa lite. Now, I’m not sure if the Exec will fit into the car given that it’s dimensions are bigger than the Rava. If you have any info I’d greatly appreciate some of your input! Thank you!
Hi JJ. The Pipa Lite uses the same base as the Pipa and it is one of my very *least favorite* installs in the X. It’s just . . . ugh. To install it with LATCH, you have to angle it just so, then jam it in and the angle isn’t appropriate for a newborn. It usually takes me quite some time to do it, probably because I don’t do it often because it’s difficult. I believe the installation angle is better with the seat belt, but TBH, it’s been so long since I’ve installed it that way, I don’t remember.
I don’t have an Exec so I can’t tell you if it will fit or not. The Rava was a pretty easy fit, so I’m going to guess that the Exec will be as well.
Thank you so much for your input! 🙂 Fingers crossed that we will be able to somewhat easily install the Pipa lite as we have already purchased it. Thank you again for all your info.
🤞 I’d run out and install my Pipa with the seat belt, but because of my dumb knee, I’m only able to install the super-easy-install carseats right now. Let me know if you have questions!
Hello. My parents have the model x and are looking at the graco tranzitions car seat. Child is 5 years old, 42 inches and 38 lbs. any recommendations?
Hi Kristen. I haven’t tried the Tranzitions so I’m not sure how it will work. The 2 issues you’ll run into are the high belt path on the carseat and the headrest on the vehicle seat. The Graco Nautilus SnugLock installed well, but it’s a much higher price point, as did the Britax Frontier, which has now been replaced by the Grow With You. I haven’t tried the Evenflo Maestro Sport, but it’s more in line with the price point of the Tranzitions: https://amzn.to/33pQVWp.
Hi! I was wondering about fitting a Britax Advocate Click-tight (2014 model) into a 2019 Model X. We don’t want to turn her back rear-facing, but would like to trade our Model S for an X. I was under the impression from a friend who is a CPST that the inner headrest shell cannot touch the headrest of the seat in order to be a safe install. Have you been able to install a FF Britax in a 7 seat (bench seat) 2019 without it touching the fixed headrest? It tried today, and it just barely fit. Once kiddo gets taller and I need to raise the headrest, the inner one will touch. Any other recommendations for the Model X? Kiddo is 40.5 inches, 33 lbs, and FF. Would also consider a FF harnessed booster.
Hi Annie. You’d have to check with each individual manufacturer as far as what kind of gap they’ll accept behind their carseats. Some are fine with a gap as long as the base is flat on the vehicle seat and the top of the carseat touches (Britax) while others aren’t. None are happy with the vehicle head restraint pushing the inner carseat headrest forward because that interferes with the harness function.
It’s been a while since I’ve had the Britax convertibles in the X, but I think they were OK. It’s possible the Allegiance and Emblem (AKA G4.1 series) were a better fit than the ClickTights. I’ve had excellent fit with Graco convertibles, but since she’s under 40 lbs., I would only consider those seats that don’t have crazy FF recline requirements like the Extend2Fit and 4Ever. So consider the Graco Grows4Me (https://carseatblog.com/47019/2019-graco-grows4me-4-in-1-carseat-review/) or the Sequel/Sequence. (LOL, I have a terrible memory!) I also think the Graco Nautilus SnugLock was OK, but I’d test that one out first.
Hello,
Hoping to get your advice! We are switching from a Ford Explorer to a 6 seater MX. We have a tall (46 inches) 7.5 year old, who I hope to seat in the back row. He is currently in a Britax clicktight pinnacle 5 pt harness, but soon needs to switch to a booster. A 4 year old, who is currently in a Britax advocate, and we have a newborn due in a few months. Plan to have the 4 year old and baby in 2nd row captains chairs. I’m hoping to keep the 4 yr old in either the advocate or pinnacle, but would love your recommendations for a 3rd row booster for my 7.5 yr old, and also newborn bucket seat. Any budget, just want safest and easyiest to install (love clicktight for that!!) also need 7.5 yr old to get himself buckled into booster independently.
Thank you!
Hi Alex. I have found Graco infant seats install really well and easily, especially the SnugLocks. Going off my bad memory, I think the Britax B-Safe 35 also did well. The issue is the fixed angle of the 2nd row seats, which causes an issue with the base not touching. For your Britax seats, when you move them to the 2nd row, call Britax and ask for the tether extender. You’ll need it to turn the tether into a Y shape to keep it from sliding down the sides of the seat. Attach the tether extender and attach it to the tether anchor. Then shorten the tether until it’s taut and stow the length so it doesn’t hang out the door.
For a booster, I would look for one that’s fairly narrow and has LATCH connectors on a strap, if you want LATCH. The Graco TurboBooster LX or Affix have LATCH and are fairly narrow. They aren’t tall, like the Britax boosters are, since you don’t need the height because the ceiling slopes back there. The Chicco KidFit is another to look at.
Hello,
Thanks for the detailed review on car seats in the X. I have the X, a rava for my 3 year old, and a pipa for my April baby. How did you install the pipa in the second row? I had a bmw last time I used the pipa and am suddenly realizing how much different the install will be this time!
Thank you!
Honestly, I’ve put the experience out of my mind. I do remember that getting it to LATCH on involved lifting it up on the load leg end. Let me give it a try in a little bit and I’ll report back.
OK, I went and played with it for a while. I installed it as I did in the picture above (with the recline foot out using LATCH and the load leg) and the recline just isn’t appropriate for a newborn (see https://carseatblog.com/pipa-recline-in-model-x). Even though the manual specifies the bubble simply has to touch the line, for newborns, I prefer the majority of the bubble to be toward the back of the vehicle seat since that gives a greater recline. I added noodles, rolled towels, wrapped a towel around a noodle, and couldn’t get the recline to change. The issue is that the rigid LATCH connectors aren’t long enough to allow the recline to change.
So, you can install it using the seat belt with noodles or a tightly rolled towel(s) to get a better recline angle. However (sigh), due to the angle the lap belt comes in, it will be *crunched* in the lockoff. The shoulder belt sits fine in the lockoff, and the lockoff does close. Tesla doesn’t address this in the manual but you also don’t want to interfere with the function of the seat belt pretensioner with a seat belt that’s warped after it’s been folded up inside of a strong lockoff either. You could install the base with the seat belt and take a spin to your service center and ask their opinion, though I have a feeling the answer may need to come from higher up.
I would love some advice on the best carseats to purchase. We have a 7 seater model x. I need to do 2 convertible rf car seats in the middle row. 1 5pt carseat in middle row, 1 5pt carseat in back row. Please help me know which carseat will fit best.
Hi Bren. What is your budget? Can you do 3-across in the 2nd row? There’s very little legroom in the 3rd row, especially once you put a kid in a harnessed seat back there. I’ve put so many carseats in there that they’re starting to blend together.
I think for RF my favorite has been the Nuna Rava just because it installed so easily. You’ll find carseats don’t install easily in the MX, but the Rava does, and it left plenty of room for me to drive. The Graco Sequel/Sequence (same shell) also left good space behind the front seats. I’m sure the Britax seats, both ClickTight and non-ClickTight, installed well too.
In the 3rd row, I again liked the Rava. But if you’re looking for a FF seat, you might want to try the Nautilus SnugLock. I haven’t tried it back there yet, but the SnugLock tech should help with installation. You’re not going to be able to get an overly tall carseat in the 3rd row, so no need for a Britax Frontier or Chicco MyFit back there.
Have you tried installing a Foonf in the Model 3 yet? We’re considering buying one, but we have our two kids in Foonfs – one rear facing and one forward facing. Will it fit rear facing without the front driver or front passenger sitting on the dash?
Hi Jennifer. Sorry it’s taken me a few days to get back to you; I’ve been teaching. I haven’t yet installed a Foonf in our M3. I will see if I can today when my husband gets home; if not, it won’t be until Tuesday at the earliest because he’s taking it on a road trip.
Does the Nuna AACE fit in the second row pilot seats of the Model X? Is the Latch ok to use in the second row for boosters or does Tesla not allow Latch at all regardless of 2nd or 3rd row?
Hi Karin. I answered you in your comment below.
Does the Nuna AACe fit well in the second row? Our Model X is coming but didn’t know that we can’t use the Latch for the booster seat in the second row or does that only apply to the third row? We were bummed that our Clek Oobr can’t be buckled in the second row with the Latch.
Karin, the AACE fits in the 2nd row like it was made for it. It sucks you can’t use LATCH in the Teslas, but it does mean you can scoot the booster over to the door a little bit to get access to the buckle more easily.
Hi there
I have a Tesla x and just got a Nuna Aace. I installed it using the latch but there is a small gap between the booster and the back of the Tesla seat. Is that ok? I read above that you said you can not use latch in the 2nd row of the Tesla x? It does have a latch though so how could that be? Thanks
Gelila, Tesla updated their manuals this year to allow LATCH to be used with boosters so that is no longer an issue. It’s rare that a carseat will completely mold to the vehicle seat without any space behind it; the Aace fits the Model X very well and especially with using the rigid LATCH, a little space behind it is nothing to be concerned with.
Any input on the Model 3? We’re specifically looking at needing new booster and a highback booster, anticipate purchased a M3, and want to make sure these new seats fit. We’ve heard of issues with the bight and the rigid buckles, and would love recs.
Mo, we’ll be getting ours soon and I can let you know! We already have the VIN and were told that it’s at a distribution center somewhere, though our local service center doesn’t have record of it. What boosters do you have in mind?
OK, so we got it this morning (yay!) and I tried out the Britax Highpoint (highback), the Cosco Topside, and the Harmony Youth Booster. The Britax Highpoint fits, but just barely and will probably need an adult leaning over to buckle. The back seats are very contoured, so the booster gets pushed into the buckle. The 2 backless boosters are narrow (under 17″), so they fit very easily and won’t be an issue for buckling at all.
If you need a highback, probably any of the Evenflos will work well, though the Spectrum will only be just an inch or so narrower than the Britax, but that may be enough. The Cosco Pronto may also work well. There will be a gap behind the seat at the headrest.
From my first experience driving a Tesla at the Fremont Tesla factory & track, I was totally sold and knew I wanted to buy a Tesla. I spent a great deal of time driving both models (Tesla Model S & Tesla Model X), reading reviews and ultimately trying to decide which one would be the best for me. I was quite worried about the initial reviews of the Model X (not good!) and the Model S of course is one of the most loved cars of all-time.
It’s the big and the small details that really put Tesla in a league of it’s own. The responsiveness of the accelerator (no lag time) makes driving safer. The regenerative braking combined with standard anti-lock brakes allows the vehicle to stop more quickly than any other car. Overall the safety ratings for both Model S & Model X are as close to perfect as one could ask for. I’m driving my wife and baby around and safety and comfort is paramount. I love the sleek James Bond look of the Model S and also appreciate how insanely quiet the car is when driving. If you’re reading reviews you’re already aware of how fast these cars are and how amazing it is that Tesla can “push” updates to the car, something that none of my other cars have ever been able to do. Even little things like the “frunk” (front trunk) on both cars is something that sets Tesla apart (I am often in San Francisco and having a very secure space to leave a laptop bag is very much appreciated). Other “nice to have” things like the door that opens as you walk up to your car, the music that starts playing where you left off as soon as you start to sit down, the automatic “hands-free” parallel parking feature, the hands-free voice controls that allow you to enter navigation items as specific as “the Safeway in the Marina District” without knowing the street name or address…I could go on and on and on.
In case you’re interested, I ended up buying the Model X (although the noisier cabin on the freeway was almost a deal-breaker for me). I needed the extra storage space for stroller, suitcases, skis, etc. and I preferred being a bit higher up on the road. I chose the 6-seat configuration which is strangely similar to a mini-van in terms of access and comfort…but from the outside and from the drivers seat, this car is more like a hybrid of a rocket ship & an ultra lux SUV.