EVwire brief: Elon Musk suggested Tesla may be working on a new family-focused vehicle, responding to a request for a minivan by saying “something way cooler” is coming.
The update followed an X post from Musk highlighting the Cybertruck’s rear seating, which can accommodate three child seats or three adults across the rear bench.
A user responded by asking Tesla to build a minivan, which prompted this short but meaningful reply from the CEO.
Something way cooler than a minivan is coming.
Musk did not provide additional details, but the timing and context of the exchange renewed discussion around Tesla’s potential expansion into larger family-oriented vehicles.
Tesla’s current lineup leaves a gap in this segment. The Tesla Model X is being phased out, while the longer-wheelbase Model Y L has seen limited rollout and uncertain plans for the U.S. market.
Musk has even suggested that the Model Y L “might not ever” launch in the U.S. due to Tesla’s shift towards autonomy.
The Model Y L is a six-seater, but it is still not as big as other true family haulers
Even the Robovan, which was unveiled during Tesla’s We, Robot event in October 2024, does not seem right. It’s simply too big and far more useful for systems like The Boring Company’s Loop tunnels.
This has led to speculation about alternative Tesla vehicle formats that could serve family use cases.
One concept that has circulated among enthusiasts is a Cybertruck-based SUV configuration, fondly referred to by EV fans as a “CyberSUV.” While Tesla has not confirmed such a vehicle, prior company materials have provided subtle hints.
During Tesla’s Master Plan Part 4 video last September, design studio footage briefly showed models that looked like enclosed, three-row SUVs with Cybertruck-like styling (it’s at 0:37). The models featured a fully enclosed rear cabin in place of the Cybertruck’s pickup bed.
The concept aligns with Tesla’s current platform strategy. A vehicle built on the Cybertruck architecture could leverage its 48-volt system, steer-by-wire, air suspension, and structural battery pack, while offering a more traditional SUV layout.
We had Grok imagine what the models in the Master Plan Part 4 video would look like if they were built, and it gave us this:
Now that looks like a real Tesla family hauler
Such a vehicle would position Tesla in the large electric SUV segment, competing with models like the Cadillac Escalade IQ and Kia EV9, while potentially integrating Tesla’s software and autonomy stack.
But while these speculations are fun, it’s best to remember that Tesla has not announced any plans for a Cybertruck-based SUV or minivan alternative.
The design studio models from the Master Plan Part 4 video remain unconfirmed concepts, and Musk’s comment did not reference a specific product.
Source: Elon Musk on X
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