Rendered: Tesla Minivan

TopSpeed Tesla Minivan rendering (Credit: TopSpeed)

We already know that Tesla has a smaller crossover, probably named the Model Y, in the works, along with a pickup truck (you can see a rendering of it here). To stay relevant in the market and grow enough to stick around long-term, Tesla must expand into more segments. One that seems to never go away, despite many decrying it as horrible, is the minivan.

What you see above is how TopSpeed imagines a future Tesla minivan might look. I have to say, as far as minivans go, it’s actually pretty attractive. Before you get all worked up about how Tesla’s about progress and minivans are old-school, useless things, remember that they have a dedicated following for some excellent reasons, making them important in the market. Minivan interiors are spacious, have excellent cargo, and make strapping little rug rats into seats a breeze.

Tesla could ride into the minivan segment and blow everyone away. Right now there’s only one plug-in hybrid model on the market (the Chrysler Pacifica) and maybe a second one coming (the next-gen Honda Odyssey). So if you want the conveniences of a minivan, but still are curious about electrification, a Tesla would be extremely tempting.

I agree with TopSpeed that Tesla would likely find some completely revolutionary way to keep “sliding” rear side doors, while eliminating the ugly track all minivans have (some hide it better than others). Just how expensive and reliable such doors would be is questionable, but they could be a big selling point.