Tesla Model Y 2026: 16″ Screen and Black Headliner Finally Available

On the night of January 13, 2026, Tesla discreetly updated the product page for the Model Y Premium. The update includes two interior modifications long-awaited by the community. The American manufacturer is finally rolling out the 16-inch central screen and the all-black headliner, two features that were previously reserved for the Model Y Performance launched in late 2025.

This democratization allows all Model Y Premium owners to enjoy a more complete experience. A significant bonus: the 7-seat configuration finally arrives in North America for an additional $2,500.

A look at these changes, which may seem minor but address concrete demands from the field.

The 16-inch Screen is Introduced in All Model Y Premium Models

The transition from 15.4 inches to 16 inches represents a technical evolution that aligns all Model Y Premium models with the Performance. I was able to test this diagonal on the Performance, and frankly, those extra 0.6 inches really make a difference for navigation.

The increased resolution significantly improves readability, especially for real-time maps and video content. Split-screen display becomes much more comfortable for daily use: you can now view the navigation map while keeping an eye on vehicle settings without feeling like you’re squinting.

For charging moments, the user experience is particularly enhanced on YouTube or Netflix. The screen gains in immersion, even if screen repair remains a significant expense in case of breakage.

The Model Y Standard, however, retains a more modest screen, which contributes to widening the perceptible gap between the two versions.

The Headliner Finally Goes All Black

It was one of the most recurring requests on Tesla forums: a darker, more premium interior. The all-black headliner finally replaces the gray-beige finish of the first versions, which tended to show dirt and gave the whole a somewhat dated look.

Beyond the aesthetics, this premium finish brings a real practical advantage. Reflections on the central screen in direct sunlight are significantly reduced, and the overall ambiance becomes more subdued, almost luxurious.

Tesla thus joins competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the VW ID.4, which already offered this finish as standard. The Model Y Standard probably keeps the old headliner, to mark a clear visual difference as soon as you get in.

The Third Row Arrives in North America (Finally)

After being offered in Europe and China, the 7-seat configuration finally arrives on the North American market. Its absence until now remained unexplained, especially in a segment where large families are precisely looking for this type of versatility.

A $2,500 Surcharge Divides Opinion

You will have to pay an additional $2,500 to add this third row. For large families, this is really good news, even if the space clearly remains limited to children or short trips.

Headroom is reduced, and access requires tilting the second row. The trunk volume, however, melts like snow in the sun when the two additional seats are deployed. We’re talking about occasional use: emergencies, school runs, weekends at grandparents’.

If you want to know everything about the 7-seat version of the Model Y, including the exact dimensions and the real comfort of this third row, I recommend you delve into the subject before checking the option.

Standard vs Premium: Tesla Widens the Gap

Let’s remember that Tesla launched the Model Y Standard in 2025 to offer a more accessible entry price. But this “stripped-down” version now excludes a growing number of features that are becoming standard on the Premium.

Key differences are accumulating: no 16-inch screen, no black headliner, simplified materials (fabric instead of synthetic leather), absence of acoustic glazing, reduced storage. This range strategy clearly pushes customers towards the Premium by creating an immediately perceptible product differentiation.

From a commercial point of view, it’s clever: Tesla justifies the price difference with visible and tangible elements rather than technical specs difficult for the general public to grasp.

A US Market Domination That Allows These Adjustments

The 2025 sales figures in the United States speak for themselves: the Model Y sold 357,528 units (down 4.0% compared to 2024), while the Model 3 showed 192,440 units (+1.3%). Combined, the two models represent a market share of 58.9% of electric vehicles sold in the American territory.

This dominant position, despite an overall declining American EV market, offers Tesla unique room for maneuver. When you control nearly 60% of the market, you can afford to listen to your customers and adjust the product without immediate competitive pressure.

These incremental changes – a slightly larger screen, a better-finished headliner – testify to a strategy of continuous optimization rather than technological disruption.

What About Europe?

Availability on the European market seems probable, but the timing has not yet been officially confirmed. Historically, Europe generally receives updates with a few weeks or months of delay.

These improvements should allow Tesla to maintain its perceptible lead against the competition from electric SUVs: Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5, Skoda Enyaq, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6. If you want to put all this in the context of the Model Y novelties we already analyzed in 2025, you will see that Tesla follows a logic of progressive improvement.

In French groups, many hope these upgrades arrive before summer 2026. The anticipation is all the stronger because these developments address concrete criticisms formulated for months. By observing automotive market data, we note that expectations for premium finishes and equipment continue to rise.

These two awaited upgrades, combined with the arrival of the 7-seat option, illustrate a strategy of continuous optimization that will not revolutionize the Model Y, but shows that Tesla remains attentive. These features are now becoming the new standard on the Premium.

If you were hesitating between Standard and Premium, these two new features – a larger screen and black headliner – could well tip the balance. Now, we just have to wait for real-world feedback to confirm that the daily experience lives up to the promises.