2017 Tesla Model 3 vs 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E
Which is bigger, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
With a difference of just 1.8 cm in length, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E and the 2017 Tesla Model 3 can be judged practically the same for this measurement. You’d be hard-pressed to notice the width difference between these two vehicles in a lane, as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E is only 3.1 cm wider than the 2017 Tesla Model 3. A 18 cm height difference means the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E will feel much more substantial when you're behind the wheel compared to the 2017 Tesla Model 3. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E is only 0.5 cm higher off the tarmac, maintaining a very similar ground clearance to the 2017 Tesla Model 3. If you drive these cars, you'll notice the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E feels a bit more planted on the motorway thanks to its 10.9 cm wheelbase advantage.
Measurements
Length
469.5 cm
471.3 cm (+1.8)
Height
144.5 cm
162.5 cm (+18)
Body width
185 cm
188.1 cm (+3.1)
Width including mirrors
208.8 cm
209.7 cm (+0.9)
Ground clearance
14 cm
14.5 cm (+0.5)
Wheelbase
287.5 cm
298.4 cm (+10.9)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.7 m²
8.9 m² (+0.2)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
469.5 cm
3.4 cm shorter than the average Sedan
471.3 cm
18.7 cm longer than the average Crossover
Height
144.5 cm
1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan
162.5 cm
0.3 cm shorter than the average Crossover
Body width
185 cm
2 cm wider than the average Sedan
188.1 cm
3.2 cm wider than the average Crossover
Width including mirrors
208.8 cm
3.2 cm wider than the average Sedan
209.7 cm
3.3 cm wider than the average Crossover
Ground clearance
14 cm
Same ground clearance as the average Sedan
14.5 cm
3.6 cm less ground clearance than the average Crossover
Wheelbase
287.5 cm
9.4 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan
298.4 cm
26 cm longer wheelbase than the average Crossover
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.7 m²
0 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
8.9 m²
0.5 m² larger footprint than the average Crossover
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
If you want cargo room with the seats up, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E’s 822 L capacity offers a staggering 261 L (SAE) lead over the 2017 Tesla Model 3. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E is the only model in this pair with confirmed cargo stats, with a 1,420 L (VDA) capacity with the seats down that is way above average for its class.
Measurements
Standard cargo capacity (VDA)
The standard cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
N/A
402 L
Largest cargo capacity (VDA)
The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
1,420 L
Standard cargo capacity (SAE)
The standard cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
561 L
822 L (+261)
Largest cargo capacity (SAE)
The largest cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
If only one SAE figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
1,689 L
Frunk capacity
88 L (+7)
81 L
Cargo space vs length
This DriveSize metric divides blended cargo volume by overall vehicle length.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure, using VDA where available and SAE otherwise.
N/A
160.9 L per m
Cargo space vs footprint
This DriveSize metric divides blended cargo volume by footprint.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure, using VDA where available and SAE otherwise.
It helps show how efficiently a car turns exterior area into usable cargo space.
N/A
85.5 L per m²
How each car compares with its class average
Standard cargo capacity (VDA)
The standard cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
N/A
402 L
43 L less cargo volume than the average Crossover
Largest cargo capacity (VDA)
The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
1,420 L
88 L less cargo volume than the average Crossover
Standard cargo capacity (SAE)
The standard cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
561 L
165 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan
822 L
83 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
Largest cargo capacity (SAE)
The largest cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
If only one SAE figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
1,689 L
182 L less cargo volume than the average Crossover
DriveSize space efficiency
DriveSize space efficiency compares blended cargo volume per square meter of footprint with the class average.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure within the selected cargo measurement method.
VDA values compare with VDA class averages, and SAE values compare with SAE class averages. Positive percentages indicate more space efficiency and negative percentages indicate less.
-13%
VDA: Less space efficient than the average Crossover
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
Choosing the 2017 Tesla Model 3 means managing with 1 fewer door(s), but this usually means a cleaner looking side profile than the 5-door 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E. Both the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E and the 2017 Tesla Model 3 have seating for 5, so there is no difference in passenger capacity. Both vehicles share the exact same turning circle of 11.6 m, meaning they require the same amount of space for a full U-turn.
Measurements
Doors
4
5 (+1)
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
11.6 m
11.6 m
Curb weight
N/A
1,969 kg
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
11.6 m
0.5 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
11.6 m
0.4 m larger turning circle than the average Crossover
Curb weight
N/A
1,969 kg
337 kg heavier than the average Crossover
DriveSize manoeuvrability
DriveSize manoeuvrability combines turning circle and footprint, with turning circle weighted more heavily.
A positive percentage means more manoeuvrable than the class average and a negative percentage means less manoeuvrable.
-4%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan
-4%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Crossover
Parking
Will the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E fit in a standard parking space?
2017 Tesla Model 3 parking fit score
DriveSize compares the car's width and length with typical parking-space sizes by region.
Vehicle dimensions are rounded up and available side or length clearance is rounded down.
Side clearance is based on body width where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.
For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 45 cm per side, and length clearance is 40 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
45 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
40 cm
2021 Ford Mustang Mach‑E parking fit score
DriveSize compares the car's width and length with typical parking-space sizes by region.
Vehicle dimensions are rounded up and available side or length clearance is rounded down.
Side clearance is based on body width where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.
For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 43 cm per side, and length clearance is 39 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
43 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
39 cm
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Tesla and Ford documentation. Unless the page identifies a specific trim, body style, powertrain or market version, DriveSize uses manufacturer-published specifications for the base model as its default reference. DriveSize standardises the published measurements and calculates the comparisons and derived figures shown. Figures can vary by market, model year, trim, powertrain, wheels, tyres and measurement method. How DriveSize sources and calculates these figures.