2017 Tesla Model 3 vs 2013 Tesla Model S

Q: Which is bigger: the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or the 2013 Tesla Model S?

The 2013 Tesla Model S is longer than the 2017 Tesla Model 3 by 27.5 cm (10.8 in). The 2013 Tesla Model S is wider than the 2017 Tesla Model 3 by 11.3 cm (4.4 in). The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is taller than the 2013 Tesla Model S by 1.8 cm (0.7 in).

Q: Which vehicle has more published cargo space: the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or the 2013 Tesla Model S?

Based on the SAE standard published figure, the 2013 Tesla Model S has 184 L more cargo capacity than the 2017 Tesla Model 3.

Q: Does the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or the 2013 Tesla Model S seat more passengers?

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 and the 2013 Tesla Model S both seat up to 5 passengers.

Q: Which car is heavier: the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or the 2013 Tesla Model S?

Curb weight data is not available for the 2017 Tesla Model 3.

Q: Which car is easier to maneuver/park: the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or the 2013 Tesla Model S?

The 2013 Tesla Model S is easier to maneuver and park, with a smaller turning circle of 11.3 m (37.1 ft) compared with 11.6 m (38.1 ft) for the 2017 Tesla Model 3. In tight spaces, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 is shorter overall and narrower, which makes it easier to fit and steer into parking bays.

Q: Which car is better for city driving, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or the 2013 Tesla Model S?

The 2013 Tesla Model S is better for city driving with a smaller turning circle of 11.3 m (37.1 ft) versus 11.6 m (38.1 ft) for the 2017 Tesla Model 3. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is shorter at 469.5 cm (184.8 in) versus 497 cm (195.7 in) for the 2013 Tesla Model S, and the 2017 Tesla Model 3 is narrower at 185 cm (72.8 in) versus 196.3 cm (77.3 in) for the 2013 Tesla Model S.

Which is bigger, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2013 Tesla Model S?

Key dimensions: length, width, height

The 2013 Tesla Model S measures an extra 27.5 cm in length, providing a slightly more substantial footprint on the road than the 2017 Tesla Model 3. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is the leaner of the two, sitting 11.3 cm narrower than the 2013 Tesla Model S for easier navigation through city traffic. In terms of height, the two are very closely matched, with the 2017 Tesla Model 3 standing just 1.8 cm taller than the 2013 Tesla Model S. For all practical purposes, the ground clearance is the same between the vehicles, with just a minor 1.5 cm advantage in the 2013 Tesla Model S. The wheelbase on both vehicles is nearly identical, suggesting a similar level of high-speed stability.

Measurements

Length

469.5 cm

497 cm (+27.5)

Height

144.5 cm (+1.8)

142.7 cm

Width (excluding mirrors)

185 cm

196.3 cm (+11.3)

Width (including mirrors)

208.8 cm

218.9 cm (+1.5)

Ground clearance

14 cm

15.5 cm (+8.5)

Wheelbase

287.5 cm

296 cm (+1.1)

How each car compares with its class average

Length

469.5 cm

3.4 cm shorter than the average Sedan

497 cm

24.1 cm longer than the average Sedan

Height

144.5 cm

1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan

142.7 cm

3.1 cm shorter than the average Sedan

Width (excluding mirrors)

185 cm

2 cm wider than the average Sedan

196.3 cm

13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan

Width (including mirrors)

208.8 cm

3.2 cm wider than the average Sedan

218.9 cm

13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan

Ground clearance

14 cm

Same ground clearance as the average Sedan

15.5 cm

1.5 cm more ground clearance than the average Sedan

Wheelbase

287.5 cm

9.4 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan

296 cm

17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan

Front view

Cargo Capacity: which has more space?

Standard and largest cargo capacity

The 2013 Tesla Model S gives a major boost in practicality, with a 744.7 L boot capacity with the seats up that outperforms the 2017 Tesla Model 3 by 183.7 L (SAE). The 2013 Tesla Model S has 1,645.2 L (SAE) of cargo space with its seats down, which is below average compared to the class average for sedan.

Measurements

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

745 L (+184)

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

1,645 L

Frunk capacity

88 L

150 L (+62)

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

213.3 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

108.6 L per m²

How each car compares with its class average

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

745 L

349 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan

Rear view

Details

Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability

Both vehicles offer the same entry arrangement, with the 2017 Tesla Model 3 and 2013 Tesla Model S each built in a 4-door format. Whether you'd choose the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or the 2013 Tesla Model S, you’ll have space for up to 5 occupants. You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference doing a U-turn, as the 2017 Tesla Model 3 has a turning circle of only 0.3 m wider than the 2013 Tesla Model S.

Measurements

Doors

Max. seats

Turning circle

11.6 m (+0.3)

11.3 m

Curb weight

N/A

1,999 kg

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

11.6 m

0.5 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan

11.3 m

0.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan

Curb weight

N/A

1,999 kg

477 kg heavier than the average Sedan

DriveSize manoeuvrability score

DriveSize manoeuvrability score combines turning circle and footprint, with turning circle weighted more heavily.

Around 100% means in line with the class average; higher scores indicate better manoeuvrability relative to similar cars.

96%

4% less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan

95%

5% less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan

Parking

Will the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2013 Tesla Model S 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 excluding mirrors 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 (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 40 cm at each end.

Body side clearance (excluding mirrors)

45 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

40 cm

2013 Tesla Model S 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 excluding mirrors 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 39 cm per side (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 26.5 cm at each end.