2016 Tesla Model S vs 2017 Tesla Model 3

Q: Which is bigger: the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3?

The 2016 Tesla Model S is longer than the 2017 Tesla Model 3 by 27.5 cm (10.8 in). The 2016 Tesla Model S is wider than the 2017 Tesla Model 3 by 11.4 cm (4.5 in). The 2016 Tesla Model S and the 2017 Tesla Model 3 have the same height.

Q: Which vehicle has more published cargo space: the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3?

Based on the SAE standard published figure, the 2016 Tesla Model S has 184 L more cargo capacity than the 2017 Tesla Model 3.

Q: Does the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3 seat more passengers?

The 2016 Tesla Model S and the 2017 Tesla Model 3 both seat up to 5 passengers.

Q: Which car is heavier: the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3?

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

Q: Which car is easier to maneuver/park: the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3?

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is easier to maneuver and park, with a smaller turning circle of 11.6 m (38.1 ft) compared with 12.3 m (40.4 ft) for the 2016 Tesla Model S. 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 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3?

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is better for city driving with a smaller turning circle of 11.6 m (38.1 ft) versus 12.3 m (40.4 ft) for the 2016 Tesla Model S. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is shorter at 469.5 cm (184.8 in) versus 497 cm (195.7 in) for the 2016 Tesla Model S, and the 2017 Tesla Model 3 is narrower at 185 cm (72.8 in) versus 196.4 cm (77.3 in) for the 2016 Tesla Model S.

Which is bigger, the 2016 Tesla Model S or 2017 Tesla Model 3?

Key dimensions: length, width, height

The 2016 Tesla Model S would require an extra 27.5 cm of garage space length compared to the more compact 2017 Tesla Model 3. At 11.4 cm wider, the 2016 Tesla Model S occupies a bit more of the lane than the 2017 Tesla Model 3, giving it more road presence. There is no difference in height between the 2017 Tesla Model 3 and the 2016 Tesla Model S, as both stand at 144.5 cm. There is no difference in ground clearance here, with both vehicles sitting at 14 cm above the ground. The 2016 Tesla Model S features a 8.5 cm longer wheelbase, a marginal difference that won't significantly change the turning circle.

Measurements

Length

497 cm (+27.5)

469.5 cm

Height

144.5 cm

Width (excluding mirrors)

196.4 cm (+11.4)

185 cm

Width (including mirrors)

218.9 cm

208.8 cm

Ground clearance

14 cm (+8.5)

14 cm

Wheelbase

296 cm (+1.1)

287.5 cm

How each car compares with its class average

Length

497 cm

24.1 cm longer than the average Sedan

469.5 cm

3.4 cm shorter than the average Sedan

Height

144.5 cm

1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan

144.5 cm

1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan

Width (excluding mirrors)

196.4 cm

13.4 cm wider than the average Sedan

185 cm

2 cm wider than the average Sedan

Width (including mirrors)

218.9 cm

13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan

208.8 cm

3.2 cm wider than the average Sedan

Ground clearance

14 cm

Same ground clearance as the average Sedan

14 cm

Same ground clearance as the average Sedan

Wheelbase

296 cm

17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan

287.5 cm

9.4 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan

Front view

Cargo Capacity: which has more space?

Standard and largest cargo capacity

The 2016 Tesla Model S offers a substantial 183.7 L (SAE) advantage over the 2017 Tesla Model 3, providing enough extra room to fit two large suitcases in the boot with the seats up. With its seats down, the 2016 Tesla Model S has 1,645.2 L of space for your belongings, which is way above average for its segment.

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.

745 L (+184)

561 L

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.

1,645 L

N/A

Frunk capacity

60 L

88 L (+29)

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.

213.3 L per m

N/A

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.

108.6 L per m²

N/A

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.

745 L

349 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan

561 L

165 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan

Rear view

Details

Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability

Door count is consistent across the two models, with both the 2017 Tesla Model 3 and 2016 Tesla Model S featuring 4 doors. Both the 2017 Tesla Model 3 and the 2016 Tesla Model S offer seating for 5, meaning they are equally capable when it comes to carrying passengers. You’ll appreciate the 0.7 m tighter turning circle of the 2017 Tesla Model 3 when navigating cramped multi-storey car parks.

Measurements

Doors

Max. seats

Turning circle

12.3 m (+0.7)

11.6 m

Curb weight

2,027 kg

N/A

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

12.3 m

1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan

11.6 m

0.5 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan

Curb weight

2,027 kg

505 kg heavier than the average Sedan

N/A

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.

89%

11% less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan

96%

4% less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan

Parking

Will the 2016 Tesla Model S or 2017 Tesla Model 3 fit in a standard parking space?

2016 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.

Body side clearance (excluding mirrors)

39 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

26.5 cm

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.