2017 Tesla Model 3 vs 2021 Tesla Model S
Which is bigger, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2021 Tesla Model S?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
Measuring 32.6 cm more from front to rear bumper, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 provides that extra bit of "stretch" over the 2021 Tesla Model S. The 2021 Tesla Model S is significantly wider, which may offer more shoulder room inside but could make tight parking garages more challenging. Both cars share a very similar height profile with a difference of only 1.5 cm, meaning overhead clearance in garages will be essentially the same. The extra 2.3 cm of clearance helps the 2017 Tesla Model 3 feel a bit more robust in daily driving. There's a negligible 8.5 cm gap in wheelbase, meaning both the 2021 Tesla Model S and 2017 Tesla Model 3 should handle motorway cruising similarly.
Measurements
Length
469.5 cm
502.1 cm (+32.6)
Height
144.5 cm (+1.5)
143 cm
Body width
185 cm
198.7 cm (+13.7)
Width including mirrors
208.8 cm
218.9 cm (+10.1)
Ground clearance
14 cm (+2.3)
11.7 cm
Wheelbase
287.5 cm
296 cm (+8.5)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.7 m²
10 m² (+1.3)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
469.5 cm
3.4 cm shorter than the average Sedan
502.1 cm
29.2 cm longer than the average Sedan
Height
144.5 cm
1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan
143 cm
2.8 cm shorter than the average Sedan
Body width
185 cm
2 cm wider than the average Sedan
198.7 cm
15.7 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
11.7 cm
2.3 cm less 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
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.7 m²
0 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
10 m²
1.3 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
An extra 148 L (SAE) makes the 2021 Tesla Model S significantly more practical, effectively adding two large suitcases to your storage capacity when the seats are up. The 2021 Tesla Model S is the only model in this pair with confirmed cargo stats, with a 1,739 L (SAE) capacity with the seats down that is way above average for its class.
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
709 L (+148)
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
1,739 L
Frunk capacity
88 L
89 L (+1)
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 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
107.2 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
709 L
313 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
In terms of door count, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 and 2021 Tesla Model S are matched exactly, each featuring 4 doors. Both the 2017 Tesla Model 3 and the 2021 Tesla Model S offer seating for 5, meaning they are equally capable when it comes to carrying passengers. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is noticeably more agile in tight spots, boasting a turning circle 0.7 m tighter than the 2021 Tesla Model S.
Measurements
Doors
4
4
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
11.6 m
12.3 m (+0.7)
Curb weight
N/A
2,075 kg
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
11.6 m
0.5 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
12.3 m
1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
Curb weight
N/A
2,075 kg
553 kg heavier than the average Sedan
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
-11%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan
Parking
Will the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2021 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 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 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 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 38 cm per side, and length clearance is 23.5 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
38 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
23.5 cm
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Tesla 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.