2021 Tesla Model S vs 2017 Tesla Model 3

Q: Which is bigger: the 2021 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3?

The 2021 Tesla Model S is longer than the 2017 Tesla Model 3 by 32.6 cm (12.8 in). The 2021 Tesla Model S is wider than the 2017 Tesla Model 3 by 13.7 cm (5.4 in). The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is taller than the 2021 Tesla Model S by 1.5 cm (0.6 in).

Q: Which vehicle has more published cargo space: the 2021 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3?

Based on the SAE standard published figure, the 2021 Tesla Model S has 148 L more cargo capacity than the 2017 Tesla Model 3.

Q: Does the 2021 Tesla Model S or the 2017 Tesla Model 3 seat more passengers?

The 2021 Tesla Model S and the 2017 Tesla Model 3 both seat up to 5 passengers.

Q: Which car is heavier: the 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Tesla Model S. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is shorter at 469.5 cm (184.8 in) versus 502.1 cm (197.7 in) for the 2021 Tesla Model S, and the 2017 Tesla Model 3 is narrower at 185 cm (72.8 in) versus 198.7 cm (78.2 in) for the 2021 Tesla Model S.

Which is bigger, the 2021 Tesla Model S or 2017 Tesla Model 3?

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

502.1 cm (+32.6)

469.5 cm

Height

143 cm

144.5 cm (+1.5)

Width (excluding mirrors)

198.7 cm (+13.7)

185 cm

Width (including mirrors)

218.9 cm

208.8 cm (+2.3)

Ground clearance

11.7 cm (+8.5)

14 cm

Wheelbase

296 cm (+1.3)

287.5 cm

How each car compares with its class average

Length

502.1 cm

29.2 cm longer than the average Sedan

469.5 cm

3.4 cm shorter than the average Sedan

Height

143 cm

2.8 cm shorter than the average Sedan

144.5 cm

1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan

Width (excluding mirrors)

198.7 cm

15.7 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

11.7 cm

2.3 cm less ground clearance than 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

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.

709 L (+148)

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.

1,739 L

N/A

Frunk capacity

89 L (+1)

88 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.

213 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.

107.2 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.

709 L

313 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

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

Max. seats

Turning circle

12.3 m (+0.7)

11.6 m

Curb weight

2,075 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

2,075 kg

553 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 2021 Tesla Model S or 2017 Tesla Model 3 fit in a standard parking space?

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 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 38 cm per side (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 23.5 cm at each end.

Body side clearance (excluding mirrors)

38 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

23.5 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.