2017 Tesla Model 3 vs 2020 Tesla Model Y
Which is bigger, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2020 Tesla Model Y?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
The 2017 Tesla Model 3 and the 2020 Tesla Model Y are very similar in length, with just a 5.6 cm difference. The 2020 Tesla Model Y is significantly wider, which may offer more shoulder room inside but could make tight parking garages more challenging. The height difference is quite significant, with the 2020 Tesla Model Y standing a substantial 17.9 cm taller than the 2017 Tesla Model 3. The extra 3.2 cm of clearance helps the 2020 Tesla Model Y feel a bit more robust in daily driving. The wheelbase on both vehicles is nearly identical, suggesting a similar level of high-speed stability.
Measurements
Length
469.5 cm
475.1 cm (+5.6)
Height
144.5 cm
162.4 cm (+17.9)
Body width
185 cm
192.1 cm (+7.1)
Width including mirrors
208.8 cm
212.9 cm (+4.1)
Ground clearance
14 cm
17.2 cm (+3.2)
Wheelbase
287.5 cm
289 cm (+1.5)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.7 m²
9.1 m² (+0.4)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
469.5 cm
3.4 cm shorter than the average Sedan
475.1 cm
22.5 cm longer than the average Crossover
Height
144.5 cm
1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan
162.4 cm
0.4 cm shorter than the average Crossover
Body width
185 cm
2 cm wider than the average Sedan
192.1 cm
7.2 cm wider than the average Crossover
Width including mirrors
208.8 cm
3.2 cm wider than the average Sedan
212.9 cm
6.5 cm wider than the average Crossover
Ground clearance
14 cm
Same ground clearance as the average Sedan
17.2 cm
0.9 cm less ground clearance than the average Crossover
Wheelbase
287.5 cm
9.4 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan
289 cm
16.6 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
9.1 m²
0.7 m² larger footprint than the average Crossover
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
Utility is at a different level in the 2020 Tesla Model Y, which offers a monumental 293 L (SAE) of surplus volume in the boot with the seats up. The 2020 Tesla Model Y's 2,041 L (SAE) capacity with the seats down 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.
561 L
854 L (+293)
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
2,041 L
Frunk capacity
88 L
117 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.
N/A
267.2 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
139.1 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
854 L
115 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
2,041 L
170 L more 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.
+6%
SAE: More space efficient than the average Crossover
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
The 4-door 2017 Tesla Model 3 means slightly less convenience for rear-seat access compared to the 2020 Tesla Model Y. There is no advantage for either model when it comes to passenger numbers, since both offer a 5-seat configuration. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is the slightly nimbler of the two when pulling a U-turn, though by a very narrow 0.5 m margin.
Measurements
Doors
4
5 (+1)
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
11.6 m
12.1 m (+0.5)
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
11.6 m
0.5 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
12.1 m
0.9 m larger turning circle 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
-7%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Crossover
Parking
Will the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2020 Tesla Model Y 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
2020 Tesla Model Y 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 41 cm per side, and length clearance is 37 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
41 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
37 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.