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Tesla Model 3: boot space, seating & practicality

Although it's spacious for a small saloon, we wish the Model 3 had a hatchback bootlid

Overall rating

4.5 out of 5

Boot space, seating & practicality rating

4.0 out of 5

RRP
£39,990 £60,580
Fuel Type:
Electric
LengthWidthHeightBoot volume
4,720mm2,089mm1,441mm594 litres

By compact executive car standards, the Tesla Model 3 is more than good enough when it comes to practicality. Those up front will have no complaints at all, and there's a generous amount of luggage space thanks to dual boots – one smaller one in the nose, and one at the back that’s accessed through a saloon-style bootlid. However, there are plenty of other cars in the class that offer more space for rear-seat passengers.

Tesla Model 3 interior space, storage & comfort

Push the flush door handles – they don’t pop out as they do on the Model S – and you’ll find that space is pretty similar in the back to a BMW i4, which ranks as one of the Model 3’s closest rivals. There’s the added bonus of a flat floor with no transmission hump, but headroom is a little tight for taller adults who could brush the sloped, full-length glass roof that the Model 3 gets as standard.

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The Model 3 is reasonably practical, but the Tesla Model Y is even better in this department and only slightly more expensive. That being said, the Model 3 should still be fine for the average small family. Those up front are well catered for with two fixed cupholders and a big storage box with a sliding lid in the centre console, as well as pockets in the doors and a small glovebox, in addition to comfortable seats. Those in the back get small pockets in the doors and a fold-down centre armrest. There is a noticeable lack of underthigh support, though, meaning rear passengers could have aching legs at the end of a long journey.

Boot space

The Model 3 has two boots – one in the nose (often called a ‘frunk’) and one in the back. Access to the rear luggage space is via a letterbox-style saloon opening – just like in the Hyundai Ioniq 6 – although the boot is hinged to lift higher than most saloons, so access isn’t too bad by class standards. It's still not quite as flexible as the hatchback offered by newer rivals like the Polestar 2 and BMW i4, though.

The luggage area itself is surprisingly deep, so getting a couple of suitcases or a chunky buggy in is no problem. There’s also underfloor storage that’s ideal for stowing away the charging cables, or the front boot is also a useful place to stick the cables if you’ve got the rear boot full of stuff. The rear seats split and fold, too.

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Hello, I’m Shane and I’m the senior content editor both here at DrivingElectric and at our sister title Auto Express. Although I can trace my professional roots back to the radio and podcasting world, my passion (or borderline obsession) with cars saw me switch over to motoring journalism in 2021. From the very start I have been fortunate enough to try out the latest and greatest electric cars on the market, and I’m proud to help people like you make the right EV buying decisions.

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