• Cabin is airy with plenty of room front and rear
• Rear boot is usefully large – and there’s one at the front, too
• Lots of storage space in the cabin for your gadgets

How much space is there?

The Tesla Model 3 is agreeably roomy and welcoming inside with its light interior colours and panoramic glass roof. It’s very different to traditional compact executive saloons, and all the better for that.

It’s worth noting that the quality inside has been improved with the latest models, which should help soothe the nerves of more conservative customers, coming out of more conventional rivals.

You really can get five adults in a Model 3, and that’s quite a feat in this market sector, although they’ll still need to be good friends. A full-length glass roof is also standard in the UK, bathing the interior in light all day long. It’s a clever trick that makes this cabin even more appealing.

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Boot space and storage

The capacity is 425 litres of luggage space, which means it lags a little behind the BMW i4 (470 litres), but is ahead of the BYD Seal, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Polestar 4, which are all around 400 litres.

But you do get room in the front boot for an additional couple of bags, so it’s probably more than practical enough for its intended market. Given its shape, it’s a shame it’s not a hatchback like its larger Model S cousin.

Inside the cabin there are a couple of decently-sized cupholders between the seats, plus under the armrest, and in the centre console, there’s ample space for phones and other paraphernalia – with decent provision for induction charging and USB connections.

Is it easy to park?

The Model 3 isn’t too big for UK parking spaces, is easy to see out of and is absolutely peppered with cameras. The best aspect is the forward visibility, which is excellent despite a bulky A-pillar. The low-set dashboard makes parking in even the tightest spots a piece of cake.

Rear parking sensors and cameras come as part of the package of all Model 3s – a good thing, given that it’s not exactly easy to see out of the back.

Safety

• Euro NCAP five-star result in 2018
• Brilliant collision avoidance technology
• It’s an American car which means excellent passive safety

The Model 3 earned five stars in its ability to protect adults, children, vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians, as well as its safety assistance features. In this latter ‘Safety Assist’ category, it earned the highest score that Euro NCAP has awarded to date under its 2018/2019 testing protocols.

It’s had some tweaks for 2024 including a new locking blade that helps keep the door and sill together in the event of an accident.

The Euro NCAP results also demonstrate the importance of Model 3’s all-electric architecture and powertrain design, which ensure the structural integrity of the vehicle and protects occupants with its fortified battery pack, rigid passenger compartment, and overall low centre of gravity.

Watch: Tesla Model 3 crash test video