Tesla Model 3 boot space, practicality and safety

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• 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 taken a leap from the older Model S (and it was needed), which should help soothe the nerves of more conservative customers, coming out of more conventional rivals.

Boot space and storage

The capacity is 425 litres of luggage space, which means it lags a little behind the Audi A4 (480 litres), BMW 3 Series (480 litres), Jaguar XE (450 litres) and ahead of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (335 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 cup holders 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. 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.

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 parking cameras. The best aspect is the the forward visibility, which is excellent despite a bulky A-pillar. The low-set dashboard makes parking in event the tighest spots a piece of cake.

How big is it?

View full specs

Safety

• Euro NCAP five-star result
  
• 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.

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.

It’s also worth noting that it is for these reasons that the Model 3 won the Best Safety award in the 2020 Parkers New Car Awards.

Watch: Tesla Model 3 crash test video