Tesla Model 3 (2017) vs Tesla Model S (2012)

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Model 3 (2017) compared with Model S (2012)

	TeslaModel 3 (2017)	TeslaModel S (2012)
Overview
Released
Released	July 2017	June 2012
Performance
Powertrain
Powertrain	Electric	Electric
Power
Power	–	302–463 bhp
0–62 mph
0–62 mph	4.6–5.6 s	3.3–5.8 s (better)
Top speed
Top speed	140–162 mph (better)	120–155 mph
Engine or motors
Engine or motors	Rear permanent-magnet synchronous motor; dual-motor configurations add a front induction motor. Later 2022–23 RWD power figures belong to the refreshed generation.	Original liquid-cooled AC induction rear motor; D versions add a front motor. Tesla’s 2012 US sheet gives 270 kW / 362 hp for the 85 and 310 kW / 416 hp for Performance. Its 2013 brochure (read as a ReadkonG copy) gives 225 kW / 302 hp for the original 60. Later European figures are from the exact EV Database listings: 278 kW (85), 235 kW (70), 245 kW (70D), 311 kW (85D) and 345 kW (P85D), converted to bhp. These are separate period specifications, rather than a single unchanging launch rating.
Torque
Torque	–	2012 US specification: 440 Nm (85) or 600 Nm (Performance).
Gearbox
Gearbox	Single-speed fixed gear	Single-speed transaxle; 9.73:1 reduction ratio on the original rear-wheel-drive version.
Drive
Drive	Rear-wheel drive (Standard Range Plus, RWD, Long Range RWD) or all-wheel drive (Long Range AWD, Performance)	Rear-wheel drive on the original 60, 70, 85 and P85/P85+; all-wheel drive on D versions.
Range and charging
Zero-emission range (WLTP)
Zero-emission range (WLTP)	254–348 miles	–
Fastest charging
Fastest charging	170–250 kW (better)	90–120 kW
Range detail
Range detail	UK 2019–20 WLTP figures from exact EV Database records: Standard Range Plus 254 miles, Long Range AWD 348 miles and Performance 329 miles. These are distinct from later refreshed-generation ratings. Original US Long Range RWD uses EPA testing; no EPA figure is placed in the structured WLTP field.	Tesla’s 2012 US sheet rates the 85 and Performance at 265 miles EPA. The 2013 brochure gives 208 miles EPA for the 60. EV Database gives 312 miles NEDC for the later European 85. EPA and NEDC figures are retained here and are not entered as WLTP range. Tesla’s 2012 acceleration figures are 0–60 mph (5.6 seconds for 85 and 4.4 for Performance), so they are not entered in the 0–62 mph fields.
Charging
Charging	EV Database lists 11 kW AC and up to 170 kW DC for UK Standard Range Plus, 250 kW DC for UK Long Range AWD and Performance. Battery usable-capacity estimates are omitted.	2012 US specification: 90 kW peak DC Supercharging on the 85; Supercharging was optional for the 60. Standard 10 kW AC onboard charger, or optional 20 kW twin chargers in that US specification. EV Database’s later European 70/70D/85/85D/P85D listings give up to 120 kW DC and 11 kW AC. Battery badge numbers are not published usable capacities. The original 60 has a 60 kWh pack, unlike the software-limited 75 kWh pack in the later 2016 60.
CO2 emissions
CO2 emissions	0 g/km	–
Practicality
Body
Body	Saloon	Saloon
Seats
Seats	5	5–7 (better)
Boot
Boot	–	744.7 litres
Length
Length	4,695 mm	4,970 mm
Width
Width	1,850 mm	1,964 mm
Boot
Boot	Contemporary UK launch sources quote 542 litres combined luggage space; this includes front and underfloor storage, so it is not assigned to the seats-up rear boot field. The updated 2017–23 owner manual lists 561 litres rear plus 88 litres front for later cars; those figures belong to the refreshed-generation record.	2012 US sheet: rear luggage space 744.7 litres with rear seats up or 1,645.2 litres folded, plus a separate 150.1-litre front boot. The January 2016 European manual lists combined front/rear totals of 894.85 litres for single-motor cars and 815.5 litres for dual-motor cars; those combined totals are not used as rear boot capacity. Optional rear-facing seats accommodate two children, rather than two additional adults.
Size
Size	4,695 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, 1,445 mm high; 2,875 mm wheelbase; 11.6 m turning circle (Tesla owner manual; dimensions vary with options)	Main dimensions use the January 2016 pre-facelift European manual: 4,970 mm long and 1,964 mm wide without mirrors; 2,189 mm with mirrors, 1,445 mm high and 2,960 mm wheelbase. The 2012 US launch sheet instead gives 4,978 mm length, 1,435 mm height and describes its 1,964 mm width as mirrors folded. These source differences are retained rather than treating all markets and dates as identical.
Release and generation details
Release and generation details	–	First customer deliveries were on 22 June 2012 in the US. Tesla’s Q1 2013 filing confirms original 60 kWh deliveries began in that quarter; the launch sheet’s autumn 2012 wording was a production plan. UK deliveries began in June 2014. Dual-motor deliveries began in December 2014. Tesla reported the 70 kWh rear-/all-wheel-drive options and 90 kWh upgrade in its 2015 filing. The 90D/P90D badges and Ludicrous option are confirmed by the maker service manual, but later facelift performance figures are not substituted where pre-facelift specifications remain unverified.
Tech and safety
Infotainment
Infotainment	15-inch centre touchscreen; no driver display; no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Cars built before approximately October 2020 lack the later heat pump according to Tesla’s North American manual.	17-inch portrait centre touchscreen and separate driver instrument display.
Safety rating
Safety rating	Euro NCAP 5 stars (2019): adult occupant 96%, child occupant 86%, vulnerable road users 74%, safety assist 94%	–