2023 Tesla Model 3 Interior and Cargo

Two interior color schemes are available for the Tesla Model 3, the first of which is called All Black but features a contrasting wood element through the dash. Leather isn't viewed as environmentally friendly, so a leatherette with white contrast stitching features instead. However, we prefer the $1,000 Black and White color scheme. Here, the seats and elements of the door cards and dash feature a bright and futuristic blank white. Spec your Model 3 with either black or white paint and the car has an overall appearance that wouldn't look out of place in an early-2000s sci-fi flick.

Since electric cars don't have an engine sitting under the hood that area is used as a buffer for frontal collisions but also doubles as a place for a frunk. In the Model 3, that front trunk offers 3.1 cubic feet of volume, while the rear offers 19.8 cubes for a total of 22.9. The back is large enough to swallow carry-on luggage for four, while the front can fit an additional overnight bag. If that's not enough, you can fold the rear seats to maximize rear storage.

In the cabin, you get a pair of cupholders in each row, along with door pockets that feature recesses for water bottles. There's also a spot for two phones in the center console, a reasonable glovebox, and a center armrest storage bin.

As standard, the Tesla Model 3 features 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, a tinted glass roof, heated and power-folding wing mirrors, remote access through a mobile app, keyless entry and ignition, LED headlights with automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, a brake hold feature, a surround-view camera, parking sensors, and a dash cam. Dual-zone climate control also features, along with lane departure warning and lane keep assist. You also get adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking as part of the Autopilot suite of semi-autonomous driving aids. Further wizardry can be unlocked with the Full Self-Driving Capability option that adds a summon feature, automatic parking, auto lane change, traffic light/stop sign control, and the still unreleased features of automatic steering on city streets. A power trunk lid is also equipped.

The aforementioned 15-inch horizontally-mounted touchscreen display in the center of the dash is the base of operations for the infotainment system, but also for most other vehicle functions. It features navigation with real-time traffic updates, both of which use the familiar Google Maps interface. Bluetooth connectivity features too, along with four USB-C charging ports, HD Radio and FM-frequency radio. However, AM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Android Auto are all conspicuously absent. In better news, Apple CarPlay has recently been introduced via a new software update, and at least an internet browser and some online stations are offered. A 14-speaker premium sound system is also available.

While the overall look and feel of the system is decent, the lack of any physical knobs or buttons, as well as icons that can be too small, can distract one from the road for too long. Two phones can be wirelessly charged at the same time on charging pads positioned below the screen. There is a USB-A port in the glovebox and Tesla has thrown in a 128 GB portable storage device.