Tesla Model 3 Inside Story: Minimalist to a Fault
The changes made to the MY2024 Tesla Model 3 inside and out have substantially improved the popular compact electric sedan, and those cabin refinements have now finally reached the interior of the 2026 Model Y as well. The revamped Model 3 has now been on sale for 2 years and has continued largely unchanged, save for a trim rename this year and the return of the turn signal stalk after much criticism. The cabin is comfortable and adequately roomy, and it’s a nicer place to spend time than before, thanks to more premium materials and lower noise levels.
2026 Tesla Model 3 interior front cabin with touchscreen
Interior Highlights
Standout cabin features include:
Phone key makes your smartphone your car key, automatically locking and unlocking the car as you come and go, and automatically connecting to the car as you get in.
With Tesla Arcade, you can play games on the touchscreen and connect a game controller via Bluetooth.
Dog Mode keeps your dog warm or cool while you’re away alerts passers-by to the cabin temperature on the touchscreen.
2026 Tesla Model Y smartphone key
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Remote climate control heats or cools the cabin before you get in.
The available $8,000 Tesla FSD (Supervised Full Self Driving) can do a lot of the driving for you.
An 8-inch climate control touchscreen is standard for the second row on all trims above Standard; it can also be used to view movies or play games.
2026 Tesla Model 3 remote smartphone climate control
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Comparison with the 2023 Tesla Model 3 Interior
The new Model 3 interior arrived for the 2024 model year, adding double-layer acoustic glass with better sound insulation, ambient lighting in the dashboard and door panels, and upgraded cabin materials. Ventilated front seats are available for the first time, coming as standard on all trims above Standard.
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In the rear of the Tesla Model 3 interior, back seat comfort has been improved with a slightly reconfigured bench with a softer, higher cushion and adjustable backrest angle. An indicator stalk has also made a welcome return to the steering column, which is now power-adjustable in all trims above Standard. The suspension has been tweaked for better comfort.
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Comfort and Space
The interior is comfortable thanks to supportive front seats and the new, reconfigured rear seat arrangement. The front cabin feels roomy, helped by the flat floor, but there is no more than adequate space in the rear, and tall adults will feel cramped. The Model Y is significantly roomier in the second row, with a lot more leg- and headroom. Here are the basic dimensions:
Headroom Front | Rear
40.3 | 37.8 inches
Legroom Front | Rear
42.7 | 34.5 inches
Cargo Space + Frunk
21 + 3.1 cu-ft
Features Comparison of Model 3 Trims
Standard features on all trims include:
15.4-inch front infotainment touchscreen with Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube apps, video games, Wi-Fi, navigation, live weather tracking, Bluetooth, Tesla Theater, and cellular data
2026 Tesla Model 3 interior front cabin with touchscreen
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Particulate and odor cabin filter
Front row touchscreen-adjusted air vents
2x wireless phone chargers
Aluminum and premium textile decor
2026 Tesla Model 3 interior center console wireless chargers
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Front power recline seats
Footwell and door pocket ambient lighting
2026 Tesla Model 3 interior door panel and ambient lighting
Here’s a trim comparison of the features that aren’t standard on all trims:
Standard RWD
Premium RWD/AWD
Performance AWD
Seats
5
5
5
Perforated Leatherette Upholstery
–
S
S
Ventilated Front & Heated Power-Fold Rear Seats
–
S
S
Power Recline Front Seats
–
S
S
Customizable Ambient Lighting
–
S
S
Microsuede Decor
–
S
S
Center Console Extended Storage
–
S
S
See-Through Glass Roof
–
S
S
HEPA HVAC Filter
–
S
S
7-/15-speaker Audio
S/ –
-/S
-/S
FM Radio
–
S
S
Autosteer
–
S
S
8-inch Rear Touchscreen
–
S
S
Powered Steering Column
–
S
S
Legend: S standard; O optional; – not available
2026 Tesla Model 3 interior white perforated leatherette upholstery
The Downsides
Not everyone will love the Model 3’s severely minimalist interior. The over-reliance on touchscreens and the dearth of buttons can leave you at a loss until you learn the ropes, but at least there’s an indicator stalk again, and no sign of the awful steering yoke. The rear seat is not as accommodating as that of some rivals, though, and no place for tall adults. Last of all, people used to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto might not be happy having to do without them and having to use Tesla’s native connectivity tech.
Colors and Materials
The Standard’s cabin is all-black interior with a blend of textile/leatherette upholstery and textile for the details and decor. All the other trims come with perforated “vegan leather” (leatherette) upholstery with microsuede/textile details and decor. The Premium and Performance can also be had with either a black or black/white interior, with white door inserts and seats. Only the Performance has microsuede/carbon fiber decor.
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FAQsQ: Is the Tesla Model 3 interior comfortable?
A: Yes, seating comfort is good front and rear, and there is plenty of space in the first row. The second row is short on room for tall adults and better suited to those of shorter stature.
Q: Which is the cheapest Tesla Model 3?
A: The Standard RWD is the cheapest 2026 model, with a base MSRP of $36,990 at the time of writing.
Q: Is the Tesla Model 3 or S bigger?
A: The Model 3 is a compact sedan with a length of 185.8 inches, and the Model S is 10 inches longer at 195.7 inches, placing it at the upper end of the mid-size sedan category.
Final Thoughts
The Model 3’s cabin refinement and quality are up to scratch compared to rivals, thanks to the MY2024 improvements, and the cabin is a tech fest, with cool features like Dog Mode, arcade games, and a rear-seat climate screen that can also be used for split-screen gaming being highlights not found on rivals. But if you need good rear-seat space, it’s better to opt for the Model Y, because here, the Model 3 falls short.
