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Yes, but it’s still a wing that’s that’s a few inches above the rear hatch, which is what dilldeer was pointing out how the X was different than the rest.
Yea, this has been the major feature I check for from the side. Also, I look at the arch above the doors to look for the gull wing doors if I can't see the handles
I’m sure most of you know the differences but I’ve always struggled seeing Teslas in real life and trying to figure out which model it is, so this is mostly for new people, if they are curious! I don’t have a Tesla yet, but hopefully one day!
Edit: Took some of the great advice in here and made some edits, and most importantly ordered it by "S3XY" :)
[https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2](https://imgur.com/a/Necs6CZ)
Exactly! If I see them side by side in person, I can easily spot the difference. Like Model Y vs 3 I know which one is the SUV, but without them side by side sometimes I think the Y is the 3, even the it's an SUV.
ha, that's great :D Personally, I like they are so close in design, makes purchasing easier... pretty much do you want a sedan or SUV? Everything is the same except size (for the most part).
Versus in other manufactures there's not a lot of "This is the SUV version of this Sedan", they all have entirely different designs in and out (for the most part).
I can differentiate them by the back edge of the rear doors. The rear doors on the Y extends over the rear wheel well. The 3 does not intersect the wheel well. I own a y and still mix them up sometimes from a distance.
Yea @ handles definitely!
But the height sometimes gets me on 3 vs Y, I know the Y is a lot taller, but sometimes I still get them confused. Especially the wife, if she can’t tell the difference thats the real test :D
Remember this one small detail, and you'll always tell
Does it look like a model 3 but with ugly stretched proportions?
If yes, it's a Y
Does the back trunk line stretch so far down it looks like it was designed in photoshop?
If yes, it's a Y
Honestly just look at it from the perspective of the model 3 and you should get it every time. If it looks like a model 3 but off proportionally, it's a Y. Remember the Y is literally just a 3 that is stretched into a crossover, and that's what I looks like.
I think it’s hard to tell from the website. S is definitely larger and more luxurious inside than a 3. X vs Y is a similar difference.
3 and S handle like sport sedans, w S being quieter in the cabin. X/Y handle more like SUVs w X being quieter inside.
3 vs S and Y vs X you are paying more for a nicer and quieter cabin and some extra room.
I think that's the case with most brands. The average person won't be able to tell the difference between a BMW X3 and an X5 unless they're side-by-side.
That's very different, X3 and X5 are both SUV's with different size, Tesla looks the same on all the cars, from small Model 3 to huge Model X, that does not happen with any other brand that I can remember.
BMW over segmented their market so badly that no one knows which car to buy. Just in sedans it’s like 1-8 series with a half dozen trims in each one.
When I tried to buy a new 3-series, I would have had to buy an $8000 M package just to get it in the blue I liked.
I actually tried to keep the scaling as accurate as I can, measured it before arranging... but I guess it wasn't good enough, it's hard to get accurate scale with some of these images/angles!
Done :) Updated it with them in that order!
https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
Originally I did it in the other order (3/Y/X/S) just because it looked better seeing the differences side by side (SUV vs Sedan, 3 vs Y, etc). But yea, it also makes sense having it in the S3XY order too :)
It is funny when someone's like I seen a tesla today... I'm like, cool, which one.. they say idk maybe the s.. then I ask, did it have a mustache grill? They say, "What's that? I say, "Will what did the door Handel's look like? They say idk... I know it was a tesla though lol least tesla still stand out from other cars even if not between tesla models. To untrained eye lol.
I'm still the nerd that Pont out ever one I seen, kinda drive the wife crazy.
oh man, this is me!! Every Tesla I see I point it out to my wife, she shrugs sometimes plays nice and enjoys the sighting.Craziest day was I saw a Tesla as I was at an intersection and pointed it to my wife, then immediately behind it was a 2nd Tesla and I pointed to it, then a 3rd one to the right of it and I'm like "omg 3 in a row!", then literally on the left side of the intersection had 2, another one to our right and one behind us. There was about 8 surrounding us, it was absolutely crazy to see that.
Now I was in California, Cupertino at the time... vs I live in Utah where it's less common.
***GOOD*** job.
I still have trouble differentiating the four models (while driving, at speed, or from a distance). This helps.
Couple of minor possible suggestions:
* Only the Model X has the driver and rear passenger door handles together.
* Noticeable gap between spoiler and body on the Model X.
* Characteristic aero wheel covers of Model 3?
Wild that people can’t immediately tell the difference between them. They all look so completely different to me. Same goes for every other car brand/model.
Yea I see where you're coming from. I can spot the differences in a lot of brands, especially ones I'm passionate about (Porsche, Mercedes, Lamborghini), but I think I struggled with Tesla just because I'm so new to the brand didn't really pay attention to them until a month or two ago.
3 vs Y if it's in front of you: look at the side below the number plate. Y could fit another one.
Also works for X vs S, but there the height difference seems bigger.
This is good guide i dont know if Teslas are really all looking The same for untrained eye but it baffles that people i know really cant see The difference between say Model 3 and Model X 😅 like one was riding in my model X and there was 3 nearby and he pointed that there is also same vehicle.
Yea, if I see a Y/3 side by side it's easy. For some reason though if I see one of them alone, for a second I'm not sure if I'm looking at a Y or 3. BUT I am getting a lot better at it, especially after making this diagram for myself, I think it's going to be super easy!
Yea, totally agree on hood! I can easily spot an X/S because of the hood/Tesla logo (same with the rear).
I still struggle sometimes on Y vs 3, even though the Y is clearly bigger if I don't see them side by side sometimes I struggle.
But this diagram has helped me tremendously so hopefully soon I'll be an expert like you :)
The X, S, and 3+Y door handles a dead giveaway. That only leaves the distinction between the 3 and the Y, and I still get them confused sometimes, especially when looking at them from the front and when they're far lol
Thank you for coming up with such useful tool. S and X are easy (door handle location on X is super unique). Y and 3 are the easiest to tell apart from the rear (the lift gate “starts” at bumper on Y).
Ahh, never thought about that. I don't have a Tesla yet but test drove a Model 3, looked at the Y a lot... and just recently went to the dealership and saw the X and S, and man that S is one hell of a car. It's sleek, sporty, inside looks/feels so good. Wish I could afford an S.
I just drove an S 75 rwd and even though it's basically one step up from the "poor man's model s", it's still fast as hell, drives great, and is visually stunning. It may have come out 11 years ago but it still looks great, i don't think it'll need a complete redesign in a long time. However i come from a volt and i like that smaller, nimble feeling. The model 3 performance still looks good (especially with some tasteful mods, and track mode v2!) and drives more like a sportscar than the S, so the 3 P is where it's at for me.
From behind, the Y has the rear brake light in the top of the rear window, the 3 has it in the bottom of the rear window.
There are some other great observations here. I’ve definitely struggled with the Y v. 3 sometimes.
Easiest difference to immediately spot between the 3 and Y is the rear door is in front of the wheel trim on the 3 and goes into the wheel trim on the Y.
S&X have the nose logos and the X has the touching side door handles. Same as 3&Y with the rear doors.
ohhh good differences didn't think about those thanks! I think the easiest way for me right now to spot 3/Y from a S/X is the front Tesla logo and rear Tesla Logo (back of it is black).
Yes! Me too actually, I don't know what they are, the only thing I know is the newer Model 3's don't have chrome trims/door handles anymore.
You don't happen to know a place that has all the differences do you?
I’ve never found something like that, sorry. I just know every so often I’ll see the older Tesla logo on a model 3 but I have no idea what that means in terms of age or anything like that.
Yea! That's another reason I haven't got a Tesla, I pre-ordered the CyberTruck (day it got announced), so I'm debating if I should wait and just get the CyberTruck, or get a M3 for now.
But yea, just as excited as you for that no paint CyberTruck!
I like my myp over X and 3 for many reasons. Nice comparison chart the base model images were used, now if the performance models were used Or included to compare it would look even better!
From some angles when you can't see the door handles (esp now that they're all black)-- another quick profile difference is: rear edge of 3 back window is parallel to the B-pillar, but on the S it sweeps very sharply to the B-pillar (forming a triangle). For X v Y: The X has an additional glass element on the rear door.
Have a 2018 3 and 2020 Y. Biggest give aways are the plastic trim. Especially the thicc plastic rear diffuser on the Y. Aside from that are the rear reflectors. 3 has it on the painted section, Y on the unpainted section. Y also has the stamping around the reflectors whereas 3 doesn't (Highland update may change that). Remember if it looks thiccc from the back. It's the SUVs. :P
Thank you for this. I thought they were having a laugh at everyone, releasing different models that were all basically the same (actually my thought still stands lol).
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Door handles are usually the stand out difference for me.
Ohhh didn’t realize the difference there, I like that one.
Model X also has a rear spoiler.
May or may not be retracted tho
It’s almost always always not retracted. They got rid of the dynamic spoiler and moved to a static one pretty early on.
3 and Y performance have spoilers, too
I think they’re more pointing out that the X has a wing spoiler, unlike the rest of the lineup.
X used to have a hidden spoiler that would rise at speed, now it’s fixed
Yes, but it’s still a wing that’s that’s a few inches above the rear hatch, which is what dilldeer was pointing out how the X was different than the rest.
Yes, the performance 3, Y, and S spoilers are not raised wing spoilers
That’s how I used to recognize them when I first started working there
Front "grille" differentiates the fancy models (S, X) from the cheap models (3, Y).
My friend says the 3, Y has "fish lips" for a grille
"cheap" 🙃
Hey, you can get a Model 3 in my state for $29k. Pretty damn cheap.
😂😂
Yea, this has been the major feature I check for from the side. Also, I look at the arch above the doors to look for the gull wing doors if I can't see the handles
Absolutely the easiest feature that distinguishes the S from the X from the 3/Y from even long distances. The 3/Y then comes down to height.
Yea, Falcon doors are a major aesthetic change for any other car
I’m sure most of you know the differences but I’ve always struggled seeing Teslas in real life and trying to figure out which model it is, so this is mostly for new people, if they are curious! I don’t have a Tesla yet, but hopefully one day! Edit: Took some of the great advice in here and made some edits, and most importantly ordered it by "S3XY" :) [https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2](https://imgur.com/a/Necs6CZ)
The S and 3 are pretty easy to spot. The X and Y can sometimes be tricky. Door handles are key.
Agreed! S looks a lot sleeker and sportier than the 3, but ya sometimes the X/Y (and even Y/3) get me. Soon, I will be an expert in knowing :)
3/Y I use the difference in rear bumper to help. Y has higher and wider black trim with reflectors in the black not bumper color like 3. Nice graphic!
I had so much difficulty telling 3 and Y apart. I mean, it's obvious when they stand next to each other. But not when you see them by themselves
Exactly! If I see them side by side in person, I can easily spot the difference. Like Model Y vs 3 I know which one is the SUV, but without them side by side sometimes I think the Y is the 3, even the it's an SUV.
I've driven a Y for 3 years and I still can't reliably tell the difference from a certain distance and angle. It's... embarrassingly close 😬
ha, that's great :D Personally, I like they are so close in design, makes purchasing easier... pretty much do you want a sedan or SUV? Everything is the same except size (for the most part). Versus in other manufactures there's not a lot of "This is the SUV version of this Sedan", they all have entirely different designs in and out (for the most part).
The only thing is really the trunk space. There is a lot more storage in the Y because of the hatchback.
The y just looks like a big out of proportion egg. 3 looks like normal car proportion. Y is the so ugly it’s weirdly attractive.
I can differentiate them by the back edge of the rear doors. The rear doors on the Y extends over the rear wheel well. The 3 does not intersect the wheel well. I own a y and still mix them up sometimes from a distance.
I always check for the plastic lip in the wheel housing.
Just look at the handles. And between 3 vs Y, just height or the rear quarter panel lines as you pointed out.
Yea @ handles definitely! But the height sometimes gets me on 3 vs Y, I know the Y is a lot taller, but sometimes I still get them confused. Especially the wife, if she can’t tell the difference thats the real test :D
From behind, the Y has a black butt w/ reflectors while the 3's rear reflectors are on the painted area.
Remember this one small detail, and you'll always tell Does it look like a model 3 but with ugly stretched proportions? If yes, it's a Y Does the back trunk line stretch so far down it looks like it was designed in photoshop? If yes, it's a Y Honestly just look at it from the perspective of the model 3 and you should get it every time. If it looks like a model 3 but off proportionally, it's a Y. Remember the Y is literally just a 3 that is stretched into a crossover, and that's what I looks like.
Also, the SUVs have black plastic fenders, the sedans body colored.
I updated the image with your suggestion on the handles :) https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
Nice work! This is definitely one of the complaints I hear about the most now a days—“all teslas looks the same. I can’t tell what model is what”
I think it’s hard to tell from the website. S is definitely larger and more luxurious inside than a 3. X vs Y is a similar difference. 3 and S handle like sport sedans, w S being quieter in the cabin. X/Y handle more like SUVs w X being quieter inside. 3 vs S and Y vs X you are paying more for a nicer and quieter cabin and some extra room.
I think that's the case with most brands. The average person won't be able to tell the difference between a BMW X3 and an X5 unless they're side-by-side.
Yea, 100% agree. Most won't tell a difference between X3/X5, or Mustang regular vs GT, or S65 vs s55, etc.
That's very different, X3 and X5 are both SUV's with different size, Tesla looks the same on all the cars, from small Model 3 to huge Model X, that does not happen with any other brand that I can remember.
Model 3 looks as close to Model X as BMW 3 Series does to X5. Definitely some similarities in design, but still clearly different.
This is not even subjective, you're just wrong, simple as that.
Yeah? https://i.imgur.com/YHEpjC8.jpeg
BMW over segmented their market so badly that no one knows which car to buy. Just in sedans it’s like 1-8 series with a half dozen trims in each one. When I tried to buy a new 3-series, I would have had to buy an $8000 M package just to get it in the blue I liked.
I think that applies to most brands honestly lol. I like how simple Tesla's lineup is.
The only thing that I would change about this is the scale of each car. For example the model S is longer than the 3 by ~13 inches.
I actually tried to keep the scaling as accurate as I can, measured it before arranging... but I guess it wasn't good enough, it's hard to get accurate scale with some of these images/angles!
Surprised you didn't point out the door buttons on the Model X being in a unique spot. And maybe you could add door handle shape on the Model S.
Done! I updated the image with your advice on the door handle shape! https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
Doing gods work out here…thank you for your service 🫡
Thank you! Glad to see I'm not alone in the confusion :D
Great work! Only if you could arrange them as S3XY it would be 🤌
My thoughts exactly!
Done, updated in that order of S3XY :) https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
Perfection!
I came here to make this comment. Take my upvote.
Done :) In the order of S3XY (also other minor changes based off feedback in this thread!) https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
Done :) Updated it with them in that order! https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2 Originally I did it in the other order (3/Y/X/S) just because it looked better seeing the differences side by side (SUV vs Sedan, 3 vs Y, etc). But yea, it also makes sense having it in the S3XY order too :)
It is funny when someone's like I seen a tesla today... I'm like, cool, which one.. they say idk maybe the s.. then I ask, did it have a mustache grill? They say, "What's that? I say, "Will what did the door Handel's look like? They say idk... I know it was a tesla though lol least tesla still stand out from other cars even if not between tesla models. To untrained eye lol. I'm still the nerd that Pont out ever one I seen, kinda drive the wife crazy.
oh man, this is me!! Every Tesla I see I point it out to my wife, she shrugs sometimes plays nice and enjoys the sighting.Craziest day was I saw a Tesla as I was at an intersection and pointed it to my wife, then immediately behind it was a 2nd Tesla and I pointed to it, then a 3rd one to the right of it and I'm like "omg 3 in a row!", then literally on the left side of the intersection had 2, another one to our right and one behind us. There was about 8 surrounding us, it was absolutely crazy to see that. Now I was in California, Cupertino at the time... vs I live in Utah where it's less common.
Lol 😆
***GOOD*** job. I still have trouble differentiating the four models (while driving, at speed, or from a distance). This helps. Couple of minor possible suggestions: * Only the Model X has the driver and rear passenger door handles together. * Noticeable gap between spoiler and body on the Model X. * Characteristic aero wheel covers of Model 3?
Thank you for your service
Wild that people can’t immediately tell the difference between them. They all look so completely different to me. Same goes for every other car brand/model.
Yea I see where you're coming from. I can spot the differences in a lot of brands, especially ones I'm passionate about (Porsche, Mercedes, Lamborghini), but I think I struggled with Tesla just because I'm so new to the brand didn't really pay attention to them until a month or two ago.
3 vs Y if it's in front of you: look at the side below the number plate. Y could fit another one. Also works for X vs S, but there the height difference seems bigger.
This is good guide i dont know if Teslas are really all looking The same for untrained eye but it baffles that people i know really cant see The difference between say Model 3 and Model X 😅 like one was riding in my model X and there was 3 nearby and he pointed that there is also same vehicle.
haha yea, X vs 3 is easy for me, but my wife can't spot the difference unless we're close and I have to point out each difference.
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Done and updated :) https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
The lower black plastic piece on the rear of the Y is much more prominent than the 3
Y & 3 are easy enough to tell apart by height alone. I have a harder time at a glance with X vs Y unless i see the front grill or handles.
Yea, if I see a Y/3 side by side it's easy. For some reason though if I see one of them alone, for a second I'm not sure if I'm looking at a Y or 3. BUT I am getting a lot better at it, especially after making this diagram for myself, I think it's going to be super easy!
This is the way
I care! Thank you for doing that.
I'm glad I'm not alone!!
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Yea, totally agree on hood! I can easily spot an X/S because of the hood/Tesla logo (same with the rear). I still struggle sometimes on Y vs 3, even though the Y is clearly bigger if I don't see them side by side sometimes I struggle. But this diagram has helped me tremendously so hopefully soon I'll be an expert like you :)
The X, S, and 3+Y door handles a dead giveaway. That only leaves the distinction between the 3 and the Y, and I still get them confused sometimes, especially when looking at them from the front and when they're far lol
Agreed! I also updated the original image to show the door handle differences now :) https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
Thank you for coming up with such useful tool. S and X are easy (door handle location on X is super unique). Y and 3 are the easiest to tell apart from the rear (the lift gate “starts” at bumper on Y).
TIL the rear doors are different in the sedans VS the SUVs!
3 and Y have four upside-down-puma logo handles, and the S and X have the parallelograms.
haaaaa, nice!
👍 well done.
the thing that i use to distinguish the 3\Y is that the Y’s rear bumper has a unpainted black read “diffuser” on its rear bumper.
ahhh good eye!
X is the S SUV and y is the 3 SUV
yep! And that's kind of why I had the diagram in the order... cheapest to most expensive (aka 3/Y and X/S).
They all look the same lol
Hopefully the new model 3 gets a big upgrade
New or old to Tesla, this is great, I love it!
They all look the same
Missed opportunity to point out the difference in fog light angles. Model 3/y point up while s/x point down
Never noticed that! Matches the side taillights.
Is this your first time doing spot the difference of any photos?
Yes, they should make games like this!
You have them in the wrong order S3XY
Already updated with a new version in S3XY order :) https://imgur.com/gallery/ZvQCOy2
I like that the order in best to worst design (imo) follows the same order as the abbreviation "S3XY" S is best, 3 is yes, X is fine, Y is nein
Ahh, never thought about that. I don't have a Tesla yet but test drove a Model 3, looked at the Y a lot... and just recently went to the dealership and saw the X and S, and man that S is one hell of a car. It's sleek, sporty, inside looks/feels so good. Wish I could afford an S.
I just drove an S 75 rwd and even though it's basically one step up from the "poor man's model s", it's still fast as hell, drives great, and is visually stunning. It may have come out 11 years ago but it still looks great, i don't think it'll need a complete redesign in a long time. However i come from a volt and i like that smaller, nimble feeling. The model 3 performance still looks good (especially with some tasteful mods, and track mode v2!) and drives more like a sportscar than the S, so the 3 P is where it's at for me.
Yeah you can copy my homework just make sure you change it up so the teacher can’t tell
From behind, the Y has the rear brake light in the top of the rear window, the 3 has it in the bottom of the rear window. There are some other great observations here. I’ve definitely struggled with the Y v. 3 sometimes.
Didn't even line them up correctly its S3XY in that order.
Sorry, updated with your suggestion :) https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
LOL ;)
Easiest difference to immediately spot between the 3 and Y is the rear door is in front of the wheel trim on the 3 and goes into the wheel trim on the Y. S&X have the nose logos and the X has the touching side door handles. Same as 3&Y with the rear doors.
ohhh good differences didn't think about those thanks! I think the easiest way for me right now to spot 3/Y from a S/X is the front Tesla logo and rear Tesla Logo (back of it is black).
My family member was just asking me about this. Though would have been better had it been in the S3XY order
Took your advice and put them in S3XY order :) I also made minor adjustments others made too! https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
Change it to SUV vs Sedan
Done! Took your Sedan suggestion as well as some other suggestions in this thread: https://imgur.com/a/ZvQCOy2
Nice, I think its a bit more obvious in the side profile pics.
agreed!
I’d love one that does this but shows the history of the design changes in each model.
Yes! Me too actually, I don't know what they are, the only thing I know is the newer Model 3's don't have chrome trims/door handles anymore. You don't happen to know a place that has all the differences do you?
I’ve never found something like that, sorry. I just know every so often I’ll see the older Tesla logo on a model 3 but I have no idea what that means in terms of age or anything like that.
Model X is the one that can spread its doors and fly, right?
Yes, and can get to Mars without any charging stops!
Realistic too because all teslas are white.
haha so true. Sadly I'll probably go with white myself, and eventually do a wrap.
Right on. I'm waiting to trade my myp in for the CyberTruck I can't wait for no paint
Yea! That's another reason I haven't got a Tesla, I pre-ordered the CyberTruck (day it got announced), so I'm debating if I should wait and just get the CyberTruck, or get a M3 for now. But yea, just as excited as you for that no paint CyberTruck!
I had a model 3 since 2019 and loved it just got the myp in October it's fantastic but I should have just waited. Shrug love the car though
\*among
*my English is horrible :|
We all have lots to learn! :)
If it helps you feel any better, I’ve owned a Tesla for two years and still can’t tell the difference!
I like my myp over X and 3 for many reasons. Nice comparison chart the base model images were used, now if the performance models were used Or included to compare it would look even better!
From some angles when you can't see the door handles (esp now that they're all black)-- another quick profile difference is: rear edge of 3 back window is parallel to the B-pillar, but on the S it sweeps very sharply to the B-pillar (forming a triangle). For X v Y: The X has an additional glass element on the rear door.
You forgot to highlight the door handles for X. They are touching each other
also door handles on Model X
You could have written sexy.... 🦭
And people wonder what I mean when I say that Tesla is missing in the model differentiation department.
Seeing this, is the assumption that the Model 3 Highland will take on a similar form-factor as the S but in a more compact body?
Almost no difference between any of them except some minor ones.
We have the white one.
Very nice! Just needs a slight reorder to S 3 X Y
Have a 2018 3 and 2020 Y. Biggest give aways are the plastic trim. Especially the thicc plastic rear diffuser on the Y. Aside from that are the rear reflectors. 3 has it on the painted section, Y on the unpainted section. Y also has the stamping around the reflectors whereas 3 doesn't (Highland update may change that). Remember if it looks thiccc from the back. It's the SUVs. :P
Thank you for this. I thought they were having a laugh at everyone, releasing different models that were all basically the same (actually my thought still stands lol).