I was recently comparing the cargo space on my new model Y vs. my 2018 Subaru Outback and I was surprised by the results. First of all Model Y is deceivingly bigger than it appears because it's more proportional in its dimensions, IMHO. However when parked next to my 2018 Subaru Outback, it's only a bit shorter and a bit taller.
My Outback has been used on family vacations with wife and 2 teenage boys. It fits us quite well with luggage in the back and three mountain bikes on a hitch rack. I was curious if model Y would be able to haul as much cargo as my Outback. To my surprise, it could probably haul more.
First of all, here is my definition of usable cargo space:
-rear seats up
-cargo can only be stacked as high as the rear seats for safety reason ***IMPORTANT***
-I used width at most narrow place
-height is measured to the top of the rear seat
So here are my measurements (it was dark so assume +- 5% error)
Outback usable cargo space (only the rear) 18H (top of seat) x 42W(most narrow points) x 41L = 17.9 cu ft
Model Y usable cargo space (the rear top) 19 H (top of seat) x 37.5W(most narrow points) x 43.5L = 17.9 cu ft
Couple of points here
1. MY has a longer cargo space by 2.5 inches. The bumper cover and large hatch contact area makes it seem like Subaru cargo space is longer on the picture.
2. MY overall has lower floors so the height to the top the seat is 1 inch higher
3. MY rear cargo is visibly and measurably more narrow
4. Usable cargo space in the rear only (excluding MY trunk well) appears to be the same as Outback
As far as Outback that is the whole cargo space without going in to cabin space at least.
However Tesla Model Y has a bunch of more:
1. Trunk Well cargo space using most narrow width is about 2.6 cu ft (probably bigger if account for the wider part)
2. Frunk cargo space using most narrow width is about 3 cu ft (probably bigger if account for the wider part)
3. There are two deep pockets on each side of the rear space which I did not measure but each is about a good shoe box big. There is also another shallow hidden compartment in front of the trunk well which I did not bother measuring. My very conservative guesstimate puts all three at around 1 cu ft
4. There is a couple of more. The front seats in Tesla are about 12 inches of the floor ! That's a whole foot - tons of space for your feet. Compare to a mere 4 inches in Subaru, which allows me to stuff some water bottle. You can easily stuff a small backpack underneath each of the seats like you would in an airplane. Again, my very conservative guesstimate for usable space under the seats are at around 1 cu ft.
5. I am not going to count the center console space although that is easily 2-3 the size of what the Outback offers.
So TOTAL usable cargo space for Tesla Model Y adds up to 25.5 cu ft. That is 30% more than Outback !
Again USABLE cargo space as defined above.
I was shocked, I was expecting to the cargo space to be at most equivalent to the Outback.