Home Notifications Newsletters Next Share

Here's how the Tesla Model 3's interior stacks up against the benchmark Mercedes-Benz A220https://www.businessinsider.in/slideshows/miscellaneous/heres-how-the-tesla-model-3s-interior-stacks-up-against-the-benchmark-mercedes-benz-a220/slidelist/73009864.cms2019-12-28T19:56:44+05:30

Here's how the Tesla Model 3's interior stacks up against the benchmark Mercedes-Benz A220

Dec 28, 2019, 19:56 IST

We'll begin the the Model 3, Tesla's best-selling vehicle. It's a sort of mash-up of a midsize and compact semi-luxury car, and it starts at $40,000.

The Model 3's most groundbreaking aspect is its ultra-minimalist interior. There's no instrument cluster, just a central touchscreen, plus a pair of multifunction thumb-wheels on the steering wheel. That long strip of wood lends a Scandinavian flavor to the Model 3.

Tesla designs and builds its own seats, and they're quite comfy. The Model 3 also enjoys a massive glass roof that floods the cabin with light.

Nearly all vehicle controls are accessed via the touchscreen, from climate to audio to the Autopilot semi-self-driving feature. The left-hand third of the screen takes the place of a traditional instrument cluster.

No inductive wireless charging, but a nicely designed smartphone cradle that takes advantage of the Model 3's open, airy interior.

AND the whole interior can be spec'd in white, seen here in a performance trim level of the Model 3. For many buyers, this is THE interior to have.

On to the Mercedes-Benz A220, a compact four-door that starts at about $32,000. My test car was a well-equipped $46,000.

The A220's interior is anything but minimalist. But it has a different responsibility: it has to live up to Merc's reputation for having the best and most upscale interiors in the business.

And in that respect, the A220 doesn't disappoint. Not a large car, but every single aspect of the interior feels plush and well-considered.

The Merc's seats are quite a step up from the Model 3's, in terms of both comfort and supportiveness.

The A220 has Mercedes' new instrument-cluster-and-infotainment layout, consisting of a large screen that runs across the dash and renders everything with stunning resolution.

The controls are more spread out, obviously, but the visual impact is rather breathtaking.

The A220 is more my thing, so I'd have to pick its interior as the better of the two. But I'm not going to argue that the Model 3's isn't influential.

Next Story 5 reasons why most New Year's resolutions don't s...

View All Latest