Ok. So that’s the Model 3.
How about the Model Y?
Ok. Not all Model Ys have rear manual releases. I’ll assume the best and believe that only certain countries have this design.
How about the Model X?
So it’s behind the speaker grille. Uncertain if you need a screwdriver, but I’ll assume not. However it is hidden away from sight.
How about the Model S?
Oh, it’s under the carpet.
So yeah, turns out, I’m not making shit up, and there is indeed empirical evidence for it.
OP posted a photo of the front door release and you posted the rear door release which should be intentionally hidden. The front door release in all models are as OP posted.
The latest Model 3 also hides the rear door release. Often you’ll have guests sit in the rear and they’re used to pulling something to open the door. So they pull the manual release and damage the frameless window.
I’m going to upvote you for providing the viewpoint that models which have the manual releases hide them to prevent damage occurring from someone who instinctively pull on it to open the door. In the case of young children, they won’t know enough to not do the same thing they would do in other vehicles to open the door.
However, obscuring them from view also means they’re at high risk in the event of an accident which kills the power. Trying to calmly walk a child through the steps may not work. I don’t know how much force is needed for some of the release latches (and I’ll assume not a lot is required).
You know what that’s entirely fair, looks like the M3 is the only not braindead design one then. I wouldn’t touch anything other than an M3 then personally (if i was going to use a tesla at all)
