Lifestyle
Tesla Model S Front Trunk (Frunk) Electric Cooler Review

Now that Tesla Motors has officially demonstrated to the world that long distance and even cross-country travel in a Tesla is easily attainable – annihilating the age-old lexicon “EV range anxiety” from everyone’s vocabulary – we thought it might be appropriate to review a product that would maintain the quality of perishables during these extended road trips.
We were on a mission to find a container that would be lightweight, portable and provides thermoelectric cooling / heating capabilities and came across the Koolatron Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler.
Koolatron 26-Quart Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler
What we really liked about the Koolatron is that it’s designed with the everyday traveler in mind. The thermoelectric cooler has a generous 26-quart capacity and outfitted with several compartments, most of which are secured through zippered pockets.
We found that the ergonomics of the soft-sided design combined with the detachable shoulder strap makes it more comfortable to lug around than your traditional hard-sided cooler.
A 12V electric fan is attached to the thick thermo lining and together they ensure that the contents of the cooler are kept at optimal temperatures while you’re on the go.
Product Specifications
- Soft-sided thermoelectric travel cooler with 12V, cigarette-lighter car adapter
- Detachable shoulder strap
- Bungee cord holds extra items to the lid of the cooler
- External zippered pockets for storage
- Mesh interior pocket
- 2 external beverage holders
- Cell phone pocket
- Holds 26 quarts or up to 34 12-ounce cans
- Cord pocket keeps the 12V cord out of the way when you’re on the move
- Keeps food and drinks 30°F below ambient temperatures
- Measures 9 by 17.5 by 15 inches; weighs 7 pounds
How does it fit within the Tesla Model S?
The first thing to note is that the Koolatron Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler is a good-sized cooler measuring in at 17.5 inches tall. It’s definitely not the smallest of coolers, but small enough that it can still be carried around without much effort. It’s perfect if you’re looking to take a family of four on an extended Supercharged road trip.
Its 26-quart capacity can easily accommodate a full set of plastic ware and beverage containers.
Despite its tall dimension, the travel cooler fits perfectly within the Tesla Model S front trunk (Frunk),
when positioned onto its side, which further validates how great the Model S is when it comes to storage capacity (more on that in a separate article to come). The bungee cords on the top lid can be extended outwards and used as a means to secure the cooler from movement during travel.
Editors’ note: The Tesla Model S front trunk cargo net may provide better security in the event of emergency braking.
One notable feature of the Koolatron Electric Travel Cooler is that that it’s soft-sided which makes it easy to transport and secure within tight spaces. This is especially the case when fitting the cooler within the interior of the Model S.
The cooler can be placed onto the empty center channel floor once the external beverage holders are folded down. Keeping the cooler between the two front seats means that there’s no lateral movement while the car’s in motion, kept away from children, and also adds an element of convenient when trying to dine-in-car (à la Bjorn Nyland).
The Koolatron Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler fits snugly between the arm rest assembly and touchscreen.
Tip: Those with the optional CCI can either place the cooler on top or along the floor of the 2nd row seating.
How does the electric cooler work?
As its name implies, the Koolatron 26-Quart Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler is made for travel and not meant to be used as a refrigerator or toaster oven. The electric fan is great for extracting warm air from within, but we found that bringing contents from room temperature to 30°F below ambient temperatures, as marketed, could be a lofty goal. That being said, it’s great at maintaining temperature and contents that are pre-chilled remain chilled for a long time while the cooler is plugged in.
The cooler comes standard with a 12V cigarette-lighter adapter which plugs directly into the Model S center console assembly. Reversing the orientation of the cable from blue to red will enable the heating capabilities of the travel cooler, making it convenient to keep foods warm.
An 110V adapter can be purchased separately, but it would have been nice if Koolatron bundled this accessory together as it felt a bit incomplete and less extensible without it.
Conclusion
The Koolatron 26-Quart Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler fits perfectly within the Tesla Model S front trunk and is a convenient way to keep your favorite snacks, drinks and meals cool or warm during your next Tesla Supercharged road trip.
Its large 26-quart capacity along with its multiple external pockets provides easy access to your belongings while on the move and all for a moderate price of $129.97.
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[box type=”bio”]TESLARATI provides impartial reviews and is in no way paid by the vendor for the content that is produced.
Lifestyle
Tesla Model S Plaid battles China’s 1500 hp monster Nurburgring monster, with surprising results
There is just something about Tesla’s tuning and refinement that makes raw specs seem not as game-changing.

The Tesla Model S Plaid has been around for some time. Today, it is no longer the world’s quickest four-door electric sedan, nor is it the most powerful. As per a recent video from motoring YouTube channel Carwow, however, it seems like the Model S Plaid is still more than a match for some of its newer and more powerful rivals.
The monster from China
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is nothing short of a monster. Just like the Model S Plaid, it features three motors. It also has 1,548 hp and 1,770 Nm of torque. It’s All Wheel Drive and weighs a hefty 2,360 kg. The vehicle, which costs just about the equivalent of £55,000, has been recorded setting an insane 7:04.957 at the Nurburgring, surpassing the previous record held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.
For all intents and purposes, the Model S Plaid looked outgunned in Carwow’s test. The Model S Plaid is no slouch with its three motors that produce 1,020 hp and 1,420 Nm of torque. It’s also a bit lighter at 2,190 kg despite its larger size. However, as the Carwow host pointed out, the Model S Plaid holds a 7:25.231 record in the Nurburgring. Compared to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra’s record, the Model S Plaid’s lap time is notably slower.
Real-world tests
As could be seen in Carwow’s drag races, however, Tesla’s tech wizardry with the Model S Plaid is still hard to beat. The two vehicles competed in nine races, and the older Model S Plaid actually beat its newer, more powerful counterpart from China several times. At one point in the race, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra hit its power limit due to its battery’s temperature, but the Model S Plaid was still going strong.
The Model S Plaid was first teased five years ago, in September 2020 during Tesla’s Battery Day. Since then, cars like the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra have been released, surpassing its specs. But just like the Model Y ended up being the better all-rounder compared to the BYD Sealion 7 and the MG IM6, there is just something about Tesla’s tuning and refinement that makes raw specs seem not as game-changing.
Check out Carwow’s Model S Plaid vs Xiaomi SU7 drag race video below.
Lifestyle
500-mile test proves why Tesla Model Y still humiliates rivals in Europe
On paper, the BYD Sealion 7 and MG IM6 promised standout capabilities against the Model Y.

BYD is seeing a lot of momentum in Europe, so much so that mainstream media has taken every opportunity to argue that the Chinese automaker has beaten Tesla in the region. But while BYD sales this year in Europe are rising and Tesla’s registrations remain challenged, the raw capabilities of vehicles like the Model Y are difficult to deny.
This was highlighted in a 500-mile challenge by What Car? magazine, which showed that the new Tesla Model Y is more efficient, cheaper to run, and more reliable than rivals like the BYD Sealion 7, and even the nearly 400 KW-charging MG IM6.
Range and charging promises
On paper, the BYD Sealion 7 and MG IM6 promised standout capabilities against the Model Y. The Sealion 7 had more estimated range and the IM6 promised significantly faster charging. When faced with real-world conditions, however, it was still the Model Y that proved superior.
During the 500-mile test, the BYD nearly failed to reach a charging stop, arriving with less range than its display projected, as noted in a CarUp report. MG fared better, but its charging speeds never reached its promised nearly-400 kW charging speed. Tesla’s Model Y, by comparison, managed energy calculations precisely and arrived at each stop without issue.
Tesla leads in areas that matter
Charging times from 25% to 80% showed that the MG was the fastest at 17 minutes, while Tesla and BYD were close at 28 and 29 minutes, respectively. Overall efficiency and cost told a different story, however. The Model Y consumed 19.4 kWh per 100 km, compared to 22.2 for MG and 23.9 for BYD. Over the full trip, Tesla’s charging costs totaled just £82 thanks to its supercharger network, far below BYD’s £130 and MG’s £119.
What Car? Magazine’s testers concluded that despite BYD’s rapid sales growth and the MG IM6’s seriously impressive charging speeds, Tesla remains the more compelling real-world choice. The Model Y just offers stability, efficiency, and a proven charging infrastructure through its Supercharging network. And as per the magazine’s hosts, the Model Y is even the cheapest car to own among the three that were tested.
Watch What Car? Magazine’s 500-mile test in the video below.
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck slapped with world’s least intimidating ticket, and it’s pure cringe
One cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of these babies.

A Cybertruck parked at Stanford Shopping Center in California was recently hit with what might be the most try-hard piece of paper ever slipped under a wiper blade: a “fake citation” accusing the driver of supporting a “fascist car.”
The note, shared on X by Tesla staff program manager Ryan Torres, quickly made the rounds on X, where it quickly gained attention as an example of how not to protest.
The world’s least intimidating ticket
According to the citation, the supposed “violation” was “driving a fascist car.” The remedial action? Take the bus, call an Uber, or ride a bike. The note also dubbed Elon Musk a “chainsaw-wielding Nazi billionaire.” Now, protests against Tesla and Elon Musk have become commonplace this year, but one cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of fake anti-Tesla/Musk citations.
Torres pointed out the irony himself in his post on X. Tesla currently employs over 140,000 Americans, and SpaceX has put the U.S. firmly back at the top of space technology. As Torres put it, maybe the person behind the world’s least intimidating ticket should “read a book on innovation before vandalizing” other people’s property.
Peak performative clownery
Not to mention that the fake ticket’s logic collapses under its own weight. EVs like the Cybertruck are literally designed to reduce emissions, not “destroy the economy.” If anything, Tesla has bolstered the United States’ economy by fueling jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and clean energy. It’s not the first time a Tesla has been the target of vandalism or politically charged notes, but this one stands out for sheer cringe value.
Torres summed it up neatly: “Peak clownery.” On that point, at least, the citation earns full marks. In a way, though, perhaps cringe fake tickets are not as bad as the literal firebombs that were being thrown at Tesla stores and cars earlier this year because some critics were gleefully misinformed about Elon Musk.
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