Tesla Model Y Sub Trunk Fridge 33L: For Australian Owners
Tesla Model Y Sub Trunk Fridge 33L: Full Review for Australian Owners
If there's one accessory that Tesla Model Y owners rave about more than any other, it's the Sub Trunk Fridge 33L.
It's our best-selling product — and it's been that way consistently since we started stocking it. Once you understand what it does and where it fits, it's easy to see why.
This is my full, honest review after years of selling and personally using this fridge. I'll cover what it is, how it works, what it's like to live with, and whether it's worth the investment for your lifestyle.
What Is the Sub Trunk Fridge?
The Tesla Model Y Sub Trunk Fridge 33L is a purpose-built refrigerator/freezer that fits into the sub-trunk space of the Tesla Model Y — the storage area beneath the main boot floor.
Here's what makes it clever: it replaces the sub-trunk storage area with a fully functional, app-controlled fridge — while keeping your main boot completely clear. You don't lose any usable boot space. You gain a fridge.
It's compatible with the Tesla Model Y Juniper (2024+) and standard Model Y (2020–2024).
Key Specifications
- Capacity: 33 litres
- Temperature range: Fridge mode and freezer mode (app-controlled)
- Control: Dedicated app (iOS and Android) via Bluetooth
- Installation: No permanent modifications required — fits into existing sub-trunk space
- Power: Draws from the vehicle's 12V system
- Compatibility: Tesla Model Y Juniper (2024+) and Model Y (2020–2024)
App Control: How It Works
The standout feature of the Sub Trunk Fridge is its Bluetooth app control. Connect via the dedicated iOS or Android app and you can:
- Set and monitor the exact temperature
- Switch between fridge and freezer modes
- Check power consumption in real time
- Set temperature alerts
In practice, this means you can check the fridge temperature from the driver's seat, adjust settings without opening the boot, and monitor how much power it's drawing from your Tesla's battery.
The app is straightforward and reliable. It's not the most feature-rich app in the world, but it does exactly what you need it to do.
Capacity: What Fits in 33 Litres?
33 litres is a genuinely useful capacity for a vehicle fridge. To put it in perspective:
- A standard 600ml water bottle is about 0.6 litres — you can fit roughly 50 of them
- A typical 6-pack of cans fits easily with room to spare
- Enough food and drinks for a family weekend road trip
- Groceries for a weekly shop (with some planning)
For daily use — keeping drinks cold, storing lunch, carrying groceries — 33 litres is more than enough. For extended camping trips, you might supplement with an esky or our Side Fridge 16L for extra capacity.
Installation: Easier Than You Think
One of the most common questions we get is: "Is it hard to install?"
The answer is no — and this surprises most people. The Sub Trunk Fridge is designed to fit the Model Y's sub-trunk space precisely. Installation involves:
- Removing the sub-trunk storage tray (lifts out, no tools required)
- Connecting the fridge's power cable to the vehicle's 12V power point in the boot area
- Lowering the fridge into the sub-trunk space
- Replacing the boot floor panel (which has a cutout for the fridge lid)
Most owners complete the installation in under 30 minutes. No drilling, no permanent modifications, and it's fully reversible if you ever want to remove it.
Real-World Use: What's It Actually Like?
Here's what life with the Sub Trunk Fridge looks like day-to-day:
Daily commuting: Set it to fridge mode and keep drinks cold. Open the boot, lift the lid, grab a cold drink. It becomes second nature within a week.
Grocery runs: Load cold items directly into the fridge at the supermarket. No more warm groceries by the time you get home on a hot Queensland day.
Road trips: Set it to the right temperature the night before departure. Load it up with food and drinks. No stopping for ice, no soggy sandwiches, no warm drinks.
Camping: Switch to freezer mode for ice cream and frozen meals. The fridge runs off your Tesla's battery — and with Camp Mode keeping the car powered overnight, it runs all night without issue.
Boot space impact: Zero. This is the killer feature. Your main boot is completely unaffected. You can still fold the rear seats flat for camping, carry a full load of luggage, or fit a pram — the fridge is entirely below the boot floor.
Power Consumption: Will It Drain My Battery?
This is a common concern and a fair one. The Sub Trunk Fridge draws from your Tesla's 12V auxiliary battery system, which is kept charged by the main high-voltage battery.
In practice, the power draw is modest — a vehicle fridge of this size typically draws 40–100W depending on ambient temperature and how often the lid is opened. On a Tesla Model Y Long Range with ~75kWh of usable capacity, this represents a very small percentage of total range.
For daily use, the impact on range is negligible — most owners report losing 5–10km of range per day with the fridge running continuously. For camping with Camp Mode active, the fridge runs comfortably overnight without significantly impacting the battery.
Sub Trunk Fridge 33L vs Side Fridge 16L: Which Should You Choose?
We stock both, and the right choice depends on your priorities:
Sub Trunk Fridge 33L ($639.95) — choose this if:
- You want zero impact on boot space
- You want more capacity (33L vs 16L)
- You use your Tesla for daily grocery runs and road trips
- You have a Model Y or Juniper (not compatible with YL)
Side Fridge 16L ($599.00) — choose this if:
- You have a Tesla YL 6-Seater (the Sub Trunk Fridge doesn't fit the YL)
- You want a lower price point
- You primarily use it for camping rather than daily use
- You want to be able to easily remove and use the fridge outside the car
Many serious campers own both — the Sub Trunk Fridge for drinks and daily use, and the Side Fridge for food on camping trips.
Is It Worth $639.95?
This is the question that matters. Here's my honest answer:
If you use your Tesla regularly for road trips, camping, or even just daily grocery runs in a warm climate — yes, absolutely. The combination of 33L capacity, zero boot space impact, app control, and the sheer convenience of always having a cold fridge in your car makes it one of the most genuinely useful accessories you can add to a Model Y.
It's not a cheap purchase. But it's also not a gimmick — it's a product that changes how you use your car every single day. Our customers who buy it consistently rate it as one of their best purchases.
If you primarily do short city drives and rarely carry food or drinks, it may be overkill. But for the active Australian family using their Model Y as it was meant to be used — road trips, camping, beach days, school runs with hungry kids — it's hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Sub Trunk Fridge fit the Tesla YL 6-Seater?
No — the Sub Trunk Fridge 33L is designed for the standard Model Y and Juniper. The YL 6-Seater has a different sub-trunk configuration due to the third-row seating. YL owners will need to wait tile source a suitable design.
Can I use it while driving?
Yes — the fridge runs continuously while the car is on, in Camp Mode, or connected to a charger. It draws from the 12V system which is maintained by the main battery.
Does it work in freezer mode?
Yes — the Sub Trunk Fridge can operate in both fridge and freezer modes, switchable via the app.
Will it void my Tesla warranty?
No — the fridge requires no permanent modifications to the vehicle. It connects to the existing 12V power point and sits in the sub-trunk space. It's fully reversible.
Does it come with a warranty?
Yes — 12 month current warranty on compresser on the Sub Trunk Fridge 33L.
Can I use it with Camp Mode?
Yes — Camp Mode keeps the Tesla's climate and power systems active overnight, allowing the fridge to run continuously while camping. This is one of the best use cases for the Sub Trunk Fridge.
How does it compare to a portable camping fridge?
A portable camping fridge sits in your boot and takes up space. The Sub Trunk Fridge fits below the boot floor, leaving your entire boot free. For Model Y owners, it's a far superior solution for permanent installation.
Paul Gehan is a veteran, Tesla owner, and founder of My Tesla Accessories — Australia's specialist Tesla accessories store. The Sub Trunk Fridge 33L is his personal daily-use recommendation for every Model Y and Juniper owner.
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