2012 Tesla Model S vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

Tesla Model S

2012

Hyundai Santa Fe

2023

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Which is bigger, the 2012 Tesla Model S or 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Key dimensions: length, width, height

The 2012 Tesla Model S is about 14 cm longer and 6.4 cm wider than the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, while the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is about 33.5 cm taller and 9.1 cm higher than the 2012 Tesla Model S.

Length: 4970 mm
Height: 1445 mm
Width (excluding mirrors): 1964 mm
Width (including mirrors): 2189 mm
Ground clearance: 117 mm
Wheelbase: 2960 mm

Length: 4830 mm
Height: 1780 mm
Width (excluding mirrors): 1900 mm
Width (including mirrors): 2206 mm
Ground clearance: 208 mm
Wheelbase: 2815 mm

Front view

Cargo Capacity: which has more space?

Minimum and maximum cargo space

Min. cargo capacity (VDA seats up): —
Max. cargo capacity (VDA seats down): —
Min. cargo capacity (SAE/EPA seats up): 864 L
Max. cargo capacity (SAE/EPA seats down): 1705 L

Min. cargo capacity (VDA seats up): 628 L
Max. cargo capacity (VDA seats down): 1949 L
Min. cargo capacity (SAE/EPA seats up): —
Max. cargo capacity (SAE/EPA seats down): —

Rear view

Details

Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability

The 2012 Tesla Model S has a wheelbase about 14.5 cm longer than the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The 2012 Tesla Model S weighs about 200 kg more than the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe needs about 0.7 m less space to turn than the 2012 Tesla Model S. Both models have 5 doors. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2 more seats than the 2012 Tesla Model S.

Doors: 5
Max. seats: 5
Turning circle: 12.3 m
Curb weight: 2100 kg

Doors: 5
Max. seats: 7
Turning circle: 11.6 m
Curb weight: 1900 kg

Parking space fit

Use this parking space fit visualiser to compare the 2012 Tesla Model S and 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe against standard parking spaces in your region. Select a region to check parking bay width and length side by side for garages, driveways, and tight city car parks.

2012 Tesla Model S

Space width

Car width (exc. mirrors)

Space length

Car length

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

Space width

Car width (exc. mirrors)

Space length

Car length

Articles featuring these cars

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What Is Ground Clearance? Why does it matter for SUVs, and which have the most
Clear explanation of SUV ground clearance, how much you really need, and which SUVs offer the most — using real measurements you can compare side-by-side on Drivesize.
11/20/2025

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Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger: the 2012 Tesla Model S or the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2012 Tesla Model S is longer than the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe by 14 cm (5.5 in). The 2012 Tesla Model S is wider than the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe by 6.4 cm (2.5 in). The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is taller than the 2012 Tesla Model S by 33.5 cm (13.2 in).

Which car has more cargo/boot space: the 2012 Tesla Model S or the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Seats-up cargo ratings use different standards (VDA vs SAE/EPA), so we don’t compare them directly. The 2012 Tesla Model S has an SAE/EPA rating of 864 L and SAE/EPA rating of 1,705 L. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has a VDA seats up rating of 628 L and VDA maximum cargo capacity of 1,949 L.

Does the 2012 Tesla Model S or the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe seat more passengers?

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe seats up to 7 passengers, while 2012 Tesla Model S seats up to 5.

Which car is heavier: the 2012 Tesla Model S or the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2012 Tesla Model S is 200 kg (441 lb) heavier than the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Which car is easier to maneuver/park: the 2012 Tesla Model S or the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is easier to maneuver and park, with a smaller turning circle of 11.6 m (38.1 ft) compared with 12.3 m (40.4 ft) for the 2012 Tesla Model S. In tight spaces, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is shorter overall and narrower, which makes it easier to fit and steer into parking bays.

Which car is better for city driving, the 2012 Tesla Model S or the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is better for city driving with a smaller turning circle of 11.6 m (38.1 ft) versus 12.3 m (40.4 ft) for the 2012 Tesla Model S. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is shorter at 483 cm (190.2 in) versus 497 cm (195.7 in) for the 2012 Tesla Model S, and the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is narrower at 190 cm (74.8 in) versus 196.4 cm (77.3 in) for the 2012 Tesla Model S.