2017 Tesla Model 3 vs 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate
Which is bigger, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
The 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate comes in only 6.4 cm shorter than 2017 Tesla Model 3, meaning they're very comparable in length. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 gains you 6.1 cm in width, likely providing extra elbow room inside compared to the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate, but you'll need more caution when navigating tight city streets. Passenger headroom is likely to be comparable in both vehicles, as the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate is only 4.2 cm taller than the 2017 Tesla Model 3. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 offers a slightly longer wheelbase, which typically translates to a smoother ride over bumps.
Measurements
Length
469.5 cm (+6.4)
463.1 cm
Height
144.5 cm
148.7 cm (+4.2)
Body width
185 cm (+6.1)
178.9 cm
Width including mirrors
208.8 cm
N/A
Ground clearance
14 cm
N/A
Wheelbase
287.5 cm (+20.6)
266.9 cm
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.7 m² (+0.4)
8.3 m²
How each car compares with its class average
Length
469.5 cm
3.4 cm shorter than the average Sedan
463.1 cm
11.4 cm shorter than the average Estate
Height
144.5 cm
1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan
148.7 cm
1.4 cm taller than the average Estate
Body width
185 cm
2 cm wider than the average Sedan
178.9 cm
5.2 cm narrower than the average Estate
Width including mirrors
208.8 cm
3.2 cm wider than the average Sedan
N/A
Ground clearance
14 cm
Same ground clearance as the average Sedan
N/A
Wheelbase
287.5 cm
9.4 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan
266.9 cm
10.8 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Estate
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.7 m²
0 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
8.3 m²
0.5 m² smaller footprint than the average Estate
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
Due to the differing VDA vs SAE measurement methods, a direct comparison for cargo space isn't possible, but the 2017 Tesla Model 3’s 561 L is above average for its class. The 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate's 1,642 L (VDA) capacity with the seats down is way above average for its segment.
Measurements
Standard cargo capacity (VDA)
The standard cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
N/A
611 L
Largest cargo capacity (VDA)
The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
1,642 L
Standard cargo capacity (SAE)
The standard cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
561 L
N/A
Frunk capacity
88 L
N/A
Cargo space vs length
This DriveSize metric divides blended cargo volume by overall vehicle length.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure, using VDA where available and SAE otherwise.
N/A
209.9 L per m
Cargo space vs footprint
This DriveSize metric divides blended cargo volume by footprint.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure, using VDA where available and SAE otherwise.
It helps show how efficiently a car turns exterior area into usable cargo space.
N/A
117.3 L per m²
How each car compares with its class average
Standard cargo capacity (VDA)
The standard cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
N/A
611 L
63 L more cargo volume than the average Estate
Largest cargo capacity (VDA)
The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
1,642 L
73 L more cargo volume than the average Estate
Standard cargo capacity (SAE)
The standard cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
561 L
165 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan
N/A
DriveSize space efficiency
DriveSize space efficiency compares blended cargo volume per square meter of footprint with the class average.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure within the selected cargo measurement method.
VDA values compare with VDA class averages, and SAE values compare with SAE class averages. Positive percentages indicate more space efficiency and negative percentages indicate less.
+13%
VDA: More space efficient than the average Estate
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
Choosing the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate gains you extra access points, making its 5-door layout more versatile for daily duties than the 4-door 2017 Tesla Model 3. There is no advantage for either model when it comes to passenger numbers, since both offer a 5-seat configuration. The vehicles have a near identical turning circle, with just a 0.3 m difference.
Measurements
Doors
4
5 (+1)
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
11.6 m (+0.3)
11.3 m
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
11.6 m
0.5 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
11.3 m
0.1 m larger turning circle than the average Estate
DriveSize manoeuvrability
DriveSize manoeuvrability combines turning circle and footprint, with turning circle weighted more heavily.
A positive percentage means more manoeuvrable than the class average and a negative percentage means less manoeuvrable.
-4%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan
+1%
More manoeuvrable than the average Estate
Parking
Will the 2017 Tesla Model 3 or 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate fit in a standard parking space?
2017 Tesla Model 3 parking fit score
DriveSize compares the car's width and length with typical parking-space sizes by region.
Vehicle dimensions are rounded up and available side or length clearance is rounded down.
Side clearance is based on body width where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.
For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 45 cm per side, and length clearance is 40 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
45 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
40 cm
2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate parking fit score
DriveSize compares the car's width and length with typical parking-space sizes by region.
Vehicle dimensions are rounded up and available side or length clearance is rounded down.
Side clearance is based on body width where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.
For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 48 cm per side, and length clearance is 43 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
48 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
43 cm
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Tesla and Volkswagen documentation. Unless the page identifies a specific trim, body style, powertrain or market version, DriveSize uses manufacturer-published specifications for the base model as its default reference. DriveSize standardises the published measurements and calculates the comparisons and derived figures shown. Figures can vary by market, model year, trim, powertrain, wheels, tyres and measurement method. How DriveSize sources and calculates these figures.