2013 Tesla Model S vs 2008 Tesla Roadster

Q: Which is bigger: the 2013 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

The 2013 Tesla Model S is longer than the 2008 Tesla Roadster by 102.4 cm (40.3 in). The 2013 Tesla Model S is wider than the 2008 Tesla Roadster by 24.4 cm (9.6 in). The 2013 Tesla Model S is taller than the 2008 Tesla Roadster by 30.0 cm (11.8 in).

Q: Which vehicle has more published cargo space: the 2013 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

The 2013 Tesla Model S has a standard SAE cargo capacity of 744.7 L and a largest SAE capacity of 1,645.2 L.

Q: Does the 2013 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster seat more passengers?

2013 Tesla Model S seats up to 5 passengers, while 2008 Tesla Roadster seats up to 2.

Q: Which car is heavier: the 2013 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

The 2013 Tesla Model S is 764 kg (1,684 lb) heavier than the 2008 Tesla Roadster.

Q: Which car is easier to maneuver/park: the 2013 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

The 2008 Tesla Roadster is easier to maneuver and park, with a smaller turning circle of 11.05 m (36.3 ft) compared with 11.3 m (37.1 ft) for the 2013 Tesla Model S. In tight spaces, the 2008 Tesla Roadster is shorter overall and narrower, which makes it easier to fit and steer into parking bays.

Q: Which car is better for city driving, the 2013 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

The 2008 Tesla Roadster is better for city driving with a smaller turning circle of 11.05 m (36.3 ft) versus 11.3 m (37.1 ft) for the 2013 Tesla Model S. The 2008 Tesla Roadster is shorter at 394.6 cm (155.4 in) versus 497 cm (195.7 in) for the 2013 Tesla Model S, and the 2008 Tesla Roadster is narrower at 171.9 cm (67.7 in) versus 196.3 cm (77.3 in) for the 2013 Tesla Model S.

Which is bigger, the 2013 Tesla Model S or 2008 Tesla Roadster?

Key dimensions: length, width, height

With 102.4 cm between them, these two vehicles sit at opposite ends of the length scale. If you have a narrow garage, take note as the 2013 Tesla Model S is 24.4 cm wider than the 2008 Tesla Roadster, which could make for a tighter squeeze. The 2013 Tesla Model S is an incredible 30 cm taller, which fundamentally alters the ease of access and the total volume of the interior relative to the 2008 Tesla Roadster. Sitting with 2.5 cm higher ground clearance, the 2013 Tesla Model S is better prepared for those unexpected potholes than the 2008 Tesla Roadster. Spanning an extra 60.9 cm from axle to axle, the 2013 Tesla Model S has a wheelbase that will allow for better passenger room than the 2008 Tesla Roadster.

Measurements

Length

497 cm (+102.4)

394.6 cm

Height

142.7 cm (+30)

112.7 cm

Width (excluding mirrors)

196.3 cm (+24.4)

171.9 cm

Width (including mirrors)

218.9 cm (+2.5)

185.1 cm

Ground clearance

15.5 cm (+60.9)

13 cm

Wheelbase

296 cm (+3)

235.1 cm

How each car compares with its class average

Length

497 cm

24.1 cm longer than the average Sedan

394.6 cm

51.9 cm shorter than the average Sports car

Height

142.7 cm

3.1 cm shorter than the average Sedan

112.7 cm

16.7 cm shorter than the average Sports car

Width (excluding mirrors)

196.3 cm

13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan

171.9 cm

15.3 cm narrower than the average Sports car

Width (including mirrors)

218.9 cm

13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan

185.1 cm

24.1 cm narrower than the average Sports car

Ground clearance

15.5 cm

1.5 cm more ground clearance than the average Sedan

13 cm

1.5 cm more ground clearance than the average Sports car

Wheelbase

296 cm

17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan

235.1 cm

28.4 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Sports car

Front view

Cargo Capacity: which has more space?

Standard and largest cargo capacity

The 2013 Tesla Model S features a 744.7 L (SAE) boot with the seats up, which is way above average for its category. With the rear seats down, the 2013 Tesla Model S provides 1,645.2 L of space when using the SAE measurement method, which is way above average for sedan.

Measurements

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.

745 L

N/A

Largest cargo capacity (SAE)

The largest cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.

If only one SAE figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.

1,645 L

N/A

Frunk capacity

150 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.

213.3 L per m

N/A

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.

108.6 L per m²

N/A

How each car compares with its class average

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.

745 L

349 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan

N/A

Rear view

Details

Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability

The 2-door 2008 Tesla Roadster means slightly less convenience for rear-seat access compared to the 2013 Tesla Model S. Choosing the 2013 Tesla Model S fundamentally changes your passenger options, adding 3 more seats over the 2008 Tesla Roadster. The 2013 Tesla Model S needs only a whisker more room to U-turn at 0.25 m wider, a difference you’d rarely notice in daily driving. There's a monumental difference in mass; the 2013 Tesla Model S is a staggering 764 kg heavier than the 2008 Tesla Roadster.

Measurements

Doors

4 (+2)

Max. seats

5 (+3)

Turning circle

11.3 m (+0.3)

11.1 m

Curb weight

1,999 kg (+764)

1,235 kg

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

11.3 m

0.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan

11.1 m

0.1 m smaller turning circle than the average Sports car

Curb weight

1,999 kg

477 kg heavier than the average Sedan

1,235 kg

340 kg lighter than the average Sports car

DriveSize manoeuvrability score

DriveSize manoeuvrability score combines turning circle and footprint, with turning circle weighted more heavily.

Around 100% means in line with the class average; higher scores indicate better manoeuvrability relative to similar cars.

95%

5% less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan

107%

7% more manoeuvrable than the average Sports car

Parking

Will the 2013 Tesla Model S or 2008 Tesla Roadster fit in a standard parking space?

2013 Tesla Model S 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 excluding mirrors 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 39 cm per side (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 26.5 cm at each end.

Body side clearance (excluding mirrors)

39 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

26.5 cm

2008 Tesla Roadster 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 excluding mirrors where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.

Comfortable

For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 51.5 cm per side (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 77.5 cm at each end.