2016 Tesla Model S vs 2008 Tesla Roadster

Q: Which is bigger: the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

The 2016 Tesla Model S is longer than the 2008 Tesla Roadster by 102.4 cm (40.3 in). The 2016 Tesla Model S is wider than the 2008 Tesla Roadster by 24.5 cm (9.6 in). The 2016 Tesla Model S is taller than the 2008 Tesla Roadster by 31.8 cm (12.5 in).

Q: Which vehicle has more published cargo space: the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

The 2016 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 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster seat more passengers?

2016 Tesla Model S seats up to 5 passengers, while 2008 Tesla Roadster seats up to 2.

Q: Which car is heavier: the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

The 2016 Tesla Model S is 792 kg (1,746 lb) heavier than the 2008 Tesla Roadster.

Q: Which car is easier to maneuver/park: the 2016 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 12.3 m (40.4 ft) for the 2016 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 2016 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 12.3 m (40.4 ft) for the 2016 Tesla Model S. The 2008 Tesla Roadster is shorter at 394.6 cm (155.4 in) versus 497 cm (195.7 in) for the 2016 Tesla Model S, and the 2008 Tesla Roadster is narrower at 171.9 cm (67.7 in) versus 196.4 cm (77.3 in) for the 2016 Tesla Model S.

Which is bigger, the 2016 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 2016 Tesla Model S is 24.5 cm wider than the 2008 Tesla Roadster, which could make for a tighter squeeze. The 2016 Tesla Model S is an incredible 31.8 cm taller, which fundamentally alters the ease of access and the total volume of the interior relative to the 2008 Tesla Roadster. The 2008 Tesla Roadster sits only 1 cm closer to the road than the 2016 Tesla Model S, a small gap meaning they handle obstacles almost identically. The 2016 Tesla Model S provides a much more settled and secure feel at high speeds compared to the 2008 Tesla Roadster thanks to its 60.9 cm wheelbase advantage.

Measurements

Length

497 cm (+102.4)

394.6 cm

Height

144.5 cm (+31.8)

112.7 cm

Width (excluding mirrors)

196.4 cm (+24.5)

171.9 cm

Width (including mirrors)

218.9 cm (+1)

185.1 cm

Ground clearance

14 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

144.5 cm

1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan

112.7 cm

16.7 cm shorter than the average Sports car

Width (excluding mirrors)

196.4 cm

13.4 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

14 cm

Same ground clearance as 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 2016 Tesla Model S offers a known 744.7 L (SAE) cargo capacity with its seats up, which is way above average for sedan vehicles. The 2016 Tesla Model S has a 1,645.2 L (SAE) cargo area with the seats down, which is way above average for its category.

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

60 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

Passengers will appreciate the additional doors on the 2016 Tesla Model S when you're parked in tight spots, as they offer more entry options than the 2-door 2008 Tesla Roadster. Passenger space changes considerably here, as the 2016 Tesla Model S includes 3 more seats than the 2008 Tesla Roadster. The 2008 Tesla Roadster is noticeably more agile in tight spots, boasting a turning circle 1.25 m tighter than the 2016 Tesla Model S. You’ll feel every bit of that 792 kg difference when trying to accelerate or change direction in the 2016 Tesla Model S compared to 2008 Tesla Roadster.

Measurements

Doors

4 (+2)

Max. seats

5 (+3)

Turning circle

12.3 m (+1.3)

11.1 m

Curb weight

2,027 kg (+792)

1,235 kg

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

12.3 m

1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan

11.1 m

0.1 m smaller turning circle than the average Sports car

Curb weight

2,027 kg

505 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.

89%

11% less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan

107%

7% more manoeuvrable than the average Sports car

Parking

Will the 2016 Tesla Model S or 2008 Tesla Roadster fit in a standard parking space?

2016 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.