2016 Tesla Model S vs 2008 Tesla Roadster
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
Body width
196.4 cm (+24.5)
171.9 cm
Width including mirrors
218.9 cm (+33.8)
185.1 cm
Ground clearance
14 cm (+1)
13 cm
Wheelbase
296 cm (+60.9)
235.1 cm
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
9.8 m² (+3)
6.8 m²
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
Body width
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
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
9.8 m²
1.1 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
6.8 m²
1.6 m² smaller footprint 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 745 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 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 1.2 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)
2
Max. seats
5 (+3)
2
Turning circle
12.3 m (+1.2)
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
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.
-11%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan
+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 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, and length clearance is 26.5 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
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 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 51.5 cm per side, and length clearance is 77.5 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
51.5 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
77.5 cm
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Tesla 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.