2023 Volkswagen ID.3 vs 2016 Tesla Model S
Which is bigger, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 or 2016 Tesla Model S?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
At 70.6 cm longer, 2016 Tesla Model S sits well ahead of 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 in terms of body length. At 15.5 cm wider, the 2016 Tesla Model S belongs to a completely different size class, offering a potential level of shoulder room the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 can't match. On paper, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 is taller by 11.9 cm, but just to look at, they appear essentially the same height. The 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 will likely be the more agile choice in tight turns, sitting 19 cm shorter between the axles than the 2016 Tesla Model S.
Measurements
Length
426.4 cm
497 cm (+70.6)
Height
156.4 cm (+11.9)
144.5 cm
Body width
180.9 cm
196.4 cm (+15.5)
Width including mirrors
207 cm
218.9 cm (+11.9)
Ground clearance
N/A
14 cm
Wheelbase
277 cm
296 cm (+19)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
7.7 m²
9.8 m² (+2.1)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
426.4 cm
11.2 cm longer than the average Hatchback
497 cm
24.1 cm longer than the average Sedan
Height
156.4 cm
8.5 cm taller than the average Hatchback
144.5 cm
1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan
Body width
180.9 cm
4.4 cm wider than the average Hatchback
196.4 cm
13.4 cm wider than the average Sedan
Width including mirrors
207 cm
7.5 cm wider than the average Hatchback
218.9 cm
13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan
Ground clearance
N/A
14 cm
Same ground clearance as the average Sedan
Wheelbase
277 cm
17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Hatchback
296 cm
17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
7.7 m²
0.4 m² larger footprint than the average Hatchback
9.8 m²
1.1 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
Comparing 745 L (SAE) to 385 L (VDA) is difficult due to the differing measurement methods, but the 2016 Tesla Model S’s seats up capacity is way above average for its size class. The 2016 Tesla Model S offers 1,645 L (SAE) with the seats stowed, a figure that is way above average for sedan, while the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 follows the VDA standard (1,267 L), which is way above average for hatchback.
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.
385 L
N/A
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.
1,267 L
N/A
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.
N/A
745 L
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.
N/A
1,645 L
Frunk capacity
N/A
60 L
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.
162.7 L per m
213.3 L per m (+50.6)
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.
89.9 L per m²
108.6 L per m² (+18.7)
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.
385 L
42 L more cargo volume than the average Hatchback
N/A
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.
1,267 L
149 L more cargo volume than the average Hatchback
N/A
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.
N/A
745 L
349 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan
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.
+8%
VDA: More space efficient than the average Hatchback
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
The 2016 Tesla Model S trades the extra access points of the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 for a more cohesive and solid body design with just 4 doors. Whether you'd choose the 2016 Tesla Model S or the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3, you’ll have space for up to 5 occupants. When comparing the two, the 2016 Tesla Model S is much less suited to tight city centers, requiring a full 2 m more room to U-turn than the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3.
Measurements
Doors
5 (+1)
4
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
10.3 m
12.3 m (+2)
Curb weight
N/A
2,027 kg
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
10.3 m
0.1 m smaller turning circle than the average Hatchback
12.3 m
1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
Curb weight
N/A
2,027 kg
505 kg heavier than the average Sedan
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.
-1%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Hatchback
-11%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan
Parking
Will the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 or 2016 Tesla Model S fit in a standard parking space?
2023 Volkswagen ID.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 47 cm per side, and length clearance is 61.5 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
47 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
61.5 cm
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
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Volkswagen and 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.