2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2016 Tesla Model S
Which is bigger, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 or 2016 Tesla Model S?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
At 38.6 cm shorter, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 could be the nimbler choice for city drivers compared to the 2016 Tesla Model S. You might notice the 11.2 cm width difference when parking; the 2016 Tesla Model S leaves a little less margin for error in the bay compared to the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. When comparing height, you'd more easily see the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 in a car park; it stands a full 16.7 cm taller than the 2016 Tesla Model S. A 2 cm larger ground clearance gap gives the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 a slightly more capable feel when the pavement gets rough vs the 2016 Tesla Model S. Even the 19.4 cm wheelbase advantage helps the 2016 Tesla Model S feel like a larger, more composed vehicle than the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4.
Measurements
Length
458.4 cm
497 cm (+38.6)
Height
161.2 cm (+16.7)
144.5 cm
Body width
185.2 cm
196.4 cm (+11.2)
Width including mirrors
210.8 cm
218.9 cm (+8.1)
Ground clearance
16 cm (+2)
14 cm
Wheelbase
276.6 cm
296 cm (+19.4)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.5 m²
9.8 m² (+1.3)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
458.4 cm
5.8 cm longer than the average Crossover
497 cm
24.1 cm longer than the average Sedan
Height
161.2 cm
1.6 cm shorter than the average Crossover
144.5 cm
1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan
Body width
185.2 cm
0.3 cm wider than the average Crossover
196.4 cm
13.4 cm wider than the average Sedan
Width including mirrors
210.8 cm
4.4 cm wider than the average Crossover
218.9 cm
13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan
Ground clearance
16 cm
2.1 cm less ground clearance than the average Crossover
14 cm
Same ground clearance as the average Sedan
Wheelbase
276.6 cm
4.2 cm longer wheelbase than the average Crossover
296 cm
17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.5 m²
0.1 m² larger footprint than the average Crossover
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
Both measurements tip in favour of the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, which has a significant 113 L larger boot and a large 173 L (SAE) bigger total capacity when the seats are folded.
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.
543 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.
1,575 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.
858 L (+113)
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.
1,818 L (+173)
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.
197.3 L per m
213.3 L per m (+16)
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.
106.5 L per m²
108.6 L per m² (+2.1)
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.
543 L
98 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
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.
1,575 L
67 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
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.
858 L
119 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
745 L
349 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan
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.
1,818 L
53 L less cargo volume than the average Crossover
1,645 L
Class benchmark unavailable.
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 Crossover
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
Passengers will appreciate the additional doors on the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 when you're parked in tight spots, as they offer more entry options than the 4-door 2016 Tesla Model S. Both the 2016 Tesla Model S and the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offer seating for 5, meaning they are equally capable when it comes to carrying passengers. Depending where you are, a 2.1 m increase in turning circle often marks the difference between a one-shot turn and a multi-point maneuver. The 2016 Tesla Model S adds a meaningful 136 kg of mass, which can contribute to a smoother ride over bumps.
Measurements
Doors
5 (+1)
4
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
10.2 m
12.3 m (+2.1)
Curb weight
1,891 kg
2,027 kg (+136)
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
10.2 m
1 m smaller turning circle than the average Crossover
12.3 m
1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
Curb weight
1,891 kg
259 kg heavier than the average Crossover
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.
+7%
More manoeuvrable than the average Crossover
-11%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan
Parking
Will the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 or 2016 Tesla Model S fit in a standard parking space?
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 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 44.5 cm per side, and length clearance is 45.5 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
44.5 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
45.5 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
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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.