2024 Volkswagen Passat vs 2016 Tesla Model S
Which is bigger, the 2024 Volkswagen Passat or 2016 Tesla Model S?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
The 2024 Volkswagen Passat is only 5.3 cm shorter than the 2016 Tesla Model S, so from a pure length perspective, the two vehicles are pretty evenly matched. The 2016 Tesla Model S’s 11.5 cm width advantage over the 2024 Volkswagen Passat might mean a wider interior cabin with more elbow room. A 5.2 cm difference in height ensures the 2024 Volkswagen Passat is the more visible of the two in a busy car park compared to the 2016 Tesla Model S. The 2016 Tesla Model S offers 11.9 cm more between the tires thanks to its wheelbase advantage, which is usually a sign of a more spacious cabin.
Measurements
Length
491.7 cm
497 cm (+5.3)
Height
149.7 cm (+5.2)
144.5 cm
Body width
184.9 cm
196.4 cm (+11.5)
Width including mirrors
N/A
218.9 cm
Ground clearance
N/A
14 cm
Wheelbase
284.1 cm
296 cm (+11.9)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
9.1 m²
9.8 m² (+0.7)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
491.7 cm
17.2 cm longer than the average Estate
497 cm
24.1 cm longer than the average Sedan
Height
149.7 cm
2.4 cm taller than the average Estate
144.5 cm
1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan
Body width
184.9 cm
0.8 cm wider than the average Estate
196.4 cm
13.4 cm wider than the average Sedan
Width including mirrors
N/A
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
284.1 cm
6.4 cm longer wheelbase than the average Estate
296 cm
17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
9.1 m²
0.3 m² larger footprint than the average Estate
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
A direct comparison between the 2016 Tesla Model S’s 745 L (SAE) and the 2024 Volkswagen Passat’s 690 L (VDA) cargo capacity isn't possible due to different measurement methods, but the 2016 Tesla Model S is way above average for its class. The 2024 Volkswagen Passat is above average for its class. Comparing maximum cargo space is a challenge here as 2016 Tesla Model S is measured at 1,645 L (SAE) while 2024 Volkswagen Passat uses the VDA standard. That said, the 2016 Tesla Model S is way above average for the sedan segment.
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.
690 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.
1,920 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.
227.9 L per m (+14.6)
213.3 L per m
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.
123.2 L per m² (+14.6)
108.6 L per m²
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.
690 L
142 L more cargo volume than the average Estate
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.
1,920 L
351 L more cargo volume than the average Estate
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.
+19%
VDA: More space efficient than the average Estate
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
With more doors, the 2024 Volkswagen Passat is more practical for passengers to enter and exit. In terms of passenger capacity, there is no difference here, with both vehicles providing a maximum of 5 seats. You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference doing a U-turn, as the 2016 Tesla Model S has a turning circle of only 0.3 m wider than the 2024 Volkswagen Passat. The 2016 Tesla Model S carries a substantial 449 kg weight increase over the 2024 Volkswagen Passat, meaning it may feel more planted and robust, but also less nimble in everyday driving.
Measurements
Doors
5 (+1)
4
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
12 m
12.3 m (+0.3)
Curb weight
1,578 kg
2,027 kg (+449)
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
12 m
0.8 m larger turning circle than the average Estate
12.3 m
1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
Curb weight
1,578 kg
17 kg lighter than the average Estate
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.
-6%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Estate
-11%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan
Parking
Will the 2024 Volkswagen Passat or 2016 Tesla Model S fit in a standard parking space?
2024 Volkswagen Passat 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 45 cm per side, and length clearance is 29 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
45 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
29 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
More Estates
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.