2016 Tesla Model S vs 2021 Volkswagen Polo
Which is bigger, the 2016 Tesla Model S or 2021 Volkswagen Polo?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
The 89.6 cm length difference creates a clear divide in front-to-rear dimensions. At 21.3 cm wider, the 2016 Tesla Model S belongs to a completely different size class, offering a potential level of shoulder room the 2021 Volkswagen Polo can't match. Passenger headroom is likely to be comparable in both vehicles, as the 2021 Volkswagen Polo is only 0.6 cm taller than the 2016 Tesla Model S. Spanning an extra 40.8 cm from axle to axle, the 2016 Tesla Model S has a wheelbase that will allow for better passenger room than the 2021 Volkswagen Polo.
Measurements
Length
497 cm (+89.6)
407.4 cm
Height
144.5 cm
145.1 cm (+0.6)
Body width
196.4 cm (+21.3)
175.1 cm
Width including mirrors
218.9 cm
N/A
Ground clearance
14 cm
N/A
Wheelbase
296 cm (+40.8)
255.2 cm
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
9.8 m² (+2.7)
7.1 m²
How each car compares with its class average
Length
497 cm
24.1 cm longer than the average Sedan
407.4 cm
7.8 cm shorter than the average Hatchback
Height
144.5 cm
1.3 cm shorter than the average Sedan
145.1 cm
2.8 cm shorter than the average Hatchback
Body width
196.4 cm
13.4 cm wider than the average Sedan
175.1 cm
1.4 cm narrower than the average Hatchback
Width including mirrors
218.9 cm
13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan
N/A
Ground clearance
14 cm
Same ground clearance as the average Sedan
N/A
Wheelbase
296 cm
17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan
255.2 cm
3.9 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Hatchback
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
9.8 m²
1.1 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
7.1 m²
0.2 m² smaller footprint than the average Hatchback
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
2016 Tesla Model S offers 745 L using the SAE method, which is way above average for its segment. 2021 Volkswagen Polo's 351 L uses the different VDA standard, and is average for its segment. The 2016 Tesla Model S uses the SAE cargo capacity measurement method, making its maximum 1,645 L capacity way above average when compared to the average sedan. The 2021 Volkswagen Polo uses the VDA cargo capacity measurement method, its 1,125 L capacity is way above average when compared to the average 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.
N/A
351 L
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.
N/A
1,125 L
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 (+60.6)
152.7 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.
108.6 L per m² (+21.4)
87.2 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.
N/A
351 L
8 L more cargo volume than the average Hatchback
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.
N/A
1,125 L
7 L more cargo volume than the average Hatchback
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
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.
+5%
VDA: More space efficient than the average Hatchback
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
The 2021 Volkswagen Polo offers more practicality with its 5 doors compared to the 4-door layout of the 2016 Tesla Model S. Both the 2016 Tesla Model S and the 2021 Volkswagen Polo have seating for 5, so there is no difference in passenger capacity. Navigating multi-storey car parks would be much easier in the 2021 Volkswagen Polo, which has a 1.7 m tighter turning circle than the 2016 Tesla Model S. The 2021 Volkswagen Polo is a featherweight compared to the 2016 Tesla Model S, which carries a huge 970 kg of additional weight.
Measurements
Doors
4
5 (+1)
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
12.3 m (+1.7)
10.6 m
Curb weight
2,027 kg (+970)
1,057 kg
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
12.3 m
1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
10.6 m
0.2 m larger turning circle than the average Hatchback
Curb weight
2,027 kg
505 kg heavier than the average Sedan
1,057 kg
196 kg lighter than the average Hatchback
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
About average
About average for a Hatchback
Parking
Will the 2016 Tesla Model S or 2021 Volkswagen Polo 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
2021 Volkswagen Polo 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 49.5 cm per side, and length clearance is 71 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
49.5 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
71 cm
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Tesla and Volkswagen 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.