2021 Tesla Model S vs 2020 Tesla Model Y
Which is bigger, the 2021 Tesla Model S or 2020 Tesla Model Y?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
The 2021 Tesla Model S is an additional 27 cm longer than the 2020 Tesla Model Y, giving it a more elongated and sleek profile. The 2020 Tesla Model Y is the leaner of the two, sitting 6.6 cm narrower than the 2021 Tesla Model S for easier navigation through city traffic. With a 19.4 cm height advantage, the 2020 Tesla Model Y is better suited for those who prefer a higher view of the road ahead. The extra 5.5 cm of clearance helps the 2020 Tesla Model Y feel a bit more robust in daily driving. Both cars sit on nearly the same length wheelbase, with the 2021 Tesla Model S being just 7 cm longer than the 2020 Tesla Model Y.
Measurements
Length
502.1 cm (+27)
475.1 cm
Height
143 cm
162.4 cm (+19.4)
Body width
198.7 cm (+6.6)
192.1 cm
Width including mirrors
218.9 cm (+6)
212.9 cm
Ground clearance
11.7 cm
17.2 cm (+5.5)
Wheelbase
296 cm (+7)
289 cm
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
10 m² (+0.9)
9.1 m²
How each car compares with its class average
Length
502.1 cm
29.2 cm longer than the average Sedan
475.1 cm
22.5 cm longer than the average Crossover
Height
143 cm
2.8 cm shorter than the average Sedan
162.4 cm
0.4 cm shorter than the average Crossover
Body width
198.7 cm
15.7 cm wider than the average Sedan
192.1 cm
7.2 cm wider than the average Crossover
Width including mirrors
218.9 cm
13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan
212.9 cm
6.5 cm wider than the average Crossover
Ground clearance
11.7 cm
2.3 cm less ground clearance than the average Sedan
17.2 cm
0.9 cm less ground clearance than the average Crossover
Wheelbase
296 cm
17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan
289 cm
16.6 cm longer wheelbase than the average Crossover
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
10 m²
1.3 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
9.1 m²
0.7 m² larger footprint than the average Crossover
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
Both measurements tip in favour of the 2020 Tesla Model Y, which has a significant 145 L larger boot and a large 302 L (SAE) bigger total capacity when the seats are folded.
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.
709 L
854 L (+145)
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.
1,739 L
2,041 L (+302)
Frunk capacity
89 L
117 L (+28)
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 L per m
267.2 L per m (+54.2)
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.
107.2 L per m²
139.1 L per m² (+31.9)
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.
709 L
313 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan
854 L
115 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
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.
1,739 L
Class benchmark unavailable.
2,041 L
170 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
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.
+6%
SAE: More space efficient than the average Crossover
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
With 1 more door(s) than the 2021 Tesla Model S, the 2020 Tesla Model Y should be more practical for those wanting to carry passengers or luggage. Both 2021 Tesla Model S and 2020 Tesla Model Y are designed to accommodate up to 5 people. The 2021 Tesla Model S needs only a whisker more room to U-turn at 0.2 m wider, a difference you’d rarely notice in daily driving.
Measurements
Doors
4
5 (+1)
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
12.3 m (+0.2)
12.1 m
Curb weight
2,075 kg
N/A
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
12.3 m
1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
12.1 m
0.9 m larger turning circle than the average Crossover
Curb weight
2,075 kg
553 kg heavier than the average Sedan
N/A
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%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Crossover
Parking
Will the 2021 Tesla Model S or 2020 Tesla Model Y fit in a standard parking space?
2021 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 38 cm per side, and length clearance is 23.5 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
38 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
23.5 cm
2020 Tesla Model Y 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 41 cm per side, and length clearance is 37 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
41 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
37 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.