2023 Toyota Prius vs 2021 Tesla Model S
Which is bigger, the 2023 Toyota Prius or 2021 Tesla Model S?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
At 42.2 cm longer, 2021 Tesla Model S sits well ahead of 2023 Toyota Prius in terms of body length. Navigation requires more care in the 2021 Tesla Model S, as it stretches an extra 20.5 cm across the lane compared to the slender by comparison 2023 Toyota Prius. Passenger headroom is likely to be comparable in both vehicles, as the 2021 Tesla Model S is only 1 cm taller than the 2023 Toyota Prius. A 2 cm larger ground clearance gap gives the 2023 Toyota Prius a slightly more capable feel when the pavement gets rough vs the 2021 Tesla Model S. With an extra 21 cm between the wheels, the 2021 Tesla Model S should offer a noticeably smoother ride than the 2023 Toyota Prius.
Measurements
Length
459.9 cm
502.1 cm (+42.2)
Height
142 cm
143 cm (+1)
Body width
178.2 cm
198.7 cm (+20.5)
Width including mirrors
N/A
218.9 cm
Ground clearance
13.7 cm (+2)
11.7 cm
Wheelbase
275 cm
296 cm (+21)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
8.2 m²
10 m² (+1.8)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
459.9 cm
44.7 cm longer than the average Hatchback
502.1 cm
29.2 cm longer than the average Sedan
Height
142 cm
5.9 cm shorter than the average Hatchback
143 cm
2.8 cm shorter than the average Sedan
Body width
178.2 cm
1.7 cm wider than the average Hatchback
198.7 cm
15.7 cm wider than the average Sedan
Width including mirrors
N/A
218.9 cm
13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan
Ground clearance
13.7 cm
0.2 cm less ground clearance than the average Hatchback
11.7 cm
2.3 cm less ground clearance than the average Sedan
Wheelbase
275 cm
15.9 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.
8.2 m²
0.9 m² larger footprint than the average Hatchback
10 m²
1.3 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
The 2021 Tesla Model S offers a more accommodating load area than the 2023 Toyota Prius, with a measurable 35 L (SAE) difference between the two. The 2021 Tesla Model S is the only model in this pair with confirmed cargo stats, with a 1,739 L (SAE) capacity with the seats down that is way above average for its class.
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.
284 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.
674 L
709 L (+35)
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
1,739 L
Frunk capacity
N/A
89 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.
N/A
213 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.
N/A
107.2 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.
284 L
59 L less 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.
674 L
149 L more cargo volume than the average Hatchback
709 L
313 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
The 2023 Toyota Prius offers more practicality with its 5 doors compared to the 4-door layout of the 2021 Tesla Model S. Both the 2021 Tesla Model S and the 2023 Toyota Prius have seating for 5, so there is no difference in passenger capacity. At 1.8 m wider, the 2021 Tesla Model S requires a much more deliberate approach to tight corners than the 2023 Toyota Prius. There's a monumental difference in mass; the 2021 Tesla Model S is a staggering 530 kg heavier than the 2023 Toyota Prius.
Measurements
Doors
5 (+1)
4
Max. seats
5
5
Turning circle
10.5 m
12.3 m (+1.8)
Curb weight
1,545 kg
2,075 kg (+530)
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
10.5 m
0.1 m larger turning circle than the average Hatchback
12.3 m
1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan
Curb weight
1,545 kg
292 kg heavier than the average Hatchback
2,075 kg
553 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.
-4%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Hatchback
-11%
Less manoeuvrable than the average Sedan
Parking
Will the 2023 Toyota Prius or 2021 Tesla Model S fit in a standard parking space?
2023 Toyota Prius 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 48 cm per side, and length clearance is 45 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
48 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
45 cm
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
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Toyota 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.