DriveSize

2021 Tesla Model S vs 2023 Toyota Prius

Side view of the 2021 Tesla Model S
Side view of the 2023 Toyota Prius

Tesla Model S

2021

Toyota Prius

2023

Select unit of measurement:

Which is bigger, the 2021 Tesla Model S or 2023 Toyota Prius?

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

502.1 cm (+42.2)

459.9 cm

Height

143 cm (+1)

142 cm

Body width

198.7 cm (+20.5)

178.2 cm

Width including mirrors

218.9 cm

N/A

Ground clearance

11.7 cm

13.7 cm (+2)

Wheelbase

296 cm (+21)

275 cm

Footprint

DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.

10 m² (+1.8)

8.2 m²

How each car compares with its class average

Length

502.1 cm

29.2 cm longer than the average Sedan

459.9 cm

44.7 cm longer than the average Hatchback

Height

143 cm

2.8 cm shorter than the average Sedan

142 cm

5.9 cm shorter than the average Hatchback

Body width

198.7 cm

15.7 cm wider than the average Sedan

178.2 cm

1.7 cm wider than the average Hatchback

Width including mirrors

218.9 cm

13.3 cm wider than the average Sedan

N/A

Ground clearance

11.7 cm

2.3 cm less ground clearance than the average Sedan

13.7 cm

0.2 cm less ground clearance than the average Hatchback

Wheelbase

296 cm

17.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Sedan

275 cm

15.9 cm longer wheelbase than the average Hatchback

Footprint

DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.

10 m²

1.3 m² larger footprint than the average Sedan

8.2 m²

0.9 m² larger footprint than the average Hatchback

Front view

Front view of the 2021 Tesla Model S
Front view of the 2023 Toyota Prius

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.

N/A

284 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.

709 L (+35)

674 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.

1,739 L

N/A

Frunk capacity

89 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 L per m

N/A

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

N/A

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

284 L

59 L less 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.

709 L

313 L more cargo volume than the average Sedan

674 L

149 L more cargo volume than the average Hatchback

Rear view

Rear view of the 2021 Tesla Model S
Rear view of the 2023 Toyota Prius

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

4

5 (+1)

Max. seats

5

5

Turning circle

12.3 m (+1.8)

10.5 m

Curb weight

2,075 kg (+530)

1,545 kg

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

12.3 m

1.2 m larger turning circle than the average Sedan

10.5 m

0.1 m larger turning circle than the average Hatchback

Curb weight

2,075 kg

553 kg heavier than the average Sedan

1,545 kg

292 kg heavier 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

-4%

Less manoeuvrable than the average Hatchback

Parking

Will the 2021 Tesla Model S or 2023 Toyota Prius 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.

OK

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

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.

OK

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

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

By DriveSize •

Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Tesla and Toyota 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.