DriveSize

2020 Toyota Highlander vs 2008 Tesla Roadster

Side view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Side view of the 2008 Tesla Roadster

Toyota Highlander

2020

Tesla Roadster

2008

Side view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Change car

Select unit of measurement:

Which is bigger, the 2020 Toyota Highlander or 2008 Tesla Roadster?

Key dimensions: length, width, height

With a length difference of 100.4 cm, the 2020 Toyota Highlander and 2008 Tesla Roadster are worlds apart. At 21.1 cm wider, the 2020 Toyota Highlander has a noticeably broader stance than the 2008 Tesla Roadster, giving it a more planted feel on the road at the cost of some agility in parking spaces. The height contrast is vast; the 2020 Toyota Highlander stands a massive 60.3 cm taller than the 2008 Tesla Roadster, completely changing the perspective from the driver's seat. If you live in a rural area, the 2020 Toyota Highlander's 7.3 cm ground clearance lead over the 2008 Tesla Roadster is a major plus. With a 49.9 cm wheelbase advantage, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is better for long-distance comfort, whereas the 2008 Tesla Roadster is better for agility.

Measurements

Length

495 cm (+100.4)

394.6 cm

Height

173 cm (+60.3)

112.7 cm

Body width

193 cm (+21.1)

171.9 cm

Width including mirrors

N/A

185.1 cm

Ground clearance

20.3 cm (+7.3)

13 cm

Wheelbase

285 cm (+49.9)

235.1 cm

Footprint

DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.

9.6 m² (+2.8)

6.8 m²

How each car compares with its class average

Length

495 cm

42.4 cm longer than the average Crossover

394.6 cm

51.9 cm shorter than the average Sports car

Height

173 cm

10.2 cm taller than the average Crossover

112.7 cm

16.7 cm shorter than the average Sports car

Body width

193 cm

8.1 cm wider than the average Crossover

171.9 cm

15.3 cm narrower than the average Sports car

Width including mirrors

N/A

185.1 cm

24.1 cm narrower than the average Sports car

Ground clearance

20.3 cm

2.2 cm more ground clearance than the average Crossover

13 cm

1.5 cm more ground clearance than the average Sports car

Wheelbase

285 cm

12.6 cm longer wheelbase than the average Crossover

235.1 cm

28.4 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Sports car

Footprint

DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.

9.6 m²

1.2 m² larger footprint than the average Crossover

6.8 m²

1.6 m² smaller footprint than the average Sports car

Front view

Front view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Front view of the 2008 Tesla Roadster

Cargo Capacity: which has more space?

Standard and largest cargo capacity

The 2020 Toyota Highlander’s confirmed 453 L (SAE) capacity is average for its class, serving as our primary reference point for this matchup. The 2020 Toyota Highlander is the only model in this pair with confirmed cargo stats, with a 2,387 L (SAE) capacity with the seats down that is way above average for its class.

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.

453 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.

2,387 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.

228.3 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.

118.3 L per m²

N/A

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.

453 L

286 L less cargo volume than the average Crossover

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.

2,387 L

516 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover

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.

-10%

SAE: Less space efficient than the average Crossover

Rear view

Rear view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Rear view of the 2008 Tesla Roadster

Details

Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability

Passengers will appreciate the additional doors on the 2020 Toyota Highlander when you're parked in tight spots, as they offer more entry options than the 2-door 2008 Tesla Roadster. The 2020 Toyota Highlander can carry a staggering 6 more passengers than the 2008 Tesla Roadster, meaning we're looking at completely different purposes for these two vehicles. The 2008 Tesla Roadster is the slightly nimbler of the two when pulling a U-turn, though by a very narrow 0.3 m margin. The 2008 Tesla Roadster is a featherweight compared to the 2020 Toyota Highlander, which carries a huge 645 kg of additional weight.

Measurements

Doors

5 (+3)

2

Max. seats

8 (+6)

2

Turning circle

11.4 m (+0.3)

11.1 m

Curb weight

1,880 kg (+645)

1,235 kg

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

11.4 m

0.2 m larger turning circle than the average Crossover

11.1 m

0.1 m smaller turning circle than the average Sports car

Curb weight

1,880 kg

248 kg heavier than the average Crossover

1,235 kg

340 kg lighter than the average Sports car

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.

-5%

Less manoeuvrable than the average Crossover

+7%

More manoeuvrable than the average Sports car

Parking

Will the 2020 Toyota Highlander or 2008 Tesla Roadster fit in a standard parking space?

2020 Toyota Highlander 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 41 cm per side, and length clearance is 27.5 cm at each end.

Body side clearance

41 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

27.5 cm

2008 Tesla Roadster 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.

Comfortable

For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 51.5 cm per side, and length clearance is 77.5 cm at each end.

Body side clearance

51.5 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

77.5 cm

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

By DriveSize •

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.