DriveSize

2008 Tesla Roadster vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

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

Tesla Roadster

2008

Toyota Highlander

2020

Side view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
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Select unit of measurement:

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

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

394.6 cm

495 cm (+100.4)

Height

112.7 cm

173 cm (+60.3)

Width (excluding mirrors)

171.9 cm

193 cm (+21.1)

Width (including mirrors)

185.1 cm

N/A (+7.3)

Ground clearance

13 cm

20.3 cm (+49.9)

Wheelbase

235.1 cm

285 cm (+2.8)

How each car compares with its class average

Length

394.6 cm

51.9 cm shorter than the average Sports car

495 cm

42.4 cm longer than the average Crossover

Height

112.7 cm

16.7 cm shorter than the average Sports car

173 cm

10.2 cm taller than the average Crossover

Width (excluding mirrors)

171.9 cm

15.3 cm narrower than the average Sports car

193 cm

8.1 cm wider than the average Crossover

Width (including mirrors)

185.1 cm

24.1 cm narrower than the average Sports car

N/A

Ground clearance

13 cm

1.5 cm more ground clearance than the average Sports car

20.3 cm

2.2 cm more ground clearance than the average Crossover

Wheelbase

235.1 cm

28.4 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Sports car

285 cm

12.6 cm longer wheelbase than the average Crossover

Front view

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

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.

N/A

453 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.

N/A

2,387 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

228.3 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

118.3 L per m²

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.

N/A

453 L

286 L less 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.

N/A

2,387 L

516 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover

DriveSize space efficiency score

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 scores compare with VDA class averages, and SAE scores compare with SAE class averages. Around 100% means in line with class average.

90%

SAE: below class average (-10%)

Rear view

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

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 0.35 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

2

5 (+3)

Max. seats

2

8 (+6)

Turning circle

11.1 m

11.4 m (+0.3)

Curb weight

1,235 kg

1,880 kg (+645)

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

11.1 m

0.1 m smaller turning circle than the average Sports car

11.4 m

0.2 m larger turning circle than the average Crossover

Curb weight

1,235 kg

340 kg lighter than the average Sports car

1,880 kg

248 kg heavier than the average Crossover

DriveSize manoeuvrability score

DriveSize manoeuvrability score combines turning circle and footprint, with turning circle weighted more heavily.

Around 100% means in line with the class average; higher scores indicate better manoeuvrability relative to similar cars.

107%

7% more manoeuvrable than the average Sports car

95%

5% less manoeuvrable than the average Crossover

Parking

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

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 excluding mirrors 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 (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 77.5 cm at each end.

Body side clearance (excluding mirrors)

51.5 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

77.5 cm

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 excluding mirrors 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 (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 27.5 cm at each end.

Body side clearance (excluding mirrors)

41 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

27.5 cm

FAQs

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