2008 Tesla Roadster vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4
Which is bigger, the 2008 Tesla Roadster or 2021 Volkswagen ID.4?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
The 63.8 cm length difference creates a clear divide in front-to-rear dimensions. At 13.3 cm wider, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 occupies a bit more of the lane than the 2008 Tesla Roadster, giving it more road presence. There is a staggering 48.5 cm between their rooflines, with the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 looming high above the 2008 Tesla Roadster. A 3 cm larger ground clearance gap gives the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 a slightly more capable feel when the pavement gets rough vs the 2008 Tesla Roadster. At 41.5 cm shorter, the 2008 Tesla Roadster should be significantly more nimble in the city than the longer-bodied 2021 Volkswagen ID.4.
Measurements
Length
394.6 cm
458.4 cm (+63.8)
Height
112.7 cm
161.2 cm (+48.5)
Body width
171.9 cm
185.2 cm (+13.3)
Width including mirrors
185.1 cm
210.8 cm (+25.7)
Ground clearance
13 cm
16 cm (+3)
Wheelbase
235.1 cm
276.6 cm (+41.5)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
6.8 m²
8.5 m² (+1.7)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
394.6 cm
51.9 cm shorter than the average Sports car
458.4 cm
5.8 cm longer than the average Crossover
Height
112.7 cm
16.7 cm shorter than the average Sports car
161.2 cm
1.6 cm shorter than the average Crossover
Body width
171.9 cm
15.3 cm narrower than the average Sports car
185.2 cm
0.3 cm wider than the average Crossover
Width including mirrors
185.1 cm
24.1 cm narrower than the average Sports car
210.8 cm
4.4 cm wider than the average Crossover
Ground clearance
13 cm
1.5 cm more ground clearance than the average Sports car
16 cm
2.1 cm less ground clearance than the average Crossover
Wheelbase
235.1 cm
28.4 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Sports car
276.6 cm
4.2 cm longer wheelbase than the average Crossover
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
6.8 m²
1.6 m² smaller footprint than the average Sports car
8.5 m²
0.1 m² larger footprint than the average Crossover
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is the only model in this pair with confirmed cargo stats, with a 543 L (VDA) capacity that is above average for its class. The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is the only model in this pair with confirmed cargo stats, with a 1,575 L (VDA) 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
543 L
Largest cargo capacity (VDA)
The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
1,575 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.
N/A
858 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
1,818 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
197.3 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
106.5 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.
N/A
543 L
98 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
Largest cargo capacity (VDA)
The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
1,575 L
67 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
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
858 L
119 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.
N/A
1,818 L
53 L less 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.
+8%
VDA: More space efficient than the average Crossover
Rear view
Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
Choosing the 2008 Tesla Roadster means managing with 3 fewer door(s), but this usually means a cleaner looking side profile than the 5-door 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 can handle 3 additional passengers than the 2008 Tesla Roadster, which is a decent step up in practicality. You’ll appreciate the 0.9 m tighter turning circle of the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 when navigating cramped multi-storey car parks. The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is in a different weight class entirely, sitting 656 kg higher on the scales than the 2008 Tesla Roadster.
Measurements
Doors
2
5 (+3)
Max. seats
2
5 (+3)
Turning circle
11.1 m (+0.9)
10.2 m
Curb weight
1,235 kg
1,891 kg (+656)
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
11.1 m
0.1 m smaller turning circle than the average Sports car
10.2 m
1 m smaller turning circle than the average Crossover
Curb weight
1,235 kg
340 kg lighter than the average Sports car
1,891 kg
259 kg heavier than the average Crossover
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.
+7%
More manoeuvrable than the average Sports car
+7%
More manoeuvrable than the average Crossover
Parking
Will the 2008 Tesla Roadster or 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 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 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 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
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 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 44.5 cm per side, and length clearance is 45.5 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
44.5 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
45.5 cm
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Tesla and Volkswagen 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.