DriveSize

2008 Tesla Roadster vs 2024 Volkswagen Passat

Side view of the 2024 Volkswagen Passat
Side view of the 2008 Tesla Roadster

Tesla Roadster

2008

Volkswagen Passat

2024

Select unit of measurement:

Which is bigger, the 2008 Tesla Roadster or 2024 Volkswagen Passat?

Key dimensions: length, width, height

There is a clear gap in length here, with 2024 Volkswagen Passat measuring 97.1 cm longer than 2008 Tesla Roadster. You might notice the 13 cm width difference when parking; the 2024 Volkswagen Passat leaves a little less margin for error in the bay compared to the 2008 Tesla Roadster. There is no subtlety to the difference here, as the 2024 Volkswagen Passat towers 37 cm above the 2008 Tesla Roadster. With a 49 cm shorter wheelbase, the 2008 Tesla Roadster is the clear winner for tight multi-storey car parks compared to the 2024 Volkswagen Passat.

Measurements

Length

394.6 cm

491.7 cm (+97.1)

Height

112.7 cm

149.7 cm (+37)

Body width

171.9 cm

184.9 cm (+13)

Width including mirrors

185.1 cm

N/A

Ground clearance

13 cm

N/A

Wheelbase

235.1 cm

284.1 cm (+49)

Footprint

DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.

6.8 m²

9.1 m² (+2.3)

How each car compares with its class average

Length

394.6 cm

51.9 cm shorter than the average Sports car

491.7 cm

17.2 cm longer than the average Estate

Height

112.7 cm

16.7 cm shorter than the average Sports car

149.7 cm

2.4 cm taller than the average Estate

Body width

171.9 cm

15.3 cm narrower than the average Sports car

184.9 cm

0.8 cm wider than the average Estate

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

N/A

Wheelbase

235.1 cm

28.4 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Sports car

284.1 cm

6.4 cm longer wheelbase than the average Estate

Footprint

DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.

6.8 m²

1.6 m² smaller footprint than the average Sports car

9.1 m²

0.3 m² larger footprint than the average Estate

Front view

Front view of the 2008 Tesla Roadster
Front view of the 2024 Volkswagen Passat

Cargo Capacity: which has more space?

Standard and largest cargo capacity

The 2024 Volkswagen Passat offers a known 690 L (VDA) cargo capacity with its seats up, which is above average for estate vehicles. The 2024 Volkswagen Passat offers 1,920 L (VDA) of total cargo volume, which is way above average for estate.

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

690 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

1,920 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

227.9 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

123.2 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.

N/A

690 L

142 L more cargo volume than the average Estate

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

1,920 L

351 L more cargo volume than the average Estate

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.

+19%

VDA: More space efficient than the average Estate

Rear view

Rear view of the 2008 Tesla Roadster
Rear view of the 2024 Volkswagen Passat

Details

Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability

Choosing the 2024 Volkswagen Passat gains you extra access points, making its 5-door layout more versatile for daily duties than the 2-door 2008 Tesla Roadster. Opting for the 2024 Volkswagen Passat greatly expands your passenger options, thanks to its 3-seat advantage over the 2008 Tesla Roadster. Expect to put in a little more work in the 2024 Volkswagen Passat during tight turns, given its 0.9 m wider radius. The 2024 Volkswagen Passat carries a substantial 343 kg weight increase over the 2008 Tesla Roadster, meaning it may feel more planted and robust, but also less nimble in everyday driving.

Measurements

Doors

2

5 (+3)

Max. seats

2

5 (+3)

Turning circle

11.1 m

12 m (+0.9)

Curb weight

1,235 kg

1,578 kg (+343)

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

11.1 m

0.1 m smaller turning circle than the average Sports car

12 m

0.8 m larger turning circle than the average Estate

Curb weight

1,235 kg

340 kg lighter than the average Sports car

1,578 kg

17 kg lighter than the average Estate

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

-6%

Less manoeuvrable than the average Estate

Parking

Will the 2008 Tesla Roadster or 2024 Volkswagen Passat 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.

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

2024 Volkswagen Passat 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 45 cm per side, and length clearance is 29 cm at each end.

Body side clearance

45 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

29 cm

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

By DriveSize •

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.