2008 Tesla Roadster vs 2021 Volkswagen Polo
Which is bigger, the 2008 Tesla Roadster or 2021 Volkswagen Polo?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
At 12.8 cm shorter, the 2008 Tesla Roadster could be the nimbler choice for city drivers compared to the 2021 Volkswagen Polo. There’s a marginal 3.2 cm width difference; the 2021 Volkswagen Polo is effectively the same width as the 2008 Tesla Roadster for all practical purposes. The 2021 Volkswagen Polo is an incredible 32.4 cm taller, which fundamentally alters the ease of access and the total volume of the interior relative to the 2008 Tesla Roadster. With a 20.1 cm longer wheelbase, the 2021 Volkswagen Polo steps into a more comfortable tier of ride quality than the 2008 Tesla Roadster.
Measurements
Length
394.6 cm
407.4 cm (+12.8)
Height
112.7 cm
145.1 cm (+32.4)
Body width
171.9 cm
175.1 cm (+3.2)
Width including mirrors
185.1 cm
N/A
Ground clearance
13 cm
N/A
Wheelbase
235.1 cm
255.2 cm (+20.1)
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
6.8 m²
7.1 m² (+0.3)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
394.6 cm
51.9 cm shorter than the average Sports car
407.4 cm
7.8 cm shorter than the average Hatchback
Height
112.7 cm
16.7 cm shorter than the average Sports car
145.1 cm
2.8 cm shorter than the average Hatchback
Body width
171.9 cm
15.3 cm narrower than the average Sports car
175.1 cm
1.4 cm narrower than the average Hatchback
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
255.2 cm
3.9 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Hatchback
Footprint
DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.
6.8 m²
1.6 m² smaller footprint than the average Sports car
7.1 m²
0.2 m² smaller footprint than the average Hatchback
Front view
Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
The 2021 Volkswagen Polo is the only model in this pair with confirmed cargo stats, with a 351 L (VDA) capacity that is average for its class. The 2021 Volkswagen Polo is the only model in this pair with confirmed cargo stats, with a 1,125 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
351 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
1,125 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
152.7 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
87.2 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
351 L
8 L more cargo volume than the average Hatchback
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
1,125 L
7 L more cargo volume than the average Hatchback
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.
+5%
VDA: More space efficient than the average Hatchback
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 Polo. Opting for the 2021 Volkswagen Polo greatly expands your passenger options, thanks to its 3-seat advantage over the 2008 Tesla Roadster. The 2008 Tesla Roadster needs only a whisker more room to U-turn at 0.5 m wider, a difference you’d rarely notice in daily driving. The 2008 Tesla Roadster is 178 kg heavier than the 2021 Volkswagen Polo, a gap that can influence acceleration, cornering response, and running costs.
Measurements
Doors
2
5 (+3)
Max. seats
2
5 (+3)
Turning circle
11.1 m (+0.5)
10.6 m
Curb weight
1,235 kg (+178)
1,057 kg
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
11.1 m
0.1 m smaller turning circle than the average Sports car
10.6 m
0.2 m larger turning circle than the average Hatchback
Curb weight
1,235 kg
340 kg lighter than the average Sports car
1,057 kg
196 kg lighter 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.
+7%
More manoeuvrable than the average Sports car
About average
About average for a Hatchback
Parking
Will the 2008 Tesla Roadster or 2021 Volkswagen Polo 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 Polo 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 49.5 cm per side, and length clearance is 71 cm at each end.
Body side clearance
49.5 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
71 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.