Physical size of Model S...

[Mayhemm]

The Model S is a rather large vehicle. All of the cars I've owned in the past have been on the smaller side (for example, Model S is 31" longer and 10" wider than my current vehicle).

This got me thinking about issues that may arise due to its size (parking, maneuvering in tight spaces, etc).

When I test drove the S back in March, it did not seem that big to me. Then again, I was in unfamiliar territory and wasn't exactly practicing my parallel parking on the test drive. I do remember re-entering the parking garage in Toronto very slowly when we were done, though.

How do current owners find the Model S in terms of size? Did you have to adjust to it? Did it complicate things? Were your previous vehicles also large cars?

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

I was concerned about the size too but, it's actually very manageable given how sensitive and responsive the accelerator is; I was never into reversing into parking spots or our garage before but, I now do that with ease (need to do this in most parking spots with charging stations given the chargeport in the rear unlike other EVs that have the port towards the front). I prefer to have Creep OFF too to help with these very precise movements. The rear camera and the side mirrors help a fair bit although the rear view mirror is close to being useless.

Given the width, it's not going to fit into compact spots for sure but, it's no wider than most minivans/SUVs.

My largest car before was an Acura TL, which was 9" shorter and about 9" narrower too.

 

[purplewalt]

My soon_to-be-former car is a BMW 135i.

Terrifically quick, nimble and versatile car, it could fit anywhere except maybe some very minimal spaces solely for Smart cars.
It also has retractable mirrors, so most REALLY tight spaces could be accessed, even if the car is the adjacent space had straddled the parking space lines.

I'm now into my third week driving it, and I am gingerly getting used to the girth and length of the MS, especially while parking and turning in tight quarters.
No doubt: it is a FULL-size car, (just stating facts).

Some of the trade-offs the other way.
The MS floats above and through wallows, dips, humps and low spots in the road, whereas the Bimmer would hop, pitch and yaw over those road conditions.
The Bimmer always seemed eager and wanted (begged) to be be driven aggressively (only), while the MS simply handles (almost) every situation with elegant grace and ease.
A very mature, refined and secure ride.

 

[Mayhemm]

The rear camera and the side mirrors help a fair bit although the rear view mirror is close to being useless.

I noticed that as well on my test drive. Rear visibility is not great.

The MS floats above and through wallows, dips, humps and low spots in the road, whereas the Bimmer would hop, pitch and yaw over those road conditions.
The Bimmer always seemed eager and wanted (begged) to be be driven aggressively (only), while the MS simply handles (almost) every situation with elegant grace and ease.
A very mature, refined and secure ride.

That's what I like to hear, purple. What configuration did you go with in the end (battery, wheel size, suspension)?

 

[Colasec]

Then again, I was in unfamiliar territory and wasn't exactly practicing my parallel parking on the test drive.

I actually did practice parallel parking on my test drive. My current daily driver is an F-150 and one of my primary reasons for getting a second vehicle is to be able to zip around and park more easily.

I'd love it if the Model S were about 75% as wide, but it is what it is (and there's nothing else even remotely like it).

You should have seen the look on the Product Specialist's face as he realized when I was doing with those rash-prone 21" rims on the P85+ test drive vehicle.... :tongue:

 

[tdiggity]

The car is wide. It's wider than a lot of SUVs, so if you've ever been in a lane next to an SUV and thought that you might hit it because the lanes are narrow then you'll feel that way in the S, too. For the most part it's not an issue. You have to choose your parking spots a little more carefully (park evenly between the lines and make sure your neighbors are also parked well). Got the 21" wheels? Watch out for curb rashes because the rear is wider than the front. My right turns are really wide in parking lots to avoid curbing them.

 

[dsm363]

You need to be careful when you first start driving it if you are coming from a smaller car but you'll get used to it. It is a very large car but not much worse than many other cars out there.

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

Being such a large car, it is very impressive in autocross. It almost looks too big to fit through some of the cones sometimes but it manages.( vids in my thread)

 

[yobigd20]

I don't have any issues with the size and I drive in and out of NYC daily where huge trucks on either/both sides and lanes can be VERY narrow. I'm actually more worried about someone swiping me with a Citibike bicycle than a car, cab, or truck lol.

 

[scaesare]

No doubt that it is a large sedan... I''ve always had larger cars, so it's not something that makes me uncomfortable. But I was surprised that the amount of space it took in my garage, as well as the clearance thru the garage door was closer than I expected it to be... not a whole lot less than my Toyota Sequoia.

 

[ToddRLockwood]

To put size in perspective, the Model S is only 0.4 inches longer than an Audi A7, although the Model S is 2 inches wider, as is its track.

The standard version of the BMW 7 Series is 9 inches longer than the Model S!

 

[PhilBa]

My other car is a Prius, quite a bit narrower than the S. However, from day 1, I had no problems with the size of the S. It's simply not an issue. I had heard a lot of talk about how "huge" and expected to have a problem. The only real issue to me is the turning radius (the Prius is way smaller on that point) but, even there, I don't have a problem with it.

 

[hiroshiy]

There were a few more threads talking about size...
Here's one of these.
Any way to reduce the width, tire-to-tire?

 

[ElSupreme]

The Model S is a rather large vehicle. All of the cars I've owned in the past have been on the smaller side (for example, Model S is 31" longer and 10" wider than my current vehicle).

This got me thinking about issues that may arise due to its size (parking, maneuvering in tight spaces, etc).

When I test drove the S back in March, it did not seem that big to me. Then again, I was in unfamiliar territory and wasn't exactly practicing my parallel parking on the test drive. I do remember re-entering the parking garage in Toronto very slowly when we were done, though.

How do current owners find the Model S in terms of size? Did you have to adjust to it? Did it complicate things? Were your previous vehicles also large cars?

On paper the car is ginormous. Driving it feels like a much smaller car. Parking in my garage it seems only slightly larger than my GTI before I get into the garage, afterwards it feels like a school bus.

So in anything but tight conditions it feels like a smaller car. In narrow lanes, or parking you really notice the size. But even when it starts to feel huge, it still turns and handles better than I expected.

Although I still try to U-turn in spaces where I have no where near enough room. My GTI could U-turn in 2 lanes (in addition to the one I was in) the Model S requires a little more than 3 lanes.

 

[caddieo]

Anybody out there with width comparisons to the Audi A8, BMW, 7 or Mercedes S Class?

 

[gregincal]

Anybody out there with width comparisons to the Audi A8, BMW, 7 or Mercedes S Class?

Mirrors folded the Model S is 1/2" wider than the Audi A8, 2 1/2" wider than the BMW 7 series and Mercedes S class. Mirrors extended it's 2" wider than the BMW 7 series, 2 3/4" wider than the Mercedes S class and 3" wider than the Audi A8. It's definitely a wide car, since those others aren't exactly slim.

To answer the OP, my previous car was an Audi A3, so the Model S is 22" longer and 8" wider. I have a small garage, so that's definitely tricky. Other than that, though, I don't notice the size nearly as much as I thought I would. It doesn't feel like a big car.

 

[Rowlock]

Whoever mentioned parking in reverse is definitely on the right track.

Having come from a long-bed F250 Super Duty as my previous vehicle, I am well used to driving large machines. One thing I learned very quickly with the Ford was that for large cars, reversing into a parking spot is INFINITELY easier than trying to get in forwards.

It feels intimidating if you're not used to doing it, but seriously, if you just take it slow you'll learn to love it in no time flat. Being able to steer the trailing end of the car and point the rear exactly where you want it is so much easier than having the unsteerable back end trailing along behind you, forcing you to swing out wide and shuffle backwards and forwards to get straight in a tight space.

Learn to park in reverse and you'll never go front-in again, I promise. Plus, you'll have nice easy walk-up access to the Frunk.

 

[AudubonB]

Compared to my F-350 Crew Cab Long bed? Or my E-350 4WD lifted van?

The S is kinda on the shrimpy size.

Compared to my TDI Golf? Or my BJ40 LandCruiser? Or Jenny's Outback? Wow. It's big!

 

[scaesare]

lol Had an F-350 CC LB myself. And towed a 37' trailer (over 60' overall).

The S is nothing!

 

[4SUPER9]

I am a little surprised at the width of the S. I'm coming from an Acadia (crossover SUV) that is only 4" longer than the S, yet 8" narrower! There are some narrow streets in my neighborhood. I will definitely be folding in my mirrors to avoid getting them knocked off.