What's New
- New Plaid model is equipped with AWD and a tri-motor powertrain to achieve 0-60 mph in under 2 seconds
- Redesigned interior and exterior styling
- Updated battery architecture
- Plaid Plus is expected later in 2021
Pros & Cons
- Longest range and quickest acceleration of electric competitors-for now
- Routinely updated features wireless connection
- Early adopter and tech savvy ownership status
- Austere cabin design isn’t as luxurious or customizable as competitors
- Optional full Self-Driving technology may be unreliable at times
- No available federal tax credits for Tesla
Tesla Model S Overview
The all-electric Tesla Model S boasts the performance specs of a supercar with the legroom and creature comforts of a five-passenger luxury sedan. Some argue that the EV is still in its first generation because it received incremental updates rather than a full redesign, but it did get a minor exterior and interior refresh in 2016. Tesla also does not designate model years to its vehicles. It’s trim level naming convention used to correlate to battery sizing, but today there is Long Range, Plaid and Plaid+.
The base Long Range trim uses an all-wheel-drive dual-motor powertrain to produce 670 horsepower, reach a top speed of 155 mph and hit 60 mpg in 3.1 seconds. Its updated battery architecture enables up to 412 miles of range. A new Plaid edition uses a tri-motor powertrain to deliver 1,020 horsepower, bumping the top speed to 200 mph and dropping the zero-to-60 time to 1.99 seconds. The downside is a shorter 390-mile range. The Plaid+ ups available range to 520 miles and horsepower to 1,100. Using the Tesla’s robust Supercharger Network, the full-size electric sedan can add up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes.
The Model S received a refreshed exterior and interior redesign, including new driver cockpit featuring a stalkless steering yoke in front of a 12.3-inch digital driver display. Centered in the minimalist dashboard is a new 17-inch landscape touchscreen display capable of 10 teraflops of processing power to run the Tesla Arcade with wireless gaming controller compatibility, streaming video channels, satellite-view maps, internet browsing and Karaoke (connectivity subscription required). A redesigned second row features an eight-inch display screen.
Trim Specifications
The base Long Range model is well-equipped with standard 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, power folding heated side mirror and windshield, and an automatic opening and closing rear liftgate. The interior features a glass roof, a Phone Key, tri-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated power front seats with adjustable lumbar support, custom driver memory, heated rear seats and HEPA filtration.
The infotainment features include 17-inch touchscreen display, one-year complimentary “premium” connectivity required to support satellite maps and traffic data, streaming video, internet browser and video gaming capabilities. It also has wireless and UBC device charging, an 8-inch rear seat video display, ambient lighting and a 22-speaker audio system.
Advanced driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assistance, parking obstruction warning, pedestrian detection, surround view camera with video recording and more. The available AutoPilot semi-autonomous driving system can be added at any time post-purchase for $10,000 and adds fully-automated parking assistance, remote parking and dynamic driving assistance.
Optional 21-inch wheels are available for $4,500. The Plaid model costs around $155,000 and includes all features of the Long Range plus torque vectoring and carbon-sleeved rotors. The Plaid+ trim with more power and range costs around $135,000.
Warranty
4 Years/50,000 Miles
8 Years/Unlimited Miles
12 Years/Unlimited Miles
4 Years/50,000 Miles