History
When it arrived in 2012, the Model S was one of the first mainstream electric sedans to hit the market. Instead of a strange from-the-future design, this one looked like a real car, and it offered real car performance and range. Eight years on, it's still one of just a few long-range electric cars on the market.
What's New in 2020?
Rather than making big model-year changes, Tesla is in the habit of making many of its changes via over the air updates that get applied to cars already in consumer hands. Bigger changes, like battery pack changes and other updates can happen at any time. If you order direct, you can see exactly what you're getting. On used models a more thorough examination may be needed if you want a particular combination.
Available Trims
The Model S is currently available in two trims. The Long Range Plus model and the Performance model. The latter offers quicker acceleration but sacrifices some electric range as a tradeoff. Both have two-motor all-wheel drive.
Standard Features
The Long Range Plus Model S comes with a 17-inch touchscreen display that handles infotainment and climate control. There is a premium audio system and heated seats for each position along with a heated steering wheel. There are LED fog lights and a tinted fixed-position glass roof. An air suspension with adaptive damping is standard as are automated emergency braking and lane-departure warnings. Autopilot is a hands-on driver aid that can help steer the car in-lane.
Performance models add quicker acceleration thanks to using more motor power, have unique interior treatments, and the cars come with a carbon fibre spoiler.
Key Options
The only significant option on the Model S is the choice of adding Full Self-Driving Capability. That feature is currently a hands-on driver aid that can help guide the car on highways and can handle steering in some interchanges and passing conditions. Tesla says that in the future, more capabilities, including the capability to fully self-drive, will be added.
Fuel Economy
In this case, it's electric range, but the Model S Long Range Plus has an estimated range of 629 km. That's 1.9 Le/100 km city, 2.1 highway. The Model S Performance range is 560 km with 19-inch wheels or 525 with the 21-inch option. 2.3/2.3 and 2.4/2.5 Le/100 respectively.
Competitors
The Jaguar I-Pace, a long-range electric crossover and the Porsche Taycan EV are the two main competitors in this premium EV segment at this time.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
