New 2023 Tesla Model S ( Overview ). HIGHS
– Head-spinning acceleration, lithe handling, big battery pack with up to 405 miles of range.
LOWS
– Interior fails to meet luxury price, yoke steering wheel is gimmicky, too few interior storage bins.
VERDICT
– The car that made EVs mainstream is aging, but for now, the Tesla Model S remains a compelling electric luxury car.
The Tesla Model S Plaid is the Usain Bolt of the car world. Line it up at a drag strip and it’ll outsprint pretty much anything on the road today. The Model S’ hatchback practicality and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network are big pluses too. Unfortunately, the Model S also has some big drawbacks, such as a frustrating interface (the steering yoke, specifically) and disappointing fit and finish.
– Pros
Electric range is impressive
Wicked quick acceleration across the board
Liftback design affords abundant cargo space
Access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network
– Cons
Interior isn’t as refined as cabins in similarly priced sedans
No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration
Limited array of paint colors or other ways to customize from the factory
– What’s new
A traditional round steering wheel returns as a no-cost option
Part of the first Model S generation introduced for 2012
The Tesla Model S is one of the first successfully mass-produced EVs in the world. When it was released in 2012, its long driving range and tech proved that EVs are a viable mode of transportation, and it helped start the shift to an all-electric future we are seeing today. The Model S is still Tesla’s flagship model. It costs twice as much as the smaller Model 3 sedan, and it shares the interior, and many of the same electric components and tech, found in the Model X, Tesla’s largest SUV.
