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.
2024 Tesla Model S Review
Pros
The 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
A limited array of paint colors or personalization options from the factory
What’s new
No significant changes expected
Part of the first Model S generation introduced in 2012
Overview
If you like the wide selection of EVs we have today, you owe a big thanks to the Tesla Model S. There were other electric cars before it, but the Model S was the first to deliver internal-combustion-car-rivaling range and performance in a reasonably attractive and luxurious package. That was more than 10 years ago, and while the basic structure and design of the Model S carry over through today, Tesla’s flagship has had numerous updates over the years to help keep it fresh and competitive.
The Model S is a midsize luxury sedan with a hatchback-like rear liftgate, which grants it surprisingly good cargo capacity. Two trim levels are available: the base Model S and the high-performance Model S Plaid. The latter produces an incredible 1,020 hp combined from its three electric motors, which enabled it to hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 2.3 seconds in our testing. The non-Plaid version is less of a land-based rocket, but not much less: It produces a healthy 670 hp from its two electric motors.
Though the Model S is a contender in the luxury EV space, it faces stiff competition both from fellow startups and legacy automakers. Some of its closest rivals include the Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz EQS, Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT and BMW i7. Check out our Expert Rating below to find out how the Model S compares against its contemporaries when it comes to performance, interior quality, comfort, range and efficiency, value, and more.
refreshing map or no map at all. But having the power of Google search in the car is a huge convenience, not to mention it looks great on a 17-inch touchscreen. The Plaid’s 22-speaker sound system is also quite awesome and can push out loud yet rich sound through the cabin.
Though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration have become pervasive in the industry, Tesla still doesn’t offer either system. The Bluetooth system offers just one phone connection at a time, while on some other cars, you can connect additional devices. At least there are ample options for keeping your devices charged up with four wireless chargers, four USB-C ports and one USB-A port.
As far as driver aids go, no advanced driving aid system is better known than Tesla’s Autopilot. It works great in slow-moving and stop-and-go traffic, but it seems to be more easily spooked or confused on roads that aren’t clearly marked or are lined with parked cars on the shoulder. Tesla tends to release new features in the beta phase too, making you the guinea pig. This underdeveloped approach feels half-baked.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? The Tesla Model S is a hatchback, and that means there’s lots of rear cargo space, plus a bonus front trunk that’s easy to access and take advantage of. It features far more cargo space than many rivals, EV or not. The split rear seats fold flat, opening up the space even more. Storage up front is much improved compared to prior years of the Model S. There’s a variety of sliding and retracting compartments that better help to organize all your stuff up front. The cupholders still lack an anti-tip design and don’t hold drinks all that well, but there are also now door pockets, which means not everything has to go in the center console storage space.
Getting a car seat in and out is relatively easy. The doors open wide, though the anchors seem to be buried a little deeper than usual. The lack of headroom might be a bit of an issue when installing a seat.
Range and Efficiency
8.0/10
How are the range and efficiency? The 2021 Model S Plaid we tested was equipped with the optional 21-inch wheels, giving it an EPA-estimated range of 348 miles and a consumption rate of 33 kWh/100 miles. In Edmunds’ real-world range testing, we came up just a tiny bit short of the EPA estimates, managing 345 miles on a single max battery charge with a slightly more efficient consumption rate of 32.1 kWh/100 miles. That’s more range than just about every EV we’ve tested except the Model 3 Long Range. The electricity consumption is also impressive given the car’s power. A Porsche Taycan 4S we tested, for example, checked in with 32.3 kWh/100 miles.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Model S a good value? Is the Tesla Model S Plaid a good buy for the money at nearly $140,000? Well, that depends on what you value. If you’re looking for a vehicle with incredible speed and nearly unassailable bragging rights, there is nothing better for the money. However, we found several questionable build quality issues, from the driver’s door not being aligned correctly to torn rubber moldings and noticeably crooked interior trim pieces. If these sorts of things are overlooked during production, it makes us a bit uneasy about how the more important hardware has been assembled.
Build quality aside, access to Tesla’s vast Supercharger network is one of the best parts of Tesla ownership. It helps relieve range anxiety and can allow you to take the Model S across the country on most major highways without worry. The basic warranty is four years/50,000 miles, which is about average in this luxury EV segment. The powertrain and battery are covered for eight years/120,000 miles.
Wildcard
10.0/10
Putting aside the personal biases of those of us who prefer cars that are fun to drive around corners, the sheer power, speed, and ease of its accessibility make the Model S Plaid incredibly entertaining. It also has a strong sleeper vibe; there’s no giant rear wing or other obvious styling element to indicate that you’re driving a 1,020-horsepower sedan. We heartily respect understatement. Oh, did we mention that we drag-raced this car against two of the fastest production motorcycles in existence? Yeah, we did that. And the Model S won. Handily.
