Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S is a pioneering electric car, with amazing performance and plenty of space

Tesla Model S Review

The Tesla Model S is Tesla’s first mass produced electric car.

Built from the ground up as an EV, it is truly a pioneering car. The current version of the Model S has exceptional performance and features. It’s the benchmark electric vehicle that other manufacturers aspire to.

Tesla Model S Range

The current Model S is available in two configurations:

• Long Range
• Performance

The Long Range version has the longest range on a single charge of any EV on the market. It can do roughly 365 miles in the real world. That’s Southampton to Newcastle non-stop. No need for range anxiety. In fact, its 100 kWh battery has an official WLTP range of 405 miles, so in ideal conditions you could go even further. See our Range Guide to learn how official range can vary.

The Performance model also comes with a 100 kWh battery, but has a slightly shorter real-world range of around 356 miles (396 miles, WLTP). That’s still a very long distance and puts it in third place – just behind the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Extended Range RWD – in the best range charts covering all electric cars in the market.

What does the Performance model give you over the Long Range model? Basically a bigger rear axle motor. This means the Performance model has a 0-60 mph of a remarkable 2.3 seconds, compared to the Long Range 0-60 mph of 3.7 seconds.

Please note: Tesla have a habit of changing the specification of the Model S – and the pricing – often quite dramatically from one day to the next.

Tesla Model S – Price

The Tesla Model S price is from £79,980. Here are the various prices:

• Long Range:  from £79,980
• Performance:  from £94,980

If the cost options of the Tesla Model S has caused you to fall off your chair, remember Warren Buffett’s famous piece of wisdom: “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” In other words, the price of the Model S may seem very high, but if you value greatly the driving experience and all the other features and benefits, then you can justify the price…at least to yourself.

How does the Model S compare to other high-end EVs in the £70,000 to £100,000 price bracket?

There are three luxury SUVs which are cheaper, namely the Audi e-tron (£71,560), Mercedes EQC (£74,610) and the Jaguar I-Pace (£74,395). These prices are for either the top spec or very high spec versions, so if you are after an SUV rather than a saloon, then they are very enticing.

Above the Model S Long Range in price are its larger SUV brother the Tesla Model X Long Range (£87,980) and the base model Porsche Taycan 4S (£84,134). The Taycan is smaller inside and a 4-seater.

The Performance Model S is otherwise the most expensive electric car up to £100k apart from the Model X Performance.

To see how all the various trim levels of these cars slot into the price league table, take a look at our Electric Car Selector.

Finally, Tesla has recently announced the totally insane ‘Plaid’ version of the Model S. It costs £130,980 and will be available in late 2021. Over 1,100 BHP, combined with three electric motor all-wheel-drive, delivers a ridiculous 0-60 of under 2 seconds. Basically it’s an electric rocket.

Tesla Model S – Autopilot

Tesla has developed an incredible ‘self-driving’ feature for its cars called Autopilot.

It allows you to sit in your Tesla, in the driving seat, and have the car drive you. For example, you can be on the motorway and the car will automatically steer, brake if the vehicle in front is slowing down, and accelerate back to a pre-determined speed if enough space opens up in front. This version of the self-driving software is called Autopilot and comes included as standard.

A more comprehensive version of the software is called Full Self Driving Capability. This version can even change lane for you, overtake, and deposit you back in the lane you were in – all with no input from the ‘driver’. Tesla has spent many hours developing the software and it’s truly incredible. Full Self Driving Capability costs £6,800 extra.

Autopilot with Full Self Driving Capability also provides you with:

• Autopark: the car will park itself
• Summon: your parked car will come and find you in the car park – we kid you not

Now, it’s worth pointing out that you must – by law – have your hands on the wheel at all times while driving. Autopilot reminds you of this if it senses your hands are off the wheel.

Tesla Model S – Optional Extras

The Model S is an advanced-tech car and comes with lots of great equipment as standard.

As with all car manufacturers, you can configure your EV, choosing optional extras (at a cost), tailoring it as you so desire. Here are the options you can select:

Exterior Colour

The standard (no cost) option is Pearl White Multi-Coat. You can also have Solid Black (£1,450 extra), Midnight Silver Metallic (again £1,450 extra), Deep Blue Metallic (also £1,450 extra), or Red Multi-Coat (£2,500 extra).

Wheels

All the models come as standard with 19’’ Silver Wheels. If you would like 19″ Sonic Carbon Slipstream Wheels – it’ll cost you £1,450 extra. For the ultimate 21″ Sonic Carbon Twin Turbine Wheels, it’s a mighty £4,400 more to pay.

Interior

The standard colour is ‘All Black’, with ‘Carbon Fiber Décor’.

Alternatively, for £1,450 extra, you can have ‘Black and White’ with ‘Carbon Fiber Décor’.

Finally there is ‘Cream’ with ‘Oak Wood Décor’, also for £1,450.

Autopilot & Full Self-Driving Capability

As mentioned above, the Model S comes with Autopilot self-driving capabilities as standard.

To get Full Self-Driving Capability – really advanced autonomous driving – you need to pay £6,800 more.

Who is the Tesla Model S for?

The Tesla Model S is a high performance, 4-wheel drive, spacious, 5-seat hatchback.

It’s aimed at discerning customers who have deep pockets. If you roll up in a Tesla Model S, you’re making a statement – I may have money, but I’m also modern, up-to-date, and want to do my bit for the environment.

The Model S is a very popular among company directors and looks the business in the corporate car park. With very low, or sometimes zero, benefit in kind rates (BIK), the Model S is highly tax friendly.

Perhaps surprisingly, it is also a perfect family car. It has room for 5 adults in comfort, a huge boot, and can ferry you up and down the country with ease.

Tesla has cleverly installed a fantastic network of really quick charging points around the world. These superchargers are now rated at up to 150 kW – much faster than the standard 50 kW from other manufacturers. They allow you to recharge very quickly while you are having lunch and get back on the road with plenty of range in the battery tank.

New Version 3 superchargers are gradually being rolled out that will allow 200 kW charging in the Model S.

You may find a second-hand Tesla Model S with either 2-wheel drive, or 7 seats, or both. Older versions of the car had more variations. There were also different battery sizes, such as 60, 70, 75, 85 and 90 kWh.

• If you would like more information about EVs in general, please see our main Electric Cars page.

• For specific details about the Tesla Model S itself, see the main Tesla UK Tesla Model S website.

• Otherwise, please scroll down to the Reviews section below for independent analyses.