Tesla Model S

3.8 / 5
EV Decide Score


Range

348 - 375 miles


Cost

$109k - $140k+


0 - 60

1.99+ sec


Charging Cost

$45+ / month

Tesla Model S Expert Review

  by Ben Sullins (Jun 07, 2022)
3.8 / 5
EV Decide Score
Like
  • Extreme performance
  • Comfortable ride
  • Great storage
Don't Like
  • Lack of Android Auto / Apple Carplay
  • Missing gear stalks can be dangerous
  • Too expensive for most

Performance

5 / 5
EV Decide Score
The Model S Plaid is the quickest 0-60 car ever made, ever. Now on a track it's been shown to have issues, but having that sort of off-the-line power on tap at every stoplight can be intoxicating.

Seating Capacity

4 / 5
EV Decide Score
Inside the Model S is spacious and the glass roof offers even more headroom, however it is limited to 5 seats (with the exception of old 2015 models with rear-facing jump seats).

Storage Capacity

4 / 5
EV Decide Score
For a sedan it doesn't get better in terms of storage for the Model S. The hatch back allows larger items and with the seats folding nearly flat you can even camp in the back. 

Comfort / Luxury

3 / 5
EV Decide Score
The S and X have upgraded interiors however they're still very tech-forward versus traditional luxury cars like the EQS.

Cost

2 / 5
EV Decide Score
At over $100K for the cheapest model currently (at the time of this writing, the Model S is an expensive vehicle that few can afford.

Safety

5 / 5
EV Decide Score
The Model S, along with all Teslas, are some of the safest vehicles ever tested by the NHTSA.

Reliability

3 / 5
EV Decide Score
Tesla seemingly had nailed quality and reliability in the older Model S, then the Model 3 came out and things have been trying at best. Even the most expensive version of this car has come out with countless issues documented online, sometimes to the net result of someone having major system failures only days after taking delivery.

Charging Network

5 / 5
EV Decide Score
The Tesla Supercharger Network is the best in the US, hands down. On road trips you'll enjoy quick stops with high power chargers throughout most of the US, however in cities they can become congested. 

Range

4 / 5
EV Decide Score
The Model S has decent range, but at this price point I would hope for more, especially considering Lucid is well over 400 miles.

Charging

4 / 5
EV Decide Score
The Model S caps out a 250kW due to it's 400 volt architecture, which is unfortunate because at this price point I would really expect more. It seems kinda nutty that a 40K car can charge just as fast as this one and other cars in this class get over 300kW.

Tech

3 / 5
EV Decide Score
The tech in the newer Model S reaffirms Tesla's extremely forward looking approach which might be too early, it certainly was for me. There are two screens, which are good, but again no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto so limited in the apps. The steering yoke rectangle also has touch capacitive buttons (no clicky clicky) for things you usually would have gear stalks for, so again extremely forward thinking, but not for everyone.