2026 Tesla Model S

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We tested a Model S Plaid, which is the highest-performing version. The thrust and speed delivered by this tri-motor-powered sedan are nothing short of mind-bending. In Edmunds' testing, it rocketed from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds and passed the quarter-mile mark in 9.4 seconds at 150.0 mph. This is still among the quickest vehicles Edmunds has ever tested and similar to what we've gotten from the Lucid Air Sapphire (2.2 seconds and 9.2 seconds, respectively) and Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (2.1 seconds and 9.3 seconds, respectively). The Model S, like these other triumphs of engineering, is also as easy to drive as a golf cart, albeit a 1,020-horsepower one.

This much power requires excellent brakes and tires. Pleasingly, the Model S Plaid we tested came with the Track package upgrade that comes with sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3R tires and high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes. This combo delivers the much-needed stopping power and endurance for drivers looking to liberally use all of that horsepower. The stock brakes and tires are otherwise suitable for the regular Model S.

We are thrilled you can option the Model S Plaid with a regular steering wheel in lieu of the ergonomically disastrous steering yoke. The more traditional wheel provides huge gains in control. The Track mode for the Plaid is also great. The settings allow you to adjust handling balance and the tri-motor torque vectoring to make the Plaid feel so much more alive and engaging when you're driving around corners.

The 2025 Model S Plaid with 21-inch wheels has an EPA-estimated range of 322 miles and consumption of 36 kWh of electricity used per 100 miles. There is no estimate for how the Track pack wheels and tires affect range, but we suspect they would not improve things. We also range tested a 2021 Model S Plaid 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 the real-world Edmunds EV Range Test, 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 a laudable amount of range and efficiency given the performance the Plaid delivers.

We also subjected the Plaid to the Edmunds EV Charging Test and found the Plaid's fast-charging speeds to be pretty impressive too. We measured an average charging speed of 523 miles of range per hour of charging, slightly edging out the Lucid Air Grand Touring's speed of 518 mph.

This is one of the few areas where Tesla has taken a step back with the latest Model S. While the controversial steering yoke still exists and is the largest pain point here, you can get a traditional steering wheel, which we highly recommend. The decision to remove the traditional column stalks and replace them with touch-sensitive buttons has made simple everyday actions much more distracting. Even changing lanes requires you to take your eyes off the road momentarily to press the correct arrow button. The big 17-inch touchscreen looks great, but learning where all of the various controls are takes time.

Interior space is decent as far as midsize sedans go, as is the ease of getting in and out. Notably, there is far more space here than in the Porsche Taycan, though slightly less than what the Lucid Air offers. The all-glass roof provides lots of headroom. But backseat toe room is a bit tight under the front seats. The floor height is also awkwardly high when you're sitting in back. The Model S is fairly easy to see out of, though the front roof pillars do slightly obstruct your view when making left turns. The Model S' fastback hatch makes for a slightly shorter window view out of the back, but not so short to cause any real obstruction.

The Model S Plaid's world-beating speed doesn't come at the expense of everyday comfort. This is a car you wouldn't hesitate to take on a road trip, run errands or commute in. Ride comfort is commendable with the standard adaptive air suspension, even with the larger optional 21-inch wheels and their less cushy tire sidewalls. The climate control is tri-zone and works relatively well. The seat ventilation and heaters work well too.

But the seats themselves are nothing special. The cushions are decently soft but lack lateral support considering the Plaid's performance potential, and the adjustments are pretty basic. The rear seatbacks feel a bit upright and the floor sits high so your knees sit closer to your chest than they would in most other luxury sedans. The absence of a gasoline powertrain means a lot less noise entering the cabin, but there is some that comes from the electric motors and some to a lesser degree from the road and the wind.

Having Google Maps built-in continues to be one of the better navigation experiences, but it's not without issues. In areas of spotty service, you'll either have a slow-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 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 has become pervasive in the industry, Tesla still doesn't offer either system. Many streaming services are built into the touchscreen, but we would still prefer to have the option of being able to fully project one's phone onto the touchscreen. At least there are ample options for keeping your devices charged up with wireless charging pads and USB charge ports.

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 has a tendency to release new features in beta phase too, making you the guinea pig. This underdeveloped approach feels half-baked.

The Model S Plaid, which is what we tested, is considerably less expensive than other high-performance luxury EVs. If you're looking for a vehicle with incredible speed and nearly unassailable bragging rights, there is nothing better for the money. Build quality still doesn't quite match other luxury makes in this price range, but the car's performance makes up for a lot.

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.