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Used 2018 Tesla Model S Consumer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
54 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Model S, so we've included reviews for other years of the Model S since its last redesign.

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5 out of 5 stars

Truly Special

Stephen, 04/08/2018
2018 Tesla Model S 75D 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
46 of 52 people found this review helpful

The 75D Model S is more than a car — it’s a movement and Tesla found a way for us all to become part of the automotive transformation with zero sacrifices. There is something for everyone in this car. It’s fast, clean, classy, high tech, and it drives itself. I have not owned my car long enough to speak to reliability but so far so good. Customer service (Springfield NJ) has been excellent. The Model S is pricey (even with incentives applied) but never buyer’s remorse. In fact, every time I drive this car I am amazed by how much technology is at my fingertips. Autopilot is by far my favorite feature. The ability of the car to park itself into the garage is a major convenience. My garage is tight. Seeing the car perfectly position itself between walls and columns is impressive to say the least. As much as I love the 75D, there is room for improvement. Tesla needs to refine the operation of the Fronk door. No need to simulate a classic car hood. It’s a storage area not an engine compartment. As it stands, the Fronk is not set up for high volume use. The lack of Apple Car Play is a disappointment. And although the bright white seats are a highlight (stunning in fact), the seats in form, control, and sophistication lag most high-end luxury cars. In short, the value of this car is far greater than the cost. Elon Musk created something very special with the Model S and the 2018 Model demonstrates Tesla’s commitment to excellence.

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3 out of 5 stars

Thinking about a Model S? JUST WAIT

RJ, 04/24/2018
updated 10/31/2018
2017 Tesla Model S 90D 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
33 of 37 people found this review helpful

The Model S is in many ways a great car...just don't expect all the functions to work all of the time. I've owned a Model S for 13 months. My salesperson told me that most Tesla buyers had never paid more than $40,000 on a vehicle. I was in that same boat. So, I expected a lot. Also, prior to the Model S, I owned Toyotas and Hondas, so I was used to reliability. But, two days after I took delivery, there was a computer glitch that prevented my car from moving and stranded me at work. Since then, I've had to call for service probably a dozen times. Most recently, my touchscreen will just blank out while I'm driving. Tesla reviewed my car logs several times, but was unable to fix this problem. The navigation system has frozen a few times, my streaming radio does not always work and my bluetooth audio just stopped working yesterday. Every few weeks, you'll get an update that purports to fix the recent problems, but in my experience, seems to cause a number of new problems. I have memorized how to reboot the touchscreen. Tesla replaced the touchscreen and it seems to work fine now. On the bright side, the car is stylish, the acceleration is very quick and the customer service reps are polite (even if they can't fix the problems). Tesla is like a new computer-company - they still have to work out the glitches. Also, my car has lost about 15 miles or range in 13 months and about 17,000 miles.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Just an Amazing Car!

Pete V., 02/14/2018
updated 02/16/2022
2017 Tesla Model S 75D 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

I custom ordered my car on Sept 1, from the factory and it was delivered on Sep 30, 2017. I have researched and saved up for the last 3 years to purchase this car. After owning it for the last 4 months, I enjoy every time I drive it, it's truly an AMAZING car! The power (0 to 60mph = 4.2 seconds for 75D), interactive functions, safety and the ride quality is unmatched for this starting price point (80k, with other options 90k) and ZERO emissions and Free Supercharging for life! That free supercharging alone can save you about $15k (100k miles @ $3.30/g super in CA), also no oil/filter changes. I also own a Jaguar, love to drive it UNTIL I purchased the Tesla, now I can't / don't want to drive it as it seems so outdated in all aspects. I would recommend anyone to test drive this car and see for yourself! Update as of Feb 14, 2020, over two years now and this car is still AMAZING!!! I had several over the air updates that has added many new functions and increased the value of my car. The car's performance and function are better now then is was two years ago. I also have a Jaguar, that I love driving and now every time I drive it, I feel like yikes, I have to "start" it, wait for it to warn up, driving it seems slow compared to the Tesla (0-60mph 4s) and wait for the car to go and the Autopilot is AWESOME on the Tesla, LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Test drive one and you will see the difference. Another update Feb 16, 2022. It's been 4 years & 3 months now and this computer on wheels of a car is better then ever with more over the air software updates with many added functions. I have sent about $45. dollars on maintenance ($40. cabin air filter and $5 for washer fluid) over the last 4 plus years and $0.00 dollars of fuel (electricity) as I get free supercharging for life!!!! The car still drives like new and never get old when you hit the petal and pass everyone, the smile on my face is priceless. I'm keeping this car "Until the wheels come off", LO. Still an amazing car!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

MOST AMAZING CAR I'VE EVER DRIVEN OR OWNED

Matt, 08/29/2019
updated 03/10/2021
2017 Tesla Model S 100D 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

The Tesla Model S is an ingenious work of art. I have heard Model 3 owners and Model X owners also rave about their vehicles, but have yet to drive either. Having driven or owned an Audi A7, Porsche Panamera, an M5 BMW, and Mercedes S500, I can tell you that none of these ICE vehicles hold a candle to the Model S in performance (acceleration and cornering on winding roads) and especially, reliability (although the Audi was pretty reliable). I have put 51,000 miles on my Model S (in 2 years) and would absolutely never consider going back to an ICE vehicle. I get well over the gas equivalent of 100 mpg and supercharging (for the Model S and X) on road trips, is FREE. I plug my vehicle in at night, and it's charged and ready to go the next morning. You do need to install a NEMA 14-50 (220 v) plug in your garage/driveway, but that can be done easily by an electrician. Mine charges at about 23 mph (so that gives me over 200 miles of charge in 10 hours). My cost is about $1 for 200+ miles of charge, but I have solar panels. Before the panels, and in the winter when it's overcast, I'd estimate that it costed/costs about $4 per 200 miles of charge. I would say that Tesla has changed the way people think about electric cars 40 years ahead of its time. Tesla has also given away it's technology (by removing patents) for the greater good of our planet. I think that anyone who has the means to spend $50k on a car and does so without test driving a Tesla (or at least an electric car), is making a huge mistake. It's easy for "us" (baby boomers, Gen Xers) to go out and buy ICE vehicles without any regard for our planet, as the global warming problem may not affect us directly with that large of an impact. BUT, it will affect our kids and certainly their kids, but that's their problem, right? YOU should MAKE it YOUR problem too. Just TRY IT, YOU'll LIKE IT. I would also like to add some comments about road trips in the Model S 100D. I've taken several 5-8 hour trips (mainly from Asheville,NC to DC and the panhandle of of Florida) without a charging issue. By the 4th hour of driving (I'm a 54yo male), especially if drinking coffee, I'm ready for a break. We plan our road trips to start by 8 (after breakfast), usually get on the road by 9 and stop for lunch between 1230 and 2 pm, depending on the location of the supercharger. Yes, we have to STOP for 30 minutes to charge, but in doing so, we allow ourselves time to sit and eat at a restaurant and relax a bit. My one recommendation to Tesla for their next 1000 superchargers is to put them near (within 1/4 mile walk) of a GOOD restaurant. There are usually a handful, or at least one decent place to eat near them, which is OK for a road trip, but it would be nice to have something a bit nicer. Having weighed in on all of these factors: IF you are spending $50k on ICE vehicles, I feel you owe it to yourself, your kids, and your kids kids to at least test drive an electric vehicle and my vote is to make one of those test drives, a Tesla.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Buyer's remorse?

BLC, 12/02/2018
2018 Tesla Model S 75D 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful

No...I love the car. I went from a BMW 3 series xDrive to this, and the driving experience in the Tesla has been phenomenal. The OTA updates since March 2018, when I got the car, have only made the experience better. The features in today's Teslas will become common, and then outdated, in the near future, but that's just how things generally go. Charging will get faster. Methods of charging will change. Fuel types will change. But you got to jump in some time. The current autopilot eases long commutes. Frustrating stop and go traffic isn't as frustrating because work tasks like checking emails, organizing schedules, and taking notes are possible. The car handles well in all weather conditions (wet, dry, deep snow).

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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