2025 Tesla Model S Consumer Reviews
Pricing
Chicago Model S Longrange
I purchased this Model S in August 2022. The Model S is white with cream interior looks very nice. The white which is free has sparkles in paint and looks great. The cream interior looks so good and the vegan leather feels and looks good and clean easily. The 19" standard tires run well and with the plastic covers off the rims look very good I get many complements. I added caps and a center cap to clean up the mags. The Model S is so fast I but I prefer the vehicle on standard which a bit slower but still fast and I set the drive to comfort for a nice smooth ride vs the sport ride. The electronics takes a bit of time to get comfortable with but eventually I'm fine with making custom changes to fit my driving needs. The yoke steering takes a while to get comfortable with and some won't like that. I'm good with it as I like the look and the handling is acceptable to me. Making turns can be an issue if you buy you might be better off with the round standard wheel. I like the navigation and voice system and the sound system all work well. I also think the a/c settings for the air direction works very well although there should be the ability to shutdown passenger air if desired. All the controls on the yoke are fine except the horn needs some improvement, way to small an area. I like the idea of all the controls on the yoke and no stalks or other buttons except for what you can do on the screen electronically. The space in this model S is tremendous, the trunk lower level is deep and stores huge amounts of stuff the trunk itself is large and if you drop the 2 back seats it's incredible what you fit in the back area. The fronk is nice but I don't use it much but it's there. This model S long-range is so fast and the regenerative breaks work well and once you get into them you can drive very long distances and never use the break pad. The technolgy in the Model S takes some time to get comfortable with but if you're a techy you will love it and if not you won't. The battery is close to capacity ratings as long as you're not in cold weather (freezing), speeds above 70, and stop and go traffic. Cold weather really drops the range by 10-20%. If you run heaters, heated seats and drive hard the model S battery is easily down 20% in range. This is not Tesla but EV's. But the model S does get up to 405 miles and that range is accurate before driving experience delivers actual. I've charged on Tesla charging at super high speeds and it is very fast charging maybe 1/2 hour to 200 + miles. They need to continue to work on build quality mine had 2 small issues and I've not had the model S back to Tesla but that one time for the fixes. Tesla maintenance did a great job I have no issue with their technical people and they were very friendly and helpful. I like the look I like the drive, I like the technology and I like the saving fuel costs as well as the environment. Great EV and vehicle the latest pricing seems more in line should be below $90,000.
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My new chauffeur
Still great and it drives for me. This car is amazing on every level that maters to me. Does it have panel gaps? Yes. Do I care? No. It’s not like the fenders are falling off. You have to closely look at one side and then go compare it to the other. Who does that with a daily driver? Not me. I recommend test driving one if you’re interested. If you have the ability to charge at home, Tesla’s are a lifestyle changer that you don’t look back from. We can drive 300 miles in our Plaid S for under $7. That’s not a Prius, it’s a large comfortable car that will spank anything that pulls up next to it at any speed. It’s beyond ludicrous. Something to keep in mind with these reviews. I didn’t need to prove I own one, and could be making stuff up. So the same holds true for any of these reviews and the whole review score. With most brands this wouldn’t matter, but Tesla seems to draw a lot of hate from people that have no actual experience with Tesla. I’ve never met an unhappy owner, though I’m sure they’re are some out there.
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- Base SedanMSRP: $77,29282 mi away
- Plaid SedanMSRP: $89,894382 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $77,491647 mi away
Getting Less Cool each generation
After 3 Teslas, a P-85 to P-85-D to P100-D; the quality of the vehicle has degraded. I would not buy a 4th Tesla S Performance/Plaid vehicle. Not worth the risk for a highly priced vehicle. And the service staff are unable to fix anything that is a quality of drive function. They claim they cannot fix the auto high beam lights because it's never dark when they are open despite video of what the freaking problem is--it does not work! Nor can they hear the irritating wind noise now prevalent on the P-100 front windows. Far more ambient noise than the first two I bought. "Oh, that's just normal" WTF for $150k if better be silent. Nor can they do "paid for work" that they did on the first 2 P-Model S I bought. Early adopter (within 1st 15,000 Model S sold). DONE!
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What I expected!
I bought the Model S after a long period of indecision. When the price dropped to the mid-$70s, I decided to buy it. My only complaint is that the dealership is located 100 miles from where I live. I love how this car handles. I have multiple profiles to choose from based on my needs and ability to customize the steering to suspension to the throttle response is great. Some of the panels make intermittent noise, but it’s not a deal breaker for me. I’ve done a few long trips, and the car was flawless. I liked the full driving capability (which came as a free trial), but I didn’t purchase it when the trial ended. I still miss the engine sound of my BMW, but the Model S more than compensates with its instant torque. Oh, and the last thing: I really like the regenerative braking; it provides better control at the corners, allowing me to slow down as much as I like. Update after one year and more than 10 miles: My opinion remains the same.
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Awesome everyday driver car, insanely fast!
Love this car! Have had the 3P and the YP and this takes the cake, not even a fair apples to apples comparison. People on here complain about the stupidest things. This car is my absolute favorite to drive hands down, owned many cars and this one is just a dream. I do with the horn was actually a horn, hitting that small button for the horn is quite distracting but thats about it.
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So far, so good after 2k miles
Fit & Finish - better than expected. Some minor panel gap issues, but nothing too noticeable. My roof glass was damaged prior to delivery and needed to be replaced. I've noticed some wind noise from it being improperly sealed and have scheduled service to fix the issue. Driving Dynamics - Handles well despite its size and weight. Great acceleration. Not sure the Plaid would be worth the premium once the novelty wears off. The LR is incredibly fast. Range - 405 miles on a full charge. Easy to charge at home overnight (off-peak rates) and the supercharger network is still miles ahead of non-Tesla. Safety - Breaks too aggressively in auto steer. Automatic high beams activate when there are other cars in sight. Auto wipers are terrible at matching wiper speed to amount of rain. Steering yoke, turn signals, wipers, etc. took some getting used to, but after a few weeks are perfectly fine. Storage - Plenty of storage space in the trunk. Center console has useful storage compartments. Cup holders are too small for most reusable water bottles, but fine for to-go drinks. Infotainment - I thought I'd really miss Apple CarPlay, but I really don't. The screen is intuitive, very responsive and easy to configure. Netflix, YouTube, etc. is great when using a supercharger. Sound system is also excellent. Overall Impression - The Model S has been great to drive and own. I'm happy with my purchase decision.
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Fraudulent Sales Process
Totally fraudulent sales process. Do your homework before even considering purchasing a new car from Tesla. New 2023 Tesla Model S, the GPS and Camera software didn’t work, car computer needed to be replaced, Premium Software package doesn’t work even when paid for, roof rack was installed with missing parts, door seal needed to be replaced, window needed to be replaced because it leaked rain from the outside. Horrible experience. This was all in the first 45 days of ownership. Now I am trying to cancel the deal through Lemon Laws.
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Best Car We've Ever Owned
We had a great experience with a Tesla Model 3 for a few years and decided to upgrade the Model S Long Range. Pro's: The air suspension makes a huge difference in ride quality combined with a quiet interior makes it feel like you're floating. The performance of the car is incredible, it handles well and is lightening quick! Pre-purchase the yoke was my biggest concern. After driving a few thousand miles with it I've grown to love it. Better field of view and easy to use with a nice flat bottom area to rest your hands. The yoke's solid grip works well when you let loose on windy country roads. Voice commands work really well, and I'm now used to not having a stalk. I really appreciate the turn-signal auto shutoff when you complete the lane change is slick. The tech for this car is the best in the industry. From battery to infotainment. Plenty of range for us to cart the kids around, shop and travel anywhere. We love the fact that the instrument panel screen free's up the main 17" screen. We get a giant map for directions! That's a nice improvement from the Model 3. Spotify works well as does Netflix and the games. The touch screen is simple to use and extremely responsive. Tesla pioneered the over the air software updates for cars. We look forward to updates every month or so. Model 3/S keep getting better. Zoom conferencing coming soon! The only iPhone app we miss are the Waze speed trap and obstacle warnings. Purchased FSD, waiting in the queue. Bought it as Autopilot was pretty good in the 3 (though far from perfect.) Cons: My Wife & I share the car, but the profiles don't always seem to sync properly. The auto-high beams are a bit too erratic on the freeway. Autopilot does have the occasional phantom break still which hopefully FSD will address. The trunk had a small gap on one side that shouldn't happen for a car in this price range. Outside of that the build is solid. The horn button was a dumb idea. They are supposed to push an update to address this. Final thoughts: Highly recommend if it's in the budget. We loved the Model 3 but the S is now the best car we've ever driven or owned!
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Tesla S is amazing
I drove all the other luxury sedans (Lucid, S7,S6, E450, BMW 540) before deciding on the S with FSD. Very happy with it. Most of the cons I read about don’t jive with my experience. Fit and finish is top notch. Interior design is personal taste - I felt like going back in time when I got into the other cars (they were very steam punk..especially the Benz). Controls are different for sure but after a couple weeks they just work (I rode motorcycles awhile back and you just learn where everything is and don’t have to look down). FSD is amazing , just need to know what it does and where you should shut it off. I feel safer on the highway and at night - it can see 360 degrees and better at night than me. Make long distance travel way more relaxed than just ACC and LKA. Teslas system is more capable than the Merc by far. It’s super quiet and rides very well in comfort mode handling is excellent. It rips if you want to (way quicker than my GT350). Charging at home is the bomb. Have not had to use a supercharger yet but have gone about 320 miles on a charge round trip getting home in the teens for charge state. Lucid had way more gear / motor noise, no FSD and was 30k more for about the same performance. Would have loved an S7 but it was 25k more as well as 2x the cost to insure and operate. I’m a gear head (have had vettes , mustangs and now a GT350) but the S is a way better vehicle than anything out there at that price point as of today, IMO One Year later : Still feel the same. The S has gotten a number of useful new features vis OTA updates. FSD with HW4 is now truly amazing and makes driving places way less stressful. No reliability issues in year 1. Love charging at Home, no wasting time at gas stations. Only negative to me applies to all EVs - cold weather range is 30% lower and you need to plan to have the battery at temp to charge. Parking outside in sub zero temps unplugged on trips takes planning (way more than an ICE vehicle) so you have enough range. All that said, I’d buy another Tesla S.
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The excitement hides many flaws
I bought new a ‘22 Tesla S Plaid, with all the options. The car looks nice on the outside, I think is beautiful. On the inside is quite basic for the price point but is smart in several ways; the air conditioning is well designed, the seats are fine and adjust well, and the infotainment is great, very likely the best of the industry. Acceleration is nothing short of amazing. And that’s it, it excites you if you like cars. Now the problems. Paint quality is very bad, it dents with very little… the wheels as well, look around teslas on the street and look at their wheels…brakes need a big improvement, the plaid doesn’t have the breaks it needs, I believe is dangerous, I have two sports cars of traditional brands and the gap in breaking is big. Also remember this is a very heavy car. After a month a noisy squeak noise started at breaking and reversing, the app for service even has an option for squeaky noises.. the interior of the car and the body started to make little noises while driving that you don’t see at cars at this price point in my experience. In summary this is a car with an acceleration of a $150k car, a great infotainment, a body work of a $20k car and not the right brakes. Autonomy is decent though. An strange product. It feels like it will age poorly.
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Great, but...
After one year: Repeated problems with cameras that Tesla shop has looked at (not repaired) 3 times. The cameras are not "a safety issue" they consider them shutting down "an inconvenience". As Tesla has no dealers it is a challenge to get a RLP (real live person) to talk to: you have to go through the app and leave messages. To which the responses don't always make sense to the question asked. The Tesla insurance is much less expensive and watches driving habits. It would be nice to know what the definitions of a "hard turn" and other dings are so you could avoid them. Also a known issue is Tesla's poor quality paint: so need to factor in having a full wrap done. Otherwise: it is a magnificent car, love driving it, enjoyable ride. I'd buy another.
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Flawless
Perfect car, no problems at all, no maintenance, high performance, everyone knows the battery range issue, about 75% in real world California driving. The fastest computer on the road!
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Good car, HORRIBLE SERVICE!
The design, the ergonomics, the performance is all great until you have to deal with tesla service. Everything is pushed to the app and getting in touch with the service center is next to impossible. And even when you do get in touch, it is highly unlikely that you concern would be addressed, even if your car or the specific component is still under warranty. Most of the promises Elon made early are now forgotten or broken. Never mind that you paid hefty premium for the car and basically helped the company get on its feet. Everything is now geared towards spending less and extracting more money from you. DISAPPOINTING!
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Shocking disappoint. Half baked technologies.
As a disappointed owner of the Tesla Model S Plaid, I must caution prospective buyers about the numerous shortcomings of this vehicle. Upon delivery, I was dismayed to find paint imperfections and noticeable gaps in the panels, indicative of subpar manufacturing standards. Throughout my ownership, I encountered a litany of electrical issues, from software glitches to malfunctioning components, which marred the driving experience and eroded my confidence in the car's reliability. Despite its hefty price tag, the interior of the Model S Plaid lacks the craftsmanship expected in a luxury vehicle. Cheap materials and shoddy assembly detract from the overall appeal, leaving me feeling shortchanged for my investment. Admittedly, the Model S Plaid delivers impressive acceleration, but harnessing its power on the road requires costly aftermarket upgrades to enhance control and handling—a disappointing necessity for a car of this caliber. Equally disappointing is Tesla's service center experience. Lacking in customer service and refinement, these centers make you feel like you're dealing with a budget brand rather than a premium automaker. The lack of attention to detail and professionalism further underscore the Model S Plaid's shortcomings. In conclusion, while the Tesla Model S Plaid may dazzle with its speed, it falls short in delivering the quality and luxury expected in its price range, making it a regrettable choice for discerning buyers.
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Just amazing
Extremely comfortable and luxurious. I have found seven series and has classes in the past and this car is just better as an overall package than those vehicles the ride comfort safety reliability is second to none and the performance is nuts.
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I feel like I got screwed by Tesla
I prepaid for the self-driving package years in advance, and finally, I got just a beta version, a few weeks later I was hit by a car, and the Tesla immediately caught fire. The car was totaled, so I decided to go down and buy a new Tesla. I was surprised to find out that now they want an additional $15,000 prepaid for self-driving software, even though I had bought it before and never got to use it. I complained over and over and got the BS that it was impossible to transfer to a new vehicle. Like an idiot, I bought a new Model S, Then I was in shock to find out just days later after delivery that Tesla is offering a transfer of self-driving software now if you buy Tesla this quarter.All the salesperson had to do is tell me to wait like five days. but they kept up the lie, no transferring But the greedy Elon/Tesla still won't transfer mine. No appreciation for returning clients. I will never buy a Tesla Again. FYI the 405-mile range is more like 250.Also, the cars catch fire very easily Advice, never ever pay the $15,000 for self-driving, if you get hit or the car burns, you're out the $15,000 for the software, even after only one day, and insurance companies do not cover the software So very disappointed in Tesla and Elon.
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Horrible - Tesla bought it back
They don’t let you test drive the actual unit you’re buying. That should have been a red flag but I decided to trust Tesla given its reputation. On delivery day I drive off and immediately notice vibration in the steering column and cruise control doesn’t work. Five service visits and about 90 days later, Tesla ends up buying it back. Lots of other issues but in general… my experience was disappointing to say the least. In the end, they did what was right and for that I still respect Tesla, but will never buy another car from them.
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Disappointed with Tire Wear & Roof Issues
The Model S has great performance, but the tires wear out too quickly—I have to change them almost every year. Also, my roof cracked unexpectedly, which was a big disappointment for such an expensive car. Maintenance is more than I bargained for.
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Best car I have ever owned
Got car in Dec 2021. Build quality was great. some squeeking from back seats fixed with gaffers tape. Driver car handle broke and was fixed with a few visits to Tesla. Had car xpel wrapped in front and ceramic coated. One nit pick.. rims scrape easily if you brush a curb since the rim and tire are at the same depth (Pirelli tires) $150 dollars to repair each time. . Full self driving is fantastic.. the car takes me anywhere with very little oversite. I have solar panels and a charger at home, free costs to charge the car thanks to the solar panel. I added an ecohitch and can take my bike (or e-bikes) with a Thule bike rack. Car looks fantastic. Full AI driving is coming which will make the already good driving system better human like driving.
This car is really hard to beat
One thing reviews seem to neglect a lot is efficiency. This is one of the most efficient EV cars on the road. So few cars can match its range AND efficiency. I have had Teslas since 2018. A model 3, a Model X and this Model S. I’ve visited the Service center once for cracked rear window on Model 3 and have not been back since. Tesla has taken a long time to get gremlins out of auto highbeam, auto wipers and FSD. They have been nailing it lately. Even adding an auto trunk opening when you stand in the back. You don’t even have to kick the car. And Rear cross path too (not as good as true radar based cross path but not bad) Doggy mode is one of my favorite features and won’t own another car without it. Yoke is great too. If I did order another Tesla I would choose the Yoke again. Took forever to get used to blinkers but I’m good now. And newer cars fixed the horn placement. I keep looking for alternatives because I don’t like being associated with the CEO any more. But honestly nothing can touch this car. The only car that beats it on range and efficiency is Lucid. But Lucid is dreadfully behind on the tech. Even the premium audio systems have quality issues. And Rivian efficiency is a joke.
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Best car on the road, worst service
I have the 23 model s. My 3rd Tesla . Incredible vehicle . Fastest smoothest, best handling car ever. Their problem is their service which is horrendous. A bunch of corporate suits thinking they can service and sell vehicles .aTheyvarw dreadful at their jobs but the vehicle is amazingly
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This car is anything but a "one-trick-pony"...
The speed is what gets all the headlines, but just as important, the Plaid is an amazingly comfortable, quiet, practical cruiser/daily driver, with an astoundingly good audio system and some of the best in-cabin technology on the market. It's difficult to imagine what anyone could need in a daily driver that this car cannot deliver (except of course V-8 "vroom-vroom" sounds, but I don't miss that at all). The fact that it's roughly half the price of comparable performance sedans, EV or otherwise, is the icing on the cake!
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A great machine,still at the head of the pack!
Upgraded my 5 year old Model 3 to a Model S earlier this month. Shopped around and drove the competition, i5 MX60, i4, Lucid and Audi E-tron. Decided to go with Tesla S after all the research because of the quality of the ride, the improved interior (no yoke!!) and the charging network for longer trips. After one month, my wife and I are very pleased. No problems with fit and finish. Car handles beautifully and is fast (!!!). Much quieter and much less bumpy ride than the Model 3. It feels much more stable and solid compared to the 3. While it does not have the refinement of the i5, its plenty good enough and at $74,000, a relative bargain, and a good $20,000 less than a loaded i5 MX60, with at least 100 miles of extra range on a full charge and a very comparable ride quality. We ordered the cream interior which is beautiful and a welcome addition to the all black or the black and white domino interior. The range is not quite as advertised as it is winter in New England but on my home charger, I get up to 80%/320 miles on an overnight charge. Haven't gone to a supercharger yet. The enhanced touch screen is beautiful and the sound system special. Would still love Apple Car Play but they have added Apple Music and Podcasts which is excellent and easy to access. I avoided the Enhanced AutoPilot which I did not use much on my Model 3 and which was not worth the $$. Tesla can still be a bit weird with the delivery process and ordering but all in all, I think the Model S still is the leader of the pack despite what many say......more to follow with more mileage.
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Would not do it again
I traded in my 2018 Model S and purchased a new 2023 Model S in September 2023. In many ways I wish I had not. Tesla removed the ultrasonic sensors and replaced them with additional cameras which have been a huge step backwards. The new system is called TeslaVision, which frankly stinks. Many of the features I paid for are not available such as: remote summons, park assist, and auto lane change. The blind spot monitoring system is terrible. Phantom braking can still an issue. Lastly, I am not a fan of stalkless controls on the steering wheel. Frequently (and particularly at night) I find myself searching for the “right” button either to flash my headlights or turn on the wipers. Thank goodness I’ve never had to honk the horn. The sales experience was the worst I’ve ever experienced. The only way to reach customer service was via txt messages. In addition, Tesla owned me money and it took nearly 4 weeks for them to EFT the funds back to my bank account, even though I had no trouble uploading my final payment within seconds. I loved my 2018 Model S. I do not like this car.
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yoke is a joke
positives: battery range, incredible acceleration negatives: ridiculous yoke steering wheel, pushbutton turn signals that require removing eyes from roadway, awkward placement of shift controls onto touchscreen, poor fit and finish for auto of its cost
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Love it
Fast, looks great. Great navigation and user friendly electronics. Not a fan of the blinkers on the steering wheel.
Best car ever. My second Model S
I like everything about my Model S. It is like driving the future, especially using FSD (supervised).
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