2011 Tesla Roadster Review
Price Estimate: Not Available
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Impressive acceleration
- quiet operation
- superb handling
- no gasoline required
- an instant collector's item.
Cons
- Sparsely equipped given sky-high price
- cramped interior with difficult entry/exit
- requires 3.5-hour fill-ups
- short range compared to conventional cars
- non-power steering
- limited safety equipment.
What’s new
The 2011 Tesla Roadster -- dubbed "2.5" -- gets more power and a more aggressive look with a new front fascia and a rear diffuser. Other changes include glossy forged wheels in either silver or black, new seats with a new lumbar support system, additional sound-deadening insulation, a new touchscreen and a back-up camera.
Edmunds says
It's expensive, cramped and takes forever to "refuel," but there's no denying the 2011 Tesla Roadster's performance credentials or its ability to stand out in a gasoline-powered crowd.
For sale near Mahwah, NJ
Vehicle overview
In the beginning, there was the Tesla Roadster. Well, not really the beginning; there were other electric cars before it. But should battery-only powered cars indeed become as common as some believe, this pricey sports car might be remembered as the one that was well ahead of its time.
The Tesla Roadster has been on the road since 2008, yet only now is there another all-electric car for sale -- the 2011 Nissan Leaf. While the Leaf is a long-awaited answer for green-oriented daily driving, the little 2011 Tesla Roadster still holds the crown for range, besting the Leaf by more than 100 miles. It's also a certifiable sports car, with staggeringly quick and quiet acceleration paired with razor-sharp handling. The latter is because the Tesla is based on the 2011 Lotus Elise, a paradigm for lightweight, stripped-down motoring.
There are problems with that DNA, however. Like the Elise, the Tesla Roadster has the most cramped cabin of any car sold in this country. It's difficult to get in and out of (especially with the removable roof in place) and, once in, you'll find yourself rubbing shoulders with the person next to you. At least Tesla has added carpeting, sound insulation and other higher-quality materials to make the interior nicer (and quieter). Still, there's no escaping the stark cabin ambience even with the pricey "Executive" leather package. Frankly, we expect a whole lot more refinement and luxury features for $100,000.
The ride is also quite firm (less so with the optional adjustable suspension), and the non-power steering that is such a delight through corners is bound to be a pain in parking lots. So from a practicality standpoint, the 2011 Tesla Roadster runs out of juice even among exotic sports cars, especially when you consider its comparatively limited range and the 3.5-hour recharge time. Even its gasoline-free powertrain won't necessarily be that cheap to feed, depending on how much you pay for electricity.
And yet, like most sports cars, the Tesla's practicality quotient probably won't be a huge concern for those with sufficient means to pick one up as yet another weekend toy. You won't be the early electric adopter as you once could've been, but if you're looking for a wickedly fast and fun sports car that will never have to visit a gasoline station, then the 2011 Tesla Roadster is more than just a trendsetter.
Performance & mpg
The 2011 Tesla Roadster is equipped with a 375-volt AC-induction air-cooled electric motor that produces 288 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The Sport gets a bump to 295 lb-ft of torque. Both come with a single-speed transmission. The base Roadster goes from zero to 60 mph in a Tesla-estimated 3.9 seconds. The Sport is 0.2 second quicker.
Tesla says the Roadster's lithium-ion battery has a maximum range of 245 miles. Using the optional high-power 240-volt charger, it should take 3.5 hours to recharge from empty.
Safety
The Tesla Roadster comes with antilock brakes and traction control. Side airbags are unavailable. A rearview camera is optional.
Driving
As much as the Tesla's interior suffers for its Lotus Elise roots, it greatly benefits when it comes to handling. The suspension might've been softened in Tesla guise, but this is still one of the best-handling cars on the market. The available 10-mode adjustable suspension has the potential to make it even better. You'd think that an electric car would have electric power steering, but the Tesla Roadster in fact has zero power steering, and this makes for superb response and feel but a lousy time in parking lots.
The real story, though, is the eerily muted thrust from the electric motor. Tire noise is more audible than the subdued whine from the electronics tucked behind your right shoulder, yet the Roadster's acceleration is breathtaking, especially from a standing start with all that torque on tap.
Interior
Like the Lotus Elise on which it is based, the tiny 2011 Tesla Roadster features a rather spartan interior. There are heated seats and standard leather upholstery, but otherwise don't expect the sort of luxury normally associated with a car costing $100,000 -- even with the pricey extended leather "Executive" package. Sports cars rarely provide an abundance of space, but even among this cramped segment, the Tesla Roadster's cabin is confining and difficult to enter and exit. Taller drivers in particular will want to go through circus contortionist training before climbing in -- especially with the roof in place.
For 2011, Tesla thankfully has reshaped the seats and included additional sound insulation, which improves cabin comfort. A new large touchscreen interface that's available with the pricey Infotainment group improves functionality, while bringing with it a navigation system and a rearview camera.
2011 Tesla Roadster models
The 2011 Tesla Roadster is a two-seat convertible available in two trim levels. The Roadster 2.5 comes standard with cast aluminum wheels (16-inch front, 17-inch rear), a removable soft top, cruise control, air-conditioning, leather upholstery, heated seats, power windows and locks, a spare mobile electric connector, a touchscreen electronics interface, Bluetooth and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an iPod/USB audio interface. The 2.5 Sport adds more power, forged alloy wheels and an adjustable suspension. Other than the power boost, these items are optional on the base model.
Options include special charging connectors, a body-color or carbon-fiber hardtop, winter tires, carbon-fiber exterior styling flourishes, upgraded leather upholstery and extended interior leather trim. The Infotainment group adds a larger touchscreen interface, a navigation system, a rearview camera and a seven-speaker sound system with a subwoofer, satellite radio and HD radio.

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Compare 2011 Tesla Roadster trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2011 Tesla Roadster EV Insights
Trim:
Roadster 2.5
Estimated Range Based on Age
Not available
Charging
No charging time information available
Hybrid Parts Warranty
3 yrs or 36,000 miles
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
Exceeded original 3 year warranty.
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
$4,350
Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.
- Restrictions:
Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer. Not every version of the vehicle models will necessarily qualify. Please check with the dealer/seller to determine the eligibility of your specific vehicle.
For the vehicle to qualify:
- Price cannot exceed $25,000.
- Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased.
- Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted.
- Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.
For individuals to qualify:
- Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status.
- Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle.
- Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle.
- Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.
To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit
- Restrictions: Funding approval by The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), residents can take advantage of the Charge Up New Jersey In-Home EV Charger Incentive of $250 towards the purchase and installation of an eligible networked Level 2 charger.
- Charging station must be new and installed at the applicant's New Jersey residence.
- Charger model must be Energy Star Certified and on the pre-approved eligibility list.
- Must be a resident of the State of New Jersey.
- Valid NJ EV registration showing a residential address in New Jersey.
- Only one charger incentive is available per vehicle registration (tracked by VIN).
- Restrictions: Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Edmunds visitors receive a $100 discount when they contract with Treehouse for their home charger installation. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
To learn more, visit https://treehouse.pro/edmundsdiscount/
Cost to Drive
Not EPA Tested
Roadster
vs
$164/mo
Car Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in New Jersey
Am I Ready for an EV?
- EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
- Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
- Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn more about the installation services partnership
Need to install a charger at home?
Tesla Roadster Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Amazing Car
4.75 out of 5 starsDan, 04/13/2010
2010 Tesla Roadster 2dr Convertible (electric DD)
The Tesla Roadster is great fun to drive. It has amazing acceleration and efficiency. Sitting at a stop light, the car uses 1 amp of electricity while everyone else is idling. To stop, the regenerative braking kicks in to recharge the batteries. This car causes a complete paradigm shift in the automotive industry.
The Shelby Cobra of the EV World!
5 out of 5 starsBrentt, 05/09/2020
2011 Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5 2dr Convertible (electric DD)
Carrol Shelby’s dream was to put a large American V8 into the lightweight AC Bristol and go racing. Elon Musks idea was to put a powerful AC motor into a lightweight Lotus chassis and change the world. Both achieved their goals and are destined to go down in history and up in price. I wrote this review a couple of years ago when nice Roadsters we’re selling for $50k. Today, they are … nearly double that and continue to rise. As Tesla comes closer to its mission of accelerating the world to sustainable energy the original Roadsters will become even more collectible.
Rewarding the early adopters
4.63 out of 5 starsSteve, 05/09/2010
2008 Tesla Roadster 2dr Convertible (electric DD)
I ordered this car two years before delivery. There were plenty of snafus, but the final result is stunning. Incredible acceleration. Not much impulse to go excessively fast if you can make a 911-owning passenger white-knuckled going from 0 to 45. It's so effortless. Learned to drive without much braking - regenerative throttle behavior makes rotor wear obsolete. Driving: very low … stance, and doesn't like rough roads. Ownership: the company works hard to make its owners happy, but living far from a company-owned store is tough. Early bugs and glitches were immediately fixed, even if Tesla had to fly a technician out to the car.
The Shelby of EV’s
5 out of 5 starsBrentt, 01/22/2021
2010 Tesla Roadster Sport 2dr Convertible (electric DD)
Carol Shelby stuffed a ford small block into the british made A/C to produce the Cobra, and Elon Musk crammed 6831 laptop batteries into a customized Lotus chassis to make the first Tesla. Both proved to the world that American ingenuity and performance were alive and well. The Roadster has it’s share or quirks, like the key is inserted in the bottom of the door to unlock it, and the … mechanism that operates the rear hatch must have been designed by Rube Goldberg himself, but the Tesla roadster is a blast to drive and will ultimately go down in history as the car that converted the automotive world from internal combustion engines to batteries.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2011 Tesla Roadster, so we've included reviews for other years of the Roadster since its last redesign.
2011 Roadster Highlights
Convertible
2.5
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $109,000 |
---|---|
EV Tax Credits & Rebates | $4,350 |
Engine Type | Electric |
Seating | 2 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Roadster include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Post-collision safety system
Related Used 2011 Tesla Roadster info
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