Used 2022 Tesla Model S

The Model S was a groundbreaking luxury EV when Tesla first brought it out. It has had some new competitors pop up recently from big names like Porsche and Audi, but the Model S is still one of the most high-tech and cutting-edge cars in its growing class. It has a top speed of 200 mph and an EPA-estimated range of up to 405 miles on a full charge. It’s not hard to see why the Tesla Model S is one of America’s most desired dream cars.

The Model S has gotten some significant updates recently. The interior is fully redesigned with an aircraft-style steering yoke and three screens, including a massive 17-inch center screen. There’s also standard all-wheel drive and an available high-performance Plaid model with a tri-motor configuration and stunning performance with a claimed 0-60 mph time of 1.99 seconds.

Despite new competitors popping up in recent years, the Tesla Model S remains a top choice in premium electric sedans.

No matter how you configure your Tesla Model S, it’s going to be an absolute thrill to drive. The base Long Range dual-motor model achieves a quick 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds, and its top speed is 155 mph. Plentiful electric torque is delivered to all four wheels via all-wheel drive.

That performance is mated nicely to a well-tuned chassis. The standard air suspension system adjusts hundreds of times per second to give you the perfect ride. That means it’s smooth and comfy on the highway but nimble and responsive in more spirited driving.

The Tesla Model S Plaid is one of the quickest accelerating and fastest production cars in the world. Tesla claims a 0-60 mph time of 1.99 seconds with rollout subtracted. That means you start the stopwatch after the first 12 inches of movement.

Even with that caveat, that’s an astounding 0-60 time. For reference, that makes it quicker than the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Bugatti Chiron, and Lamborghini Huracan. It’s rated at a top speed of 200 mph. To manage 1,020 horsepower, the Plaid model has torque vectoring all-wheel drive.

The standard Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system makes driving the Model S on the highway nearly effortless. It combines safety tech features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, so the car practically drives itself on the highway. However, you still need to stay alert with your eyes on the road and your hands on the yoke steering wheel.

The interior of the Tesla Model S isn’t quite like any other luxury car. This sleek and high-tech interior has three screens; a fully digital gauge cluster, a massive 17-inch infotainment screen that controls just about everything, and an 8-inch entertainment screen in the back.

The Model S has a gaming computer built-in with processing power similar to a PlayStation 5. This allows for gaming with wireless controllers and, when equipped with Premium Connectivity, streaming from Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, and other streaming services.

The seats are supportive and comfortable, with plenty of room in both rows. The Model S doesn’t forget that it’s a flagship luxury sedan, and it’s comfortable for long road trips and daily commutes alike.

The appearance of this interior can vary a bit depending on how you option it. The standard interior is all black, but a 2-tone black and white interior and a cream color are optional. In the Plaid model, you have a choice between wood or carbon fiber interior trim at no extra cost.

The unconventional steering yoke in the Model S takes some getting used to. This aircraft-inspired steering wheel (if you can call it a “wheel”) doesn’t have a top, which gives you a clear view of the digital gauge cluster.

The exterior of the Tesla Model S is instantly recognizable. It’s gotten a few tweaks here and there over the years to keep it modern, but it still carries the distinct look of a Tesla. It has sleek body lines, tasteful black exterior trim, and stylish wheel designs, creating a classy and somewhat futuristic look. This is one of the cars that made the liftback sedan profile so popular with luxury cars today.

Beyond a modest palette of available paint colors and the two wheel options (19-inch Tempest wheels and 21-inch Arachnid wheels), there isn’t much you can do to change the look of the Model S from the factory. The Plaid model adds a carbon fiber rear spoiler giving a subtle hint at the mind-blowing performance it’s capable of.

PLAID
The Plaid model delivers supercar-like performance in a spacious electric luxury sedan. It claims a 1.99-second 0-60 mph time and has an EPA-estimated 396-mile range.

ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION
The standard adaptive suspension system automatically adjusts hundreds of times per second to provide the best ride quality. It also tweaks ride height to optimize aerodynamics for better maximum range.

The Tesla Model S comes with a generous list of standard features, which helps to justify its lofty price tag. The standard electric powertrain is a dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive and a 405-mile range.

Standard features include a 17-inch infotainment system, a digital gauge cluster, an 8-inch rear entertainment screen with gaming capabilities, 22-speaker premium audio, adaptive suspension, tri-zone automatic climate control, a glass roof, two wireless charging pads, heated seats for everyone, cooled front seats, a heated steering yoke, a power rear liftgate, and ambient interior lighting.

The standard Autopilot system bundles driver assistance tech features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more.

You get one complimentary year of Premium Connectivity with the Model S. This adds more infotainment tech features like music and video streaming, live traffic, an internet browser, and more.

Upgrading to the Plaid trim gives you a tri-motor setup with torque vectoring all-wheel drive. The result is supercar-like performance achieving a top speed of 200 mph and a 0-60 mph time of under two seconds. You also get a carbon fiber rear spoiler.

Both trims of the Model S are available with two interior color schemes over the standard all-black interior. There’s a black and white interior and a cream interior, which come with Walnut interior trim. In the Plaid model, you have a choice between wood and carbon fiber trim.

The standard 19-inch Tempest wheels are upgradable on both trims to 21-inch Arachnid wheels, but they come with a range penalty of 30 miles for Long Range and 48 miles for Plaid.

The $12,000 Full Self-Driving Capability package available for both trims builds upon the standard Autopilot system. It adds Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, Summon, and more. Tesla says Autosteer on city streets is coming to this package in late 2021, which you’ll be able to get with an over-the-air update.

The electric powertrain is a big part of what makes the Tesla Model S such a desirable car. The standard dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup with the Long Range model provides 670 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds, and a range of up to 405 miles on a full charge.

The Plaid model is one of the quickest-accelerating production cars you can buy. Its tri-motor setup with torque vectoring AWD creates 1,020 horsepower translating to a 0-60 mph time of 1.99 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph. The range is still very impressive at 396 miles on a full charge.

Long Range
Dual AC electric motors
670 combined horsepower
N/A lb-ft of combined torque
EPA city/highway economy: 124 MPGe/115 MPGe
Range on a full charge: 405 miles (19-inch wheels), 375 miles (21-inch wheels)

Plaid
Triple AC electric motors
1,020 combined horsepower
N/A lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway economy: 102 MPGe/99 MPGe
Range on a full charge: 396 miles (19-inch wheels), 348 miles (21-inch wheels)