2024 Tesla Model S

It’s rare for a vehicle from a startup car company to put century-old automakers on notice. That’s what the Tesla Model S did when it came out in 2012. Having received incremental changes since its debut, the Model S in 2024 is still a leader in its class. Its available electric powertrains excel with long range, quick charging, and stellar performance, and its technological might is nothing short of futuristic. Some of our readers have reported headaches with long wait times at service centers, but most owners agree the pros of the Model S outweigh the cons. Compelling electric rivals like the Porsche Taycan, Lucid Air, and Mercedes-EQ EQS have popped up in recent years. Still, the Tesla Model S offers a unique blend of performance, technology, and luxury.

Tesla doesn’t really do model years, and there are no significant changes for the Model S in 2024. Its most recent major refresh was in 2021, when it got an exterior facelift, a new interior, and the introduction of the Plaid model. The Model S recently returned to a regular steering wheel as standard, and the controversial yoke is a $1,000 option.

The 2024 Tesla Model S starts at $74,990. That’s for the standard model with all-wheel drive included. The 3-motor, high-performance Plaid version starts at $89,990. Add $6,000 for the Enhanced Autopilot package of extra driver assistance features (not self-driving, despite the name) or $12,000 for the Full Self-Driving Capability package (which requires an alert driver, despite the name). As a new car starting at over $55,000 (the limit for SUVs is $80,000), the Model S doesn’t currently qualify for any federal tax credit. See what does.

These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and don’t include the $1,390 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

The competition is improving. The Audi e-tron GT starts at $106.5K but only has a 249-mile range. The Mercedes-EQ EQS sedan starts at $104.4K (rear-wheel drive) and has a range of 350 miles. The Porsche Taycan comes in at $90.9K, with a maximum range of 246 miles.

The biggest rival, though, could be the Lucid Air. The Grand Touring version has a truly impressive maximum range of 516 miles, plus 819 horsepower, and a starting price of $125.6K. The most affordable Lucid Air, the Pure, begins at $82.4K and has the potential to achieve 410 miles between charges.

If this all seems a bit crazy, the Tesla Model 3 is undoubtedly capable and starts at under $40K.

Before buying a new Model S luxury electric car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to find out what you should really be paying. Resale values are excellent.

The popular dual-motor version of the Tesla Model S gives this electric sedan a 3.1-second zero-to-60-mph time and a top speed of 130 mph. All-wheel drive (AWD) comes standard. Electric motors create instant torque, like flicking a switch. The Model S can leap off the line as if struck by lightning — which it is, in a way.

While the dual-motor model of the Model S is beyond fast and fun, the Plaid is extraordinary. The 3-motor setup in the Plaid model brings the top speed up to 200 mph and gives the Model S heart-stopping acceleration; it goes from a standstill to 60 mph in a claimed 1.99 seconds.

Back in the old days when they were shooting the first “Avatar” movie, a gasoline engine with more than 1,000 horsepower and a zero-to-60 time below 3 seconds would be the preserve of an exotic like the Bugatti Veyron, costing many times more than the Model S Plaid does now. Then, there were the gasoline bills.

That doesn’t make the Model S Plaid a bargain, but it certainly puts automotive power into the hands of more people. The rest of the car can keep up. The Model S is controlled and comfortable, with an adaptive suspension as standard. As we expect in any high-end luxury sedan, the dual-motor Model S delivers a driving experience that is comfortable for daily driving duties with lively performance when the driver demands it. The Porsche Taycan is more of a sports car; the Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan is more of a luxury car; and the Tesla Model S is in between.

Range and charging

Generally speaking, the Model S goes farther and charges faster than most of the competition. In that regard, the Model S and Lucid Air are the standouts. The dual-motor Tesla Model S gets 405 miles of range on a full charge, and the Plaid model gets a 359-mile range. Both of these range estimates are excellent. The Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan has a max range of 350 miles, and the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT are rated for less than 250 miles. Model S range is only bested by the Lucid Air, which has an astounding maximum range estimate of 516 miles.

At a Tesla Supercharger or other DC fast charging station with a 250-kW charger, the Model S can replenish 80% of its charge in as little as 30-40 minutes. Since all of its closest rivals also have DC fast charging capabilities, they have charge times similar to Tesla’s if you look at the time and percentage numbers. But remember, the Model S has an above-average range, which means it tends to get more miles worth of juice per hour of charging than its lower-range rivals. With over 50,000 charging stations globally, the well-established Tesla Supercharger network goes a long way in easing range anxiety.

The dashboard of the 2024 Model S is more of a glorified infotainment touchscreen mounting bracket than any source of design flair. But at least the driver has a dedicated instrument cluster. The 17-inch touchscreen is large, with crisp graphics and fast responses — it’s a video gamer’s delight when there’s time to kill while recharging. Tesla allows Netflix and Hulu streaming when parked.

In this price bracket, some will feel the cabin of the Model S should be more luxurious than it is, with a higher level of fit and finish. It’s competing with Mercedes-Benz and Audi, masters of luxury.

Occupant space is adequate, although 35.5 inches of rear legroom isn’t much more than the more petite, affordable Tesla Model 3. But the Model S is quite broad, so there’s ample space for hips and shoulders.

Some 4-doors have a fastback profile but secretly have a regular, sedan-like trunk. The Model S is a proper liftback; that whole rear panel opens like a wagon or hatchback. This stylish and practical design provides plenty of luggage space: 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to an accommodating 61.4 when the seats fold flat. We love the vast cargo opening, making loading and unloading large items like a bike, stroller, or TV easy. Beneath the hood is a frunk with 3.1 cubic feet of storage space, about the size of a 120-can-capacity mini-fridge.

The Tesla Model S set the tone for the brand’s design language in 2012; somehow, it still has a futuristic look. Its sharp lighting signature, aerodynamic body, and stylish wheel designs make it look unlike any other luxury car. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the notorious build quality issues plaguing Tesla models over the years. Owners have reported uneven panel gaps, paint flaws, and loose weather strips while the cars are still relatively new. At the very least, buyers should thoroughly inspect any Tesla before signing for delivery.

Up to 405 miles of range 
For most of its existence, the Model S has been the benchmark for driving range. Many rivals still fall short; the Model S is among the few EVs in the 400-mile club.

Semi-autonomous driving tech
The standard Autopilot system bundles increasingly common features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Enhanced Autopilot adds Navigate on Autopilot, automatic lane-changing, automated parking, and Smart Summon. Finally, Full Self-Driving Capability adds Autosteer on city streets and automatic stop-and-go at traffic lights and stop signs.

Giant screen
A 17-inch touchscreen is the centerpiece of the Model S interior. It controls almost every function of the car, and it can even do streaming and gaming while waiting at a charging station.

Tesla Supercharger Network 
Tesla has a global network of fast-charging stations, so road trips are a distinct possibility. The company’s vehicles are also compatible with other chargers with the help of an adapter.

Over-the-air (OTA) updates 
Improvements in range, power, and map updates are all possible even once the Model S has been purchased.

Sentry Mode 
An active camera system can send alerts to an owner’s smartphone if their parked Model S senses someone loitering too close by, for instance.

Both versions of the Tesla Model S use a 100-kWh battery. The motors use the energy in that battery very efficiently, achieving a 120 combined MPGe rating for the dual-motor model. The Plaid is still efficient at 116 MPGe. Tesla’s Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi rivals get less than 100 MPGe. What that means, in practice, is that the Tesla can go farther on a full charge and is a bit easier on your electric bill. The Lucid Air is the one competitor that beats the efficiency of the Model S, which gets up to 137 MPGe.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Tesla’s basic new-car warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is a typical arrangement among luxury cars. The battery in the Model S is covered for eight years or 150,000 miles.

Based on what we read and hear from owners, experiences with the reliability and maintenance costs of Tesla models have been mixed. Owners have reported long wait times at service centers and poor parts availability. If you live in an area with many Tesla EVs on the road but not many service stations, you could encounter some frustrations when your Model S needs service.

Safety

The Telsa Model S hasn’t been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) since 2016, but it received a 5-Star overall safety rating back then. The most recent testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) earned the Model S the top “Good” rating in every Crashworthiness category, except the “small overlap front” criteria, where it got an “Acceptable” rating.