Tesla Model S Review (2014-present)

What is the Tesla Model S?

The all-electric Model S may have been Tesla’s first mainstream effort but, right out of the gate, it put a whole lot of high-end manufacturers on the back foot. It effectively came out of nowhere and astounded reviewers and buyers alike; it was comfortable, packed with advanced features and gratifying to drive.

More to the point, the Tesla Model S offered a convincingly long range. The initial entry-level model, which had a 60kWh battery, could travel a claimed 240 miles on a single charge. At the time, electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf offered a comparatively paltry range of around 80 miles.

How practical is it?

The Tesla Model S is a very practical car by most measures. Its minimalist interior is spacious and comfortable for four adults, and even carrying five isn't a problem either. What's more, Tesla offers the option of a couple of additional seats that fold out of the boot floor to turn the Model S into a seven-seater, although these really are cramped enough to be for occasional use only.

On the luggage side, there's not only an enormous 709-litre boot at the rear of the car, but also an 89-litre 'frunk' ('front trunk') under bonnet where you can store additional items. Fold the rear seats flat, and there's a whopping 1,739 litres of luggage capacity.

Charging cables can live in a number of places, including a deep well under the floor of the main boot.

What's it like to drive?

The Model S was also quick. Even in early basic rear-wheel-drive form, it could sprint from 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds. The range-topping 85kWh model could travel up to 310 miles on a single charge, too, and dispatched the benchmark sprint in just 4.2 seconds in Performance Plus specification.

What the Model S did was effectively demonstrate what an electric car was really capable of. Just because a car was electric suddenly didn’t mean it had to be slow, nor did it entail a limited range. The Tesla’s sleek styling and advanced features, such as the large high-definition touchscreen infotainment system and pared-back interior, further made it a stand-out car.

It wasn’t cheap, costing as much as some premium coupes and saloon, but its breadth of capabilities and technology justified its price. Even quicker dual-motor versions were promptly introduced, too, and the technology and battery options for the Model S would be continually improved.

In any case, even though it’s a big and heavy car, it drives remarkably well, with precise steering, a relaxing ride and good stopping power. Higher-powered versions and those with the ‘Ludicrous’ mode might prove too potent for some, that said, as the heady acceleration on offer is enough to put a crick in any neck.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

There is currently no such thing as a self-driving car, nor is there a self-driving Tesla. The questionably named Autopilot system is effectively just an advanced adaptive cruise and lane-keeping system, the likes of which are also offered by lots of manufacturers. In any instance, you still have to pay attention to what’s going on, in case the system cannot work out what is going on or fails to recognise a problem.

The Tesla system can be upgraded to add features such as automatic lane changing and automatic parking, which is useful, but many aspects are still in their infancy and can be erratic. That’s not to say that such technologies aren’t useful or impressive, but just that they have to be treated with some consideration and their limitations need to be properly understood.

Many have also encountered issues with glitches and build quality, which remains a sticking point for Tesla. Newer cars are better than the earlier ones, though, and the standard warranty is good for both the car and its electric drivetrain.

Even today, several years after it was launched, a Model S is still a remarkable car to experience and drive. Newer competitors, such as the Porsche Taycan, do offer a more engaging driving experience – and potentially better reliability and support – but the long range, practicality and lower cost of the Tesla mean that it’s still well worth considering.

Tesla Model S running costs

This is one area where the Model S hammers its conventional petrol- and diesel-powered competitors. The combination of no fuel costs, zero VED charges, low Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax rates and minimal servicing requirements make it particularly cheap to run compared to engine-equipped alternatives.

A new Model S doesn’t include free access to the Supercharger network these days, as was the case originally, but there are still savings to be had. Tesla quotes that charging for 1000 miles of driving in a Model S will cost £72, whereas driving a high-performance luxury or sports car a similar distance, averaging 21mpg, would reputedly cost £284. If you’re considering something more frugal, however, that gap might shrink considerably.

You will have to get your Tesla serviced intermittently, and services can be scheduled through the Tesla app, but there’s not a huge deal that will need attending to. Cabin filters, tyre balancing, brake fluid checks, air conditioning servicing and the odd inspection are all that are really needed. Tesla often rolls out over-the-air updates, too, which will resolve minor issues or increase the capabilities of your car.

A Model S should also hold its value well, which will further help keep costs down. The Tesla does sit in the highest insurance group possible, that said, so it can be expensive to insure. Many rival high-performance electric vehicles occupy the same group, though, so it’s not a Tesla-exclusive problem. These are expensive, powerful and comparatively niche vehicles, after all, so the classification is understandable.

Tesla Model S reliability

Buy a new Model S and it will come with a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty. That’s a good offering, considering many rival brands only serve up three-year warranties. That said, these do sometimes have higher mileage limitations, but that often proves less useful than another year’s coverage.

Importantly, the Model S also comes with an eight-year battery and drive unit warranty that’s valid up to 150,000 miles. Many competitors have similar eight-year warranties on their batteries alone, but they’re often limited to 100,000 miles.

Compared to conventional petrol- or diesel-engined cars, the Tesla is a far less complicated vehicle and has nowhere near as many moving parts and intricate assemblies, which should mean that problems are less common.

Tesla does have a somewhat patchy reputation for build quality and reliability, though. Some customers are very happy, and experience few or no problems, while others end up having terrible experiences. Earlier pre-facelift cars appear more problematic than later models, as you’d expect, but there are still plentiful reports of minor problems. Some owners have reported motor and battery failures as well but, fortunately, such issues are often covered by the factory warranty.

One other consideration is that Tesla doesn’t have anywhere near the same presence in the UK as premium brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, Jaguar and BMW. Your Model S might only be suffering a minor glitch, but getting it attended to by Tesla – or sourcing the parts – could end up being a lengthy and involved affair. Your mileage may vary considerably on this front, though.

Buying a used Model S that’s no longer under warranty is quite the gamble but, fortunately, you can get approved used and guaranteed cars direct from Tesla. An approved used Model S will be refurbished before sale and, crucially, it will come with a one-year, 10,000-mile warranty on top of whatever original warranty remains, if any. The original balance of the battery and drive unit warranty will also be transferred to you.

There have been several recalls, most of which relate to cars built between 2014 and 2016, for issues including a loss of power steering assistance, incorrectly functioning airbags and a potentially defective seatbelt. If you want a used Tesla, do make sure that the car in question has had all the recall work carried out.

Additionally, there are also a growing number of independent Tesla and electric vehicle specialists. Aside from making it easier to source a vehicle, they could also help both repair and maintain it in the future.