Tesla Model S Review (2014-present)
Tesla Model S cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Mind-bending acceleration
Excellent range and charging network
Very well equipped
Cons
The interior could be better finished
Some question marks over reliability
More recent Tesla models are cheaper to buy new
The CarGurus verdict
If you’re looking for an electric car that offers comfort, refinement, serious punch and advanced tech, the Tesla Model S is an excellent choice. Even if you rack up lots of miles, a Model S is still potentially a viable option; the current entry-level Long Range Plus model, for example, is reputed to travel up to 405 miles on a single charge.
The increasingly widespread Supercharger network makes it a great option for those who want to travel further afield in their Tesla, too, and reduces the need to use alternative charging networks that sometimes aren’t as reliable or effective.
While the Model S is a remarkable machine, it’s worth considering that rivals such as the Porsche Taycan offer a plusher interior and a more rewarding driving experience. There is also the odd question mark with regards to reliability and support. However, the Tesla’s comparatively accessible pricing and longer claimed range may still make it the preferable option for many.
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.
- A lot of versions of the Tesla Model S have been offered over the years, which were designated by their battery capacity in kWh. These included the 60, 75, 85 and 100 variants. If there were as a ‘D’ on the end, it meant that version had dual motors and all-wheel drive.
- One of the real highlights of the Model S is the option to use the Tesla Supercharger network. This widespread network of easily located, easily monitored and high-speed chargers makes it easier to use the all-electric Tesla for longer trips. As of November 2020, Tesla was charging £0.24 per kilowatt hour for charging. Prices can vary, though. Access was originally free, and some promotions also offered free access later, but availability and transferability has fluctuated over the years. Check carefully, if you’re considering a used Model S purchase based on free access, that it is actually applicable to the car and transferable to you.
- On a more sensible front, the Tesla also attained the full five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating when it was tested in 2014. The test has become more stringent since, though, so if you’re seeking the maximum in safety and protection then you should consider a newer car.
- The most affordable Model S: The least costly Model S is now the dual-motor Long Range Plus, which has a claimed range of 405 miles on the WLTP test cycle and a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds. It comes with a lot of kit, as you’d hope, including heated seats all round, a heated steering wheel, a premium audio system, one year of internet connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming, auto-dimming, auto-folding and heated mirrors and wireless phone charging. It also comes with the Autopilot driving assistance feature.
- The best all-rounder: Unless you’re dead set on having access to outrageous performance, we’d stick with the dual-motor Long Range Plus model. Stepping up to the Performance model does add some interior upgrades, and cuts the 0-60mph time to a claimed 2.3 seconds, but it commands a hefty premium and the additional punch is often moot in the real world.
- For the longest range: Currently, the Long Range Plus – you’re probably sensing a theme here – has the longest range of the Model S line-up. The Performance model has a range of 396 miles on the more realistic WLTP test cycle, while the Long Range Plus clocks in at a slightly higher 405 miles. Expect to average less than this in day-to-day use, though.
- The best used buy: Take a look at a later 75D model, which has all-wheel-drive. It has a quoted range of 304 miles, benefits from being a later and updated car, and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds. It subsequently strikes a good middle ground of range, performance and tractability. Expect to pay around £40,000, even if you buy a guaranteed car from Tesla.
- For maximum performance: The Performance model can sprint from 0-60mph in 2.3 seconds and hit 162mph so, from the lights, it’ll give most supercars a pasting. Tesla’s planning a tri-motor model called the Plaid, though, which is reputed to be capable of 0-60mph in less than two seconds. It can also hit 200mph and currently has an estimated range in excess of 520 miles, but it isn’t due for a while yet.
