2013 Tesla Model S User Reviews

It's A Tesla — We just moved from Boston to Vermont where I have less use for the Tesla. In Boston it was a terrific car to drive around the city and highways year round. What I love most about the Tesla is that when I have to get in the car and drive somewhere 30-40 miles I see it as a pleasure rather than a chore. It's that fun to drive.

Primary Use: Family transportation

Game-changing Luxury, Performance, Style, And Comfort That Just Happens To Be Electric. —

The Tesla Model S is a car that will surprise most people who ride in it or drive it. It handles incredibly well and can out-accelerate an M5 or 911. With no engine, there's not only the large hatch/trunk, but a full front trunk as well, giving it amazing cargo-carrying capacity. It can hold 5 adults comfortable, and can be configured with an additional 2 smaller (kid only) jumpseats in the rear hatch, giving it a 5+2 configuration. The fact that it's electric is a huge bonus for many, but an area of concern for others. Depending on the battery capacity you buy with the car, it can get as far as 250-260 miles on a charge, which is more than enough for most families' typical day. Plug it in when you're done at home, and it's full again the next morning... so in fact we spend less time "fueling" our Model S than my wife does fueling her Lexus RX-450h... she has to plan stops for gas, even for just 5 minutes or so, and I've never had to take time to fuel either of my Teslas as they simply are always charging at home, and always ready the next morning. Yes, it can take 2-8 hours to charge depending on what charger and amperage you set up in your garage, but since this is happening at night, it doesn't actually cost you any net time. But this DOES make a difference if you want to regularly take 500 mile road trips... may not be the car for you. Tesla's Supercharger Network is currently on major highways in California (only for now), and those chargers can fill the car in 15-30 minutes while you eat a meal (and they're free), but they're only on key interstate highways... so be aware it may not be the perfect car for the road-tripper. But as a family car with typical duties, as a commuter, as a luxury city or suburban car, it's outstanding. In addition, by virtue of its upgradable software features and its massive 17" control touchscreen, the car gets new features and updates regularly (3 times already in the 8 weeks I've owned it), and that makes it a car that actually increases its functionality and utility as time goes on. It's really a remarkable car that surprises you in many ways and really blows out the traditional thinking about what an electric car can be. This is a no-compromise class-leading luxury car that does virtually everything well that just happens to be electric.

Excellent car. Even setting aside the incredible fuel economy (as this is not an economy car), the electric platform with the battery as the floor of the car and the motor low between the rear wheels, the handling is superb for this size car, and goes well with the rocketship acceleration. The technology available in the car, including the software updates that improve it as you go, keep it fresh. Some people complain about the spartan interior compared to similar models, but I like the clean, almost scandinavian lines. The seats could be more supportive, the sound system a little less bright sounding, but this is a fantastic car.