2013 Tesla Model S Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$59,900 to $89,900

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.7

avg user rating

(25 reviews)
2013 Tesla Model S Preview summaryImage

Did Tesla just move over into being a legit, mass-producing auto manufacturer? The Roadster was a fun venture for electric explorer Tesla Motors, but few would relegate it to a status higher than a curiosity. Prices in excess of $100K and ultra-limited production numbers will do that. For the Model S the aim was a more accessible auto, something that could actually be used—and afforded—by a wider audience.

While the Model S is definitely an easier entry point than the Roadster, especially with a starting price nearly half as dear, the attention is still centered around the top end of the lineup. This is only reinforced by news that the Model S Signature Series and its even more impressive Performance variant have both sold out in anticipation of their releases later this year. The Base lags behind its upscale stablemates in preorders, and we have to wonder if it’s the lower battery capacity—40kWh versus the Signature/Performance's 85kWh—that accounts for this difference. With the 40kWh battery, Tesla reports a range of 160 miles. That’s certainly enough for any around-town duty you can throw at it, but the 265-mile range of the 85kWh battery in the S Signature/Performance turns the Model S into a true touring machine. At a 480-volt outlet, recharge time is 45 mins and should cost about $5 according to Tesla, which seems perfect for a bathroom and food break after 300 miles of cruising. And for those with the means, the batteries themselves can be swapped out wholly in less than 5 minutes. Seems a good argument for battery-swap stations located along our highway system or an idea ripe for the next visionary tech startup looking to make a name for themselves.

But this is all ignoring some of the other benefits of electric propulsion. Even the Base trim will zip to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. Add the Performance package and suddenly the trip takes less than 4.4, which is damned impressive considering a curb weight of more than 3,800 pounds. And don’t forget, because most of that weight is concentrated down below in the battery bank, the Model S comes with a deliciously low center of gravity estimated at just 16 inches.

The floor-mounted powertrain and battery pack also offer “more room than station wagons” according to Tesla, thanks to empty front and rear cargo areas and comfortable seating for 5. You can even add double rear-facing seats for children, if you don’t mind essentially keeping them in the trunk.

Tesla Motors is headed by Elon Musk, the same guy who made several fortunes with PayPal and most recently made news when his other hobby—SpaceX—became the first private company to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. As would be expected, the Model S comes brimming with technology. Getting most of the press is a 17-inch touchscreen that handles infotainment and navigation, which is supported by a 12.3-inch screen for the gauge cluster. Both are powered by Nvidia Tegra processors, which should provide plenty of gumption for 1080-pixel HD video and 3D processing. Of course, if you’re looking to spend a little extra, you have options. Xenon headlamps, electrochromatic mirrors, the aforementioned navigation system, LED foglamps, a backup camera and a power liftgate will run you an extra $3,750, and if you’re looking for some extra performance $1,500 will get you an active air suspension. It already comes with 6-piston Brembo calipers up front and 4-pot rears—enough to bring the car to a standstill from 60 mph in just 135 feet, so really it’s just good for balance.

Tesla projects its first deliveries to come starting June 22, with the balance of pre-orders following later in the year. The Base trim is not yet sold out, so you still have time to get in line—if you can handle the 160-mile range, that is.

Michael Perkins
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
A CarGurus contributor since 2008, Michael started his career writing about cars with the SCCA - winning awards during his time as editor of Top End magazine. Since then, his journalistic travels have taken him from NY to Boston to CA, completing a cross-country tour on a restored vintage Suzuki. While his preference is for fine German automobiles - and the extra leg room they so often afford - his first automobile memories center around impromptu Mustang vs. Corvette races down the local highway, in the backseat of his father's latest acquisition.

User reviews for 2013 Tesla Model S

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User rating:
by Mare Island L
Apr 22, 2024
I was leasing a model 3 and literally calculated 6 months of invoices and was like I just purchased a Used car so it was a no Brainer what I needed. I needed room, range, style, low miles and great battery health. I found all of this with my Certified used Tesla Model S. Im thankful for this car, with being a 2013, it still looks new. I had a recent repair for brakes/flushing and air filter and it didnt break the bank and now Im replacing the tail lights because the batteries in the housing are out. Thats all, runs new and smooth. My first car was a 1998 Buick Lesabre and this gives me those feels plus more. Highly recommend Apr 22, 2024
by Anonymous
Apr 16, 2024
Nice sports look, lots of cargo room but no autopilotApr 16, 2024
by Ahmad C
Nov 12, 2023
Love it and excellent service second to none Nov 12, 2023

2013 Tesla Model S Pricing

Original MSRP
$59,900 to $89,900
Price range
$14,067 to $14,793
Average price on CG
$14,067
YoY price change
$14,651 to $14,067

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 200 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.0 · Front brake width: 1.26 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.4 · Rear brake width: 1.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Engine

EV battery capacity: 40 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 11.5 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 235 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 310 · Electric Motor Torque: 310 · Electric motor charger connector: Tesla (SAE J3400) · Electric motor charging time: 6 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 139

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 17 in.

Instrumentation

Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in.

Lights

Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Touch screen display radio · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 200 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.0 · Front brake width: 1.26 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.4 · Rear brake width: 1.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Engine

EV battery capacity: 60 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 11.5 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 302 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 310 · Electric Motor Torque: 317 · Electric motor charger connector: Tesla (SAE J3400) · Electric motor charging time: 10 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 208

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 17 in.

Instrumentation

Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in.

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 200 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.0 · Front brake width: 1.26 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.4 · Rear brake width: 1.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Engine

EV battery capacity: 85 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 11.5 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 362 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 310 · Electric Motor Torque: 325 · Electric motor charger connector: Tesla (SAE J3400) · Electric motor charging time: 12 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 265

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 17 in.

Instrumentation

Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in.

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 200 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.0 · Front brake width: 1.26 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.4 · Rear brake width: 1.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Engine

EV battery capacity: 40 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 11.5 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 416 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 310 · Electric Motor Torque: 443 · Electric motor charger connector: Tesla (SAE J3400) · Electric motor charging time: 12 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 253

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 17 in.

Instrumentation

Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in.

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Suspension

Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse

See all trims (4)