2021 Tesla Model S Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Tesla Model S is the luxury electric vehicle that put the brand on the map as a credible volume automaker when it debuted nearly 10 years ago. Since Tesla is all about continuous improvement, engineers worked on reducing weight, maximizing drivetrain efficiency, and redesigning wheels for aerodynamics. The 2021 result is a new trim, improved range across the Model S lineup, and a new interior featuring a yoke-styling steering wheel and a landscape-oriented touchscreen display. Not to mention better performance.
That lineup consists of Long Range, Plaid, and the new Plaid+ model. Long Range arrives as the base model, and comes with dual motors and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Range increases to 412 miles, making the Model S the first production electric car to cross the 400-mile barrier. The Long Range model can also hit 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds, and has a top speed of 163 mph.
If you care more about speed than range, you can opt for the Plaid, which does 390 miles but hits 60 mph in a blazing 2.3 seconds, and goes on to 163 mph. Finally, the insane Plaid+ model comes with three electric motors, AWD, 1,020 horsepower, and hits 60 mph in under 2.0 seconds. It should also do 520 miles on a full charge. That said, the Model S Plaid+ isn’t expected to be delivered until late this calendar year, and so may wind up being a 2022-model-year option.
Both Long Range and Plaid grades benefit from such standard features as premium audio, heated seats for every passenger, a heated steering wheel, wiper blade defrosters, washer nozzle heaters, a HEPA air-filtration system, Bluetooth, a location-aware garage door opener, LED fog lamps, a tinted glass roof, and auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors. Thus, options are limited to colors and the choice of 19- or 21-inch wheels.
Every Model S includes Tesla’s Autopilot system as standard fare, which bundles automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated lane centering. For a fee, you can equip your Model S with Full Self-Driving Capability, granting it the power to automatically navigate highway interchanges, on- and off-ramps, change lanes, parallel and perpendicular park, stop and go based on traffic signals, and Tesla's "Summon" feature. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Model S high marks for front-crash prevention, but poor ratings for headlights.
The Model S continues to push the limits of electric propulsion and is worthy of consideration for that reason alone.
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2021 Tesla Model S Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear 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: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · TuneIn internet radio · Radio: FM · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · Watts: 560
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · 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
Center console trim: leatherette · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leatherette
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: fully automated · Camera System: Front · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 9.33
Engine
EV battery capacity: 100 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 11.5 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 518 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 386 · Electric Motor Torque: 487 · Electric motor charger connector: Tesla (SAE J3400) · Electric motor charging time: 12 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 391
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · 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
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Dash camera: rear recording · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.0
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: over-the-air map updates (OTA) · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Tesla App · Smart device app function: horn/light operation · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear 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 · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · TuneIn internet radio · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · Watts: 560
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · 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
Center console trim: wood · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leatherette
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: fully automated · Camera System: Front · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 9.33
Engine
EV battery capacity: 100 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 11.5 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 670 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 500 · Electric motor charger connector: Tesla (SAE J3400) · Electric motor charging time (240V): 15 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 405
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · 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
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Dash camera: front recording · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.0
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Tesla App · Smart device app function: maintenance status · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear 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: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · TuneIn internet radio · Radio: FM · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · Watts: 560
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · 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
Center console trim: leatherette · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leatherette
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: fully automated · Camera System: Front · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: vehicle and key memory · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 9.73
Engine
EV battery capacity: 100 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 11.5 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 762 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 568 · Electric Motor Torque: 687 · Electric motor charger connector: Tesla (SAE J3400) · Electric motor charging time: 12 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 348
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: carbon fiber · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · 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
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: automatic high beam dimmer · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Dash camera: rear recording · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.0
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Tesla App · Smart device app function: security event/collision alert · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear 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 · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · TuneIn internet radio · Radio: FM · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · Watts: 560
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · 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
Center console trim: leatherette · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leatherette
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: fully automated · Camera System: Front · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: vehicle and key memory · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 9.73
Engine
EV battery capacity: 100 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 11.5 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 1020 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 761 · Electric motor charger connector: Tesla (SAE J3400) · Electric motor charging time (240V): 15 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 390
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: carbon fiber · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · 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
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Dash camera: front recording · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.0
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: over-the-air map updates (OTA) · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Tesla App · Smart device app function: lock operation · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse