The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Drag strip-level acceleration (Plaid)
- Responsive touchscreen, intuitive layout
- Seating space and comfortable ride
- Wireless device charging front and rear
- Hatchback cargo versatility
Dislikes
- Plaid’s peak performance requires some prep
- Doesn’t handle as well as it can accelerate
- Not a luxury-grade interior by the materials
- The profile of a 10-year-old car
- Infuriating steering yoke
Buying tip
features & specs
The Tesla Model S is far from a new face, but it still leads in technology, performance, and minimalist cabin style.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Tesla Model S? What does it compare to?
The Tesla Model S is a quite large electric hatchback that provides some of the quickest acceleration times of any vehicle, as well as some of the longest range ratings among EVs. The growing group of models facing off with the Model S tend to emphasize luxury a bit more and include the BMW i7, Mercedes-Benz EQS, Lucid Air, and Audi E-Tron GT.
Is the 2024 Tesla Model S a good car?
Provided you don’t check the box for the optional steering yoke, the 2024 Tesla Model S offers a compelling mix of performance and tech, boosting this model to a TCC Rating of 8.4 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.) For its clean, straightforward interface and incredible acceleration, it’s peerless. While its last significant refresh in 2021 brought an upgraded cabin and more refinement, rival EVs provide more of a premium-brand experience in all the traditional respects.
What's new for the 2024 Tesla Model S?
Price cuts are probably the biggest piece of news for the Model S lineup in 2024—as Tesla tends (mostly) to sync model years with calendar years, unlike most other automakers. The Tesla Model S Dual Motor AWD model with the longest range now costs about $20,000 less than a year ago, and the Tesla Model S Plaid performance model—yes, another “Spaceballs” reference—now costs roughly $25,000 less.
Last year Tesla was giving buyers a workaround past what had been our most significant reservation about the revamped Model S that started arriving in 2021: Its mandatory, clumsy steering yoke, which doesn’t just make parking situations confounding but also relocates turn signals to buttons. The traditional round steering wheel is once again standard, with the yoke a deliberate $1,000 option you’ll need to specify.
During 2023 Tesla also answered a common complaint about the Model S Plaid with upgraded brakes now included in all Plaid models.
Most else about the Tesla Model S carries over.
From the outside, you really have to look (or be a Tesla fan) to spot all the differences, as the profile of the car is essentially the same it’s always been. That’s fine, as the fastback design has aged well and has now been tweaked for even more impressive aerodynamic efficiency—up to a 0.208 coefficient of drag, which is close to that of the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Lucid Air without looking like it’s trying as hard.
There are two models in the 2024 Tesla Model S lineup: a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant and the high-performance, tri-motor Plaid version.
Both models use the same lithium-ion battery pack with about 100 kwh, but the Plaid has additional cooling capacity that gives it the capability for track use and to play drag racer.
The dual-motor vehicle already blasts past many performance cars on a straight road, with its 670 hp good for sprints to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. The Plaid’s 1,020 hp is in the bonkers category, with a claimed 1.99-second 0-60 mph time and a 200-mph top speed—when you’ve equipped it with the $4,500 21-inch tire-and-wheel upgrade that also lowers its range to 359 miles from 405 miles in the dual-motor Model S. Opt for larger wheels and those ratings will drop a bit.
The clean, minimalist refresh given to the dash several years ago carries over and still feels leading-edge, with a 17.0-inch touchscreen serving as a hub for nearly all of the vehicle’s functions—with fine adjustment in some cases with the steering-wheel toggles. A flat menu system and lag-free operation mean this system is easy to get comfortable with.
Seating and cargo space is a surprise delight. There’s 28 cubic feet of cargo space including the hatch and front trunk, but if you flip the rear seatbacks forward there’s enough space to haul a bicycle or furniture. In either case you get an adaptive air suspension for impressive ride quality, and Tesla has made these latest versions quieter inside than earlier Model S versions.
Tesla includes a Basic Autopilot suite of features in all Model S versions. It wraps adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and blind-spot monitors. With the optional $6,000 Full Self-Driving misnomer you can add expanded hand-free features including a way to summon the car in parking lots with the Tesla app, automated parking and lane changes. Though not capable of full self-driving, that system costs $12,000, now claiming steering capability on city streets plus traffic-light and stop-sign controls,but the driver remains responsible for piloting the vehicle.
How much does the 2024 Tesla Model S cost?
The dual-motor version starts at $76,380 (including a $1,390 destination charge), while the Plaid starts at $91,380.
Where is the 2024 Tesla Model S made?
In Fremont, California.
2024 Tesla Model S Styling
Yes, the profile is over a decade old, but the Model S remains distinctive and handsome.
Is the Tesla Model S a good-looking car?
The Tesla Model S has aged well on the outside, and it has a design silhouette that was before its time in many respects—or imitated, as the decade played out—to thank. Here, the attractive profile on the outside, combined with the cabin’s clean, minimalist look and sharp dash layout, each earn a point for a total of 7.
The Model S has a smooth, fastback-sedan roofline, allowing for a frunk (front trunk) and a hatchback cargo area—in addition to spacious seating front and rear. It’s practical and aerodynamically efficient—and proof that you can have a very aerodynamic car (0.208 coefficient of drag) without egg-like contouring, a stubby tail, or rear wheel slats.
The front end of the Model S still looks sharp, with enough detailing and creases, and the way the design flows toward the rear gives it a pleasant balance. The rear styling itself is probably the most generic part of the design—a shame as it’s what others notice as you zoom ahead.
Tesla made much more of an effort to update the Model S cabin through the years—particularly with a revamp that arrived in 2021. That restyling shifted the instrument panel to more of a horizontal design, with a 17.0-inch horizontally oriented screen that’s brilliant and high-contrast and makes the whole design click—a good thing as there’s very little else to remark of as the design is so minimalist. Air vents are hidden away, the center console blends form and function, and all of the smaller storage spaces retract or hide away as you command.
2024 Tesla Model S Performance
The Tesla Model S can accelerate as if it were launching into space—but the steering and braking aren’t perfect.
For serious performance enthusiasts who judge a car by sheer acceleration, there’s all the shock and awe here, with 2.0-second 0-60 mph acceleration in the Plaid, which lands several notches above Ludicrous. The Model S lineup gets two points for its bonkers straight-line performance, as well as one point for having competent handling and a compliant ride to match. Keep away from that no-good yoke and it’s a 9.
Is the Tesla Model S 4WD?
The whole Model S lineup has all-wheel drive, from two motors in the standard version and three motors (two in back) in the Plaid.
How fast is the Tesla Model S?
The Model S, with 670 hp from its dual motors, is very, very quick in its “base” form, with a 3.1-second 0-60 mph time that makes it quicker than all but the most exclusive sports cars from a few years ago.
Step up to the Plaid, and blistering is probably the best way to describe it. You’ll be questioning your own reaction times, and will seriously need to brace yourself and warn your passengers when taking off foot-to-the-floor in a Model S Plaid—unless you’re looking to make a YouTube reaction video.
The Plaid soars to new heights by really any of the numbers, with 1,020 hp from its three electric motors cutting the time to a hair under two seconds, according to Tesla, with a 200-mph top speed.
Most of the rest of the Model S performance credentials fall into the “good enough” category but by no means blow driving enthusiasts away like the acceleration itself. Steering feel (from the steering wheel, not the yoke, which you should skip) is a bit numb, but it’s precise enough and easy to hold the car on center, with enough firmness to not feel loose. Brakes have now been upgraded in Plaid versions.
Overall, the adaptive air suspension does a good job balancing everyday comfort and all those performance claims. And for the drag monster that it is, the Plaid is actually a reasonably comfortable cruiser.
2024 Tesla Model S Comfort & Quality
The 2024 Tesla Model S is proof that EVs offer more space for passengers and cargo without being bigger on the outside.
The 2024 Tesla Model S is a long hatchback, falling somewhere between midsize and large by American standards at about 198 inches long. With a wide cargo opening, flat cargo floor, and plenty of space for adults, even in back, it earns an 8.
For those accustomed to gasoline models, the Model S may seem a wonder of packaging—and the reason is simple, as there’s no space dedicated to things like the driveshaft, fuel tank, or exhaust system, let alone the engine in front. A thin battery pack occupies the space just below the passenger floor.
From the side especially, the Model S looks low, but ingress and egress is quite good, and even four lanky adults will find plenty of space and support in front and rear outboard seats—or squeeze one in the middle for cross-town outings.
Cargo space is also an unexpected delight. There’s a frunk in front, with just enough space for keeping a couple of smaller bags out of sight, and behind the rear seats the cargo space area has a low floor and spans 28.0 cubic feet. Flip the rear seatbacks forward and you get 61.4 cubic feet to work with.
We’ve noticed some tire and road noise inside the cabin—especially with the larger 21-inch wheels. Also be aware that build quality can be hit-or-miss.
2024 Tesla Model S Safety
The active-safety feature set is all here, but the names on some of the tech can be potentially misleading.
How safe is the Tesla Model S?
In the absence of updated results from the IIHS or NHTSA, we’re not assigning a safety rating. Although Tesla does tend to include a lot of active safety features in its vehicles—despite the controversy over whether it’s overpromising on its driver-assist tech.
The Tesla Model S hasn’t been rated by the NHTSA or the IIHS since its 2021 refresh. Previous IIHS testing gave the Model S a “Superior” rating for its front crash prevention systems, although it’s unclear whether any of these test results might carry forward.
The Model S includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, front and rear parking sensors, and active lane control. Automated lane changes, automatic parking, a summon feature, and traffic light/stop sign recognition are now broken out into the $6,000 Enhanced Autopilot package, while Tesla continues to suggest with its $12,000 Full Self-Driving that far greater capability may just be a software update away. Given concerns from the federal government, there are reasons to be skeptical about that claim.
One thing that Tesla continues to do better than everyone else is provide a real-time look at all the vehicle’s safety systems, on a simple, intuitive interface. It helps add understanding and confidence.
2024 Tesla Model S Features
Tesla’s tech revolves around a sharp touchscreen interface that keeps getting better with updates.
Don’t think about loading up the Model S with options, because that’s simply not the way Tesla sells vehicles. Your extras when ordering a Model S include paint colors, wheels, whether to add the yoke (don’t!), and whether you want to invest in an Enhanced Autopilot package of conveniences, or in potential future Full Self-Driving Capability.
As far as other comforts and conveniences, Tesla includes a great set of them and packs a lot of brilliance into its superb 17.0-inch touchscreen up front, also including an 8.0-inch touchscreen for backseat passengers. The robust set of standard features, and the two great screens add up to an 8 here.
The Model S comes with a 5-year/40,000-mile basic vehicle warranty and an 8-year/150,000-mile warranty for the battery and the motors.
Which Tesla Model S should I buy?
Be sensible and go for the dual-motor version, which lands at a much stronger value for 2024 after some extensive price reductions in 2023. It costs $76,380, including the $1,390 destination charge.
With it, you get a lot. Synthetic leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, tri-zone climate control, a Sentry security feature, and a 22-speaker audio system are all included, as is a glass roof.
But the star of the interior and the feature list is the large 17.0-inch touchscreen, with its 2200x1300 resolution. It responds instantly to all kinds of inputs, and it’s so crisp and shapely detailed that rear-seat occupants can read fine text on it from the back seat—certainly not something we can say from other such systems. Don’t expect any pauses or jittering when switching around or zooming, either—which goes to show what happens when companies don’t skimp on processing power.
The 8.0-inch touchscreen for back seat occupants also serves them well for watching videos or climate controls, and those in front and in back get wireless charging pads.
The two screens, together, are a better setup than you can opt up to in any other luxury-brand EV, and they come standard. There is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but many won’t miss it.
The Plaid starts $15,000 higher and although there are bragging rights, it’s not a difference in performance that you’re simply going to notice on a daily basis. That said, at $91,380 it’s now a staggering $25,000 or so less than it cost last year.
How much is a fully loaded Tesla Model S?
Piling all you can on the Plaid, like premium paint, 21-inch wheels, a Cream interior, Full Self-Driving, and a mobile charging connector, you get to $113,380.
All versions of the Model S also now come with a Sentry Mode that functions much like a home security system.
While we’ll let you gamble as you see fit with the $12,000 Full Self-Driving option, for $6,000 Enhanced Autopilot adds automated lane changes, automatic parking, and a Smart Summon feature that, across a vast parking lot, will drive its way to you.
2024 Tesla Model S Fuel Economy
The Model S is an efficiency and range standout—all the more impressive considering its performance.
In its dual-motor all-wheel-drive version, the 2024 Tesla Model S earns an EPA range rating of 405 miles and is listed at what amounts to 3.6 miles per kwh. That easily qualifies it for a 10 out of 10.
Tesla has adjusted the Plaid model downward for 2024, with a rating of 359 miles for that tri-motor version, whereas it used to be 396 miles with the smaller wheels. And so beware that tires and wheels have a huge impact on range. The Model S Plaid comes with sticky summer-performance tires in either case, but upgrading from its standard 19-inch tires and wheels to 21-inchers drops its EPA range rating from 359 miles to 320 miles. Dual-motor versions of the 2024 Model S earn a 405-mile range rating, but that drops to 382 miles with the larger wheels.
Tesla’s vast Supercharger network continues to be the gold standard for no-fuss road-trip charging, with a well-coordinated trip planner covering everything from battery preconditioning to charger availability. At most Superchargers you can add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes.
On 240-volt home charging, the Model S will gain up to 30 miles of range per hour.
