Model S
Flagship luxury sedan with longest range
Don't BuyKey Facts at a Glance
- Seating 5 adults
- Real-World Range 370-390 mi typical (EPA 396-410 mi)
- Towing N/A
- FSD Hardware HW4 (AI5 Computer)
- Max Charging Rate 250 kW DC (Supercharger V3)
- Safety 5-star NHTSA overall.
VERSION COMPARISON
|
Model S
$94,990
|
Plaid
$109,990
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Flagship luxury sedan. | Fastest production car. Period. |
| 0-60 mph | 3.1s 0-60 mph | 1.99s 0-60 mph |
| Range | 410 mi | 396 mi |
| Drivetrain | Dual Motor AWD | Tri Motor AWD |
| Power | 670 hp | 1,020 hp |
| Top Speed | 149 mph | 200 mph |
| Highlights | Luxe Package, FSD included, Free Supercharging | Luxe Package, Track Mode, Carbon fiber spoiler |
| Verdict |
DISCONTINUED. Model being phased out. Consider long-term parts/service availability.
|
DISCONTINUED. Could become a collector's item. Buy only if you accept end-of-life risks.
|
TL;DR
Value
N/A — Not recommended. Model is being discontinued by Tesla.
YOLO
Model S Plaid — Last chance to own the fastest production car. Collector potential.
The mistake? Buying without understanding the model is discontinued. Long-term parts and service uncertain.
RELEASE HISTORY & WHAT CHANGED
Jun 2012
Initial Release
- First production units delivered.
Apr 2016
Major Facelift
- Updated front end design
- various minor hardware improvements
Jan 2021
Plaid Refresh
- Completely redesigned interior
- yoke steering option
- Plaid tri-motor variant
- new powertrain
- updated suspension
Jun 2025
Efficiency Refresh
- Improved aerodynamics
- faster charging capability
- minor exterior design tweaks
Jan 2026
Discontinued
- Elon Musk announced discontinuation during Q4 2025 earnings call
- giving Model S an 'honorable discharge'
FEATURE DEEP-DIVE
Full Self-Driving (FSD)
- Hardware
- HW4 (AI5 Computer)
- Capabilities
- Supervised FSD on city streets & highways, Auto Lane Change, Navigate on Autopilot, Smart Summon, Autopark
- Option
- FSD included on all new orders
- Subscription
- $99/month FSD subscription also available
Charging
- Max Rate
- 250 kW DC (Supercharger V3)
- Range per 15 min
- ~200 miles in 15 min
- Home Charging
- Wall Connector (48A, 11.5 kW) — full charge overnight
- Port
- NACS (CCS adapter included)
Interior
- 17" cinematic touchscreen (landscape)
- Yoke or round steering wheel option
- 22-speaker premium audio system
- 8" rear entertainment display
- Heated & ventilated front seats, heated rear
- HEPA air filtration with Bioweapon Defense Mode
- Tri-zone climate control
Safety
5-star NHTSA overall. 8 cameras, Automatic Emergency Braking, Collision Avoidance, Lane Departure Warning, Sentry Mode, Dashcam.
5-YEAR OWNERSHIP ESTIMATE
- Fuel Savings (5 yr)
- $6,000-8,000 vs premium gas sedan
- Maintenance (5 yr)
- ~$3,000 (tires, wipers, cabin filter — no oil changes, no brake pads typically)
- Insurance
- Higher than average due to repair costs; expect $2,500-4,000/yr
- Depreciation
- DISCONTINUED — expect accelerated depreciation, uncertain resale
- Federal Credit
- Expired — federal EV credit ended Sept 30, 2025
- Bottom Line
- High ownership cost due to insurance and uncertain resale. Buy only as a collector or enthusiast.
PRICING & SAVINGS
Federal EV Tax Credit (Expired)
The federal EV tax credit expired September 30, 2025. The up-to-$7,500 credit for new EVs (Section 30D) and up-to-$4,000 credit for used EVs (Section 25E) are no longer available for vehicles acquired after that date.
The federal tax credit for EV charging equipment (Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit) remains available — up to 30% of installation costs — through June 30, 2026.
STATE INCENTIVE EXAMPLES
California
Up to $7,500 CVRP
Clean Vehicle Rebate Project for qualifying buyers + HOV lane access stickers
Colorado
$5,000
State tax credit for new EVs
New Jersey
~7% sales tax exemption
No sales tax on zero-emission vehicles
New York
Up to $2,000
Drive Clean rebate at point of sale
Texas
No state rebate
No state income tax offsets total cost; check local utility rebates
OTHER SAVINGS
- ▸Federal charger tax credit: 30% of EV charger installation costs (through June 30, 2026)
- ▸Many employers offer pre-tax commuter benefits for EV charging
- ▸Some utilities offer time-of-use rates — charge overnight at $0.04-0.08/kWh
- ▸Tesla Supercharger network: ~$0.35-0.50/kWh, still 40-60% cheaper than gas
- ▸No oil changes, no transmission service, brake pads last 100k+ miles (regen braking)
The federal EV purchase credit expired Sept 30, 2025. State and local incentives vary and change frequently. Always verify current eligibility with your state's energy office and a tax professional before purchasing.