All-electric drivetrain; luxurious interior with plenty of space; great performance; stylish looks; competitive pricing
The Tesla Model S lineup has been trimmed somewhat in recent years. There are only two basic versions for 2020, a 'Long Range' model and a Performance model. Long Range models are of offer an unbeatable all-electric range of 373 miles, yet do 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The Performance trim sacrifices some range for maximum horsepower, cutting that time down to an astonishing 2.4 seconds. All Model S trims handle astonishingly well, thanks to an extremely low center of gravity, made possible by the low, flat battery pack stored under the floor. All trims are all-wheel drive.
The driver interface of the Model S is as groundbreaking and unconventional as the rest of the car. Where traditional design is to offer a vast array of buttons and knobs on the dashboard and between the front seats, the Model S simply has a huge 17-inch capacitive touchscreen. All of the media, communication, infotainment and in-cabin controls function through this screen, resulting in an uncluttered interior.
The standard feature list is extensive on the Model S and includes 19-inch wheels, a 200-watt stereo system, Alcantara headliner, driver seat detection sensor for start/stop functionality, LED map and rear reading lights, Wi-Fi readiness and a 17-inch touchscreen in the dashboard. The options list is also quite lengthy. A variety of charging options are available, including a twin charging system to help reduce charging times, as well as access to Tesla's "Supercharger" network, the infrastructure Tesla is currently building all around the United States. Tesla claims that a Supercharger station can give the Model S a 50-percent charge in just half an hour.
Other interesting options include a glass panoramic sunroof, two rear-facing jump seats, a 580-watt stereo and 21-inch wheels. An optional tech package consists of xenon lights, memory seats, a power rear lift gate, keyless entry, a high-definition back up camera, GPS navigation and electrochromic side mirrors.
Tesla has also done its best to make sure that the Model S is an extremely safe vehicle. The batteries are spread out beneath the floor of the car, actually helping to improve chassis stiffness while simultaneously lowering the center of gravity. Tesla was also able to design a front crumple zone unhindered by the need to fit an engine in the front of the car, further improving safety. Of course, safety features such as anti-lock brakes and traction control are standard, as are eight airbags.
Since its introduction in mid-2012, the Tesla Model S has forced the industry to rethink the luxury car segment. Rather than adhering to traditional model years, Tesla makes running changes as needed throughout the calendar year. One of the most recent changes to the Model S in 2020 involved revisions to the drivetrain intended to make big improvements to overall range. For 2020, all Model S models should be able to go for more than 300 miles on a single charge.
A big challenge with electric vehicles has always been range. Tesla has dealt with this by employing bigger and better batteries than ever been seen before in electric vehicles. Even with the smallest batteries in its most basic trim, Tesla claims a 300-plus-mile range for the Model S, easily besting the range of any of its potential competitors. Beyond the drivetrain though, the Model S is a competent luxury car with impressive performance. There is plenty of room both inside the passenger cabin and in the trunk, making the Model S spacious and practical. Model S ownership begins under $80,000, making it comparable to many large European luxury sedans, and while the Model S matches most of these sedans in terms of luxury and performance, it also offers environmental benefits and cutting-edge technology unmatched in any category.
Emissions | |
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year | N/A |
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | N/A |
Vehicle | |
EPA Classification | Large Cars |
Transmission | |
Drivetrain | All Wheel |
Trans Type | 1 |
Trans Description Cont. | Automatic |
First Gear Ratio (:1) | 8.28 |
Reverse Ratio (:1) | N/A |
Clutch Size | N/A |
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1) | 9.73 |
Mileage | |
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy | N/A |
Cruising Range - City | N/A |
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City | N/A |
Fuel Economy Est-Combined | N/A |
Cruising Range - Hwy | N/A |
EPA MPG Equivalent - City | 121 |
EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy | 112 |
EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined | 117 |
Battery Range | 402 mi |
Engine | |
Engine Type | Electric |
Displacement | N/A |
Fuel System | N/A |
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM | N/A |
SAE Net Torque @ RPM | N/A |
Electrical | |
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary) | N/A |
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps) | N/A |
Cooling System | |
Total Cooling System Capacity | N/A |
Interior Dimensions | |
Passenger Capacity | 5 |
Passenger Volume | 94 ft³ |
Front Head Room | 38.8 in |
Front Leg Room | 42.7 in |
Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in |
Front Hip Room | 55 in |
Second Head Room | 35.3 in |
Second Leg Room | 35.4 in |
Second Shoulder Room | 55 in |
Second Hip Room | 54.7 in |
Exterior Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 116.5 in |
Length, Overall | 196 in |
Width, Max w/o mirrors | 77.3 in |
Height, Overall | 56.9 in |
Track Width, Front | 65.4 in |
Track Width, Rear | 66.9 in |
Min Ground Clearance | 4.6 in |
Liftover Height | N/A |
Cargo Area Dimensions | |
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up | 26.3 ft³ |
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down | 58.1 ft³ |
Trunk Volume | N/A |
Weight Information | |
Base Curb Weight | 4883 lbs |
Trailering | |
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. | N/A |
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. | N/A |
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. | N/A |
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. | N/A |
Suspension | |
Suspension Type - Front | Double Wishbone |
Suspension Type - Rear | Multi-Link |
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.) | Double Wishbone |
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.) | Multi-Link |
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front | N/A |
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear | N/A |
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front | N/A |
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear | N/A |
Tires | |
Front Tire Size | P245/45WR19 |
Rear Tire Size | P245/45WR19 |
Wheels | |
Front Wheel Size | 19 X 8 in |
Rear Wheel Size | 19 X 8 in |
Front Wheel Material | Aluminum |
Rear Wheel Material | Aluminum |
Steering | |
Steering Type | Rack-Pinion |
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall | N/A |
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering) | N/A |
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb | 38.8 ft |
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall | N/A |
Brakes | |
Brake Type | 4-Wheel Disc |
Brake ABS System | 4-Wheel |
Brake ABS System (Second Line) | N/A |
Disc - Front (Yes or ) | Yes |
Disc - Rear (Yes or ) | Yes |
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness | 14 in |
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness | 14.4 in |
Fuel Tank | |
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx | N/A |
Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx | N/A |
Basic:
4 Years/50,000 Miles
Drivetrain:
8 Years/Unlimited Miles
Corrosion:
12 Years/Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance:
4 Years/50,000 Miles
US NHTSA CRASH TEST RESULTS:
Overall Rating: Not Rated
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating: Not Rated
Overall Side Crash Rating: Not Rated
Overall Rollover Rating: * * * * *
Dynamic Test Result: No Tip
Risk of Rollover: 5.70%
Note Regarding Driver Rating:
Male: Average sized adult male dummy in 35-MPH crash into fixed barrier. Rating is evaluation of injury to head, neck, chest, legs. Female: Small-sized adult female dummy in 35-mph crash into fixed barrier. Rating is evaluation of injury to head, neck, chest, legs.
Rollover Note: Dynamic (moving) test results (Tip or No Tip) and measured rollover-related properties determine vehicle's risk of rollover in single vehicle crash and its rollover rating. The Rollover Resistance Rating utilizes a "fishhook" maneuver which is a series of abrupt turns at varying speeds to see how "top-heavy" a vehicle is.
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