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Understanding Aftermarket Aero Options2023 Tesla Model S Review
What do our experts think of the 2023 Tesla Model S? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 Tesla Model S?
Tesla doesn’t typically follow the standard year-by-year model update procedure so expect things to change over time. For now, we can confirm that 2023 models get the choice of a steering wheel as opposed to a yoke only and that the car-shaped key fob of yesteryear is gone in favor of a simple credit-card-style key card.
2023 Tesla Model S – tesla.com | Shop 2023 Tesla Model S on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Incredible performance
Massive cargo space
Technophiles dream car
Underwhelming interior
No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
Limited customizability
An opinion-splitting performer
2023 Tesla Specs
- 670 horsepower from base motors
- 2 available trims
- 28.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 64.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Google Maps built-in
- Five-star crash test rating
- Four-year limited warranty
2023 Tesla Model S Powertrain
The Model S was perhaps the very first four-door electric vehicle to prove that speed could still be on the menu. The 2023 version continues that trend with two offerings that are both sincerely quick and that’s probably an understatement.
The base Model S comes with two motors and all-wheel drive. It develops some 670 horsepower and accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. That’s just .2 seconds slower than a base Chevrolet Corvette.
Tesla also sells the Model S Plaid with three motors and an upgraded battery pack. It develops no less than 1,020 horsepower and some 1,050 lb-ft of torque. On a prepped surface it’ll do 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds so long as you delete the first foot of rollout.
That makes it quicker than any other American car on sale right now. In fact, the only production car you can buy that’s quicker in a straight line is the Rimac Nevera with a price tag in the seven-figure range. All of that being said, it’s worth noting that the Model S feels great to drive in almost every situation.
It’s not particularly nimble given its weight but it’s still predictable and easy to drive passionately. The one big drawback is that it could use much larger stock brakes. The base ones can get overworked quickly.
2023 Tesla Model S Battery Range
According to the EPA, the Model S offers up to 124 MPGe in the city and 114 MPGe on the highway. What that means in real-world range is up to 402 miles for the standard Model S and 348 miles of range for the Plaid. Keep in mind that both figures assume quite a bit of low-speed driving. Thankfully, those who plan on road-tripping the Model S have a number of suitable charging stations across the continent.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The one big drawback that can’t be overlooked in the Tesla Model S is that its interior isn’t as nice as some rivals in the same pricing bracket. Don’t get us wrong. The minimalist design and sleek angles look great and will be perfect in the eyes of some. Despite that, we expect a higher level of quality, precision, and detail than Tesla offers. Thankfully, there are a number of other design facets that we think are worth this car’s six-figure price tag.
For one thing, the Model S is easy to see out of and it’s whisper-quiet in the cabin. The seats are spacious in both rows too. Every Model S features heated and cooled front seats along with heated rear seats and tri-zone climate control. The tinted glass roof offers natural light in the cabin without allowing it to cook your passengers. Then there’s the cargo space which is a bit unbelievable.
In the rear trunk area alone there are over 28 cubic feet worth of storage space. That’s thanks to Tesla’s sleek rear liftback design. Lower the rear seats and the Model S can swallow up a mountain bike thanks to over 64 cubic feet of cargo room. That’s incredibly practical.
Entertainment & Technology
Folks who love technology will likely prefer the Model S and its infotainment package over almost any other brand. Tesla led the charge to swap from physical buttons to a touchscreen-focused infotainment system. It’s still one of the very best in the business and in the Model S, it provides a 17-inch widescreen with just about every single control baked in.
Even the climate control vent direction is a setting that can only be changed through the touchscreen. Sure, that’s a little bit far but it’s forward-thinking too. The Model S also benefits from a small gauge cluster screen with additional info for the driver. The standard 22-speaker sound system is above average for the segment and only really falls behind Mercedes and Porsche in terms of sound quality. Keep in mind that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are nowhere to be seen though. Tesla doesn’t offer either.
Safety Features
Every Tesla comes with blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning. Automatic emergency braking is also standard. Overall, that’s a great package but we’d be remiss to not mention the many concerns swirling about Tesla’s semi-autonomous software. As of this writing, it’s never been deemed “at fault” in a crash or accident but inattentive drivers have surely blamed it for incidents in the past.
2023 Tesla Model S Trims & Pricing
Model S – $91,380
The base Model S gets 19-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, LED headlights, LED fog lights, a tinted glass roof, a power liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 17-inch infotainment screen, Google Maps navigation, satellite radio, 22 speakers, a rear-seat entertainment display, a wireless smartphone charging pad for each row, a wifi hotspot, and a heated steering wheel or yoke.
Plaid – $111,380
The only change for the Plaid model is the addition of a third motor and an upgraded battery system. Interior features are identical. Buyers do have the option to add extra features like 21-inch wheels, a big brake package, and more.
Warranties
Tesla offers a pretty basic warranty package that includes four years or 50,000 miles of limited coverage. It also includes eight years of powertrain warranty coverage regardless of mileage. Tesla doesn’t however offer any type of complimentary maintenance. That’s not as generous as some EV automakers like Jaguar.
What we think
2023 Tesla Model S – tesla.com | Shop 2023 Tesla Model S on Carsforsale.com
The Tesla Model S is the car that truly started the revolution we’re all seeing take place across the automotive landscape today. Tesla wanted to change the entire world and it’s done that mostly due to the success of the Model S.
The latest version of it isn’t really the best in its segment but it’s undeniably brash and bombastic. For drivers who prefer it, there’s little else in the market worthy of attention.
