The Model S is Tesla’s flagship sedan and for good reason. We look at the technology, features, and interior in our review.

What’s New for the 2024 Tesla Model S?

Tesla hasn’t announced any updates for the 2024 Model S but that doesn’t mean that it won’t receive some. The automaker tends to update and upgrade cars at somewhat random times so things could change as 2024 rolls on.

2024 Tesla Model S – tesla.com |  Shop 2024 Tesla Model S on Carsforsale.com

Carsforsale.com Score
9/10
Powertrain
Score
9.5/10
Interior
Score
8/10
Technology
Score
9/10
Value
Score
0/10
Body Style

Starting Price

MSRP $76,630

Drivetrain

Drivetrain

AWD

Drivetrain

Fuel Economy

124 City / 115 Hwy

Number of Seats

Seating

Seats 5

The Breakdown

Outstanding performance

Tech heavy

Excellent cargo space

Cheap-feeling interior

Limited configurations

No Android/Apple connectivity

The Flagship EV Sedan

2024 Model S Specs

Trims & Pricing

Long Range - $76,630
Plaid - $89,630

2024 Tesla Model S Powertrain

Tesla Model S - tesla.com

Tesla’s recipe for the Model S hasn’t changed much since its inception. The battery is set low in the chassis, each axle has at least one motor incorporated for full-time AWD, and the suspension is adaptive. In the base Model S, you’ll get one motor on each axle and a total of 670 horsepower. That’s good enough for a 0-60 time of just 2.3 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.

Tesla also says it’ll get up to 405 miles of range, though it’s hard to do in the real world. Nevertheless, access to the Supercharger network makes it very easy to top off whenever the battery is running low.

Above the base model is the Model S Plaid. Until very recently, it was the world’s quickest sedan, but you wouldn’t know it from the outside. Like just about every other Tesla, the Model S Plaid flies under the radar despite having two motors on the rear axle, a third on the front, and a horsepower output of 1,020.

When sitting on a prepared surface the Model S Plaid will do 0-60 in just 1.9 seconds provided you subtract rollout. Sure, those might be very important asterisks, but everyday folks have achieved 2.1 second times on everyday streets. Put simply, this is an absolute beast of a car.

Perhaps most important in a review like this though is that it’s also comfortable, quiet, and competent in every aspect of a drive. It handles turns well, the controls provide good feedback, and the brakes work well in normal circumstances.

Notably, the standard brakes typically aren’t up to heavy abuse, so Tesla offers a $15,000 carbon ceramic upgrade or a $20,000 track pack, both only available after the initial purchase, that includes the carbon brakes along with other performance improvements.

One final note surrounds the controversial steering yoke. It takes getting used to and hand-over-hand turns can feel very tricky at first. Hopefully, Tesla will add steer-by-wire technology from the Cybertruck into the Model S soon. It’ll completely change how well the yoke works and probably remove any complaints about it.

2024 Tesla Model S Interior

Settling into the Model S cabin takes more than simply having a seat. Adjusting to the very minimal design is something that seems to split opinions. The dash, seats, center console, and door cards are all simple with an aim toward elegance. Whether they hit their mark is up to customers to decide. What’s not in question is that the cabin doesn’t feel as luxurious as the ones employed by Porsche, Lucid, and Mercedes in their flagship EV sedans.

Don’t get us wrong, some will love the stiff but enveloping seats, the huge 17-inch touchscreen that dominates the dash, and the available yoke steering wheel. Our suggestion is to test-drive one before you drive it though. Beyond getting comfortable with the design itself and the potential down-market materials, the Model S is a highly functional place to spend time.

It’s easy to see out of, it’s comfortable, it’s quiet, and it’s highly practical. The hatchback makes loading large items a breeze. Buyers can even fit a mountain bike in the cabin with the rear seats folded down.

Speaking of those seats, they come standard with heating elements. The front seats get heating and cooling and the car comes standard with tri-zone climate control. On the flip side of the coin, those who prefer physical buttons and switches are mostly out of luck here. Just about every single control in the Model S requires the user to work through the screen alone.

2024 Tesla Model S Technology Features

Tesla Model S - carsforsale.com

The Model S pioneered big touchscreen infotainment systems and it’s still on the bleeding edge of most technological pursuits in the automotive sector. Unlike the Model 3 or Model Y, the Model S has a standard driver information display with various figures and facts running like any other modern gauge cluster.

The standard 17-inch infotainment system is better than ever with smartphone-quick responses, great integrated navigation, and a bevy of native apps that buyers will enjoy. Sadly, Tesla still hasn’t incorporated Android Auto or Apple CarPlay but recent reports suggest that it’s working on the tech to do so in the future.

Rear-seat passengers get access to their own centrally located entertainment system with video game controllers too. Every Model S also comes with 22 speakers which is one of the few aspects in the cabin that truly feels as premium as its price tag would suggest. Finally, we must talk about safety as it relates to the technology baked into the Model S.

It comes standard with what Tesla calls Enhanced Autopilot, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid that includes steering, accelerating, and braking capability. On highways, it can navigate lane changes and exit ramps on its own with supervision. Then there’s Full Self-Driving which adds tech that enables the Model S to drive on just about any road by itself but again, with supervision. That last part is key. Attention to the road is key when using any Level 2 system across the industry and it’s true for Tesla’s cars too.

2024 Tesla Model S Trims & Pricing

Tesla Model S - tesla.com

Long Range – $76,630

The standard Model S comes with 19-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, LED headlights, LED fog lights, a tinted glass roof, a power liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate, heated seats in both rows, ventilated front seats, a 17-inch infotainment system, satellite radio, a 22-speaker sound system, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel or yoke, a fully digital driver information display, a rear-seat entertainment center, wireless device chargers in each row, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Tesla Model S Plaid - carsforsale.com

Plaid – $89,630

The Plaid model is identically equipped but adds an extra motor and an upgraded battery so that it develops 1,020 horsepower in total.

2024 Tesla Model S Overall Value 9/10

It’s hard to call any car that starts at $76,630 or more a good value as nobody needs a car that costs this much. At the same time, the Model S is probably the first car to ever combine performance, fuel economy, and luxury at the levels that it does. It’s far from perfect but it’s also so good that it almost single-handedly led to the EV transition we see around the globe. Today, rivals from Porsche, Lucid, and Mercedes offer options that should be considered but keep the Model S on your shortlist if you’re interested in any of the abovementioned cars.

CarsForSale.com Overall Score 9/10

2024 Tesla Model S – tesla.com|  Shop 2024 Tesla Model S on Carsforsale.com

The Model S might have set the bar for EVs back in 2012 but since then it’s fallen a bit behind rivals in key areas like luxury and range. On top of that, it looks almost identical to the very first version. Tesla would do well to give it a full update with an updated chassis, new styling, and perhaps more efficient batteries and motors.

2024 Tesla Model S FAQ

Tesla Model S - carsforsale.com

How much is a Tesla Model S?

A Tesla Model S costs between $76,630 and $108,000 with every option box checked.

How fast is the Tesla Model S?

The Tesla Model S Plaid can go from 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds on a prepared surface with one foot of rollout subtracted. It can also reach 200 mph.

Can you lease a Tesla Model S?

You can lease a Tesla Model S. Currently, the least expensive Model S lease is $959 per month before tax incentives.

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Stephen Rivers

Stephen Rivers is a car enthusiast who loves all things built with passion, extending to nearly all car cultures. After obtaining an occupational studies degree in sports medicine, Stephen turned his attention to sports cars. He was employed as an auto shop manager, spent time in auto sales, and worked as a software developer for a racing company, but Stephen began writing about cars over 10 years ago. When he's not in front of a computer screen, he's racing his own Bugeye Subaru WRX in as many autocross and rallycross competitions as he can.

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