Quick facts
| Trim | Range (EPA, mi) | 0–60 mph | Top speed | Drivetrain | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model S Long Range AWD | ~410 | 3.1 s | 149 mph | AWD, dual motor | $74,990 |
| Model S Plaid | ~359 | 1.99 s* | 200 mph (with track package) | AWD, tri-motor | $89,990 |
*Plaid 0–60 mph is measured with a 1-foot rollout. Without rollout, the figure is closer to 2.1 seconds — still the fastest production sedan ever sold to retail.
Where the Model S sits in the lineup
The Model S is Tesla's flagship: longest range, fastest acceleration, most premium interior. It's also the largest Tesla sedan, with significantly more rear legroom and trunk space than a Model 3, and a 28-cubic-foot frunk + trunk total. The 2021 refresh ("Project Palladium") modernized everything — new motor architecture, structural battery, completely redone interior — and ongoing yearly updates have kept it current. The 2025 refresh added new dampers, more sound deadening, and HW4.
The Plaid story
Plaid is a tri-motor variant: one motor on the front axle, two on the rear (one per rear wheel). The two rear motors enable torque vectoring — the car can apply different power to the left vs right rear wheel, which is what unlocks the eye-watering acceleration and high-speed handling. Top speed of 200 mph is gated behind the optional Track Package (carbon-ceramic brakes, recalibrated stability control). Without it, top speed is electronically limited around 162 mph.
For most buyers, Long Range AWD is the right choice. Plaid is genuinely fun, but day-to-day you'll feel maybe 5% of what it's capable of. The extra 50 miles of range and the lower price tip the balance toward Long Range unless you specifically want the bragging rights or you'll take the car to a road course.
Real-world range
The 410-mile EPA figure on Long Range is the longest in the Tesla lineup. In practice:
- Summer mixed driving: 380–420 miles is realistic.
- Highway at 70–75 mph in mild weather: 320–360 miles.
- Winter highway: 280–320 miles is common with cabin heat on.
The Model S's strength is highway road tripping. The combination of long range, fast charging, and a quiet, comfortable cabin makes it a genuinely better grand tourer than most German competitors at any price.
What the referral gives you on a Model S
Every new Model S configuration receives the 3-month FSD trial and Supercharging credit through the referral program. On a $75k+ vehicle the absolute dollar value is the same as on a Model 3, but the relative benefit is smaller. Owners who plan to own FSD long-term often buy the lump sum upfront; the trial is still worth taking to confirm it works the way you expect on your specific routes.
Order a Model S with the referral
Click the link before you start configuring. The benefits apply to Long Range and Plaid alike.
Use the Tesla Referral → Goes to tesla.comHow to spec a Model S
- Yoke or round wheel: the round wheel is now standard. The yoke is a no-cost option that's polarizing — the absence of stalks pairs with capacitive controls on the wheel itself. For most buyers, stick with the round wheel.
- 21" Arachnid wheels (Plaid) / 21" Arachnid 2.0: stunning visually, but they ride harshly and chew tires. The 19" Tempest wheels look great and add range.
- Carbon-fiber interior trim: tasteful and now standard on Plaid.
- Track Package (Plaid only): only worth it if you'll actually take the car to a track. Carbon-ceramic brakes are not better for street use; they require more heat to be effective.
What it costs to live with
- Insurance: Plaid trims insure expensive (it's still a 1,020-hp car). Long Range is in line with mid-tier German luxury sedans.
- Tires: 19" Tempest tires last reasonable distances. 21" Arachnid: brutal on the wallet, especially on Plaid where tire wear from torque is a real factor.
- Federal credit: Model S typically does not qualify for the $7,500 federal credit because it's above the $55,000 sedan MSRP cap.
- Charging: the larger battery means more energy to fill, but per-mile cost is similar to other Teslas because efficiency drops accordingly. Use our calculator with ~3.3 mi/kWh as a starting point for the Long Range, ~3.0 for Plaid.