Tesla Model S

Tesla has resorted to minimalism in the cabin of the Model S, which looks highly futuristic and clean when you compare it with the cabins of other premium midsize sedans on sale. While the clean look of the cabin can impress tech lovers, it leaves a lot to be desired for those who value attention-to-detailing and art in the cabin layouts. The fit and finish levels of this cabin also feel unimpressive for a car of this size and price.

Tesla offers a yoke steering wheel for the Model S, which is a bit inconvenient to use. However, Tesla is offering the option of a rounded steering wheel at no added cost. Behind the steering wheel, there is a high-rising compact fully-digital instrument console, housed in a trapezoidal cavity. A large 17-inch touchscreen unit placed in the middle of the centre console controls every function and feature of the cabin, and due to this, there are negligible physical buttons in the centre console.

The Tesla Model S comes equipped with features like tri-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a 22-speaker sound system, and wireless chargers. Talking about the seats and comfort offered by them, they are just adequate in overall feel. They lack lateral support and feel pretty basic in quality. Due to the high flat floorboard and sloping roofline, comfort can be a concern for taller people at the back.

Ever since its launch almost a decade ago, the Tesla Model S has remained unchanged when it comes to exterior styling. However, the sedan still manages to look stylish and attention-grabbing, and a part of its credit goes to its timeless, aerodynamic design.

At the front, the Tesla Model S features a sleek-looking closed grille, which has been shaped in the form of s horizontally-stretched T finished in the theme of black. The headlamp housings of the Model S on the sides are shaped in the form of bird’s eyes, and feature all-LED illumination, including daytime running LEDs. The lower part of the front bumper is complete with wing-shaped air ducts on the sides featuring horizontal slats and a sleek-looking air dam in the middle.

The curvy-looking bonnet lines, almost coupe-like rounded roofline and haunches over the front and rear rounded wheel arches make the Tesla Model S look very stylish when viewed from the side. The flap-type pop-up door handles add a sense of futurism to its design, while the large 21-inch alloy wheels and low ground clearance make its stance look planted.

At the back, the Tesla Model S has its windscreen flowing down in a rakish manner, almost making it look like a grand tourer or a notchback with a stubby boot. The sedan gets combination LED lamps on the sides, a curved integrated spoiler at the top of the boot lid, and a trapezoidal housing for the license plate. The gloss black diffuser spread over the bottom of the rear bumper adds the essence of sportiness to the rear profile.

The Tesla Model S comes with air suspension as standard, which along with the 21-inch wheels and highly aerodynamic styling, manages to keep the sedan stable and dynamic at higher speeds. However, the steering lacks the feedback one can expect from a premium sedan of its price.

There are two types of powertrain combinations offered in the Tesla Model S. The Standard version of the sedan comes with a dual-motor setup, which claims a combined power output of 670 hp and 0-100 kmph timing of 2.4 seconds. The more powerful Plaid version claims a combined power output of 1020 bhp and a 0-100 kmph timing of 2.1 seconds from its triple-motor setup. A 99.3 kWh battery is offered as standard, which delivers a range of 648 km in the Standard version and 633 km in the Plaid version.

Tesla’s much-talked-about ‘Autopilot’ self-driving feature is available in the Model S too, which makes it one of the most high-tech sedans one can buy at its price. The Tesla Model X is also packed with driving assistance features like automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and more.

The Tesla Model S might be in existence in the global market for many years now, but it is still one of the most modern and tech-packed electric sedans one can buy. The Model S impresses with its clean and futuristic design and tech inside-out, and sheer performance from both variants.