“Awesome! Fun to drive, powerful, safe, versatile, comfortable. Range has not been a problem, even driving back and forth to Florida.”
2016 Tesla Model S: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest 2016 Tesla Model S change is a midyear refresh that brought a smoother grille-less nose, updated headlights, and a stronger standard onboard charger. Tesla also expanded the trim lineup during the year.
About the 2016 Tesla Model S
1st generation Model S (2012-2020), mid-cycle refresh year with major 2016.5 running changes.
Tesla positioned the Model S as a premium electric sedan for people who wanted luxury-car space and straight-line speed without giving up long-distance usability. Its core appeal was simple: big driving range for the time, very quick acceleration, a large touchscreen-centered cabin, over-the-air software updates, and Supercharger-backed road trips. Against other luxury sedans, the Model S stood out less for trim-by-trim equipment differences and more for its electric powertrain, hatchback practicality, and technology-first ownership experience.
The 2016 Model S spans everything from the rear-wheel-drive 60 and all-wheel-drive 60D to the range-focused 90D and high-performance P100D. Every trim centers on a 17-inch touchscreen with navigation, while D models add dual-motor all-wheel drive and the late-year P100D pairs a 100-kWh battery with the quickest Model S acceleration offered that year.
What changed, by category
Styling
Late-build 2016 cars received a smoother grille-less front end and updated headlights. Early-build cars retained the older faux-grille design.
Tech
The standard onboard charger increased from 40 to 48 amps, allowing faster Level 2 charging when connected to suitable charging equipment.
Powertrain
The lineup gained the all-wheel-drive 60D, rear-wheel-drive 75, all-wheel-drive 75D, and high-performance P100D trims during 2016.
2016 Tesla Model S specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | AC Electric Motor | AC Electric Motor | AC Electric Motor | AC Electric Motor | Dual AC Electric Motors | Dual AC Electric Motors | Dual AC Electric Motors | Dual AC Electric Motors | Dual AC Electric Motors | Dual AC ElectricMotors HP | Dual AC ElectricMotors HP | Dual AC ElectricMotors HP |
| Transmission | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Single-Speed Fixed Gear |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric |
| Horsepower | 328 hp | 315 hp | 328 hp | 362 hp | 315 hp | 329 hp | 315 hp | 422 hp | 417 hp | 691 hp | 463 hp | |
| Trunk/Cargo | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft | 58.1 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in | 35.4 in |
| Seats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 249 | 234 | 249 | 265 | 259 | 240 | 259 | 270 | 294 | 253 | 270 | 315 |
| MPGe Combined | 89 | 98 | 89 | 101 | 103 | 100 | 103 | 93 | 93 | 98 | ||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||||||||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | ||||||||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Tesla Model S cars have the refreshed front end?
No. Tesla introduced the refreshed front end as a midyear running change, so early-build 2016 cars have the older faux grille while later cars have the smoother grille-less nose and updated headlights.
Did charging improve on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Yes. The standard onboard charger increased from 40 to 48 amps, which can shorten Level 2 charging time when the car is connected to suitable charging equipment.
Which trims were added to the 2016 Tesla Model S lineup?
The 60D, 75, 75D, and P100D joined the Model S lineup for 2016. The 60D and 75D use dual-motor all-wheel drive, the 75 uses rear-wheel drive, and the P100D is the high-performance flagship.
Was the P100D new for the 2016 Model S?
Yes. The P100D arrived late in the 2016 model year with a 100-kWh battery, high-output dual-motor all-wheel drive, and the quickest Model S acceleration offered that year.
Is a late-build 2016 Model S different from an early-build car?
Yes. A late-build 2016 Model S may have the refreshed grille-less nose, updated headlights, and stronger standard onboard charger. Because Tesla made these changes during the year, shoppers should verify the individual car rather than relying on its model year alone.
2016 Tesla Model S Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 Tesla Model S.
4.7
2016 Tesla Model S
(207 reviews)
“Do not be concerned with the charging aspects. Very simple. And range is fine. The car is never gets boring to drive. And with updates its always a new car. Never having to go to a gas station is an added bonus.”
“Love the car performance and styling. Still finding it challenging to easily access the information I need using the screen.”