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Tesla Model S: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Tesla Model S is a five-seat luxury electric sedan with liftback-style cargo access, known for long driving range, very quick acceleration, and a screen-centered cabin. It combines daily comfort and road-trip ability with access to Tesla’s fast-charging network.
Since its 2012 launch, the Model S has paired premium-sedan comfort with the space and easy cargo access of a liftback. Its defining formula has stayed consistent: useful electric range, strong acceleration, fast charging, and a cabin built around large screens and software. The major 2021 overhaul brought a new chassis, powertrain, and interior along with Plaid, while later updates have focused on efficiency, ride comfort, and cabin quietness.
Strengths
- Its long electric range makes it more practical for road trips than many shoppers may expect from an EV.
- The roomy liftback layout provides useful passenger and luggage space without giving up a sleek sedan shape.
- Even the standard version is very quick, while Plaid delivers acceleration intended to rival supercars.
- Tesla’s fast-charging network supports easier long-distance travel.
- The screen-centered cabin and frequent software focus give it a distinctly digital feel.
- Recent refreshes have improved ride comfort and reduced cabin noise.
Who it's for
It fits someone who wants one premium electric car for commuting, carrying passengers and luggage, and taking longer trips. It especially suits drivers who value range, quick acceleration, and a highly digital cabin more than traditional buttons and controls.
Tesla Model S lineup
Since the 2021 overhaul, the lineup has centered on the standard dual-motor Model S and the tri-motor Plaid. Pick the standard car if long range and effortless everyday speed matter more than extreme performance. Step up to Plaid if acceleration is the main attraction; it takes the same roomy, road-trip-friendly idea into supercar territory. Older versions follow a similar pattern under names such as Long Range, 100D, Performance, and P100D, with some emphasizing distance and others emphasizing speed.
Tesla Model S generations
From 2012 to 2026, the Model S spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2012.
1st Generation (2012–Present)
The Model S began as a rear-wheel-drive electric liftback sedan with a floor-mounted battery and a large central touchscreen. It has remained in its first generation while receiving major updates in 2016 and 2021, with the 2021 overhaul bringing a new cabin, revised exterior, updated chassis and powertrain, and the Plaid version.
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2026Mid-cycle update
A refresh brought a quieter cabin, ambient lighting, a front camera, blind-spot indicators, adaptive headlights, revised air suspension, and improved efficiency.
2025
The two-trim lineup carried over. Later-built cars received a quieter cabin, revised suspension tuning, a front camera, adaptive headlights, ambient lighting, and a small range increase for the dual-motor version.
2024
The dual-motor Model S and three-motor Plaid carried over without a notable redesign or lineup-wide hardware change.
2023Trim changes
Key cards replaced the old key fob, and a round steering wheel returned alongside the yoke.
2022Trim changes
The heavily updated body, cabin, chassis, powertrain, and two-trim lineup from 2021 carried over.
2021Mid-cycle update
A major overhaul brought revised exterior styling, a redesigned cabin with a horizontal center screen, an updated chassis and powertrain, and the new Plaid version. Early 2021 cars retained the older design.
2020Trim changes
Long Range became Long Range Plus midway through the year, raising EPA range to 402 miles. The front drive unit, air suspension, and fast-charging support were also updated.
2019Trim changes
The Raven update improved efficiency, range, suspension, and charging. 100D became Long Range, P100D became Performance, and Standard Range briefly returned.
2018Trim changes
An updated media computer made the touchscreen and digital gauge display run more smoothly.
2017Trim changes
The new 100D joined as a longer-range dual-motor version with 335 miles of EPA-rated range.
2016Mid-cycle update
A midyear refresh brought a smoother grille-free nose, updated headlights, and a stronger onboard charger. The battery and trim lineup also changed substantially.
2015Trim changes
The lineup expanded with more dual-motor AWD versions, plus new entry-level, longer-range, and performance variants.
2014Trim changes
Dual-motor AWD debuted late in the year with the P85D. Newly built cars also gained forward-looking driver-assistance sensors and related hardware.
2013
The lineup moved beyond the limited Signature launch models to regular base and Performance versions. The planned 40-kWh model was dropped.
2012New generation
The all-new Model S launched with rear-wheel drive, a floor-mounted battery, a 17-inch touchscreen, a rear cargo hatch, and a front trunk.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Tesla Model S.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model S fully electric?
Yes. Every Model S is fully electric, so it has no gasoline engine or hybrid system. Depending on the era and trim, it uses one, two, or three electric motors.
Is the Model S a sedan or a hatchback?
Officially, the Model S is a four-door sedan, but its rear glass lifts with the cargo lid. That liftback design creates a large rear opening, and there is a second storage area under the hood.
Does every Tesla Model S have all-wheel drive?
No. Newer Model S versions use all-wheel drive, but early cars included rear-wheel-drive trims such as 60, 70, 75, 85, and P85. In older trim names, a D usually identifies a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version.
Is the Model S practical for road trips?
Yes. Range-focused versions can travel more than 400 EPA-rated miles when new, while Supercharger fast charging supports longer journeys. The liftback cargo area also makes luggage easier to carry. Range varies by trim and year.
What separates older Model S cars from the refreshed version?
The major 2021 overhaul is the key dividing line. Later cars have a wide horizontal center screen, a rear passenger screen, a revised chassis and powertrain, and the Plaid trim. Early 2021 cars may still have the older portrait-screen cabin.
How roomy is the Tesla Model S?
On newer cars, the Model S seats five and provides 61.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo room. Rear legroom is 35.5 inches. Its liftback opening and front trunk give it more carrying flexibility than a conventional sedan trunk.
Who is the Tesla Model S a good fit for?
It suits someone who wants a very quick luxury EV that still works for commuting, road trips, and carrying luggage. The cabin is heavily screen-based, so it especially fits drivers comfortable using touch controls and software features.
Tesla Model S Reviews
What owners are saying about the Tesla Model S.
4.5
Tesla Model S
(1,564 reviews)
“There are no better, more innovative, and environmentally conscious vehicles than Tesla.”
“Fun vehicle, absolutely love driving it. Definitely has some creaks, and build quality is not the best. But for the price, the performance is top notch.”
“Owning a Tesla is a labor of love. In day to day driving, it is great, but it has rattles, and I've had things go wrong. One of the electric door handles just went bad on mine. The S is actually a very wide vehicle and I wasn't really aware of this before hand.”
“It is a fantastic purchase if it fits your price range. Driving EVs is a much better experience than internal combustion engines and you would not want to return to standard cars after driving an EV for an extended period of time.”
“Tesla is a wonderful car company and has enough Tesla superchargers to travel anywhere, not including the 3rd party chargers.”
Sources
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- afdc.energy.gov — Vehicles / Search
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