2019 Tesla Model S

Overview

Tesla's impact on America's automotive landscape was miniscule until the game-changing Model S sedan came along. This all-electric luxury car is definitive proof gasoline engines aren't the only way for people to get around. In fact, Tesla has gone so far as to prove that gasoline engines aren't the only way for people to have fun behind the wheel of a car. The 2019 Tesla Model S is either efficient and ferocious, with the highest-performing version capable of a claimed 2.4-second zero-to-60-mph time. We haven't tested it, but if the slower versions are anything to go by, the Model S with the aptly named Ludicrous Mode should offer acceleration that is truly neck-snapping. The cabin isn't as upscale as its price suggests, but buyers are paying for the tech rather than sumptuousness; Tesla offers plenty of tech, too, including a semi-autonomous driving mode, a remote-control driving feature, the largest infotainment screen in the automotive kingdom, and plenty more.

What's New for 2019?

Favoring a more simplistic arrangement, Tesla has altered the 2019 Model S lineup. Gone are the 75D, 100D, and P100D and in their place are the Standard, Long Range, and Performance models. The entry-level car comes with a battery capable of delivering a 270-mile driving range but selecting the Long Range model boosts the range to 335 miles. The Model S Performance comes with a range of 315 miles but focuses more on acceleration times; Tesla claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.0 seconds. For $15,000, Tesla will unlock the car's Ludicrous Mode, which drops that claimed acceleration time to an incredible 2.4 seconds.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We'd stick with the Standard Range Model S, which offers plenty of driving range and acceleration performance for normal drivers. We would, however, add Tesla's Enhanced Autopilot feature.

Powertrain, Charging, and Performance

Likes: Immediate power delivery, astonishing acceleration, agile handling.
Dislikes: Super-slow charging time on 120-volt connection.

With an electric motor dedicated to each of the front and rear axles, the Model S offers full-time all-wheel drive no matter which version you choose. Acceleration performance of the various models ranges from outstanding to ferocious. Driving range and acceleration performance varies from model to model, with the base version's battery providing up to a 270-mile range while the Long Range model offers up to 335. We haven't tested the 2019 Model S yet, but our 2018 100D test vehicle blasted from zero to 60 mph in a mere 3.9 seconds and delivered endless entertainment thanks to its immediate power delivery. If that's not enough for you, the Model S Performance will be far more brutal and can be had with the Ludicrous driving mode that sends the Model S from zero to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds, according to Tesla.

Under the Tesla's floor lies a battery pack that yields a low center of gravity and evenly distributed weight from front to rear. The Model S is an agile sports sedan with well-controlled body motions and direct steering. Two different settings allow drivers to choose heavy or light steering effort, but neither of them enable more feedback from the road ahead. Ride comfort is good, and the Model S imparts a solid feeling on the road that perfectly accompanies its tranquility when cruising.

Driving Range and Real-World MPGe

While rivals such as the Chevy Bolt EV and even Tesla's own Model 3 have encroached on its driving-range superiority, the Model S remains an impressive alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles when it comes to long-distance usability. The Model S Performance sacrifices some of its driving range to provide brutal acceleration performance. We tested a 100D model in 2018—which is essentially the Long Range Model S 2019—and found that our real-world range differed significantly from Tesla's stated maximum range; our test vehicle's battery maxed out at 270 miles on our highway fuel-economy test route. If you drive more in the city, you should expect to get much closer to Tesla's claimed range.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Faux-leather- and faux-suede-wrapped dash, minimalist design, handy front trunk.
Dislikes: Thinly cushioned seats, some uneven gaps between trim panels, no rear-seat storage cubbies.

With Model S prices starting at more than $80,000, buyers would be reasonable to expect a certain amount of luxury inside the car. The cabin's atmosphere is nice enough, but it's not nearly as plush as those of our favorites such as the Mercedes-Benz E-class and the Volvo S90. A few missteps, such as poorly aligned interior panels, remind us that Tesla is still working through some growing pains as a new carmaker.

Fans of modern minimalism will adore the Model S's cabin, which comes standard with a giant infotainment screen that controls almost all of the vehicle's functions. Technophiles will be in heaven, but we're not completely sold. The screen's positioning on the dashboard will require some drivers to lean forward in their seat to reach certain icons, especially those near the top right of the display.

The Model S's sloped roofline cleverly hides a rear liftgate that opens up to reveal a huge 26-cubic-foot trunk. We managed to stash eight of our carry-on-size cases without folding down the rear seats. Paltry small-item cubby stowage throughout the interior—especially in the back seat—is offset by a large underfloor bin in the rear cargo area (unless the optional third-row seat is ordered).

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Although the Model S has sparked a nationwide conversation about the safety of partially autonomous vehicles and has been reported to catch fire after certain types of high-speed impacts, its safety credibility is buoyed by decent crash-test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the knowledge that car fires aren't uncommon, either in electric- or gasoline-powered vehicles. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning
• Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Tesla offers a comprehensive warranty package to protect the Model S's powertrain and hybrid components but lacks the lengthy bumper-to-bumper coverage and complimentary scheduled maintenance packages of the Jaguar I-Pace.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 8 years, regardless of miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance