Tesla is a titan of the electric car market, but which models deliver the best features when buying new or pre-owned?
Tesla: A Brief History
Tesla is known worldwide as the premier electric vehicle manufacturer and the vanguard of the EV invasion. It was founded in 2003 as Tesla Motors by a couple of engineers named Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. The idea was to build an all-electric sports car that people would actually like to buy. Among other investors in 2004, they received a 30 million dollar investment from PayPal co-founder Elon Musk, who took over the company’s board.
In 2008, Tesla released its first car named the Roadster. It was originally based on the Lotus Elise, but due to manufacturing and design hurdles, it shared very few components with its British cousin by the end of production.
Tesla claimed that during their testing the two-seater convertible could do 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and could travel 245 miles on a single charge. This was unheard of because at the time the most common electric car was the horrific G-Wiz, which could be outrun by a horse.
The Roadsters battery technology is what made it unique in the electric car market. Traditionally, electric cars were powered by normal lead-acid batteries that were wired in series to amplify the voltage.
Instead, Tesla used lithium-ion batteries that you find in cell phones and laptops. These power cells took up less space, delivered more power, and could be recharged quicker than their ancient counterparts. The main drawback to the Roadster, besides the wayward handling, is the charging time.
Even with its fancy new batteries, if the power was completely drained, it would still take between four and 26.5 hours to charge. The former used a 220-volt, 70-amp home-installed charger, the latter a standard 120-volt wall plug.
The original Roadster was not received particularly well due to quality and reliability issues, which in all honesty, is to be expected of any new carmaker trying to reinvent the wheel. In 2012, Tesla discontinued the Roadster to focus on the production of its brand-new Model S.
Model S: First-generation (2012-2016)
One of the best Tesla’s is also one of the first, the Model S. Introduced in 2012, the Model S served to compete with the likes of the Porsche Panamera, Mercedes E-Class, and BMW 5 series.
As a fast, spacious, virtually silent, four-door sedan, the Model S is the flagship of the electric automakers lineup. The great technological breakthrough with this model was the location of the batteries. In the Roadster, the heavy battery pack is located in the front of the vehicle, which wasn’t great for the car’s weight distribution and caused it to understeer.
In the Model S, the batteries are mounted under the floor, lowering the center of gravity and dramatically improving the handling.
The original standard car known as the 75D produces a respectable 365 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque, but with the 65 kW-hr battery pack, the range is not fantastic, at a meager 208 miles. The instant grunt from the electric motor takes this Model S from 0-60 mph in 5 seconds, which is impressive from a hatchback weighing in at over 4700 lbs.
The big brother of the 75D is the 100D, and the main difference between the two is performance. The 100D produces 415 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque with an 85kW-hr battery pack giving way to an estimated 265 miles of range.
Unlike the roadster, the Model S was beloved by all. In 2013, the Model S won “Car of the Year” from Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and Automobile magazine.
Over the years, the Model S has remained a serious contender to the German-dominated used luxury market, and well-kept 75D and 100D’s can be bought for around $50,000.
Model S: Second-generation (2017-2021)
The 2021 Tesla Model S is no different, receiving a nine out of 10 rating from Car and Driver. It remains beloved by reviewers at the top of the EV market. The new Model S has sleeker styling than the old model. Its smooth front end is striking compared to the honeycomb grills you find on cars with prehistoric radiators.
With prices starting at $89,190, the standard Model S offers all-wheel drive, 670 hp, and a range of 390 miles. Tesla has announced the new trim levels to come are the Plaid and Plaid +.
These models will boast three electric motors producing a face-ripping 1,020 hp, all while lasting up to 500 miles on one charge. All this performance comes at a hefty price, starting at $121,190 and $141,190, respectively.
With comfortable seating for 5 and 26 cu. ft. of trunk space, the Model S is a great option for couples and small families. The very minimalist interior has a charm of its own, but if you’re accustomed to the suede-lined accommodations offered by the Germans, you might find the Model S interior quite plain.
Though the interior is comfortable and has a real sense of occasion, a huge touch screen command center sits on the dash like someone forgot their iPad, with all the surfaces having a distinct synthetic feel. In my opinion, this is the only real negative to the Model S. Otherwise, it puts competitors like Audi and BMW to shame.
Model 3: First-generation (2017-2020)
In a sea of Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 series, the Tesla Model 3 is a great option for entry-level buyers looking to stand out from the crowd. With prices starting at just $38,901, the “cheap” Tesla offers quite a lot for your money.
Released in 2017, the base Model 3 has a range of 263 miles, seating for four, and plenty of cargo room.
The 3-Phase permanent magnet electric motor produces 271 hp and 307 lb.-ft. of torque. Instant torque from the electric motor means this small sedan can go from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds all the way to the top speed of 130 mph.
The Model 3 also scored the automaker its first-ever IIHS top safety award, which as of March 2021, it has held for three consecutive years. As for range, the plus model can cover 265 miles on one charge and is considered the best bang for your buck.
If you see many road trips or long commutes in your future, you may be considering the long-range model. The 356-mile range may be tempting at first glance as it adds an extra 100 miles, but with a price tag of $20,000, we suggest giving this some extra thought and adopting some range-extending driving habits instead.
Model 3: Second-generation (2021-Current)
The 2021 Model 3 also received an interior refresh. Gone are the costume jewelry chrome accents, replaced with a discrete satin black finish. A full glass roof allows you to see the O-zone layer you’re personally saving, and the center console has been molded to accommodate two cell phone charging pads.
What is worth the extra price tag is the performance model. If you like the styling of the Model 3 but would really like to crush a few muscle cars as you sprint from stoplight to stoplight, consider the Performance Edition. The all-wheel-drive powered by two electric motors means this model can hit 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, all while boasting a range of 353 miles.
The price starts at $55,990, which is a lot of money for a small sedan. But when you factor in the cost of an equivalent AMG Mercedes or M-spec BMW, the Model 3 Performance is a steal.
Model X: First-generation (2015-Current)
Hitting the scene in 2015, the Tesla Model X is a stylish sport utility vehicle with supercar performance. Tesla’s first SUV is based on the Model S but only shares around 30% of its components. The Model X is mostly known for its comical falcon rear doors and blistering performance, but there’s more to it than just that.
The Model X P90 has electric motors on each axle, giving the sleek SUV all-wheel-drive with a combined power output of 463 hp and an estimated range of 250 miles. A simple software update from Tesla, called Ludicrous Mode, raises the energy load limit allowed on the batteries.
This lets the motor draw more power from the batteries at once, resulting in 532 hp and a monumental 701 lb.-ft. of torque. All this power means the P90 Model X can hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, which’s a whole second faster than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo of the same vintage.
For the 2021 model year, Tesla added even more power and range to the Model X thanks to recently released software updates as well as a new, ludicrous-besting Plaid Edition. This performance model has been announced to feature three electric motors and a whopping 1020 hp. As for 0-60 mph times, that comes in at a staggering 2.5 seconds.
The standard long-range model has an estimated range of 360 miles and produces 670 hp. Tesla also revamped the interior of the Model X by redesigning the command center but kept the very minimalist appearance with the same serial surfaces and synthetic textures.
Pricing for the new long-range model starts at $91,190, with the Plaid starting at over $120,000. For the money, you get a ton of performance and wow factor but not much else. In my opinion, the price is a little steep for an SUV with 5 seats and an interior that is far from luxurious.
Model Y: First-generation (2020-Current)
In 2020, Tesla brought us the Model Y, a great car for small families that need space and affordability. The standard car comes with seating for 5 and a large cargo bay. A single electric motor drives the rear wheels and gives it an estimated range of 244 miles.
However, this is not the one you want. A much better choice is the long-range or performance models; they boast 360 miles of range along with all-wheel-drive and more power.
The Model Y is based on the compact Model 3 but with a crossover body to get more room for passengers and cargo. Car and Driver report that it is not as nice to drive as its little brother or as comfortable. The starting price is great at $41,190 for the two-wheel-drive model, but to get a desirable long-range you will need at least $51,190.
If you need to make up some time on your morning school run, then the 2021 performance Model Y can help. With twin electric motors and all-wheel-drive, this electric school bus gets to 60 mph in a mere 4.4 seconds. Prices for the hot Model Y start at $61,190 and go from there, which sounds good compared to the Model X, but doesn’t deliver the same fuzzy feeling you get from its cousin with the flappy doors.
Which is the Best Tesla Model for Your Garage?
Born from the dreams of skilled engineers, Tesla has grown into a true automotive giant, obtaining the coveted “worlds most valuable car company” after their stock surged to over $1,100 per share in mid-2020. Every new generation seems to outshine the last with more tech and improved build quality. Since their release, the Model S and Model 3 have been beloved by critics and customers alike.
At the moment, Tesla still has no real competition in the EV market, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t hitting hard at the gas-guzzling giants.
Volkswagen and other brands are gearing up heavily to introduce EV’s of their own with the release of the ID.3 and the Porsche Taycan. Time will tell if they become real competition for the Texas automaker, but Tesla will have to continue to expand to stay on top.
After taking a look at their new lineup, it seems safe to say they will continue to hold the crown, at least for the time being. Range anxiety is still a concern with all-electric cars, but more charging points are popping up all over the country. If you are in the market for an electric vehicle, you will love the Tesla Model 3 and Model S.
The ever-growing community of Tesla owners are very welcoming and even a modification scene is gaining traction with Model 3 owners. It seems fairly safe to say that Tesla is here to stay and the Model that’s right for you is already here.
Photos: Tesla, Deposit Photos
