2023 Tesla Model S Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Tesla Model S, the American electric-car-maker's flagship sedan, continues to offer a unique blend of speed and tech.

The Model S was Tesla’s first real breakout hit, and it remains the flagship sedan for the electric automaker today. It blends mind-bending acceleration and speed with a luxurious interior and top-notch tech for a unique experience not found anywhere else in the automotive industry today.

What’s New for the 2023 Tesla Model S

Tesla made no significant changes to the Model S for 2023, but the automaker does offer several configurations and upgrades for the car.

Design

The basic Model S design hasn’t changed in years, but the car still appears modern and competitive in a sea of high-end rivals. Tesla offers two wheel choices and five colors for the car, which is a much simpler options set than most.

Powertrain

Tesla focuses on range and acceleration over horsepower and traditional output specifications. The entry-level Model S gets two electric motors for a combined 670 horsepower and a 405-mile range. The upgraded Plaid model delivers a staggering 1,020 horsepower and an impressive 396-mile range.

All Model S sedans benefit from Tesla’s Supercharger network, which offers speedier and more reliable charging than any other charging system in the country. It’s fast, easy to find, and makes the process of charging less of a pain. That said, Tesla has recently partnered with General Motors and Ford to allow other EV brands access to its network, which could cause delays and longer waits than are already experienced in some parts of the country.

Interior

The Model S’s interior is clean and lacking of any clutter, including buttons and conventional automotive controls. The car can be outfitted with a yoke-style steering wheel, and the cabin feels upscale in every direction. Tesla offers three interior color choices–black, white, and cream–and the design feels premium with any color choice.

Technology

Tesla bypasses Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of its own interface, which seems like a big downside, but there are plenty of features to make up for the lack of common smartphone connectivity. A 17-inch touchscreen comes standard, along with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a Wi-Fi hotspot, 22 speakers, Bluetooth, and more.

Safety

The latest Model S hasn’t been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the 2021 model earned mixed results in limited testing. Standard driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure warnings, lane-keep assist, and more.

Pricing

Pricing for the Model S starts out high and gets more ridiculous from there. The base car starts at $88,490, and buyers can add thousands to that price with tech and appearance features, including the $250 yoke and the $15,000 “full self-driving” feature. It’s worth noting that the car’s price tag is too steep for it to qualify for federal tax credits, so the price is the price.