The 2020 Tesla Model S is one of the highest-rated vehicles in the luxury hybrid and electric car class because of its lightning-quick acceleration and long driving range.
Pros & Cons
- Forceful acceleration
- Distracting infotainment system
- Class-leading driving range
- Some build quality issues
- Futuristic technology
- Ample cargo space
New for 2020
- Free supercharging
- Extended range
Features & Specs
2020 Model S Photos
How Much Does the Tesla Model S Cost?
The 2020 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus, which is the base model, starts at $79,990. That makes it one of the highest-priced luxury hybrid and electric cars, second only to the Porsche Taycan. The Model S Performance starts at $99,990.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Tesla Model S?
The cost of insuring a Tesla Model S will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.
Which Is Better: Tesla Model S or Tesla Model 3?
Tesla developed the Model 3 to make all-electric driving more accessible and affordable. The smaller Model 3's starting price is about half of what you'd pay for a base Model S ($39,990 vs. $79,990), but its 250-mile range isn't as generous as the range you get with the Model S, which is up to 390 miles. It's hard for any alternative-fuel vehicle to beat the Model 3's price and capabilities, with the highest-range model (322 miles) starting at under $50,000. If it's value you're after, buy the Model 3. Buy the Model S if you can handle a higher price tag, you need a longer range, and you want quicker acceleration than what the Model 3 offers.
Which Is Better: Tesla Model S or Tesla Model X?
As Tesla's SUV, the Model X offers a few obvious advantages over the sedan. The Model X has a lot more cargo space, a seating capacity of up to seven people, and Falcon wing doors that should turn heads in the neighborhood. The lower, hunkered-down Model S has a slight edge in handling, but the Model X is sporty enough for an SUV. Both of these EVs have blistering acceleration, with the Model S boasting quicker zero-to-60 times by a fraction of a second. Across both Long Range and Performance trims, the Model X SUV is about $5,000 more expensive. While the Model S' range is between 348 and 390 miles, the X can go between 305 and 351 miles. Since both Teslas are good choices, your decision comes down to whether you want a sedan or an SUV.
Model S Performance
Model S Engine: No Engine, No Problem
The Tesla Model S is powered by a 100-kilowatt-hours lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors. This setup gives the Model S among the quickest acceleration of any car you can buy. Mash the accelerator, and you'll be thrown to the back of your seat. You definitely won’t want for power while merging onto the highway or passing slower cars.
The standard Model S Long Range Plus can go from zero to 60 mph in about 3.7 seconds. The Model S Performance and its standard Ludicrous Mode shave that time to 2.4 seconds.
Model S Range and Charging: Cream of the Crop
The base Model S Long Range Plus can go up to 390 miles on a single charge, according to Tesla's estimates. The Model S Long Range gives you an EPA-estimated 373 miles of range, and the Model S Performance can go up to 348 miles without recharging.
All of those range estimates are longer than what nearly all other electric vehicles on the market offer. In fact, few EVs even approach a 300-mile range. The 2020 Model S gets between 97 and 111 MPGe combined city/highway, according to the EPA. That measurement is a way of comparing the overall efficiency of plug-in hybrid and electric cars to traditional gasoline vehicles. For more, check out What Is MPGe?
Buyers of a new Model S can take advantage of free nationwide charging at a Tesla Supercharger station. This method adds up to 136 miles of range in just 15 minutes. With a Tesla Wall Connector installed in your home, you can get up to 34 miles of range per hour of charging.
Model S Ride and Handling: Inspiring
This Tesla boasts solid handling for a large sedan. Standard all-wheel drive and a low center of gravity – thanks to heavy batteries under the floor in the middle of the car – result in great road grip and controlled body motions around turns. There's not a huge amount of feedback from the road like you'd experience with a sports car, but the Model S is plenty sporty.
The ride is a little stiff, even in the presence of a standard air suspension. However, it remains comfortable enough for everyday driving.
Model S Safety
Model S Crash Test Results
The 2020 Tesla Model S has been through minimal crash testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it five out of five stars in the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not yet evaluated the 2020 Model S.
Model S Safety Features
The Model S comes standard with Tesla's Autopilot feature, which incorporates adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist to help the car maintain a set speed and following distance from other cars, as well as stay centered in its lane on the highway. This Tesla also comes with active safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring for use in normal driving situations.
An enhanced version of Autopilot called Full Self-Driving Capability is optional. This arrangement allows for automatic lane changes on a highway, as well as changing and merging onto different highways based on directions in the navigation system. Additional features in this bundle include automatic parking assist and a summon feature, which gives the car the ability to pull itself out of a parking spot and drive to you.
Despite these names, the Model S isn’t capable of fully autonomous driving. The driver is still fully responsible for safe operation of the vehicle at all times.
The Final Call
The 2020 Tesla Model S justifies its status as the measuring stick for all other EVs with nearly 400 miles of all-electric range, supercar-like performance, and tons of tech features. Simply put, it's a great choice in the luxury hybrid and electric car class.
Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.
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