2018 Tesla Model S Electric

The 2018 Tesla Model S is available in three variants namely 75D, 100D, and P100D. The 75 in the 75D means it gets a 75-kWh battery pack and the same goes for the 100P and P100D. The 75D trim starts at $78,000 and gets all the standard features available in the Model S. The next-in-line is the 100D which starts at $96,000 and gets a bigger battery pack that translates into a better range while the features list are the same as the 75D.

The top-end variant for the Model S is P100D priced at $135,000, it shares the same battery pack as the 100D but adds more premium features over what you get in the 75D trim. The extra features on the P100D trim are otherwise available on the 75D bundles together in the Premium Upgrade package.

We Recommend

Unless you frequently travel to places that don't have many Tesla Superchargers we recommend sticking to the 75D trim and adding to it the Premium Upgrade package. In this way, you not only save a ton of money but also end up getting all the features in your Tesla which are otherwise available on the P100D requiring you to shell out an extra $57,000.

The 2018 Tesla Model S for the 75D variant can go up to 259 miles on a fully charged battery. While the miles per gallon equivalent or MPGe of the Model S 75D is 102 in the city, 105 on the highway, and 103 combined. The same Model S in the 100D variant can go up to 335 miles from a fully charged battery. Charging a Model S isn't an issue either, a Tesla Supercharger can juice up the entry-level Model S from 0 to 80 percent in 30 minutes. While using the 240-volt household power outlet will juice up the Model S in 7.5 hours approximately and the 110-volt household supply gets you 5 miles of range per hour of charge.

Except for the Tesla Model S, all the other sedans are hybrid so they have a better-combined range. Among the rivals, the Lexus LS 500h has the highest 577 miles of combined range from a full tank of gas which is more than double the Model S' range from a fully charged battery.

“The Tesla’s interior is a very special place to spend time, with a wide-open feel and lovely materials. Owing to the advanced features in this car, there is a bit of a learning curve. But Tesla focused on the user interface, and it shows” – Edmunds

2018 Tesla Model S Seating and Comfort

Step inside the 2018 Model S cabin and you will be welcomed by a clean dashboard dominated by a large touchscreen that inherently controls most of the function inside the Model S. The Model S has tried to give the cabin a modern yet elegant look but the fit and finish levels are still lacking inside the cabin. The overall visibility outside the cabin is excellent while ingress and egress of the Model S, due to its slightly raised seating surface and large opening doors, are among the best in the sedan segment.

The seats of the Model S are supportive but not in the leagues of other luxury brands offering in terms of comfort and luxury feel. Although the seats hold you well and remain acceptably comfortable for long hauls. The seats can be electrically adjusted and so is the steering wheel column giving a lot of flexibility for finding that perfect driving position. 

For its dimensions, the Model S offers a generous amount of head, shoulder, and legroom. But when pitted against the likes of BMW 7-Series and Lexus LS 500h, which are much longer and thus get a longer wheelbase, especially the legroom feels lacking. As for the headroom and shoulder room, the Tesla Model S and the Lexus LS 500h are more or less in the same ballpark while the BMW 7-Series gets the best headroom and shoulder room among all.

Interior Features:

Standard-

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Rearview Camera
• Cloth and premium vinyl upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Power tilt and telescoping steering wheel

Optional-

• Cabin air filter system
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Panoramic glass roof
• LED ambient interior lights
• Flat-folding rear-facing jump seats

2018 Tesla Model S Infotainment

The 17-inch touchscreen inside the Tesla Model S is its infotainment screen that gets a seven-speaker sound system, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi connectivity, USB ports, etc as standard. Using Model S' infotainment is a learning curve since it is not only big in size but can get complex to use as all the functions inside the cabin are controlled by the screen itself.

Apart from the standard features if you opt for the optional Premium Upgrade package or get the Model S in P100D trim you will add features like a 12-speaker premium sound system and satellite radio.

2018 Tesla Model S Cargo Capacity

The 2018 Tesla Model S provides 31.6 cubic feet of combined cargo space. If you look individually then the rear trunk can hold 26.3 cubic feet while the front trunk a.k.a frunk offers additional 5.3 cubic feet of space.

Since the Model S doesn't have to accommodate an engine the combined cargo space of it is more than any of the rivals. Among the rivals, the Lexus LS 500h offers the highest 15.2 cubic feet of trunk space while the Model S offers more than double of this.

"The Tesla’s clean, uncluttered lines debuted back in 2012, and it immediately became one of the most striking cars on the road. It still is."- KBB

2018 Model S Dimensions and Weight

The 2018 Model S was last redesigned in the year 2016 and since then the exterior looks have been untouched. Overall since 2013 when the car was first launched the Model S' silhouette has remained unchanged and only the front has been touched up to make it look made sharper and cleaner.  At the front, the front grille has been covered completely with two sleek LED headlight units flanking from the side.

The bonnet has a slight bulge that cleanly starts from the headlights and merges into the roof pillars. The side-profile has a conventional coupe-like look with the retractable door handles being the highlight here. The rear is more subtle with a thick chrome line that joins the brake lights and a small rear spoiler mounted on the boot lid. 

In terms of length and height, the Model S is the smallest sedan here although sitting at 77.3-inches wide it is the widest sedan. Being smaller in length there is no doubt the Model S has a smaller wheelbase and when compared to that of the BMW 7-Series the Model S' wheelbase is as much as 10-inches shorter. That said, due to the lower placement of the batteries the ground clearance of the Model S is also the least while the Lexus LS 500h ahs the highest ground clearance of 6.3-inches, 1.7-inches higher than the Model S.

Exterior Features

• Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Power liftgate
• Power folding, heated side mirrors with memory
• Available adaptive LED headlights
• Available sunroof
• Available LED cornering lights

The 2018 Tesla Model S hasn't been completely crash-tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS. The NHTSA only tested the Model S for rollover mitigation where it scored a perfect five-star rating. The IIHS on the other hand gave the Model S a rating of 'Good' for Roof strength and Head restraints parameters while the headlights of the Model S were rated with the lowest rating of 'Poor'.  That said since the Model S is equipped with advanced driver-assist features right from the base trim the Front crash prevention of the Model S was rated 'Superior' by IIHS.

Safety Features

• Auto emergency braking
• Rearview camera
• Parking sensors
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Available Semi-autonomous driving

2018 Tesla Model S vs 2018 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid

The Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid and the Model S in terms of exterior design strikes a resemblance as both of them are a hatchback designed to look like a sedan. The Panamera E-Hybrid gets a powerful hybrid setup that is capable of faster 0-60 mph timing compared to the base Model S while being a hybrid it also has a better range. As far as the interiors are concerned the Panamera's cabin is leagues ahead of the Model S but the minimalistic folks will prefer the Model S cabin. 

The only grouse for the Panamera E-Hybrid is its higher sticker price which can further reach the $200,000 mark in the top trim is way more expensive than the Model S. That said, the Porsche is more premium than the Model S but it is not fully electric thus EV advocates would prefer sticking to the cheaper Model S.

2018 Tesla Model S vs 2018 BMW 7-Series Hybrid

The 2018 BMW 7-Series Hybrid and the Tesla Model S shouldn't be compared in a true sense as both cars cater to a completely different set of audiences. The 7-Series Hybrid is for someone who prefers to be chauffeur-driven but is going for the hybrid version for better gas mileage and a less polluting vehicle.  

The Model S on the other hand is made for someone who loves to self-drive and isn't particular about premiumness and luxury. So picking one between the two will depend on your personal preference and of course your social standing in the society as not everyone prefers driving around in a 7-Series unless he is a hot-shot in some MNC or a startup.

The 2018 Tesla Model S is the best bet for someone who is looking to jump into the ship of early EV adopters. The Model S is in no way being an EV a compromise in terms of performance or range which was the usual case with the usual suspects like the Toyota Mirai, Chevrolet Volt, etc. The Model S is offered in three variant choices that help it to target all kinds of customers, ones looking for a cheaper Model with sufficient performance and range can go for 75D, the ones looking for performance can look at the P100D, while the ones looking for a longer range can stick to the 100D. The only sore point of the Model S is its fit and finish level and long-term reliability ratings. If you are someone who can ignore these two things then the Model S is worth a look.