2020 Tesla Model S Electric

The 2020 Tesla Model S comes in only two trims namely  Long Range Plus and Performance. With this Tesla has reduced the number of trims, available in the Model S for 2020. All trims come with the same set of standard features and are mostly differentiated in terms of range and performance. Also, AWD comes in as standard on both trims and Full Self-Driving Capability is optional on both trims. Talking about the differences, the Long Range Plus trim offers 402 miles of range and a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds. The Performance trim does the 0-60 MPH dash in just 2.4 seconds and sees a reduction in range to just 315 miles.

We Recommend

We recommend the Long Range Plus trim of the 2020 Tesla model S as it bundles sufficient performance and a superb range with it. Apart from that we also suggest picking the available Full Self-Driving Capability to further enhance the capabilities of your Tesla.

While the Tesla Model S runs on electric power, it has certainly raised the bar for the distances that can be traversed by an EV when charged fully. The least range that one can get from a fully charged 2020 Tesla Model S is 348 miles in the Performance trim while the Long Range Plus offers 402 miles range. What further sweetens the deal for the Tesla owners is the free nationwide range of Tesla Supercharger stations and the upgraded Superchargers that can charge 50% of the Model S' battery in just 5 minutes. Tesla also bundles a 20 feet long charging cable and multiple adapters of different ratings, to make it easier for consumers to charge their Tesla.

As for the range, it is, without doubt, the Model S that offers the best range and compared to it the rivals like the Taycan and the E-Tron offer just half the range. The closest to the Model S in terms of the range is its sibling the Model 3 Performance. While to make it an easy comparison between gasoline and electric cars EPA gives MPGe ratings to these vehicles. Based on MPGe ratings here also Teslas rule the comparison with the Model 3 Performance offering the highest MPGe figures in the city and under mixed driving conditions. As for the highway both the Model 3 Performance and the Model S offer similar MPGe ratings.

"The Tesla's interior is a very special place to spend time, with a wide-open feel and lovely materials." -Edmunds.com

Inside the 2020 Tesla Model S, it comes standard with leather-trimmed seats that offer heating for both front and rear seats while the front seats also are power-adjustable. The seats are comfortable and provide excellent support but the material quality could use a little help. For a car that costs as much as a Tesla, other manufacturers can provide a much more refined interior for the same price. Passenger comfort is excellent in the front. In the second row, the sloping roofline hinders the headroom for taller passengers. Another issue is the seating angle in the second row. Since the floor is raised due to the arrangement of the batteries, the knees are raised, which isn't ideal for long journeys. While the optional rear-facing seats are only suited for small children.

The liftback design of the Model S yields its gains in terms of the cargo space it offers. The 2020 Tesla model S offers an impressive and class-leading 28.4 cubic feet of space, which can be further improved by folding the rear seats flat down in a 60/40 configuration. Which when folded down liberates 60 cubic feet of cargo space. And that's not all there is another trunk in the front of the Model S where gas-powered vehicles usually have their engines. This front trunk a.k.a frunk offers another 2.1 cubic feet of storage space which is sufficient to store some knick-knacks or your charging cable.

As for the infotainment system, you get the usual 17-inch vertically stacked touchscreen that is among the best in the segment in terms of user interface and screen display. Although being the only command center for most functions makes using this screen while on the go a bit overwhelming for most users. That being said, along with the big touchscreen you also get an 11-speaker premium audio system, navigation, satellite radio, etc.

In terms of cabin space, the Model S and Model 3 are almost similar except for the headroom on offer which the latter offers better than the former. Compared to the rivals the Model 3 offers the most spacious front row seats while in the rear seats the Audi E-Tron is the one which is more spacious than both the Model S and Model 3. Moving to the utility part, the Model S has the biggest cargo space on offer followed by the Audi E-Tron. While the Model 3 offers the least amount of space even lower than the Porsche Taycan, 2.1 cubic feet less to be exact.

Interior Features:

• Keyless entry
• 60/40 Split-folding heated rear seats
• Auto-dimming mirrors
• One-touch power windows
• Power adjustable, heated side mirrors
• Heated steering wheel
• LED interior ambient lighting
• Center armrest with 2 cup holders
• 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats w/ memory function and driver profile

"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.com

When we talk about exterior design, Tesla cars brought forth a revolution in terms of design and changed the perspective of people about EVs not being boring to look at. This feat was achieved by Tesla by having the Model S with a simple and uncluttered design that sets it apart just as much as its capabilities in terms of performance and range. Till 2016, the Model S wore a faux grille which the 2020 Model S has now ditched for a more daring grille-less design along with revised headlights. The 2020 Model S gets swanky LED headlights with LED cornering lamps and LED foglights.

From the side, the sloping roofline makes the Model S look more like a practical hatchback than a sedan. You won't find any door handles anywhere, but when you approach the car with the key fob, the retractable handles emerge out for you. Move to the rear, the simple yet daring and classy look continues. The taillights hold another secret, the recharging port is hidden behind the taillight, to not be a constant freckle on an otherwise clean design. Dimensionally the 2020 Model S is a big car and measures 196-inches bumper-to-bumper, 77.3-inches wide, and sits 56.9-inches high from the ground.

The Model S in terms of dimensions is bigger in comparison to either the Taycan or the E-Tron and this gives it an edge in the form of better cabin and cargo space. Although Model S suffers in terms of ground clearance and thus those looking for better ground clearance in a Tesla should go with the Model 3 and otherwise with the Audi E-Tron Sportback. 

Exterior Features:

• 3 Position Dynamic LED turning lights
• LED Fog lights
• Hands-Free parallel parking and summoning features
• Adaptive LED Headlights
• Wiper Blade Defrosters
• 18-inch alloy wheels

Tesla boasts of all its car being loaded with safety and the 2020 Model S is no different. The Model S comes loaded with a bevy of safety features and for 2020, Tesla has made the optional safety features found in the 2019 car as standard for 2020. As for the safety ratings both the IIHS and NHTSA have partially crash-tested the Model S as of this writing. NHTSA gave it a perfect score of 5 out 5 stars for rollover mitigation which is a rare feat for any vehicle. While the IIHS gave the headlights of the Model S the lowest rating of 'Poor' although for the vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test was rated as 'Superior' for Model S.

Safety Features:

• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitor
• Back-Up camera
• Front camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision warning
• Available Tesla AutoPilot

2020 Tesla Model S vs 2020 Porsche Taycan

The Porsche Taycan and the Model S are in a true sense the perfect fun-to-drive electric vehicles. Both of them can be had as daily drivers while also be used for having fun on track at weekends. When it comes to tech on offer here also both the Taycan and the Model S are neck-to-neck in terms of features they get. But the difference starts becoming apparent between the two when you look at the build quality, price, and range.

The Porsche is hands down the best when it comes to build quality but at the same time is atrociously priced against the Model S. Tesla, on the other hand, offers better performance and an incredibly higher range than the Taycan while retailing for a far lesser price. Thus if you can splurge choose the Taycan otherwise the Model S offers the best value and it's certainly a no-brainer.

2020 Tesla Model S vs 2020 Audi E-Tron Sportback

There is not much to talk about the Audi E-Tron Sportback. As whatever it does or offers the Model S does better and that too at aggressive pricing. The Model S simply leaves the E-Tron Sportback behind in almost every comparison except for the rear seat space where the E-Tron Sportback came out to be the best. 

Simply put the E-Tron Sportback is suited for those who love the Audi experience and are least concerned about performance, price, and range. While those you are looking for a value for money offering will surely incline towards Tesla even though it is not even close to matching the German quality.

In case you're searching for a luxurious vehicle that pushes the limits of what an electric vehicle can do, look no further. The 2020 Tesla Model S is something that seems to have evolved out of a science fiction motion picture with its brilliant performance and amazing tech. In terms of pricing as well, Tesla has gone all guns blazing and has priced the Model S, even more aggressively than before. Leave aside the minor niggles in the build quality and the interior space and you will be surprised by what Tesla offers in the Model S.