The Tesla Model S could be considered as the pioneer of the current electric era, leading the industry in EV capabilities since Tesla first introduced it in 2012. Since then, the Model S has undergone an array of upgrades keeping it ahead of the game, with the 2019 Model S Long Range now offering uncontested electric-only ranges of up to 373 miles on a single charge. If mile-munching isn’t your prime focus then also this Tesla has you covered with its blistering performance and 0-60 mph is just over 4 seconds which can further reduce to under 3 seconds in the Performance trim. There are no direct rivals for the Tesla right now in the segment but it can take on the likes of the BMW 7-Series PHEV, Lexus LS 500h, and the Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid. Prices for the Tesla start from $69.750.
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Ratings
Pricing And Features
8.1
Engine And Performance
9.9
Fuel Economy
9.9
Interior
8.5
Exterior
9.0
Safety
9.0
Competition
9.9
9.1
OVERALL RATING
Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide
9.1
Overall Rating
The Tesla Model S is the most powerful sedan in its class, it not only has modern tech features but also will be loved by minimalistic fanatics. Despite Tesla's prime focus being performance, it still manages to deliver a decent mix of feature specification, overall comfort, and daily practicality. However, Tesla’s build quality and reliability are of concern, and being a relatively new manufacturer doesn’t help the matter either. If you happen to compare the Model S with the likes of Germans you would feel the interior lacks a lot in terms of luxury and comfort.
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan front view
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan rear view
8.1/10 Pricing and Features
9.9/10 Engine and Performance
9.9/10 Fuel Economy
8.5/10 Interior
9.0/10 Exterior
9.0/10 Safety
9.9/10 Competition
2019 Tesla Model S electric Pricing and Features
8.1/10
The 2019 Tesla Model S is available in three trims. All models feature a 100-kWh battery and all-wheel drive. The entry-level trim or the Standard Range trim comes with a battery capable of delivering a 285-mile driving range but selecting the Long Range trim will take that figure to 370 miles on a single charge. The Model S Performance trim comes with a range of 325 to 345 miles, depending on wheel size miles but focuses more on acceleration times.
Trims
Standard Range
Long Range
Performance
Price
$69,750
$73,750
$89,750
Features
19” alloy wheels
Adds or upgrades from “Standard Range”
Adds or upgrades from “Long Range”
70 kWh battery
85 kWh battery
85 kWh battery with high-performance all-wheel-drive
17-inch touch screen and 11-speaker stereo
Smartphone connectivity and navigation
Automatic keyless entry
Power-folding and heated mirrors
LED daytime running lights
Automatic Climate Control
Talking about the differences, the Standard Range Model S offers 310 miles of range and a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds. The Long Range trim adds 25 miles of range to the previous trim and can be upgraded in the standard trim through an OTA software update. The Performance Trim does the 0-60 dash in just 2.4 seconds (Ludicrous Mode by paying $15,000 extra) and see a reduction in range to just 315 miles.
We Recommend
We recommend the Long Range trim of the 2019 Tesla model 3 as it bundles a lot of performance and a superb range with it.
2019 Tesla Model S electric Engine and Performance
9.9/10
With an electric motor dedicated to each of the front and rear axles, the Model S offers a full-time all-wheel drive no matter which version you choose. Performance on all the models is bonkers and every time you dab the throttle be ready to be pushed back into your seat.
Reserved for the Performance Model S with Ludicrous Mode is Ludicrous Plus, a feature that preheats the battery for maximum performance, increasing acceleration slightly while potentially accelerating wear of the battery and electric motors.
Models
2019 Tesla Model S Performance
2019 Lexus LS 500h
2019 BMW 740e Xdrive iPerformance
2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
MSRP
$89,750
$79,510
$91,250
$102,900
Engine
Dual Induction Electric Motors
3.5L Twin Turbo V6 with 2 Electric Motors
2.0L Twin Turbo Inline 4 Motor with Electric Motor
2.9L Twin Turbo V6 with Electric Motor
Transmission
1-Speed direct drive
CVT
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower
534 hp
354 hp
322 hp
462 hp
Torque
557 lb-ft
257 lb-ft
369 lb-ft
516 lb-ft
All the sedans in this comparison are on one-side and Tesla Model S is on the other.Tesla uses dual motors which power each axle individually. Conventional all-wheel-drive cars employ complex mechanical linkages to distribute power from a single-engine to all four wheels. This sacrifices efficiency in favor of all-weather traction. In contrast, each Model S motor is lighter, smaller, and more efficient than its rear-wheel-drive counterpart, providing both improved range and faster acceleration which is almost impossible to beat by any one of them here.
Acceleration
Tesla’s electric powertrain delivers exhilarating performance. Unlike a gasoline internal combustion engine with hundreds of moving parts, Tesla electric motors have only one moving piece: the rotor.
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan cover 0-60 in 4.2 sec
As a result, Model S acceleration is instantaneous, silent, and smooth. Step on the accelerator and in as little as 4.2 seconds Model S will be hitting 60 mph.
Models
2019 Tesla Model S
2019 Lexus LS 500h
2019 BMW 740e Xdrive iPerformance
2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
0-60 MPH
4.2 (2.4 for Perf.)
5.1
5.1
4.4
Quarter mile
10.7
13.5
13.7
13.3
Engine
Dual Induction Electric Motors
3.5L Twin Turbo V6 with 2 Electric Motors
2.0L Twin Turbo Inline 4 Motor with Electric Motor
2.9L Twin Turbo V6 with Electric Motor
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
-
N/A
N/A
N/A
The Tesla Model S will surprise you with its performance and as evident from the 0-60 mph and quarter-mile timings the car is ridiculously fast. Coming in second place Porsche Panamera is two-tenth of a second slower than the Model S in 0-60 mph run. But in the quarter-mile run, it quickly loses its steam and is behind the Model S by a big margin.
Ride and Handling
While in motion, a lack of engine noise inside the Model S can take away a little bit of fun in front of a roaring V6 or V8 but Tesla has other tricks up its sleeve to keep you entertained. Yes, you guessed it right we are talking about the car’s ride and handling ability. The car has good ride quality and agile cornering due in part to a low center of gravity. Not only this Tesla went a notch up and upgraded the Model S' adaptive air suspension for the 2019 model year, granting the already plaint setup with even better-handling prowess and further improved ride comfort. The suspension feels masterfully tuned; it's neither too soft to hamper the handling nor too stiff to reduce the ride comfort.
The 21-inch wheels are available but the 19-inch wheels are standard and do the job well. The 21-inch wheels on the other hand have sacrificed a bit on the ride comfort for the looks. Thus if you generally happen to travel on a well-paved road then only we recommend going for the available 21-inch wheels.
Braking
Regular deceleration duty is aptly handled by regenerative braking, while panic stops are smooth, short, and stable with consistent distances which is commendable for such a heavy vehicle.
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan has front brake of 14 in.
It gives a more predictable pedal feel than some other electric vehicles for instance.
Model
2019 Tesla Model S
2019 Lexus LS 500h
2019 BMW 740e Xdrive iPerformance
2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
Brake Front (in.)
14
14
14.7
16.5
Brake Rear (in.)
14.4
13.1
14.5
16.1
Curb Weight (lbs.)
4941
4850
4740
5315
70-0 MPH (ft.)
102 (60-0 mph)
164
178
152
The Tesla Model S has average size brakes but takes a considerably shorter distance to stop. One factor contributing to this is the sticky summer tires and the second being the regenerative brakes. So taming the beast won’t be a task in usual situations or panic situations.
2019 Tesla Model S electric Fuel Economy
9.9/10
The Model S leads the all-electric vehicle segment both in terms of fuel economy and all-electric range, as its name would suggest. The EPA rates the Model S Long Range at 115/107/111 MPGe city/highway/combined. Tesla claims that on a full charge the Long Range will motor on for an astounding 373-miles before totally depleting its battery. It will take a full 24 hours to completely recharge the Model S's 100 kWh battery with a standard phase-one power outlet, but only about 30 minutes on the Supercharger network.
Model
2019 Tesla Model S
2019 Lexus LS 500h
2019 BMW 740e Xdrive iPerformance
2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
MPG (city)
92
25
25
N/A
MPG (highway)
105
33
29
N/A
MPG (combined)
98
28
27
22
Any comparison in this segment would be disproportionate as none can match the range of Tesla as of now. Also, none of the cars except for Tesla here can boast of zero tailpipe emissions making it even harder to beat in terms of efficiency and cleaner drivability. Nevertheless, keeping Tesla aside, the Lexus is the more fuel-efficient among the three and the Porsche as usual gives priority to performance over anything else and thus remains the least efficient.
2019 Tesla Model S electric Interior
8.5/10
The Tesla Model S’s interior has tried hard to imitate luxurious looks but imitating isn’t sufficient here. At the price point, the luxury quotient of this car is to be on the higher side without few or no compromises. But we feel there is a lot of scopes for Tesla to improve and the Germans can be the ones to look at while improving. That said the model S has seating for up to five passengers. The front seats are powered and heated. The ventilated seats are available. As for the rear seats too you get heated one as standard while ventilation functionality is available. Thanks to the wide-opening doors the ingress and egress won’t be an issue in the car.
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan front seats
The overall design of the cabin exuberates the philosophy of minimalism. With a clean and simple dash layout to the almost empty center console, the cabin has practiced minimalism to the umpteenth level. Overall the seats are adequately cushioned and comfortable and there is ample space inside the cabin. The seats are wide and accommodative as is the storage space available inside. With no transmission tunnel, the rear floor is flat thus seating three at the back isn’t an issue here. But bear in mind the battery pack eats up a bit of the space which could otherwise be used to put down your feet a little deeper to utilize the under-thigh support.
Model
2019 Tesla Model S
2019 Lexus LS 500h
2019 BMW 740e Xdrive iPerformance
2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.8/57.7/42.7
37.3/58.8/41.0
39.9/59.2/41.4
N/A
Second
(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
35.3/55.0/35.4
37.3/56.4/38.9
38.9/57.7/44.4
N/A
All the sedans in this comparison are spacious, especially the BMW 7-Series which is like a gold standard for the comparison here. Tesla Model S is although nowhere close to matching it but still tries very hard to be a worthy competitor here. The Lexus LS is also well-spaced and comfortable inside. While the Porsche is mostly a front seat favored car and cannot come close to offering the level of comfort available in any of these cars.
Infotainment
Minimalism continues in the infotainment department too, the Model S comes standard with a gigantic infotainment screen that controls almost all of the vehicle's functions. The flashy centerpiece of the Model S’s cabin is a vertical 17-inch touch-screen infotainment system. It controls a host of features, including climate settings, charging, and other vehicle notifications. The screen is slick to use, and tech-savvy drivers or those familiar with a tablet would be at ease using it.
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan dashboard
However, relying on a touchscreen to operate each and every functionality could be distracting while driving. The Model S also doesn't include support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. But there's cellular connectivity, internet access, and Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity - with Google maps providing navigation. You also get voice-activated controls, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and media streaming, FM, SiriusXM, on-demand, internet radio, and two USB ports for charging and device connectivity. There is also a single 12-volt power outlet located in the center front console
Standard infotainment features:
17-inch touch screen,
Navigation,
Wi-Fi hotspot,
Voice recognition,
an 11-speaker stereo,
Satellite Radio and HD Radio
Additional standard features:
a glass roof,
automatic climate control
Interior Features
The 2019 Model S seats five people in two rows. The front seats offer good visibility, and they keep you reasonably comfortable for an extended time. There's ample second-row space for taller riders to stretch their legs, but the sloping roof may encroach on the headroom. Most cabin materials are impressive, and the whole design feels futuristic. However, we noted few build quality issues and/or the inconsistent fit and finish.
Standard seating features:
Heated front and rear seats
Heated steering wheel
12-way power-adjustable front seats
Ventilated seats
Cargo Capacity
The Model S's sloped roofline cleverly hides a rear liftgate that opens up to reveal a huge 26-cubic-foot trunk. You can stash up to eight carry-on-size trolleys without folding down the rear seats. An underfloor compartment also exists for added storage. The rear seats are 60/40 split-folding and expand the rear cargo room to 58.1 cubic feet which will adequately store a bicycle or two.
Unfortunately, in-cabin storage is not as impressive: there are no door side pockets, only two cup holders offered upfront and a moderately spacious open console channel for loose items. The passenger-side glove box is reasonably usable, but that's about all there is for phones, keys, and other smaller items.
Model
2019 Tesla Model S
2019 Lexus LS 500h
2019 BMW 740e Xdrive iPerformance
2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
Cargo Volume (ft.3)
26.0
15.1
15.0
14.3
The Super practical Tesla Model S ranks as the best Cargo carrier in our comparison, while the Porsche lacks behind with a puny 14.3 cubic foot of trunk space. The BMW 7-Series and the Lexus LS have similar cargo space of around 15 cubic feet on offer.
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan
2019 Tesla Model S electric Exterior
9.0/10
The Tesla Model S not only looks way ahead of its time but its design while being helping aerodynamics exuberates the design marvel. Wherever you look you will see the sharp lines and edgy design which have up till now been only seen in exotic or hyper cars. We are really impressed with what Tesla has done with the exterior design of the Model S.
The Model S sports an athletic silhouette, gets all-LED lights, with nicely put chrome accents, the 19-inch wheels further uplift its stance. The roof is blacked out with the 21-inch Sonic Carbon Twin Turbine Wheels available. Also, you get a tinted glass roof with infrared and ultraviolet protection as standard.
Exterior Dimensions
The Model S is relatively compact for the class; the Model S measures 196 inches in overall length and has a wheelbase of 116.5 inches. The Model S is 56.5 inches in height and 77.3 inches wide with the mirrors folded. With a curb weight of 4,941 lbs, the Model S is only slightly lighter than the Porsche but heavier than the others.
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan third-quarter view
Model
2019 Tesla Model S
2019 Lexus LS 500h
2019 BMW 740e Xdrive iPerformance
2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
Curb weight (lbs.)
4941
4850
4740
5315
Length(in)
196
206.1
206.6
198.8
Width(in)
77.3
74.8
74.9
76.3
Height(in)
56.5
57.5
58.2
56.2
Ground clearance (in)
4.6
6.5
5.8
6.4
Wheelbase (in)
116.5
123.0
126.4
116.1
The Tesla in terms of dimensions, stacks in between the Lexus and the Porsche and this gives it an edge while parking in tight spaces or moving through heavy traffic. Tesla however suffers in terms of ground clearance as it offers the least among its rivals, hence making it difficult for drivers to pass over speed bumps at high speeds.
Exterior Features
Some of the exterior features of Model S include:
19” Wheels
Fixed Glass 1st And 2nd Row Sunroof
Body-Colored Power w/Tilt Down Heated Auto Dimming Side Mirrors w/Power Folding
Fixed Rear Window w/Defroster and Light Tinted Glass
Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers w/Heated Jets And Wiper Park
Black Grille w/Chrome Surround
Power Liftgate Rear Cargo Access
Tailgate/Rear Door Lock Included w/Power Door Locks
Auto On/Off Projector Beam Led Low/High Beam Daytime Running Auto-Leveling Directionally Adaptive Auto High-Beam Headlamps w/Delay-Off
Front Fog Lamps
Perimeter/Approach Lights
LED Brakelights
2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan2019 Tesla model s electric sedan
2019 Tesla Model S electric Safety
9.0/10
The 2019 Tesla Model S underwent only minimal safety evaluations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Model S five out of five stars in the rollover test. It did not give the Model S an overall safety rating.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not crash-test the 2019 Model S. However, the IIHS gave the car's headlights the lowest rating of Poor for how well they illuminate the road ahead. Also, the IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The Model S' standard front crash prevention system received the highest rating of Superior for its effectiveness.
Standard advanced safety features:
Forward collision warning
Automatic emergency braking
Blind-spot monitoring
Adaptive cruise control
Rearview camera
Tesla Autopilot
Available advanced safety features:
Tesla Full Self-Driving Capability
Automatic parking assist
Automatic lane change assist and navigation
Remote summon
2019 Tesla Model S electric Competition
9.9/10
2019 Tesla Model S Vs 2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
The 2019 Porsche Panamera is among the most praised luxury supercars. Despite being a fairly large Porsche, it handles well and wou;d keep you engaged all day long. With the Panamera you also get a healthy lineup of powerful engines with the 680-horsepower Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, a plug-in vehicle at the top of the Panamera lineup. This isn’t the case with the Tesla Model S.
2019 Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
The Panamera E-Hybrid can go up to 14 miles on battery power alone. But the biggest deterrent for the Porsche is the price gap from the Model S. Thus making Model S a much more favorable choice with the buyers on a budget.
2019 Mazda 6 Vs 2019 BMW 740e xDrive
The BMW 7 Series has been the preferred choice of Head of States and other Top Honchos because of its imposing stance and humongous levels of luxury and space on offer. The 7 series Hybrid has brought all that luxury in a slight eco-friendly avatar and made driving, furthermore pleasant and a bit guilt-free.
BMW 740e XDrive
The Tesla Model S on the other hand is a beast on the road when it comes to performance and driving range on offer. It also trumps the BMW in terms of the Tech and the Autonomous features on offer. So if Luxury and a well-built cabin are your top priority, the BMW will be your best bet but for everything else, it's the Tesla that you should consider.
2019 Mazda 6 Vs 2019 Lexus LS 500h
The Lexus LS 500h stands apart from the rest of the competition, with its ultra-luxurious interiors, striking exteriors, and great handling. With superb attention to detail on both the outside and the inside, the Lexus sure grabs eyeballs wherever it goes. The Lexus also retails for a lot less when compared to the Tesla.
2019 Lexus LS 500h
The Tesla on the other hand offers a great driving range with a tech-laden interior that houses a lot of features and connectivity options. In terms of sportiness as well, the Tesla leaves the Lexus way behind in every possible comparison. If you are ok with an "Okayish" build quality and focus more on performance and fancy stuff, the Tesla will suit you well then.
2019 Tesla Model S electric Final Verdict
The 2019 Model S is an excellent electric car. In fact, in the present scenario, it's your one-shot chance at owning a decently priced all-electric vehicle without sacrificing anything in performance. The Model S can go 370 miles on a single charge, it rockets away from a stop, and it has track-ready handling in case you are planning to do drag runs on the track with your Tesla. Technology is another high point of this car. It features a 17-inch touch screen and a wide array of cool features. A spacious cabin, lots of cargo space, and decent quality interior surfaces make the Model S very easy to live with on a regular basis. Thus for now the Tesla Model S wins hands down with little or no competition at its price point.
I knew this fast, I read countless reviews and watched videos on youtube but when you experience it first hand it is mind-blowingly quick. Far than what I expected and imagined. It can beat anything in a 0-60. The ride is very comfortable and it is stable as a mountain. Even on sharp corners, it doesn’t lose tail unless you want it to. It can beat anything in a 0-60. The ride is very comfortable and it is stable as a mountain. Even on sharp corners, it doesn’t lose tail unless you want it to. 360 camera and parking sensors Very comfortable and minimal. The infotainment is best in the industry. Even cars above $200k can’t compete with Tesla’s infotainment. There are so many features and quirks, the touch response is very good too, and it is very easy to use. The seats are comfortable and it is very spacious. It looks super cool. The headlight, the front, the side, and the back taillights everything about it is cool. It did receive the highest possible safety score in tests conducted by IIHS Tesla is a new company, using new technologies so we should give them the benefit of doubt. Everybody makes mistakes but they are committed to improving their reliability. Expensive. There is no easy way to say this but it is very expensive but what new technology is not. ok, No one has a better experience than this.
For those who crave for real speed in you family sedan. No other sedan that I test drove would come even close to the sheer performance this car has to offer. I had to have one since I did the test drive, so went ahead and bought one insted of the AMG Merc. I love the way they went with the simplistic exterior and interior design. Surely it does not match the German competitors in terms of luxury but is does have a lot of fun tech inside and they even promised me future software updateds for the car over the air, which sounded cool. Every time you get behind the wheel of this car you would be amazed by the thrust it offers. A silent yet mighty sedan is exactly what this car is. Some of the best dealing that I have ever had purchasing a car.
Pros - It’s an electric car, Self driving, air conditioning plus air filter
Cons - Battery drains a lot during rising temperatures, Self driving feature sometimes it's a hit or miss, Tesla app is buggy
This is a truly good purchase because, for the amount of money Tesla sells their cars, this one actually hears what people have to say, this car is all about safety and health but also stability and performance, this car is definitely affordable also and very inexpensive for having so many features that can actually save your life, these are for the people who want a little closure on the road This car is great during long road trips, especially family trips, I usually don't have to charge it every 9 hours. It's always at a good battery level, the performance and speed are spot on when it comes to Tesla cars. The feature I like is the air conditioning and HEPA filter, this is a feature that you can't really find in any other car, for a person who lives in a city and all those toxic fumes surrounding the city, Tesla filters the air and removes the toxins in the air, this is a great feature because you are driving but also having your health in mind The vehicle feels great, the seats are very comfortable which are usually hard to find in cars, there's also leg space which overall is great & outward visibility is phenomenal, there's also a top window which is great The exterior for any tesla is phenomenal, it has a very slick & modern design, the windows are tinted but has a great view inside unlike many cars, the seatings and colors it has are spot on and it matches the car itself, my favorite design has to be the windows, they are sleek and efficient windows for an inexpensive car This car is safe, not only does it warn you when a car is close to you but it also swerves so you can avoid any accidents on the road, I think it's great that tesla has these features because safety should always be a priority This car is definitely reliable and you don't have to ever worry about breaking down anywhere you go, the battery last so many trips before it need to be charged, it can definitely get you to point A and point B without a hassle The pricing & value of this car is pretty low for a luxury vehicle with tons of features, this is basically how the average car is listed for and I think it's great that tesla thinks about affordability when it comes to their cars My experience at the dealership was great, not only do they help you but they ask what features do we prioritize over anything and that's when they give us useful information and videos of Tesla cars they have tested, if you want to test out the car then they will be happy to do so, it's a great & friendly environment
I knew this fast, I read countless reviews and watched videos on youtube but when you experience it first hand it is mind-blowingly quick. Far than what I expected and imagined. It can beat anything in a 0-60. The ride is very comfortable and it is stable as a mountain. Even on sharp corners, it doesn’t lose tail unless you want it to.
by Bennie N. Harrell
9
User Overall Rating
Ultimate performance sedan.
For those who crave for real speed in you family sedan.
by Charlene N. Lore
8
User Overall Rating
Tesla is the best electric car
This is a truly good purchase because, for the amount of money Tesla sells their cars, this one actually hears what people have to say, this car is all about safety and health but also stability and performance, this car is definitely affordable also and very inexpensive for having so many features that can actually save your life, these are for the people who want a little closure on the road
by Janet
8
User Overall Rating
Electric rocket ship.
The extreme family sedan you need but dont need.
by Codiak
8
User Overall Rating
2021 Tesla Model S
One car that certainly is being overlooked by prospective buyers.