2026 Tesla Model S

The fact that the Model S launched in 2012 and it’s still worth considering today is some kind of testament to how ahead of the curve this electric car has been. Most of our owner reviews have only good things to say, despite some well-known issues with build quality and servicing. These positive aspects include range, speed, hatchback practicality, and the Tesla Supercharger network.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury electric cars, including the Tesla Model S.

Mild styling revisions make the 2026 Model S sleeker than before, while adding a new forward-facing camera in the nose. Maximum range increases by eight miles to 410, so this is the Tesla with the longest range yet. The Plaid is now rated at 368 miles. The suspension has been improved for ride quality, the cabin is quieter, and Frost Blue Metallic joins the palette of paint choices. The Plaid version’s top speed drops from 200 mph to 149 mph.

Unless the intention is to go really, really fast, we recommend the more affordable and popular entry-level version with all-wheel drive (AWD). It’s still speedy enough for most people and has the best range.

The Touring version is the first in the Lucid Air sedan lineup to have all-wheel drive, almost matching its Model S counterpart in range (406 miles) while undercutting its price. The breathtakingly quick Lucid Air Sapphire competes performance-wise with the Plaid, but costs more than twice as much. We also suggest looking at offerings from more established marques, like the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron, BMW i5, Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan — all beginning slightly below the Model S. The Genesis Electrified G80 is in that same bracket.

Before buying a new Model S electric car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Also, keep a watchful eye on resale values, as they may not be as strong as they once were. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The entry-level 2026 Model S has two electric motors generating a hefty 670 hp, and all four wheels receive drive. Electric motors create instant torque, like flipping a switch (who would have thought?). So the Model S can leap off the line as if struck by lightning — which it is, in a way. The regular Model S is fast and fun, zipping from a standstill to 60 mph in only 3.1 seconds. That’s 0.3 of a second quicker than the 620-hp Lucid Air Touring.

The Plaid (with three motors) is even more extraordinary, developing a mighty 1,020 hp to hit 60 mph in a claimed 1.99 seconds. Back when the Model S was ground-breaking, a gasoline engine with more than 1,000 hp and a zero-to-60-mph time below three seconds would have been the preserve of something like a Bugatti Veyron, costing many times more than the Model S Plaid does now. Then there were the gasoline bills.

That doesn’t exactly make the Model S Plaid a bargain, but it certainly puts automotive power into the hands of more people. The rest of the car is able to keep up. The Model S is controlled and comfortable, with a standard adaptive suspension contributing to easy-going daily driving duties and lively dynamics whenever the driver demands them. We’d describe the Porsche Taycan as sportier, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan as smoother, with the Tesla Model S in between. Smoothness is enhanced this year, however, thanks to suspension improvements.

Range and Charging

The maximum range of the most affordable new Model S, the All-Wheel Drive version, is an impressive 410 miles (on 19-inch wheels), up from last year’s 402. A comparable Lucid Air Touring is capable of 406 miles. The high-powered Model S Plaid can still manage a respectable 368 miles, an increase of 20 miles.

At a Tesla Supercharger or other DC fast-charging station with a 250-kilowatt supply, the Model S can replenish up to 80% of its capacity in as little as 30 minutes. Most rivals also have DC fast charging capabilities with similar times. Remember that the Model S has an above-average range, so its 80% represents more miles than most of the competition. The well-established Tesla Supercharger network also goes a long way in easing range anxiety.

The dashboard of the Model S is more of a glorified infotainment touchscreen mounting bracket than any source of design flair. But at least the driver has a dedicated instrument cluster. The touchscreen itself is large (17 inches on the diagonal), with crisp graphics and fast responses — it’s a video gamer’s delight for when there’s some time to kill while recharging. Tesla allows Netflix and Hulu streaming as well.

A yoke-style steering wheel is standard, which is frankly a bit awkward (although it got the thumbs-up in a couple of our owner reviews). We recommend ordering the conventional round alternative at no extra cost.

At this price level, we feel the cabin of the Model S should be plusher than it is, with a higher level of fit and finish. After all, it’s competing with Mercedes-Benz and Audi, masters of luxury. The good news this year is that Tesla has added extra sound insulation and improved the car’s Active Noise Cancellation.

Occupant space is mostly fine, although 35.5 inches of rear legroom is not much more than the compact Model 3. The Model S is quite wide, though, so there’s plenty of leeway for hips and shoulders.

The body’s hatchback design provides plenty of luggage space: 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.4 cubic feet when folded flat. We also appreciate the wide aperture that helps to make easy work of loading and unloading. Beneath the hood is another 3.1 cubic feet of storage space.

The Model S established Tesla’s design language back in 2012. Its sharp lighting signature and aerodynamic body remain distinct today. The exterior styling is revised for 2026, with minor tweaks and new wheel designs improving aero efficiency, resulting in a new maximum range of 410 miles. The nose also gains a forward-facing camera. Body changes to the high-performance Model S are said to improve stability at faster speeds. The latest paint choice is Frost Blue Metallic, costing $2,500.

We’d be remiss, however, if we didn’t also mention the notorious build quality issues plaguing Tesla models over the years. Owners have reported uneven panel gaps, paint flaws, and loose weather strips while the cars are still relatively new. At the very least, buyers should inspect any Tesla thoroughly before signing for delivery.

Impressive range
For most of its existence, the Model S has been the benchmark for how many miles it can travel before needing to recharge, otherwise known as range. Many rivals are still falling short, while the Model S is one of the few that can break the 400-mile mark.

Partial self-driving tech
The standard Autopilot system bundles common features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Enhanced Autopilot adds Navigate on Autopilot, automatic lane changing, automated parking, and Smart Summon. Full Self-Driving Capability (which requires an alert driver, despite the name) adds Autosteer on city streets, plus automatic stop/go at traffic lights and stop signs.

Tesla Superchargers
The company owns a national network of fast-charging stations, so road trips are a distinct possibility. Tesla vehicles can also be replenished by other chargers, using an adaptor.

Large screen
The centerpiece of the Model S interior is the 17-inch touchscreen. It controls almost every function of the car and can even do streaming and gaming, so the time will fly by while charging.

Over-the-air updates
Improvements in range and power, plus things like map updates, are all possible after the Model S has been purchased.

Sentry Mode
An active camera system can send alerts to an owner’s smartphone if their parked Model S senses someone loitering too close, for example.

Tesla informs owners that the best way to preserve battery life is to keep the car plugged in when not in use. Even if the owner doesn’t plan to drive it for a while (such as when away on vacation). That’s because it will periodically perform systems checks.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Tesla’s basic new-car warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is a common arrangement among luxury cars. The batteries and drive units have warranties of eight years or 120,000 miles.

Based on what we read and hear from owners, experiences with the reliability and maintenance costs of Tesla models have been mixed. Some have reported long wait times at service centers and poor parts availability. If you live in an area with many Tesla EVs on the road but only a few service centers, there could be some frustrations when your Model S needs attention.

Safety Ratings

The Tesla Model S hasn’t been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) since 2016, but it received a maximum 5-Star overall rating back then. More recent testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) earned the top score of Good in every crashworthiness category except the new small overlap front impact scenario, where the Model S received an Acceptable rating.