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2022 Tesla Model S

Model SModel S PlaidModel S New20222021Used2020201920182017201620152014201320122022 $104,990 Price (MSRP) Build and Price 2022 Tesla Model S For Sale Fastest Sedans Best Electric Sedans Tesla Sedans Review Exterior Interior Trims & Specs Performance Safety & Reliability 20 Photos Compare insurance prices: Save an average of $440 Free Quote

2022 Tesla Model S Review The Electric King

by Gerhard Horn It doesn't matter who you are or what your feelings about electric vehicles are, it's hard to disagree with this statement: in terms of its contribution to the automotive world, the Tesla Model S is right up there with the Ford Model T. Ford perfected mass production and made cars affordable, while Elon Musk and his team finally convinced the world that the future was electric. Sure, there were electric cars before the Model S, but they were pretty horrid across the board. Now, you have an electric sedan with more than 400 miles of range on a charge, a 3.1-second 0-60 time, and more tech than even an S-Class had several years ago. What makes this all the more impressive is that the Model S is officially going on a decade in production. The most recent round of upgrades has made it better than ever, but is the electric grandpa still good enough to beat the new kids on the block in the shape of the Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air?

Read in this review

Exterior Design 9 /10 Performance 9 /10 Fuel Economy 10 /10 Interior & Cargo 9 /10 Infotainment & Features 10 /10 Reliability 8 /10 Safety 10 /10 Value For Money 8 /10 9.1 What is BuzzScore?

2022 Tesla Model S Changes What s the difference vs 2021 Tesla Model S

After a substantial round of upgrades last year, Tesla has kept the Model S similar for 2022. As Tesla makes constant changes and not on an annual basis, we will summarize the latest updates at the time of writing. The price has risen to just below six figures, whereas the 2021 Model S Long Range was about $20,000 cheaper. The 'Long Range' name has been dropped; Tesla now simply refers to its sedan simply as the Model S, positioned below the Model S Plaid that we review separately. Another change is that the Full Self-Driving Capability package now costs $12,000, up from $10,000 previously.

Pros and Cons

Superb electric rangeIt's stupidly fastTesla is the most valuable car brand in the worldHigh-tech interior Limited service networkCompetition is gaining groundNo Apple CarPlay or Android Auto

Best Deals on 2022 Tesla Model S

2022 Tesla Model S $104,990 5,563 miles Fair Deal Average price 2022 Tesla Model S $113,000 94 miles Fair Deal Average price 2022 Tesla Model S Long Range Sedan 4D $109,999 2,032 miles 2022 Tesla Model S $102,593 1,742 miles See All Model S For Sale

2022 Tesla Model S Trims

See trim levels and configurations: Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP) Model S Electric Single Speed Automatic All-Wheel Drive $104,990 See All 2022 Tesla Model S Trims and Specs

Handling and Driving Impressions

The Model S' skateboard design isn't just impressive for the new-age packaging reasons mentioned above. Battery packs weigh a lot, which is one of the main problems engineers face when designing an EV. Instead of seeing the weight as a negative, Tesla's engineers used it to the car's benefit. Placing the heaviest part of the car at the lowest possible point results in a low center of gravity, which is better for handling and cornering. From behind the wheel (or square in this case), the Model S feels perfectly fine. It turns in without protest, and the suspension copes well in its softest setting. Unfortunately, we have to address the elephant in the room. The square steering wheel looks cool, but it is, to be blunt, stupid. Fanboys call it forward-thinking and edgy. They'll continue to think that way right up to the point where they have to use full lock to park or simply maneuver around tight spots in the city. Not to mention that it's impossible to follow the NHTSA's steering techniques guide with the square. Others will point at F1 cars and say that they do just fine with a square wheel, to which we reply, have you ever heard of steering ratios? Have you ever seen Lewis parallel park? Will Tesla update the steering ratio to make it work? We doubt it. Having novice drivers with racing car steering ratios is a scary thought. Let's just create a simple scenario to illustrate the point. To turn left/right at an intersection, you have to spin the wheel nearly one full rotation. Most drivers will instinctively reach for the top of the wheel so their arms won't cross. In the Tesla, you'll reach, and there will be nothing to grab onto. The best counterargument we've heard so far is that it's aimed at the gaming generation. New drivers coming in will be familiar with the setup and will enjoy using it. The problem is, real-life driving isn't a game. Real-life driving has consequences, and there's a good reason the steering wheel has been a wheel for more than a hundred years. It works. Luckily, the facelifted Model S is still available with a normal steering wheel. Now Buzzing First Drive 2023 Toyota Crown First Drive Review: A Tale Of Two Hybrids Electric Vehicles Tesla Cybertruck Spotted With Production-Ready Rear End Sports Cars 2023 BMW M2 Coming With Optional Center-Lock Wheels Crash Watch A Seventh-Gen Toyota Hilux Truck Launch Into The Air After Losing Control Auctions One-Off Plymouth Barracuda Four-Door Is A Muscle Car Unicorn Tuning 700-Horsepower 2023 Nissan Z By AMS Performance Hits Nine-Second Quarter Mile

Verdict Is the 2022 Tesla Model S a good car

Despite all its flaws, and there are many, we can't dispute what the Model S started, and what it has become. There's no doubt that the Tesla Model S shook the automotive industry to its very core, and the result has been positive. Without this car, the Porsche Taycan might not exist. Tesla remains at the forefront of EV technology as far as range and infrastructure are concerned, and while we have some issues with the wording, its safety systems are truly next-level. For a car that was launched in 2012, the Model S remains highly competitive. Thanks to Tesla's constant over-the-air updates and its most recent revamp, it remains a serious competitor. Having said that, we can't ignore Tesla's past problems with build quality. The square steering wheel reeks of a company that's all out of ideas, using whatever crazy thoughts the designers can think of. That steering wheel would never have made it beyond the concept stage at a German manufacturer, and for good reason. Finally, we reckon the fanaticism has gone out of control. Did you know Tesla owners have their very own dating app? We understand loving cars and defending them, but limiting your dating pool to only people that drive the same kind of car as you is a bit cult-like. Of course it's not every Tesla owner, but some of them take the term "fanboy" to a whole new level.

Check out other Tesla Model S Styles

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2022 Tesla Model S Comparisons

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2022 Tesla Model S vs Tesla Model 3

One of the benefits of mass-production is a reduction in cost. After the Model S did the initial heavy lifting, Tesla built up enough cash to design and build the Model 3. It's exactly like the Model S, only smaller. It's down on range, but you get a similar AWD setup and blistering acceleration. The Performance model sprints to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and has a 315-mile range. The Long Range is $7,000 less, and offers 334 miles. In both cases, you're getting plenty of range and performance at far less than the cost of the Model S. You can also go for the RWD Model 3 but it only has a 267-mile range. Tesla equips all of its models with the impressive infotainment system and safety gadgets, so you don't have to worry about that. In fact, the only real sacrifice is space, and only in the trunk. The front and rear legroom of the Model S and Model 3 are nearly identical. The Model 3's trunk is more in line with traditional compact luxury saloons, offering 12.3 cubic feet. Considering all of this, the Model 3 is the obvious choice. And it still has a round steering wheel. See Tesla Model 3 Review

2022 Tesla Model S vs Porsche Taycan

Let's get the most obvious argument against the Taycan out of the way first. In terms of range, it's nowhere near the Model 3, let alone the Model S. The EPA claims the 4S can do up to 227 miles on a full charge, but this figure has been quite controversial. There have been independent tests that proved it can do more, but also a lot less. For what it's worth, Porsche claims between 193 and 195 miles. On another note, Tesla also has its own Supercharger network. In terms of performance, the Tesla is ahead, but the Porsche beats it with consistent performance. A Tesla can only do so many blistering starts, while the Taycan will happily do it all the way down to a five percent battery. The Porsche also has a better interior and handles a lot better. The new 2022 base Taycan is about $13,000 cheaper, but is nowhere near as fast as the Tesla. What strikes us is what each company is good at. Tesla is good in the powertrain department, but Porsche has made some advancements. The Taycan's battery heating/cooling system is worth an entire article by itself, but suffice to say it's always prepped for maximum performance, no matter what the weather looks like. Tesla's decade-long headstart is proving to be a real headache for the likes of Porsche in terms of range. But Porsche's nearly 90-year head start in mass-producing cars also comes with its benefits. Considering the average daily commute figures in the USA, we'd have the Porsche. The Tesla is the original, but Porsche built a better EV. See Porsche Taycan Review

2022 Tesla Model S Popular Comparisons

The most popular competitors of 2022 Tesla Model S: Mazda 3 Sedan $21,150 - $33,450 Price (MSRP) Compare Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat $77,345 Price (MSRP) Compare Tesla Model 3 $46,990 - $62,990 Price (MSRP) Compare Bollinger B1 $125,000 Price (MSRP) Compare Bollinger B2 $125,000 Price (MSRP) Compare Karma GSe-6 $83,900 - $103,900 Price (MSRP) Compare Audi e-tron GT $102,400 Price (MSRP) Compare Audi e-tron S $84,800 Price (MSRP) Compare Audi e-tron S Sportback $87,400 Price (MSRP) Compare Ford F-150 Lightning $39,974 - $90,874 Price (MSRP) Compare Lucid Air $87,400 - $169,000 Price (MSRP) Compare Porsche Taycan $82,700 - $131,400 Price (MSRP) Compare Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo $93,700 - $110,300 Price (MSRP) Compare Rivian R1S SUV $72,500 - $90,000 Price (MSRP) Compare Rivian R1T Truck $67,500 - $85,000 Price (MSRP) Compare Tesla Model X $120,990 Price (MSRP) Compare Audi A6 e-tron TBC Price (MSRP) Compare BMW i7 $119,300 Price (MSRP) Compare Cadillac Lyriq $59,990 - $90,000 Price (MSRP) Compare GMC Hummer EV Pickup $108,700 Price (MSRP) Compare Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan $74,900 - $85,900 Price (MSRP) Compare Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV $125,950 Price (MSRP) Compare Volkswagen ID.Aero TBC Price (MSRP) Compare See All 23 Comparisons

Tesla Model S News

Electric Vehicles 4 Tesla Has Already Hit 2021 Production Numbers Tesla continues to outsell itself at a rapid pace. Electric Vehicles 3 Classic Land Rovers Get Electrified And They Mean Business Thanks to Everrati and Hobson Industries. Technology 7 Tesla Planning In-Car Gaming With Steam Integration Once Full Self-Driving gets the go-ahead, you can play as much Mario Kart as you want. LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top