What the Ford Model T did for the 1900s, the Tesla Model S did for the 2000s. Prior to the Tesla Model S, electric cars were more of a novelty than a reliable option for daily transportation. The Model S proved that electric cars can have reliability, performance, and prestige—and the 2023 Tesla Model S continues this promise.
Let’s take a look at the Tesla Model S’s price, specs, and features:
2023 Tesla Model S Price and Drivetrain Options
Tesla offers the Model S in two drivetrain options for the 2023 model year. The dual-motor, all-wheel drive (AWD), Model S has a starting price of $84,990 before adding options.
The Model S Plaid’s starting price is $104,990 for the tri-motor, all-wheel-drive supercar… Not too bad for a car that outperforms gas-powered supercars that cost three times more.
2023 Tesla Model S Exterior
Remember when you saw your first Tesla Model S? Shimmering in the summer sunshine in the parking lot of a local grocer? You can probably picture those smooth chrome handles, turbine-style wheels, and slick grill that is reminiscent of jet airplanes.
Fast forward to today and the 11-year-old styling of the Model S is starting to get tired—especially when you compare it to the new bold designs from competitors like the Kia EV6. Overal,l we still like the looks of the Tesla Model S. At the same time, we hope Tesla is planning on making some design changes to the exterior of the Model S soon.
The 2023 Tesla still includes the self-presenting door handles. With a keycard in hand, the Model S will unlock and the flush door handles will slide out, “presenting themselves” to you, as you approach. This feature can be disabled if you don’t want to snag your clothes on the door handles while trying to squeeze between your matching Teslas inside of your garage.
2023 Tesla Model S Wheel and Tire Options
For 2023, Tesla is providing two different wheel options for the Model S. The standard wheels are the 19” Tempest wheels, wrapped in an all-season tire. The included wheel and tire package provides the longest range with up to 405 miles.
If you want the thin tire look then you can upgrade to the 21” Arachnid Wheels for an additional $4,500. Like all EVs, the larger the wheel the lower the range. So, Tesla says drivers can expect to see up to 25 miles of reduced range with this wheel option.
2023 Tesla Model S Plaid Wheel and Tire Package
While the performance option Model Y comes with the recognizable Uberturbine Wheels and performance tire, Tesla doesn’t provide a different wheel package for the Tesla Model S Plaid supercar. Instead, the Plaid comes equipped with the higher speed-rated summer tire and the same wheel options as the standard Model S.
2023 Tesla Model S Interior
Like all Teslas, the interior of the Model S is minimalist. There are no buttons, switches, or dials to clutter the dash. Instead, Tesla keeps the climate and entertainment controls in the massive center touchscreen of the Model S.
Unlike the lesser-priced Teslas, the Model S offers a driver information screen to keep the vehicle speed, cruise control, and self-driving information where it should be… in front of the driver.
The most noticeable interior difference between the Model S and X and all other cars is the airplane-inspired yoke-style steering wheel. This feature is a no-cost option so if you’d rather feel like you’re still driving on planet Earth and not in the clouds, you can opt for the traditional “control wheel”.
If that’s not space-aged enough, to shut the driver door all one has to do is press the brake pedal and the door automatically returns to the closed position.
2023 Tesla Model S Third Row
Tesla discontinued the third row (jump seats) option for the Model S when the Model X was released in 2015. This may have been because they wanted to direct sales to the 7-seater, Model X. However, in a recent interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Elon said that the jump seats may be returning shortly. Additionally, Model S concept cars have been spotted with a third row with new forward-facing jump seats.
2023 Tesla Model S Technology and Autopilot Features
The large 17” center screen of the 2023 Model S now had the ability to tilt towards the driver, center, or passenger. The high-resolution infotainment screen can support high-definition movies and gaming. While this feature seems irrelevant to a gas-powered car driver, this is beyond convenient when you’re sitting at a low-speed charger on your weekend road trip.
The center console supports wireless charging and Bluetooth connectivity for up to two smartphones. We appreciate that the position of the phone chargers is conveniently accessible to both the driver and the passenger.
The rear seats also feature an 8” screen that manages the rear climate controls and passenger entertainment. Another awesome feature of the Model S is the two wireless chargers in the center console in the rear seat.
Tesla Model S Basic Autopilot
Basic Autopilot is a suite of driver assistance features that come standard on all new Teslas. The Basic Autopilot adds functionality to your Tesla and makes driving safer and less stressful.
The Basic Autopilot includes:
- Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: To match the speed of your car to that of the surrounding traffic
- Autosteer: To assist in steering within a clearly marked lane and use traffic-aware cruise control
Tesla Model S Enhanced Autopilot Upgrade [$6,000]
The Enhanced Autopilot upgrade on the Tesla Model S adds additional sensors to allow the innovative software to navigate the Tesla without the help of the driver. This $6,000 upgrade includes the following abilities:
- Navigate on Autopilot: Similar to Active Cruise Control, the Tesla Model S can accelerate, decelerate, brake, and steer on highways and open roads.
- Auto Lane Change: Changes lanes to avoid slower-moving traffic.
- Autopark: Hate parallel parking? The Model S can parallel park itself!
- Summon: Request the car to come to you up to 40 ft away. This feature is ideal for tight parking locations.
- Smart Summon: The latest Autopilot allows the Tesla to find you and come to you even in a crowded parking lot.
Tesla Model S Full Self-Driving Capability Upgrade [$15,000]
The Full Self-Driving Capability upgrade includes all functionality of the Basic Autopilot and Enhanced Autopilot. In addition, it includes Traffic and Stop Sign Control (currently in Beta) that allows the car to identify stop signs and traffic lights and slows your car to a stop at the right time. In the near future, Tesla hopes to add Autosteer on city streets. All of these features will still require the driver’s supervision.
2023 Tesla Model S Performance
It’s surprising to us that after 12 years of production, the 2023 Model S is still unmatched when it comes to performance from a four-door daily driver. The base Model S can launch from 0-60 in just over three seconds and has a top speed of 149 mph. That’s slightly slower than Iron Man!
2023 Tesla Model S Plaid [$20,000]
If you want ultimate performance, you can order your Tesla Model S with the $20,000 Plaid option. The Plaid name was derived from Palladium– the name of the concept vehicle when it was in the secret design phase.
The Model S Plaid is a tri-motor, 1,000-plus horsepower, all-wheel drive beast! The 2023 Plaid is the fastest four-door vehicle in the world and is only outdone by rare supercars that cost over $1.5 million.
The Model S Plaid also comes equipped with upgraded brakes with carbon fiber rotors, red brake calipers, and a carbon fiber spoiler on the trunk lid.
The interior of the Plaid is the same as the base Model S, other than the carbon fiber trim that replaces the ebony or walnut trim.
2023 Tesla Model S Plaid Hardware Upgrade [$20,000]
It is important to note that Tesla’s website says in order to reach the top speed of 200 mph, that owners will need to pay for a “hardware upgrade”. The hardware they are talking about is the $20,000 Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit. The brake kit includes upgraded rotors, calipers, pads, and a software upgrade that increases the top speed limit from 163 to exceed 200 mph.
The details of the upgrade also state that the Plaid must be equipped with the larger 21” Arachnid wheels to accommodate the larger brakes. Better safe than sorry, right?
2023 Tesla Model S Safety Features
With all the performance that the Model S brings it better have comparable safety features… Tesla doesn’t disappoint. The Tesla Model S and Plaid come standard with some of the best safety features on the market. These include:
2023 Tesla Model S Warranty
The Tesla Model S is protected by a New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which includes the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty, the Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty, and the Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty.
- Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty: The Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty covers your vehicle for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty: The Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty covers your vehicle for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty: 8 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, with minimum 70% retention of Battery capacity over the warranty period.
2023 Tesla Model S Specs
| Model S | Model S Plaid | |
| Starting Price | $84,990 | $104,990 |
| Battery | ||
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 10.4 hours | 10.4 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | 250 kW | 250 kW |
| Battery Size | 100 kWh | 100 kWh |
| Battery Heater | Included | Included |
| Charge Port Location | Driver Rear Tail Light | Driver Rear Tail Light |
| Motor | ||
| Motor Size | 398 kW (combined) | 580 kW (combined) |
| Motor Count | 2 | 3 |
| Horsepower | 534 hp | 1,020 hp |
| Torque | 920 lb-ft | 1,050 lb-ft |
| Performance | ||
| Range | 405 miles | 396 miles |
| 0-60 | 3.1 seconds | 1.99 seconds |
| Top Speed | 149 mph | 200 mph |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Interior | ||
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Instrument Display | 12.3” | 12.3” |
| Infotainment Display | 17” | 17” |
| Rear Display | 9.3” | 9.3” |
| Ambient Lighting | Not Available | Not Available |
| Heated Front Seats | Included | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Included | Included |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Included | Included |
| Massage Seats | Not Available | Not Available |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Included | Included |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Synthetic | Synthetic |
| Sunroof Roof | Included | Included |
| Technology | ||
| Heads-up Display | Not Available | Not Available |
| Active Cruise Control | Included | Included |
| 360 View | Not Available | Not Available |
| App | Included | Included |
| Safety Features | ||
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included | Included |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Included | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Not Available | Not Available |
| Warranty | ||
| Car | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles |
| Battery | 8 yrs / 150,000 miles | 8 yrs / 150,000 miles |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | ||
| Qualifies? | No | No |
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