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2026 Tesla Model S Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims
The Tesla Model S is an electric car. When it launched for 2013, the Model S was Tesla's first mainstream electric car. Various updates have been applied to the Model S over the years, including a substantial refresh made for 2022. Tesla has made a few more changes for 2026. Rivals to the Model S include the Lucid Air, Audi A6 E-Tron, and BMW i5. What's New
Basics Updated suspension tuning to yield a more comfortable ride
A quieter cabin
Claimed range rises to 410 miles on the AWD model, up from 405. With 21s, range is 380 miles.
Plaid model has a claimed 368-mile range, up from 359. With 21s, range is 328 miles.
Exterior Mildly updated headlights and taillights, with adaptive-beam headlights
Updated lower front fascia
New Frost Blue exterior color option
Attractive new 19- and 21-inch wheel designs
Front-facing camera to aid in parking maneuvers
Interior Updated "dynamic" ambient lighting on the dashboard and doors Inside the 2026 Model S
The 2026 Model S' interior is merely decent, not competitive with truly luxurious electric sedans. The simple, streamlined design is available in three interior hues: black, white, and beige.
As ever, a large 17.4-inch central touchscreen is a primary design feature and unlike the Model 3 and Model Y, the Model S continues to have a standard driver display. That 12.3-inch display in front is joined by a 9.4-inch touchscreen for rear-seat passengers. New Model S Power and Performance—2026 Plaid?
As is the case today, the standard 2026 Model S is a dual-motor AWD setup making approximately 670 hp, providing a 0–60 mph time of about 3.1 seconds.
In an attempt to steal back acceleration records from the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach, Tesla may one day introduce an upgraded version of the triple-motor Model S Plaid with even more power than the 1,020 hp it has now. It would need to launch from 0–60 mph in less than 1.89 seconds if it wants to beat that epic Taycan. For now, we continue to wish the Model S Plaid came with fortified brakes to effectively and repeatedly counter its strong acceleration. Model S Range and Charging
Currently, all versions of the Model S come with a 100-kWh battery pack. Depending on specification, it can cover between approximately 328 and 410 miles on a charge, a bit more than the 2025 model.
Maximum charge rate tops out at 250 kW. Like all Tesla cars and an increasing number of vehicles from other automakers, the 2026 Model S has access to the Supercharger network. Self-Driving Model S?
The 2026 Model S comes equipped with Autopilot assist features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
The so-called Full Self-Driving (FSD) software will also be available for an extra charge, allowing for hands-free driving on essentially any public road. In our experience, FSD is prone to erratic behavior and dumb decision making that calls into question its safety and utility. Other Electric Sedans: Lucid Air
Porsche Taycan
BMW i5
Audi A6 E-Tron
