Car news! Tesla Model S Sedan

Tesla Model S Sedan

Full 2013 Tesla Model S Review

What's New for 2013

After selling out of last year's limited-edition Signature lineup, the 2013 Tesla Model S returns with base and Performance trims only. The car is pretty much unchanged, though heated seats are now available with both cloth and leather upholstery. Later in the model year, Tesla discontinued the original base 40kWh battery pack; customers who ordered that version received a detuned version of the available 60kWh battery pack.

Introduction

Sleek, seductive, luxurious, powerful and inspiring are all words that you'd expect to hear about the latest European luxury sedan. But in this case, we're talking about one of America's latest homegrown electric vehicles, the 2013 Tesla Model S.

The Model S is a huge departure from the typical electric car, with its luxury sedan accommodations and pulse-quickening performance. Thanks to a thoroughly modern interpretation of interior design and a host of advanced technological features, the Model S also serves as a new benchmark for all vehicles, electric or otherwise.

Nor is the Tesla Model S exclusive to the ultra-wealthy. As-new pricing for the base model starts around $70,000, and that's not including a federal tax credit. While this isn't exactly chump change, the base model's EPA-estimated range of 208 miles is more than double that of any other electric vehicle, and that means the Model S is a much more viable EV to own. To get the most out of your Model S ownership, though, we'd recommend the bigger (and more expensive) 85 kWh battery pack, which provides an estimated 265 miles of range.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2013 Tesla Model S is a large, five-passenger luxury sedan. It's available in two trim levels: base and Performance.

Tesla has tinkered with the Model S's standard features slightly as the model year has progressed, but in general expect standard equipment to include 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights, full power accessories, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 17-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, cloth/premium vinyl upholstery, heated eight-way power front seats (with four-way power lumbar), 60/40-split-folding rear seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a seven-speaker sound system with dual USB ports (charging only) and HD radio. A cellular connection, Internet radio and WiFi connectivity are also included.

An option for the 60 kWh model is the Supercharger Enabled package; it allows you to utilize Tesla's growing network of Supercharger stations around the country. Upgraded tires (for slightly greater range) are also optional. Besides an increase in battery capacity and motor output, the 85-kWh models come with the above two options as standard.