Tesla Model S Long Range Plus

Overview

The 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus was the undisputed range champion of its era, a premium electric liftback that continued to set benchmarks. This specific trim offered an incredible blend of performance, that signature Tesla tech, and, most importantly, continent-crossing range. While now discontinued, it represented the peak of the pre-refresh Model S, packing all-wheel drive and a spacious cabin. On the used market, you might snag one for around €43,950 in Europe, making it a compelling proposition for those wanting maximum EV range without breaking the bank on a brand-new flagship.

What's New for 2021?

For 2021, the Long Range Plus variant carried over its impressive updates from its 2020 introduction, primarily focusing on maximising that headline-grabbing range through battery and efficiency tweaks. This wasn't a massive overhaul, as Tesla was gearing up for the significant "Palladium" refresh later in the year. So, think of the Long Range Plus as the ultimate evolution of the classic Model S design, squeezing out every last kilometre before the big interior and exterior changes arrived. It was the king of the hill for range, albeit for a fleeting moment.

Design & Exterior

The Model S Long Range Plus rocks that iconic, super-slippery liftback silhouette that still turns heads. It’s classic Tesla: minimalist, futuristic, and undeniably aerodynamic. You get those cool flush door handles and often a massive panoramic glass roof. While it maintained the familiar pre-refresh styling, it’s a design that has aged gracefully. Dimension-wise, it’s a sizeable machine, stretching 4970 mm in length, 1964 mm wide (mirrors folded, of course!), and standing 1445 mm tall. It’s sleek, it’s chic, and it screams EV pioneer.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside, and you're greeted by Tesla's signature minimalist cabin, dominated by that massive vertical touchscreen controlling almost everything – very Starship Enterprise! Material quality is generally good, offering a premium feel, though perhaps not quite up to some old-guard luxury rivals. Passenger space is ample for five adults. Cargo? Oh yes! You get a whopping 745 litres in the boot, expanding to a van-like 1645 litres with the seats down, plus a handy 60-litre frunk under the bonnet. Infotainment is all Tesla's own, super slick but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto here.

Performance & Driving Experience

Strap in, because the Long Range Plus doesn't just cruise, it rockets! Nought to 100 km/h is dispatched in a blistering 3.8 seconds, thanks to its dual PMSM electric motors – one front, one rear – delivering a potent 398 kW and a whopping 755 Nm of torque through its all-wheel-drive system. That means instant, gut-punch acceleration whenever you fancy. The ride is generally comfy, especially with air suspension, and the handling is planted and secure due to that low-slung battery. Regen braking is strong, letting you enjoy one-pedal driving much of the time.

Range, Battery & Charging

This is where the Long Range Plus truly shines! It packs a hefty 98 kWh usable battery, translating to a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of an amazing 584 km. Efficiency is impressive too, at 5.96 km/kWh. For charging, its 16.5 kW on-board AC charger can top it up overnight. Find a Tesla Supercharger or a compatible DC fast charger, and you can ram in electrons at up to 250 kW. The European models use Tesla's Type 2 port for both AC and DC Supercharging, with CCS adapter compatibility expanding your fast-charging options.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is sorted, with the Model S consistently scoring top marks – a 5-star rating from Euro NCAP and NHTSA backs this up. Tesla's Autopilot system comes as standard, giving you excellent adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to ease those long motorway slogs. Features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking are also part of the package. For those wanting more, Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving Capability were often available as upgrades, adding features like auto lane change and Navigate on Autopilot, though their full functionality varies by region.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Tesla typically offers a solid warranty package in Europe. You're looking at a basic vehicle warranty of around 4 years or 80,000 km. Crucially, the battery and drive unit are covered for a lengthy 8 years or 240,000 km, with a guarantee against excessive degradation, giving you peace of mind. Scheduled maintenance is minimal thanks to the EV powertrain – no oil changes here! Most updates and even some diagnostics happen over-the-air, making ownership pretty darn convenient. Reliability of the core EV components is generally strong.