Tesla Model S Plaid

Overview

The Tesla Model S Plaid is the undisputed king of the performance electric saloon, a four-door family car that delivers face-melting hypercar acceleration. It cements its position as a technological benchmark, blending immense power with a practical liftback design and a vast charging network. The Plaid’s key highlight is its tri-motor setup, enabling its legendary speed. For those with deep pockets, it’s an icon of EV capability, available in Europe with a new price tag around €109,990, while used examples hover near €83,500, making it a serious investment in performance.

What's New for 2025?

For 2025, the Model S Plaid continues its philosophy of gradual evolution rather than revolutionary annual change. Following its major 2021 refresh, updates are primarily delivered via over-the-air software enhancements that refine the user interface and Autopilot features. Buyers may see minor tweaks to interior trim and the introduction of ambient lighting as standard. The core hardware—the powertrain, battery, and chassis—remains the formidable package that redefined performance expectations. Essentially, Tesla ensures your 2025 car continuously improves, keeping it on the cutting edge without needing a trip to the dealer.

Design & Exterior

The Model S Plaid maintains its famously slippery and minimalist aesthetic. Its low-slung, aerodynamic liftback shape is designed for maximum efficiency, contributing to its impressive range and performance. Key dimensions are substantial, measuring 5021 mm in length, 1987 mm in width, and just 1431 mm in height, giving it a commanding yet graceful presence. Plaid-specific details are subtle, limited to a small carbon fibre spoiler on the boot lid and the iconic Plaid badge, signalling the beast that lies beneath its clean, uncluttered skin.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Plaid embraces radical minimalism, dominated by a colossal 17-inch central touchscreen that controls nearly all vehicle functions. The controversial Yoke steering wheel remains a key talking point, offering an unobstructed view of the driver's display. Passenger space is generous, and material quality is a step up from older Teslas. Practicality is a strong suit; it boasts a massive 709-litre boot, which expands to a van-like 1739 litres with the seats folded. An additional 89-litre frunk adds to its class-leading storage. There's no Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, you get Tesla's excellent native system instead.

Performance & Driving Experience

This is where the Plaid rewrites the rulebook. Its tri-motor all-wheel-drive system—one motor at the front, two at the rear—unleashes a colossal 760 kW and 1420 Nm of torque. The result is a gut-punching 0-100 km/h sprint in just 2.1 seconds, with a top speed of 322 km/h. While it’s a heavy car, the adaptive air suspension provides a comfortable ride for grand touring. The sheer, instantaneous thrust is its party piece, offering relentless power at any speed. One-pedal driving is seamless, making city driving a breeze.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Plaid is equipped with a 95 kWh usable battery pack, delivering a real-world range estimated by Green Cars Compare at around 530 kilometres. Its efficiency is rated at a respectable 5.58 km/kWh. For charging, it uses a CCS Type 2 port, the European standard. At home or the office on an 11 kW AC charger, a full charge takes around 9-10 hours. On the road, its 400V architecture supports DC fast charging up to 250 kW, allowing you to add significant range in under 30 minutes at a Tesla Supercharger.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a cornerstone of the Model S design, backed by a top-tier 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Every Plaid comes standard with Tesla's 'Autopilot,' an advanced driver-assistance suite that includes adaptive cruise control and one of the best lane-keeping systems on the market. Buyers can upgrade to 'Enhanced Autopilot' for features like automatic lane changes and Autopark, or the 'Full Self-Driving Capability' package. While incredibly sophisticated, these systems require the driver to remain fully attentive and in control of the vehicle at all times.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Tesla's warranty in Europe provides solid peace of mind. The basic vehicle is covered for 4 years or 80,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. More importantly, the battery and drive unit are warrantied for an impressive 8 years or 240,000 kilometres, guaranteeing at least 70% battery capacity retention over that period. There's no mandatory service schedule; the car alerts you when specific items like brake fluid or cabin filters need attention. This simplifies ownership, though there is no complimentary maintenance included from the factory.