Tesla Model S

The 2026 Tesla Model S starts at $94,990 for the Long Range and $109,990 for the Plaid. Both prices exclude Tesla's $1,390 destination and order fee, bringing the all-in base to $96,380 (Long Range) or $111,380 (Plaid) before sales tax, registration, and options like Full Self-Driving ($15,000) or premium paint ($1,500–$2,500).

MSRP for the 2026 Model S is $94,990 (Long Range) and $109,990 (Plaid). Tesla's website calls these 'starting prices' and excludes the $1,390 destination fee. Unlike traditional dealerships, Tesla does not add markup — MSRP is the transaction price before tax and options.

The Plaid costs $15,000 more than the Long Range ($109,990 vs $94,990). For that premium you get a tri-motor setup with 1,020 horsepower, a 1.99-second 0-60 time (down from 3.1 seconds), and a 200 mph top speed (versus 149 mph). The trade-off: range drops 42–62 miles to 348–368 miles EPA, because the third motor draws significant additional energy.

With the $1,390 destination fee and typical state sales tax (6–10%), a base Long Range Model S lands at roughly $102,000–$105,000 out the door. Plaid out-the-door pricing is $118,000–$122,000. California buyers pay the most due to 7.25% state sales tax plus local add-ons. Texas (6.25%) and Florida (6%) sit at the lower end. See the state-by-state table above for specific estimates.

With $10,000 down and 72-month financing at 4.99% APR (Tesla's current standard rate), expect roughly $1,380/mo for the Long Range and $1,580/mo for the Plaid. Tesla frequently offers promotional rates as low as 0.99–3.99% APR on specific configurations — checking Tesla's order page before committing to an outside lender can save $100–$200 per month over the term.

Yes. Tesla offers a 36-month, 10,000-miles-per-year lease. Effective monthly cost is roughly $1,050–$1,250 for Long Range and $1,250–$1,450 for Plaid with $7,500–$10,000 due at signing. Unlike most luxury automakers, Tesla's lease does not allow a purchase at end of term — you must return the vehicle. That makes a lease best for buyers who expect to upgrade within 3 years or who want the shortest path to a fresh battery pack.

No. The federal Clean Vehicle Credit expired September 30, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Even before that, the Model S exceeded the $55,000 MSRP cap for sedans, so it never qualified. Only state incentives apply now. California's Clean Cars 4 All offers up to $12,000 for income-qualified residents (Model S is typically above the MSRP cap), and Colorado offers a $750 base state credit with no MSRP cap.

At roughly 2× the price of a Model 3 Long Range, the Model S buys you: significantly more range (410 vs 363 miles), faster charging, a larger and more refined interior, better sound insulation, and (on Plaid) hypercar-level acceleration. It does not get you meaningfully better technology — both cars run the same Autopilot/FSD software and share the same infotainment system. If you regularly drive 300+ miles in a day, the Model S range advantage matters. For most buyers, a Model 3 Long Range at half the price does 90% of what the Model S does.

The 2026 Tesla Model S starts at $94,990 for the base trim and runs up to $109,990 for the top trim, across 2 available configurations. These prices are MSRP and exclude destination fee (typically $1,000–$1,500) plus state sales tax and options.

The Tesla Model S offers EPA-estimated range between 348 and 410 miles, depending on trim and wheel size. Real-world highway range at 70 mph is typically 10–15% lower than the EPA rating, and cold-weather range can drop an additional 20–30% in sub-freezing temperatures.

The Tesla Model S hits 0-60 mph in 1.99 to 3.1 seconds depending on trim — the performance variant is the quicker of the two. The top trim is in supercar-acceleration territory thanks to electric motors' instant torque.

On a DC fast charger, the Tesla Model S goes from 10% to 80% in roughly 29–30 minutes. At home on a Level 2 charger (240V), a full charge typically takes 7–11 hours depending on the battery pack size. Level 1 (standard 120V outlet) is impractical for most owners — about 3–5 days for a full charge.

Yes, all Tesla Model S trims come standard with all-wheel drive. Dual-motor (or tri-motor on performance variants) setups deliver improved traction and faster acceleration than comparable RWD EVs.

The Tesla Model S seats 5.

No. The federal Clean Vehicle Credit (IRC §30D) expired on September 30, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — no new EVs purchased on or after October 1, 2025 qualify. State incentives remain available: see our /deals page for current rebates in California, Maine, Colorado, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and other states. The Section 30C EV Charger Tax Credit (for home charger installation) remains available through June 30, 2026.

Real-world data from EV fleets suggests modern lithium-ion EV batteries (2020+) retain roughly 85–90% of their original capacity at 100,000 miles and 80–85% at 200,000 miles — comfortably above the 70% State-of-Health threshold most manufacturer battery warranties guarantee. The Tesla Model S comes with a battery warranty (typically 8–10 years / 100,000+ miles) that covers defects and excessive capacity loss during that window.