Tesla Model S PLAID Owner's Review: Things I Love and Hate!

There are things I love and hate about this car, but ultimately it's my favorite daily diver after 30,000 miles.

[Trio]

Yeah, I can't imagine a world where I will ever prefer capacitive touch controls over physical buttons. As much as I'm into tech, I want as many analog feelings and controls as possible in my car.

[Sibobby]

Regarding the range discrepancy you're seeing, I noticed your Instrument Cluster shows the 19" Tempest Wheels, which is a 396 Mile EPA Rated Range for the Plaid, but your current car has the 21" Arachnid Wheels equipped. Tesla advertises those with a 348 Mile EPA Rated Range. You can change your car’s configuration to match your actual wheel setup under Settings > Wheel and Tire Settings > 21" Arachnid Wheels. This will update your car’s wheels on the instrument cluster and phone app as well. If you’re getting > 348 miles, you’re beating EPA rated range!

Also, if you have factory 21’s, you have Summer Tires. You don’t want to use those under 40 degrees. You’ll want to switch out for an All Season or Winter tire. Running summer tires below 40 degrees can cause compound cracking, and they’re significantly worse in ice / snow.

[bioshed]

I love how you say it like it is. As a tech expert, you're not afraid to say things like "the AC controls look really cool and fun to play with (in a demo), but it's awful to use while actually driving"

[ChiefLunar]

Hahahahaha 18:10 love how you blurred the speedometer, we know you’re flyin in that thing looking at the freeway barriers on your side!

[luciddrem]

Removing the stalks felt like a solution to a non-existent problem.

[petersmith]

Marques! Thank you for putting so much efffort into this.. Totally agree with the 360 camera omission. Had a test drive in a Model X last week and was astonished that something so fundamental was not present. Here in Europe towns have small streets, narrow traffic lanes, and totally miniscule car parking spaces given the size of modern cars. This is a basic must-have (especially for the front corners and wheel arch area) despite the seeming effectiveness of the proximity sensors, especially in a car as large as the Model X.

[BS-tkug]

This is the best review I've seen. Gives me the confidence to make the purchase for Model S long range. Thanks for doing it.

[andrewnguyen]

Great review, Marques. I appreciate the distinction you articulated. Automotive youtubers review the looks, the hype, the drive quality. That's one thing. But owning it is a completely different proposition - which is where owner reviews are so helpful.
Thanks for creating content that added value

[BHenryDMoron]

The funniest part is that buttons to adjust the fan controls just got added back today after they were replaced with the slider last Christmas. I would still love a physical button to control the fan speed even though I can control it by voice (sometimes other people in the car are talking). And the main reason for me to not use auto mode is because the car blows heat right at your face and you can't override it (I prefer legs only for heat). They also added Steam (S and X only) with the recent upgrade, so you can now possibly play those other games you mentioned.

[jetstream]

This is why I like you man...you're honest and to the point as opposed to trying to defend what you own just because you own it. The things you pointed out are why I don't own a Tesla (the fact that it doesn't hold up to other cars in its price range). I appreciate the honest and "real" review.

[jonwang]

Absolutely right about the door handles reliability. On my 2014 P85D all 4 door handles have been repaired or replaced at one time or another, some of them repaired more than once. The latest revision 3 handle with magnetic sensors inplace of micro switchs resolved some of the reliability issues. But it’s still a moving part with motor, and gear and also wires that flex so something is still going to break at some point.
And also agree about the cheap build quality, especially the interior. My less than $30K 2013 Leaf has a heated steering wheel and mirror, why is the ~$130K 2014 Tesla does not. Heated steering wheel was not added to Model S not until 2016 and only come with optional cold weather package.
But damn that drive train, battery range, software update and SuperCharger network is what got me to stick with Tesla. Hope as they get more mature on building cars the build quality can match the price they are charging.

[tonyd]

Put in a service ticket, they will replace your yoke with the latest revision of it. They can even do it mobile service. The yoke has gone through a half dozen or so revisions since the original release and they fixed lots of small quirks/issues like the one you posted.

[kyoko]

I really appreciate this long form and also long term after the fact review. It's cool and all to get the latest and greatest review of some new gadget but rarely do we get a review of what happens after the fanfare has worn off and have actually lived with the product for a prolonged period of time. Not to mention actual ownership of it.

Thanks dude! 🙂

[joshjenkins]

Marques, thanks for the review. Spot on and agree with all of your points. I appreciate you bringing up the elements not delivered to date. Steam for the 2021, 200 mph, FSD, etc. Not sure why Tesla is perpetually in this "over promise, under deliver" mentality. If they never mentioned some of these things we would never care, like advanced gaming, but they instead under deliver when they could be "unknown" updates and create a fantastic owner experience. I still love the car and love the satin black wrap with camo touches.

[SherryA-tsic]

I'm 73. A gear head since 9 (bought a 51 Ford coupe with paper route money). This is far and away the best car review I've ever seen. That is particularly impressive considering the intensity and polarization usually caused by this particular product. Fine job.

[HeathRS]

The phone as a key works so much better than I ever expected. I use it to heat the car and just leave the app open when I'm going to use the car and it's immediate to respond. The charger pad is the perfect design but I do think if phones get much bigger they won't fit(Model 3).

My wife loves to use the voice commands for the frunk and trunk and I don't think she's ever used the UI buttons if she's in the car. That works really well too.

[Rulerofwax]

I have been shocked that other cars have not adopted Sentry mode and built in dashcam. It's crazy that so many cars have so many cameras, but they are virtually useless to the end user so much of the time.

[goldenline]

18:08 like the fact he blurred his speed to avoid attention from his cop viewers 😂

[johnsmeith]

I’m surprised you had such high battery degradation. My dad’s founders edition 2012 model S which he has to this day had nearly 450, 000km on it, and the battery has only degraded in capacity by 12%. He was a lifetime bmw buyer, and has sworn to only buy Teslas for the rest of his life with how reliable, enjoyable, and beautiful his Tesla is. He said he spent more in 8 monthes on problems with his 2008 M3 than he has in 12 years on his Tesla model S

[farzyness]

Thanks Marques! I've had only Teslas since 2016. Have well over 120k miles *combined* on all of them. Best cars I've ever owned - easily.