We take the hassle and haggle out of car buying by finding you great deals from local and national dealers £55,935 - £137,885

The Tesla Model S is an all-electric executive saloon that combines amazing performance with zero tailpipe emissions, a luxurious, high-tech cabin and tremendous refinement.

Compared with the likes of the petrol- and diesel-powered Mercedes E-Class , BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 , the futuristic Tesla Model S is like a Fender Stratocaster with a massive amplifier in the company of acoustic guitars. Sure the electric Model S might not produce any discernible engine sound, but its supercar-like performance is more like a searing rock solo than the German cars’ humble rhythm section.

Since going on sale more than a decade ago, the Model S has seen a variety of alternatives appear in direct competition. Want an upmarket electric car? You can also choose from a Mercedes EQS , Porsche Taycan , BMW i7 and more.

To keep pace, a new Model S went on sale in America in 2021, but the UK has had to wait a while to get a look in. Place an order now and you'll get one of these new models sometime in 2023.

Has it been worth the wait? Well, the new model might look a lot like the old one, but every body panel except for the doors is new, apparently. Everything under the skin is new, too, and the engineers have shrink-wrapped all of the internal gubbins to make more room for people and stuff in the cabin. It's a massive 100kg lighter than the old one, and clever tech reduces noise and vibration for a more refined driving experience.

There is one big downside, though. The new Tesla Model S is only available in left-hand drive. It means visibility won't be as good because roads, junctions and even things like ticket machines are designed with right-hand drive in mind.

Not enough to put you off? Well, on top of being quiet and comfortable, it also has that famously ludicrous performance. You wouldn’t guess it's packing the pace to put sports cars to shame just by looking at it, though. Next to the aggressive grilles you get on a BMW or Audi , the Model S’s front end looks a bit blank, while its subtle, slinky body is perhaps a bit forgettable.

Things take a turn for the unusual when you step inside, though. This is mostly down to the huge 17-inch touchscreen display that dominates the cabin, and controls pretty much all of the Model S’s functions. On earlier models this was mounted in portrait, but it's now landscape-orientated and can even tilt towards you or the passenger to make it easier to see. That odd Y-shaped steering ‘yoke’ is a new addition too, though you can choose a regular wheel if you want.

There’s plenty of space for you, and a few passengers, to get comfy, and the Tesla’s boot is large and easy to load thanks to its handy hatchback-style boot lid. You get 793 litres of total space across both areas, with the Porsche Taycan (407 litres) nowhere near. Even the EQS's 610 litres lags well behind.

Driving the Tesla Model S is just simple. It’s ready to go when you get in, and moving away is as easy as sliding the car into 'drive' on the touchscreen – the gear selector stalk and indicators are gone for a cleaner aesthetic. The indicators are now on the face of the steering wheel, which works fine after some use, but we did find we would accidentally set them off with our palms in corners from time to time.

Range Test: Audi e-tron GT v Tesla Model S

You don’t get a great deal of choice when it comes to picking your Tesla Model S’s motor and battery options – all come with a 100kWh battery pack and a choice of two or three electric motors.

The dual-motor versions will get from 0-60mph in a scarcely believable 3.1 seconds. The mid-range performance is just as incredible and little else on the road can match its overtaking punch. Little else, except the tri-motor model, that is. It has a Plaid mode that makes it so stupidly quick that CEO Elon Musk cancelled plans for a Plaid Plus because he felt this was fast enough. Zero-60mph in about two seconds is definitely fast enough. The power delivery is beautifully smooth, too, so you can drive it as quickly or in as relaxed a manner as you like.

Equally rapid is how quickly you can charge the electric Tesla Model S using one of Tesla’s ‘Supercharger’ public charging points – which you’ll find on our Tesla charging stations map . The Model S can accept up to 250kW, which will add about 200 miles in 15 minutes. If you use a wall-mounted home charger, however, you can expect a full charge to take around 14 hours.

Once topped up, the Model S has an impressive range. Tesla claims the dual-motor model will travel up to 405 miles on a charge, while the Plaid will manage 390 miles, making them some of the longest-range EVs you can buy.

Despite the weight of all its batteries, the Tesla Model S handles surprisingly well. Sure, the steering doesn’t inspire the same confidence you get in a BMW 5 Series on a twisty road, but the electric Model S is a superb way of wafting from place to place. Whether on a B-road or a motorway, the low-set battery packs provide a low centre of gravity, meaning the car always feels stable.

The other benefit of an electric car is that charging it costs significantly less than filling up a petrol or diesel car. Charge your Tesla Model S at home and it’ll set you back in the region of a third of what it’ll cost to brim the tank in a comparable BMW , Mercedes or Audi . On top of that, it’s exempt from the London Congestion Charge and incurs company car BIK tax at the lowest possible rate.

That said, you certainly get what you pay for, especially in terms of safety. Euro NCAP awarded the Model S the maximum five stars for safety, and among the array of safety functions is the Autopilot system. Using cameras and radar tech, the Model S can follow lanes in motorway traffic while keeping a safe distance from the car ahead, braking, accelerating and steering for you – providing you keep your hands on the wheel, that is.

So, it isn’t just the Tesla Model S’ electric credentials that make it a tempting upmarket saloon; its raft of driver assistance and infotainment systems really set it apart from the likes of the BMW, Mercedes and Audi norm.

Interested? Check out the latest Tesla deals or browse used Model S stock from a network of trusted dealers. You can also check out other used Teslas , as well as sell your car through carwow.

If you’re thinking of going electric with a Model S, it’s certainly not a cheap option. Although pricing for the new model has not yet been revealed, the top-spec tri-motor Plaid models should cost in excess of £100,000. That will make it comparable with the Mercedes EQS.

Alternatives to consider here include the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT , prices of which start at around £80,000 and over £85,000 respectively. The regular dual-motor Model S is expected to be competitive with these prices.

There aren't too many options on a Model S, but one of the most interesting is the Track Package . For about £16,000 you get sticky tyres, lightweight alloy wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes to go with the clever Track Mode software that comes as standard to make the Model S more capable on a track day. The brakes are awesome (and should be added by anyone getting a tri-motor model, budget-allowing), though the not-road-legal tyres seem a bit extreme.

Other options include a choice of 19- or 21-inch alloy wheels, exterior and interior colours, a round steering wheel and upgraded 'Autopilot' technology.

The Model S is stupidly fast but also perfectly comfortable for long motorway drives, though there is some wind and tyre noise to deal with

In town

Tesla has been successful in converting people to electric cars – arguably more so than any other brand on the market. The performance of the Model S is one of the reasons, along with the futuristic-looking cabin.

However, for everyday purposes and for travelling in and around town, low-speed performance is what matters. The lack of an engine makes the Model S cabin quiet, although some noise from the tyres and through the windows is noticeable. The tyres are large, so are responsible for some of that noise, which moves from the road into the cabin.

The steering is sharp, without having too much feel to it. But in town, this isn’t a major consideration, especially when drivers will potentially need to move in and out of tight spaces. Here, the light steering can help you get around with ease, which is helpful given the Model S is not a small car .

Visibility isn’t helped by a thick pillar between the windscreen and the door, which creates its own blind spot. Meanwhile, visibility out of the rear window is hampered because of its narrow dimensions and the rear headrests stopping a clear view from the front.

On the motorway

Whichever Tesla you choose, it will be fast – at any speed. That means overtaking at motorway speeds is a doddle and the sprint from 50-70mph is blink-and-you-missed-it quick.

It’s not all about speed and performance, though. On the road, the Model S is comfortable, relatively quiet and the air suspension makes all the difference when doing long miles. One other area where the Model S excels is in the driving range – Tesla claims its dual-motor model can travel for a whopping 405 miles on a single charge, which takes away any notion of range anxiety.

Tesla’s Autopilot has had a mixed reception, with some people relying too much on the technology and believing it is a completely hands-free experience (it very much isn’t). However, used the right way – with one eye kept on the system at all times, the semi-autonomous nature will make life much more relaxing when on the move.

On a twisty road

Like most electric cars with big battery packs, weight is an issue that can affect performance. However, the Model S provides plenty of grip, inspiring confidence when pressing on down B roads. A low centre of gravity is achieved thanks to the batteries mounted in the floor, ensuring the car remains stable while going through corners.

The suspension is comfortable, so when cruising at higher speeds, the system will ensure the driver and passengers stay relatively still. The brakes are effective, without being intrusive, which all adds to the appeal and driving experience. Going for the Plaid? Friendly reminder that you'll want the carbon-ceramic brakes if you can afford the upgrade. That's a hell of a lot of power for the regular brakes to contain, with many owners complaining that they struggle.

The Model S is spacious inside and has a massive boot, but cabin storage is surprisingly poor

While there is plenty of room up front in the Model S, levels of practicality are not as impressive. There is, as one would expect, a traditional glovebox and some spaces for keys, wallets or drinks between the front seats, but that’s about it. There are no door bins in the Model S, which is rare for a car that is designed for a family, as opposed to an owner who is single and therefore likely to travel either on their own or with few passengers.

Continuing on that theme, the rear bench has no split in the seats – and therefore no ski hatch or the ability to carry long objects. Not a deal-breaker for some, but a strange omission, given they are popular in models such as the Mercedes EQS or Porsche Taycan.

However, in other respects the Tesla Model S has been designed with the user firmly in mind. It was one of the early adopters of technology that automatically opens doors when it senses the key in your pocket.

Space in the back seats

The sloping roofline of the Model S means that some rear passengers might find things a bit cramped. However, there is plenty of legroom and space between the front and rear seats.

The floor is completely flat because there is no transmission tunnel going from front to back, however, the batteries housed in the floor might present a bit of an issue for some. Packaging constraints mean that the floor is raised, so rear passengers sit at a slightly unnatural position, with legs raised higher than they would typically be.

What the flat floor does mean is that three passengers can fit in with ease along the rear bench, plus it is easier for people to move between the seats.

Boot space

Luggage capacity on the Tesla Model S – accessed via the electric tailgate – is impressive. There is a lip, which might interfere with some loading and unloading but, on the whole, it’s a practicality win. With the rear seats folded forwards, the space isn’t completely flat and a slightly awkward ridge sits between the two spaces.

Regardless, on volume alone, the Model S has all of its alternatives well and truly beat. The Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan have 366 and 407 litres respectively, though the latter is offered in the estate-ish Sport Turismo body style, upping capacity to 446 litres. The BMW i7 has 500 litres of space, but the closest competitor is the EQS at 610 litres, still some way behind.

Unlike some electric vehicles, the frunk is very usable. Plenty of room up front, which is another tick in the practicality box, thanks to a whopping 150 litres of space. That's compared with around 80 litres in the Porsche and Audi, while the Mercedes and BMW don't have extra storage under the bonnet.

Tesla adopts a very minimalistic look for its interiors, but while the screen is generally quick and easy to use, many everyday functions are frustratingly clunky

There’s isn’t a great deal in the Model S’s interior, but the cabin is dominated by a large widescreen display that houses all of the infotainment system. This display has evolved over time, switching from a portrait-like configuration to now having a landscape design.

The connectivity is very good and many items can be controlled by steering wheel-mounted buttons. However, the majority of the car’s functions will be handled by the big touchscreen. From here, drivers and front passengers can control the suspension, headlights and all phone and audio settings. In addition, the sunroof opening and closing is handled here, via a sliding scale. It mostly makes sense, but it does take some getting used to, while some systems (such as moving the steering wheel) are unnecessarily fiddly.

The driving position of the car is good and is helped by the fact that there isn’t a great deal to interfere with legroom, given the spacious nature of the Model S. Seats can be easily adjusted, and the wheel has a good range of movement, so you can get the best position possible behind the wheel.

The seats themselves are very comfortable and have plenty of depth to them for extra luxury. However, they could do with more side bolster support in the quicker models, particularly if you're utilising the Track Package. In fast cornering you have to use your knees to support your body as you slide about on the cushion.

Sadly, despite the price tag, some of the interior trims are not of the quality you would expect. Some of the components look like they’ve been sourced from other vehicles that are offered at a fraction of the price and in some cases, it is obvious where money has been saved with thinner, cheaper materials.

When it comes to running costs, there’s a lot to like about the Model S, especially if you’re a company car driver who is able to take advantage of favourable Benefit in Kind tax rates . There’s also the ease of using Tesla’s expanding Supercharging network, although that has now been opened up to drivers of other electric vehicles, so might be a bit more of a mission to get a spot to charge your car.

Although, as mentioned before, the driving range of the Model S is impressive, the lineup has been massively simplified in recent years so that there are two specific options: the Model S Dual Motor and the Plaid.

The Dual Motor version has a claimed maximum range of 405 miles, a 0-60mph time of 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Meanwhile, the Plaid comes with three motors and 1,020hp to enable it to zoom to 60mph from a standstill in around two seconds. That performance is not to the detriment of the driving range, pleasingly. Tesla reckons that you should still manage 390 miles on a single charge. (Though maybe not if you're regularly testing that 0-60mph time, naturally...)

Although it’s been a while since the Tesla Model S was assessed by Euro NCAP – it was evaluated back in 2014 – the EV was at that point awarded a maximum five stars. Specifically, it scored 82% for adult occupant safety and 77% for child occupants.

For added protection from the outside, the Model S features ‘Sentry Mode’, which monitors suspicious behaviour around the car when it is parked or left. In the event of an ‘incident’, owners will receive a notification via the mobile app and they can download a video of the action.

The warranty on a Tesla Model S is longer – by one year – than the industry average of three years. However, there is a limit of 50,000 miles during that period, which might put some people off or, at least, have them keeping a close eye on their distances travelled.

The battery, like in most electric vehicles, is covered by the manufacturer for eight years or 150,000 miles, with a minimum 70% retention of battery capacity during that time. Helpfully, that warranty can be handed over to new owners, which might be useful if you’re looking at a used Model S.

There’s a mixed bag when it comes to talking about reliability and build quality of Tesla’s Model S. Some owners will talk about countless issues with their vehicle, but often overlook them because of the performance on offer. However, some industry surveys have seen Tesla score highly with the Model S.

We take the hassle and haggle out of car buying by finding you great deals from local and national dealers £55,935 - £137,885 Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term, 8000 miles annually, inc VAT, excluding fees. Vehicle returned at term end. Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on carwow vs manufacturer RRP.  carwow is the trading name of carwow Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and insurance distribution activities (firm reference number: 767155). carwow is a credit broker and not a lender. carwow may receive a fee from retailers advertising finance and may receive a commission from partners (including dealers) for introducing customers. All finance offers and monthly payments shown are subject to application and status. carwow is covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (please see www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk for more information). carwow Ltd is registered in England (company number 07103079), registered office 2nd Floor, Verde Building, 10 Bressenden Place, London, England, SW1E 5DH.