2025 Tesla Model S Review: Plaid Specs, Range, and Price
2025 Tesla Model S Review: Plaid Specs, Range, and Price
The 2025 Tesla Model S continues to redefine what it means to be a luxury electric sedan. As one of the most advanced vehicles on the market, the Model S—especially in its high-performance Plaid variant—delivers blistering acceleration, cutting-edge technology, and industry-leading range. With Tesla consistently refining its models through over-the-air updates and engineering improvements, the 2025 refresh brings subtle yet meaningful upgrades that enhance performance, comfort, and efficiency. In this comprehensive review, we dive deep into the 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid specs, range, pricing, design, and driving experience to help you decide if this flagship EV is worth the investment.
2025 Tesla Model S Plaid: Design and Exterior Updates
The 2025 Tesla Model S maintains the sleek, minimalist design language that has become synonymous with Tesla’s premium lineup. While the overall silhouette remains unchanged since the 2021 redesign, Tesla has introduced minor cosmetic refinements for 2025 to improve aerodynamics and visual appeal. The drag coefficient remains an impressive **0.208 Cd**, making it one of the most aerodynamic production cars in the world.
Exterior features include:
- Redesigned LED headlights with improved illumination and adaptive beam technology
- Updated alloy wheel options, including new 19-inch and 21-inch designs optimized for efficiency and performance
- Available carbon fiber body kits for Plaid models to reduce weight and enhance sporty aesthetics
- Improved paint finishes with enhanced UV protection and gloss options
- Flush-mounted door handles and a panoramic glass roof
The 2025 model also sees improvements in sound insulation, with additional acoustic glass and damping materials to reduce wind and road noise—something previous owners occasionally noted in high-speed driving scenarios.
Interior: Luxury Meets Futuristic Minimalism
Step inside the 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid, and you’re greeted by a cabin that blends minimalist design with high-end materials and advanced technology. Tesla has always favored a “less is more” approach, and the interior reflects that philosophy with a focus on digital integration and driver-centric ergonomics.
Key interior features include:
- A 17-inch horizontal touchscreen with a 2200 x 1300 resolution, running Tesla’s latest infotainment system
- A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the yoke-style steering wheel (optional traditional steering wheel available for some configurations)
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats with 16-way power adjustment and memory functions
- Advanced HVAC system with cabin air filtration (HEPA filter), capable of removing pollutants, allergens, and even viruses
- Yoke steering with haptic feedback and customizable steering ratio settings
- Sustainable interior materials, including vegan leather, recycled fabrics, and wood-free trim options
The Plaid model also includes exclusive interior touches such as carbon fiber accents, illuminated door sills, and premium floor mats. Rear passengers benefit from increased legroom and a dedicated climate control panel, making long drives more comfortable.
One of the most talked-about features of the Model S interior is the rear-facing camera system displayed on the central screen when reversing—a necessity given the limited rear visibility due to the sloping roofline. Enhanced camera calibration and wider-angle lenses in the 2025 model improve visibility and parking assistance.
Performance: 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid Specs
The heart of the 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid lies in its triple-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, delivering jaw-dropping performance numbers that rival some of the world’s most expensive supercars.
Power and Acceleration
The Model S Plaid produces a staggering **1,020 horsepower** (estimated) and over **1,050 lb-ft of torque**, enabling:
- 0 to 60 mph in **under 2.0 seconds** (with rollout subtracted, Tesla reports 1.99 seconds)
- Quarter-mile time of **8.8 seconds** at 154 mph
- Top speed of **200 mph** (322 km/h)
These figures are not just impressive—they’re record-breaking. The 2025 Plaid remains the fastest-accelerating production sedan ever built, outpacing rivals like the Lucid Air Sapphire and Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
Tesla has further refined the Plaid’s launch control system for 2025, incorporating improved thermal management to reduce battery overheating during repeated high-performance runs. This allows drivers to enjoy multiple back-to-back launches without significant power tapering.
Driving Dynamics and Handling
Beneath the acceleration hype, the 2025 Model S Plaid offers refined handling thanks to its low center of gravity, adaptive air suspension, and performance-oriented tuning.
- Adaptive air suspension with real-time damping adjustments
- Standard 21-inch performance tires or optional 19-inch all-season wheels for improved range
- Enhanced regenerative braking system with customizable settings
- Low polar moment of inertia due to centralized battery pack placement
While the yoke steering remains controversial, Tesla has made software improvements to make it more intuitive, especially at low speeds and during parking maneuvers. For those uneasy with the yoke, Tesla continues to offer a traditional steering wheel as a no-cost option on Plaid configurations.
Battery and Range: How Far Can the 2025 Model S Plaid Go?
One of the biggest selling points of the Tesla Model S has always been its impressive range. The 2025 Model S Plaid continues this legacy with an updated battery pack and improved energy efficiency.
The estimated **EPA-verified range** for the 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid is **up to 396 miles** (637 km) on a full charge. This represents a modest improvement over the 2024 model (396 miles vs. 396 miles), primarily due to better aerodynamics, reduced rolling resistance, and software optimizations.
Key battery and charging specs:
- Battery capacity: ~100 kWh (lithium-ion)
- Charging: Compatible with Tesla Supercharger V3 and V4 networks
- DC fast charging: Adds up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes
- Maximum charging rate: Up to 250 kW at peak Supercharger speeds
- Home charging: 11.5 kW with the Tesla Wall Connector (Level 2)
Tesla has also improved battery longevity in the 2025 model, introducing a new thermal regulation algorithm that prolongs cell life by maintaining optimal temperatures during charging and driving. The company estimates that the battery will retain over 90% of its capacity after 200,000 miles under normal usage conditions.
Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capabilities
The 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid comes standard with Tesla’s **Autopilot** suite, which includes:
- Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
- Autosteer for semi-autonomous lane-keeping
- Auto Lane Change
- Summon and Smart Summon
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
Tesla’s optional **Full Self-Driving (FSD) package** remains available for an additional **$12,000** (one-time purchase) or **$199/month** (subscription). As of 2025, FSD includes:
- Enhanced Navigate on Autopilot with automatic highway on/off ramp handling
- Autopark for parallel and perpendicular parking
- Stop sign and traffic light recognition with automatic stopping and resuming
- FSD Vision: camera-only system with neural net processing (no radar)
- Urban street driving in select regions (beta)
While FSD is not fully autonomous and requires driver supervision, Tesla continues to roll out over-the-air updates that improve reliability and expand geographic coverage. The 2025 Model S benefits from Tesla’s latest **FSD Computer 4.0**, offering increased processing power and better object detection in complex environments.
Technology and Infotainment
The 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid is a tech powerhouse. The centerpiece is the 17-inch touchscreen, which runs on a custom AMD Ryzen-based processor, delivering console-grade performance.
Features include:
- Streaming capabilities: Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Spotify built-in
- Integrated web browser with full internet access
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (added in 2023 and retained in 2025)
- Over-the-air software updates for continuous feature improvements
- Advanced voice command system with natural language processing
- Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity for faster device pairing
- 22-speaker premium audio system with immersive sound and studio-quality acoustics
The infotainment system also supports gaming via the Tesla Arcade, including titles like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 when parked. Processing power and thermal management have been upgraded in 2025 to prevent overheating during extended gameplay sessions.
Safety and Crash Test Ratings
Safety remains a top priority for Tesla, and the Model S consistently ranks among the safest vehicles on the road. The 2025 Model S Plaid earns a **5-star overall safety rating** from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in every category: frontal crash, side crash, rollover, and pedestrian safety.
Structural enhancements include:
- Ultra-high-strength steel and aluminum exoskeleton
- Crash-resistant battery pack integrated into the floor
- Eight airbags, including front, side, knee, and curtain
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Lane departure warning and blind-spot collision avoidance
Additionally, the low center of gravity and rigid chassis design make the Model S highly resistant to rollover accidents—a common concern with taller vehicles but virtually nonexistent in this low-slung sedan.
2025 Tesla Model S Price: How Much Does It Cost?
The 2025 Tesla Model S lineup includes two variants: the standard Model S and the high-performance Model S Plaid. Pricing is as follows:
- 2025 Tesla Model S: Starting at **$87,490** (including destination fee)
- 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid: Starting at **$99,990**
Prices may vary depending on optional features and region. Popular add-ons include:
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capability: +$12,000 (or $199/month)
- 21-inch Arachnid wheels: +$4,500
- Upgraded interior (premium materials, carbon fiber): +$3,000
- Paint upgrades (Solid Black, Deep Blue Metallic, etc.): +$1,000 to $2,500
- Cold Weather Package: +$1,000 (includes heated seats, steering wheel, washer nozzles)
Tesla no longer offers federal tax credits for the Model S in the U.S. due to battery sourcing requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act. However, some states offer local incentives for EV buyers, such as rebates, HOV lane access, or reduced registration fees.
Lease options are available starting at **$1,199/month** for 36 months with $7,500 due at signing (Plaid model), though availability may vary by region.
Competitors: How Does the 2025 Model S Plaid Stack Up?
The luxury electric sedan market is becoming increasingly competitive