Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

2021 MSP to 2023 MSP and its differences

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.
With 600 miles on my new 2023 Model S Plaid ultra red, I feel like I can give a summary now of the differences between my new one and my 2021 MSP. That one was blue.

1. Finish/build quality/ride

My 2023 just feels better built, tighter overall. It’s is noticeably quieter inside and rides smoother with a better ride. The suspension creak/sound that was in my 2021 isn’t there on my 2023. No noticeable panel gaps that I can see with my untrained eye. There was a piece of lint under the paint on the hood, that my PPF/Detailer guy noticed and had to remove and buff out. Same orange peel on rear quarter panel that’s noticeable like my 2021.

2. brakes

Feel the same as my 2021 despite better pads

3. Stereo

Less bass from subwoofer in my 2023. The subwoofer slider on the EQ doesn’t change the sub output weirdly, but verified the sub is doing something as I feel a vibration where it is mounted in the right rear panel? Going to have service check it out

4. Roof

Love the clearer roof. So much more light and more visibility to the outside. Obv a preference which you prefer. Don’t notice any more heat inside either.

5. Vibration

40-50 vibration is not yet present on my 2023, but have noticeable vibration from 75 mph upwards. Like the tires are unbalanced, but had them road force balanced at Discount Tire, so I know it’s not that. The car is as smooth as butter from 0-65 mph. Falls apart after that due to vibration at higher speeds as noted above. Service appt scheduled this week. Ugh.

6. Odds and Ends

Love the white interior. Tilt screen is nice but not game changer. Haven’t played around much with Steam (my 2021 didn’t have it). Love the updated tail lights and headlights are better. No park distance controls yet? Woof
screenshot-www.tesla.com-2023.06.06-12_04_27.png
 
Are the matrix lights significantly better than the 2021 msp leds? That’s the one thing I can’t stand about my msp. The lights are garbage. My brother in law has a 2021 model Y with standard led lights and they light up the road so much better than mine. Perhaps it’s bc his ride height is much higher but damn what a shame for a 100k+ car.
 
Are the matrix lights significantly better than the 2021 msp leds? That’s the one thing I can’t stand about my msp. The lights are garbage. My brother in law has a 2021 model Y with standard led lights and they light up the road so much better than mine. Perhaps it’s bc his ride height is much higher but damn what a shame for a 100k+ car.

They are better, yes
 
  • Like
Reactions: VikH
What other changes are in the 2023 models compared to 2021?

So far I am tracking:

- Ultra red
- Matrix headlights
- Redesigned tailights
- Clearer glass roof
- Yoke or round wheel option
- Tilt front screen
- Twice as much RAM for Steam
- Larger rear screen
- HW4
- No ultrasonic sensors
- Vibration at highway speed

Anything else?
 
What other changes are in the 2023 models compared to 2021?

So far I am tracking:

- Ultra red
- Matrix headlights
- Redesigned tailights
- Clearer glass roof
- Yoke or round wheel option
- Tilt front screen
- Twice as much RAM for Steam
- Larger rear screen
- HW4
- No ultrasonic sensors
- Vibration at highway speed

Anything else?

Pretty much everything. Maybe I’ll add a subwoofer that doesn’t make as much bass. My 2023 bass output sucks compared to my 2021
 
With 600 miles on my new 2023 Model S Plaid ultra red, I feel like I can give a summary now of the differences between my new one and my 2021 MSP. That one was blue.

1. Finish/build quality/ride

My 2023 just feels better built, tighter overall. It’s is noticeably quieter inside and rides smoother with a better ride. The suspension creak/sound that was in my 2021 isn’t there on my 2023. No noticeable panel gaps that I can see with my untrained eye. There was a piece of lint under the paint on the hood, that my PPF/Detailer guy noticed and had to remove and buff out. Same orange peel on rear quarter panel that’s noticeable like my 2021.

2. brakes

Feel the same as my 2021 despite better pads

3. Stereo

Less bass from subwoofer in my 2023. The subwoofer slider on the EQ doesn’t change the sub output weirdly, but verified the sub is doing something as I feel a vibration where it is mounted in the right rear panel? Going to have service check it out

4. Roof

Love the clearer roof. So much more light and more visibility to the outside. Obv a preference which you prefer. Don’t notice any more heat inside either.

5. Vibration

40-50 vibration is not yet present on my 2023, but have noticeable vibration from 75 mph upwards. Like the tires are unbalanced, but had them road force balanced at Discount Tire, so I know it’s not that. The car is as smooth as butter from 0-65 mph. Falls apart after that due to vibration at higher speeds as noted above. Service appt scheduled this week. Ugh.

6. Odds and Ends

Love the white interior. Tilt screen is nice but not game changer. Haven’t played around much with Steam (my 2021 didn’t have it). Love the updated tail lights and headlights are better. No park distance controls yet? WoofView attachment 944468
I thought I read in the latest SLR update new park assist update (I downloaded mine last night haven’t tried yet) that this upgrade included park distance controls?
 
Pretty much everything. Maybe I’ll add a subwoofer that doesn’t make as much bass. My 2023 bass output sucks compared to my 2021
I haven't driven a refresh S before the 23 I purchased, so can't comment on comparison to that but the bass and subwoofer on my 23 S is the same, albeit little better and stronger, than my 22 M3P and 22 MYP. Overall, the music sounds very good in the S, and I think that's partly due to how quiet the car is compared to 3/Y.
 
I haven't driven a refresh S before the 23 I purchased, so can't comment on comparison to that but the bass and subwoofer on my 23 S is the same, albeit little better and stronger, than my 22 M3P and 22 MYP. Overall, the music sounds very good in the S, and I think that's partly due to how quiet the car is compared to 3/Y.

I need to listen to another 2023’s sound system. I swear my sub isn’t working right despite what my service center said
 
Are you trading in?
I won’t do the same as I dumped $$ into PPF/ceramic/tint for the whole car. Plus the vibration after 65mph doesn’t sound fun.
Offer still pending.
In Washington state, sales tax is net of trade in. So trade-in + FSD transfer reduces sales tax ~8k

Just traded in & transferred FSD on our 2018 MS 100D for a HW4 MY. Less than 19k out of pocket after 7500 tax credit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deaf Paul
Are you trading in?
I won’t do the same as I dumped $$ into PPF/ceramic/tint for the whole car. Plus the vibration after 65mph doesn’t sound fun.
I upgraded to the Plaid yesterday and no vibration at any speed. Wouldn’t assume all cars are effected based on a forum. Many of the ones I have seen have made suspension modification’s or other. Not all but many. Loving the new ride.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Daniellane
Just found this thread.
Doing nearly the same transaction.
FSD Transfer motivated me.
9/21 Red MSP

Got the VIN today
Delivery 8/12-8/18

Model S Plaid
Ultra Red
19" Tempest Wheels
All Black Premium Interior with Carbon Fiber Décor
Yoke Steering
Taking Delivery on Tuesday 8/15
Then straight to Alset for Full PPD and Ceramic Coating.
Effectively knocking 90k off final cost with trade-in, FSD transfer & loyalty credit
Fingers crossed on vibration.
 
What other changes are in the 2023 models compared to 2021?

So far I am tracking:

- Ultra red
- Matrix headlights
- Redesigned tailights
- Clearer glass roof
- Yoke or round wheel option
- Tilt front screen
- Twice as much RAM for Steam
- Larger rear screen
- HW4
- No ultrasonic sensors
- Vibration at highway speed

Anything else?
I put a list here in this similar thread a few weeks ago:

 
I put a list here in this similar thread a few weeks ago:

Thanks for sharing! No USS, right.. also, no radar? I’m not so bullish on Tesla Vision