I am always surprised at comments like this. Maybe it is a Us perspective. I am living in Switzerland (but calculation is the same for my father that purchase a Model S in France), when you go for a leasing of a Model S, considering:
- high residual garanteed value,
- 0,25% leasing rate,
- gain in term of diesel versus electricity (diesel is ~1,2€/l in France, 1,5-1,6 CHF/l in Switzerland and the kW around 0,12€)
- tax incentives (6000€ in France and no yearly road taxes in Switzerland)
basically a Model S 75 is costing (every month) the same as a Renaul Espace 1,6 diesel in the middle range.
Every Audi A6 or Q5 are much more expensive. Only the VW Passat break with the base 2.0l diesel with the 1st finition level is similar in price.
So people are comparing to Audi A8 or S class but those cost like 3 or 4 times more than a Tesla so I do not know how you can compare them beside catalogue starting price which, honestly, makes no sense.
You have to look at cash prices without incentives, ICE tax penalties, periodic leasing offers etc because these are neither universal nor will they last forever. US federal tax credits for instance will run out soon for Tesla.
Audi and Tesla base pricing comparison:
A6 - $47,600
A8 - $82,500
Model S - $69,500
Model X - $79,500
And, don't forget you almost always get a significant discount off sticker price/MSRP for most automakers except Tesla.
Tesla and industry classification:
Tesla regularly claims the Model S is a "full-size luxury sedan" and that's how it is classified by industry observers/organizations. For instance, Model S outselling S-Class is always touted by media/Tesla. I personally think it's priced only slightly lower than full-size luxury sedans but is no way near as large or spacious, nor does it have the same amenities.
Maintenance cost comparison:
Audi pre-paid maintaince for up to 45k miles:
A6 - $869
A8 - $1,179
Tesla pre-paid maintaince plan for up to 50k miles:
Model S - $2,325 - $2,400
Model X - $2,750
Everything else should be covered under warranty for both so not a differentiator.
Fuel savings:
You will save money on gas but not by enough to offset the $21,900 initial price premium of a Model S over Audi A6 (see fueleconomy.gov if you want to run some numbers). Also, don't forget the time value of money/opportunity cost of capital.
Feature/luxury/comfort comparison with mid-size luxury vehicles:
But even if Model S was priced similar to mid-sized luxury vehicles, these still offer a lot more features, luxury and comfort than Model S. For instance, the following are available on
Mercedes E-Class (starting price $52,950) but not on Model S:
1. More comfortable seats with many more adjustments, e.g. extendable thigh support, 6-way adjustable headrests with option for soft cushioned/pillow-y headrest. Coming from a vehicle with throne like seats which adjust every which way, I found Tesla seats to be really lacking in comfort. Not to even mention the seriously inadequate rear seats!
2. Heated armrests and door-panels with rapid heating feature that heats up nearly instantaneously (And yes, you can remote start it via app too if you want).
3. Very high quality materials and fit/finish (different from design/minimalism): E-Class options include very high quality nappa leather and ultra-high quality designo leather.
4. Premium materials (again, different from design/minimalism) throughout: For instance, stitched leather on door panels (I wished though Mercedes had stitched leather covered steering wheel too like other mid-size luxury cars offer):
5. 64 color ambient interior lighting that actually is ambient lighting that you can see and isn't just a few little bulbs in the footwells and door side (ignore tacky color choice below, but you get the point):
6. Soft close doors
7. Hands-free trunk access
8. Much more noise insulation and sound deadening standard resulting in lower wind/road noise at high speeds with the option of getting even more insulation/sound deadening as an option. For someone such as myself who drives a lot for extended periods, wind/road noise creates a lot of fatigue and discomfort.
9. Fully adaptive headlights with constant glare-free high beams that you can leave on all the time without blinding other drivers (Available in Europe now but I am told US approval for these will likely come in 2018). My dad, for instance, who isn't even that old, really finds it difficult to see at night driving on unlit roads without high-beams. Regular highbeams are pretty useless because you always get oncoming and ahead traffic, even if a few vehicles every couple of seconds/minutes so you can't leave them on. See video below for Audi's similar Matrix LED:
10. Cabin fragrance diffuser (A little gimmicky if you don't like to infuse your car with fragrances but much better than inexpensive vent clip options).
11. Heads up display
12. Surround view camera
13. Front and rear cross-traffic alert and braking
14. Active seat side bolsters that push you inwards in the case the vehicle expects a side collision
15. Pre-safe sound which emits a loud noise in cabin if a collision is expected to reduce ear drum damage from the noise of the actual collision.
16. Rain-sensing wipers that actually work unlike Teslas (which is what I heard/read a while ago, but perhaps this has been fixed).
17. Crosswind assist which helps keep car stable in strong cross-winds and against passing trailers. Again, nothing earth-shattering but I once drove in stormy weather where my vehicle was being shoved to the side so much I was worried I would hit the guardrail.
18. Power rear and side wide sunshades.
19. Ventilated seats (though I was Mercedes offered air-conditioned seats).
20. Active side bolsters that grip you in corners.
21. Messaging seats (though I personally don't care for this).
Now imagine the difference if you were to compare Model S to an S-Class and new A8. Not to mention little things like lighted vanity mirrors, door pockets, coat hooks, usable cupholders etc that you get in a $20,000 car.
Not everybody will value all of the above but you can't argue that no one will value any of these. IMO the point in highlightin such differences is not to ridicule Tesla but to convey to the company and its supporters that Teslas are not all great, perfect, best, safest cars in the world and to encourage significant improvement in areas where the products are lacking. And as a Tesla supporter and well-wisher, I hope they address all these lacking areas and do even better. I'll be rooting for them!
