Can anyone share how to spot a refreshed S in the wild?

[IamGaryGnu]

Hi all,
I can barely spot an S from a 3 - can anyone share tips so I can tell when I see a refresh? Obviously if I see a yoke I'll spot it instantly, but otherwise, how can I tell? Thanks for any tips!

 

[HankLloydRight]

I always look at the door handles first.

The 3/Y have the sideways "L" shape. The S/X have the "full bar" shape. The X has then next to each other where the front and rear doors meet. The Model S has them in the traditional door handle locations.


The refreshed Model S and the Model Y will have the "chrome delete" door handles (not that someone couldn't do that to an older MS, but it's not common).

Model 3:

Model X:

Model S (older):

Model Y:

Refreshed Model S:

 

[razh]

Raven:

Refresh:

4 differences:
1. If you can see inside, check if you see the top of a steering wheel -> raven. Yoke -> plaid
2. Look at the door handles. Silver -> raven, Black -> plaid (or chrome delete Raven)
3. Look under the headlights on the front bumper. Busy looking *sugar* -> raven. Smooth -> plaid
4. Look at the rear wheel fenders at the bottom of the rear door. Flush -> raven. Bulge -> plaid

 

[FrenchB4]

If from the front, look for the MS grill slit by the emblem. The older MS are chrome. The refresh are black/dark gray.

The M3 has no grill slit in the front, just the nose.

 

[DerbyDave]

No fog lights in front.

 

[bmah]

If you see a nose cone at the front it’s definitely not refreshed, either 2016 or 2021.

Seriously depending on the distance and angle you might be able to see the MCU screen…landscape is post 2021 refresh, portrait is pre 2021.

Also the turn signal repeaters (in front of the front doors) are different…post 2021 refresh versions are black and slightly wider.

Bruce.

 

[travwill]

I'd say the new front end and more integrated fog lights versus the chrome/fog lights in the corner are the easiest way to be sure. I mean, an older S could have had the trim/handles blacked out which is misleading but kinda rare anyway.