Note: I made a similar about a year ago, but as usual Tesla made a lot of changes since then.
It can be hard to keep track of all the changes Tesla has made to standard features, options, and pricing over the years, so let’s looks at how the current base 2018 Tesla Model S 75D compares to the old base 2013 Tesla Model S 60. First, the 2018 Model S priced at $74,500 is actually less expensive than the 2013 Model S which was priced at $69,900 when you account for 5 years of inflation (US Inflation Calculator). Then there are numerous improvements and refinements to the car:
But wait… There’s more! The following items are now standard but were (at some point) paid upgrades/options/retrofits:
In summary, not only is the base 2018 Model S slightly less expensive than the base 2013 Model S (when accounting for inflation), it also comes with numerous improvements and refinements, plus $41,900 in "free" upgrades!
It can be hard to keep track of all the changes Tesla has made to standard features, options, and pricing over the years, so let’s looks at how the current base 2018 Tesla Model S 75D compares to the old base 2013 Tesla Model S 60. First, the 2018 Model S priced at $74,500 is actually less expensive than the 2013 Model S which was priced at $69,900 when you account for 5 years of inflation (US Inflation Calculator). Then there are numerous improvements and refinements to the car:
- Autopilot 2.5 hardware and safety features (front and side collision warning and avoidance, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, speed limit display; software upgradeable to Enhanced Autopilot and hardware/software upgradeable to Full Self-Driving)
- 3rd generation premium front seats, 12-way power adjustable and heated
- 3rd generation premium rear seats with improved headrests and side bolsters
- 48 amp charger (instead of 40 amp)
- 3-position LED dynamic turning headlights
- Updated graphite-colored interior trim accents
- Refreshed/redesigned exterior styling with new front fascia and improved aerodynamics
- Improved center instrument display
- Improved rear camera
- Improved sun visor and new lighted vanity mirrors
- Improved rear doors opening width
- Improved chargeport door with auto-closing
- Improved HVAC system with air ionizer
- Fit and finish refinements with decreased road and cabin noise
- 2 rear USB ports
But wait… There’s more! The following items are now standard but were (at some point) paid upgrades/options/retrofits:
- Performance Inverter with P85-matching 0-60mph acceleration time of 4.2 seconds (instead of 5.9 seconds) – $10,000
- 75 kWh battery pack with 249 mile EPA range (instead of 60 kWh with 208 mile EPA range) – $8,500
- Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive - $5,000
- Smart Air Suspension – $2,500
- Technology package (navigation with real-time traffic, auto-presenting door handles, power folding mirrors, homelink, driver profiles, daytime running lights, automatic liftgate) – $3,750
- 4G LTE internet connectivity - $500
- Premium Interior Lighting – $1,000
- Fog Lights – $500
- Alcantara headliner – $1,500
- Wood decor – $650
- Supercharging – $2,000 (lifetime unlimited when referred by an owner)
- Parking sensors – $500
- Premium center console with rear cupholders – $1,250
- Parcel shelf – $250
- Glass roof – $1,500
- Turbine-style aerodynamic 19” slipstream wheels – $2,500
In summary, not only is the base 2018 Model S slightly less expensive than the base 2013 Model S (when accounting for inflation), it also comes with numerous improvements and refinements, plus $41,900 in "free" upgrades!