The freedom to travel anywhere is critical to Tesla’s mission. Since the introduction of our 265-mile Model S in 2012, we’ve continued to revisit every aspect of the design to deliver the longest-range and highest-performance electric vehicles on the road.

Starting today, all North American Model S Long Range Plus vehicles have an official EPA-rated range of 402 miles, representing a nearly 20% increase in range when compared to a 2019 Model S 100D with the same battery pack design.

This significant achievement reflects Tesla’s obsession with efficiency and energy frugality, and is realized through several changes, both iterative and transformational, in core hardware and system architecture development by the Tesla engineering, design and production teams. These changes went into production earlier this year when we first started manufacturing Model S Long Range Plus at our factory in Fremont, California. All Model S Long Range Plus vehicles will receive the new 402-mile rating.

Here’s what’s new:

Significant Mass Reduction
Mass is the enemy of both efficiency and performance, and minimizing the weight of every component is an ongoing goal for our design and engineering teams. Several lessons from the engineering design and manufacturing of Model 3 and Model Y have now been carried over to Model S and Model X. This has unlocked new areas of mass reduction while maintaining the premium feel and performance of both vehicles. Additional weight savings have also been achieved through the standardization of Tesla’s in-house seat manufacturing and lighter weight materials used in our battery pack and drive units.

New “Tempest” Aero Wheels and Tires
Our newest 8.5 inch-wide aero wheels reduce aerodynamic drag compared to the previous wheels on Model S Long Range, and when paired with a new custom tire specifically engineered to reduce rolling resistance, add a 2% improvement to overall range.

Increased Drive Unit Efficiency
In our rear AC-induction drive unit, we replaced the mechanical oil pump with an electric oil pump that optimizes lubrication independent of vehicle speed to reduce friction. Further improvements to the gearbox in our front permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motors shared with Model 3 and Model Y have resulted in a further increase of 2% more range while driving on the highway.

Maximizing Regenerative Braking
Our newest drive feature, HOLD, blends the motor’s regenerative braking with physical brakes to bring our cars to a stop by easing off of the accelerator pedal. To bring the car to a stop smoothly, regenerative braking now works at a lower speed and deceleration rate, sending more energy back to the battery pack while simultaneously enabling a driving experience like no other car.

Continued Investment in Supercharging
The freedom to travel anywhere is enabled by both range and charging, and our Supercharger Network now encompasses over 17,000 Superchargers worldwide. We’ve deployed V3 Supercharging on three continents, enabling up to a 50% decrease in charging times compared to V2 technology. Tesla owners can travel incredible distances – from the Everglades to Vancouver, the Arctic Circle of Norway to southern Portugal, Hong Kong to Harbin, China – all for a fraction of the cost of gasoline. Put simply, families spend less time than ever charging.

While each of these changes are relatively small in individual impact, our unique ability to introduce them into active manufacturing lines enables significant gains in efficiency, range, and overall value when combined.

Model S Long Range Plus has also recently received a price reduction of $5,000. Paired with these range improvements and gains in efficiency, customers now receive more value than ever when purchasing a new Tesla, and as with our other products, all of our vehicles will continuously improve over time with over-the-air software updates. Order today at Tesla.com.

Pros: Long range estimates, incredibly quick acceleration, spacious interior, unmatched Supercharger network, top safety scores

Cons: Firm ride, ample interior noise, questionable build quality, distracting touchscreen, no Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

The Tesla Model 3 is the third mass-production vehicle from the all-electric carmaker. It went into production in late 2017, following the Model S sedan and Model X SUV. As is the case with those two earlier vehicles, the Model 3 has had a rather confusing history.

Tesla isn’t like the typical car manufacturer. The obvious difference is Tesla only makes electric vehicles, but there are several other reasons why it’s peculiar in the industry. For one, schedules and deadlines are often adjusted to compensate for unforeseen delays. Further confusing matters is the fact that Tesla doesn’t really follow the custom of changes by model year. During the course of a calendar year, several updates can be made on the fly and prices can fluctuate, too. Even the process of purchasing a Tesla is different.

Tesla changed the automotive industry for the better. The Model S sedan proved that EVs could be aspirational, and the Supercharger network made longer trips a reality. The Model 3 brought the benefits of all-electric transportation to a broader audience, and for the first several years, there weren’t any direct competitors. Today, the Model 3 remains one of the best EVs on the market, but the competition is closing in with exceptional choices that include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. As much as we like it, the Model 3 is far from perfect. Despite what its very vocal fanbase may proclaim, it has just as many advantages and drawbacks as any vehicle.

What are the Model 3’s interior and in-car technology like?

The Model 3’s interior is stark, minimal and modern. There’s only the steering wheel and a large 15-inch touchscreen protruding from the dash, and a distinct absence of knobs or buttons. There are only two choices for interior colors: black or black and white, and both feature “vegan” synthetic leather upholstery. The front seats are on the firm side and also rather flat, which may cause some hard pressure points on longer trips. The seats are not offered with cooling or ventilation, and can get stifling on hot days.

Almost all functions are run through the central touchscreen, and it can take some time for new users to get acquainted with the numerous menus and settings. The steering wheel features two multifunction dials that control a variety of features, from mirror positioning and audio, to cruise control adjustments. Even after some time getting used to the many features and controls, basic functions such as adjusting the temperature require the driver to take their eyes off the road. There are at least many voice controls that can bypass the touchscreen.

Navigation relies on Google data, which means you’ll have the latest maps and information, but it also means if you’re in an area with sparse data coverage, you’ll have limited access. The lack of smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto also keeps you from using those more familiar interfaces instead of Tesla’s native system. If you want to use your phone as a music source, you’ll have to do it through Bluetooth and contend with its lower audio quality. Tesla also makes several streaming services and games available, which could come in handy when killing time while charging.

There are plenty of technology drawbacks that should give shoppers some pause, but that’s not to say things will improve. Tesla pioneered over-the-air software updates that not only fix glitches, but also add features or even increase performance and range. It’s far better than having to visit your local service center.

Tesla Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid may soon receive interior updates. There is a high possibility that a new trim color, Caramel, could be added, according to a tease by von Holzhausen.

Tesla is quite restrained in the variety of interior colors, but, with the updated Model S and X, it has gone further. The novelties were presented with a new color, Cream, which is incredibly pleasant and loved by many of the company’s customers. However, not too long after the car hit the market, it’s not surprising that Tesla would possibly make a new update that appeals to some true connoisseurs.

von Holzhausen, the company owned by the wife of Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen, has shared a very interesting new video. Published just a few hours ago, it teases the arrival of some very interesting and exciting information on June 21. The tweet states that the company’s alternative leather is “accelerating like never before.” An interesting selection of words is supported by an even more interesting video, which lasts only six seconds.

In it, for only two seconds, the interior of Model S or X Plaid appears. It is quite obvious that this is one of these cars since the car being filmed has a characteristic yoke steering wheel. In addition, perforated leather on the seats and carbon details on the center console ensure this is definitely Model S or X Plaid. The only difference from the cars Tesla offers today is that the leather has a light brown color. As von Holzhausen explained, this color is called Caramel.

While no announcements have been made yet, everything points to Tesla adding a new interior color, which is really great and exciting information. Model S and Model X Plaid are works of art, the main value of which is, as it says, “under the hood.” Such detail as adding a new sophisticated color will obviously further reveal their beauty.

Tesla Model 3 has the highest consumer satisfaction rating of any vehicle, according to Zutobi’s new Global Happy Motorist Index. This is the best praise for the manufacturer and the best recommendation for consumers.

Before buying a new car, consumers most often conduct information gathering and evaluation of the best cars. At the same time, getting feedback and recommendations from the owners of that or other brand(s) and model(s) is the best way to do this. While every manufacturer praises their cars, only real owners can tell the whole truth about the vehicle, obtained from their own experience, all of its pros and cons.

Zutobi recorded average owner ratings for each model from Parkers, HonestJohn, Autotrader, and Edmunds websites in order to compile an overall list. The list includes only those models that have received ratings from at least three of the above sites. Average ratings were calculated as the average of the ratings taken from each review site.

According to Zutobi’s new Global Happy Motorist Index, Tesla Model 3 is the car with the highest satisfaction rating among owners. The Texas manufacturer’s car scored 4.53, the highest overall score from all four websites. This is not surprising, because Model 3 is a very popular car and a leader in the EV segment. With excellent value for the money and a huge array of technologies in it that continually enhance the ownership experience and raise its value, this car will no doubt top similar rankings for a long time to come.