Tesla Model S

Design & Quality

The Model S' interior design strikes a balance between modern design, premium materials, and great artistic work. The cabin is quite spacious, and the main highlight is the shiny and large 17-inch tilting touchscreen that is the centrepiece to control everything, like navigation, media, and vehicle settings, and the experience is delightful, as it works brilliantly with high response. The dashboard impresses with unfussy and plain, free of traditional buttons and knobs, focusing on Tesla’s distinctive style of stalk-free controls.

Then comes the excellent fit and finish, superior quality is visible, with synthetic leather upholstery, ventilated and heated seats, and soft-touch surfaces throughout the cabin are something really good. The tri-zone climate control with HEPA filtration is something special about the cabin. The ambient lighting and a panoramic glass roof are other typical Tesla design elements that provide a sense of openness and luxury. The superior quality 22-speaker premium audio system with Active Road Noise Reduction further elevates the cabin ambience.

There are a few build quality inconsistencies visible, but that hardly spoils the otherwise well-designed and layout cabin and overall interior experience, which, for the most part, is a combination of luxury, technology, and comfort. And Tesla's over-the-air software updates further help keep the interior tech fresh and continuously improving, setting it apart from traditional luxury sedans.

Front Seat

The front seats of the Model S are great to say the least, because you sit perfectly, comfortably, with an awesome view through the panoramic windshield, then the 12-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats are additional to the overall comfort, and also help in different weather conditions of Saudi Arabia. The steering wheel is quite well-sized, gives you accurate control, and you are ready to go, quickly, simply and easily. The minimalist dashboard, centred around the 17-inch touchscreen, is something a special about this sedan, and you don’t have much to distract or engage while driving, but some may find the screen as the single point access a little too much but then you get quickly used to that experience, because it is truly unique and you’ll find it highly responsive. 

Rear Seat

At the rear is again quite spacious and comfortable for three adults, and the legroom and headroom are not bad, you can’t complain for average sizes. The heated rear seats and an 8-inch touchscreen dedicated to climate and entertainment controls are great additions to the rear passengers' comfort and convenience. Families appreciate the inclusion of ISOFIX anchors, making child seat installation straightforward and secure. The flat floor design means a lot of space and ease of movement across the bench.

But some of you may find that the rear seats are positioned at a little lower than a high floor, and this may be a little inconvenience, and similarly, some passengers might find the foot space is somewhat limited, especially for taller passengers, but the wide door openings aid ingress and egress would compensate for that. The five-seat layout focuses on comfort over additional rows, and something resonates well with Saudi Arabia’s family-oriented buyers who value luxury and practicality.

AC Vents

The Model S’s tri-zone climate control system, with hidden vents and a HEPA filtration system, provides fast cooling, which is much-needed relief during extreme heat. This can again be controlled by the 17-inch touchscreen, which is made to give you consistent comfort, with app-based preconditioning adding convenience for all passengers. This can be very useful for long drives or heavy traffic

Storage Options

The centre console, door pockets, and magnetic-closing glove box keep the cabin organised. Each door panel has a good amount of space with a holding capacity of a 1-litre bottle holder. Additional cup holders in the rear armrest are targeted at passenger convenience, seamlessly integrated into the minimalist design without compromising the looks and feel of the cabin.

Armrest

The padded centre armrest is good for the driver and front passenger comfort, and is also used as a storage compartment. Its superior design supports a relaxed body posture with easy access to the touch screen. The rear armrest, with cup holders, at the back is equally good for passenger comfort, making the Model S practical for family outings.

Charging Options

The Model S gets dual wireless charging pads, multiple USB-C ports (36-watt), and a 12V socket, for seamless connectivity. The wireless pads reduce cable clutter, while the rear touch screen offers USB-C charging for passengers.

Boot Space

The Model S comes with 793 litres of cargo space in the rear trunk, and 141 litres at the front under-floor storage, which totals about 1,812 litres with rear seats folded. The power trunk and low liftover height improve access, and the 1,588 kg towing capacity provides a huge help in case you need it. If one looks at the nearest competitors, like the Lucid Air (908 litres), the Model S’s storage is quite good, and this is good for families looking to use the car as well for their daily needs and occasional road trips.

The Model S exterior is aerodynamically best, modern and designed for efficiency and stylish appearance. The key highlight is the sporty, coupe-like roofline, a front bumper camera, new C-shaped tail lights, and a quieter cabin, enhancing range and refinement. Tesla says with a drag coefficient of 0.208, it’s one of the most aerodynamic sedans, and suitable for both city and highway driving across Saudi Arabia’s diverse terrains. 

Front

The Model S’s front is typical of Tesla design, where you don’t have the regular grille, which doesn’t even need one, and so gives a modern, sleek and plain appearance. The full-width LED light bar with adaptive headlights is strong and looks great in its nice positioning in the overall design. Similarly, the curved hood and low-profile boots are efficient.

Side

The Model S’s side profile comes across as smooth, flowing lines and a low, coupe-like body language. The now-familiar flush door handles help reduce drag, and power-folding side mirrors with turn signals not just look premium but also are aerodynamically located. The nice side charging port tugged inside to the side and added a little to the overall side profile. The signature glass roof is something cool about the car, and it improves the overall look, feel and gives it a superb airy feel, and the new chrome delete options add that extra modern appealing element.

Alloy Wheels

The Model S comes with standard 19-inch Tempest Wheels (255/45R19) on the Long Range AWD; they are fine, with good efficiency and grip, and 21-inch Arachnich Wheels (265/35R21 front, 295/30R21 rear) on the Plaid for greater handling and also add to the overall style. The Plaid’s summer tires and silver brake callipers help enhance performance of the car, with superb stability on highways and city roads

Rear

The Model S’s rear is nicely design, which fits well into the overall size and shape of the car. This comprises the new LED tail lights and a power trunk, which is quite easy to access. A subtle spoiler improves aerodynamics. The gloss black and clean design gives a premium, consistent look, affirming safety and elegance.

Colors

The Model S is available in six colours in Saudi Arabia, including Black (Solid Black), Red (Ultra Red / Ultimate Red), Pearl White (Pearl White Multi-Coat), Deep Blue Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Stealth Gray (Steel Gray Metallic).

City Performance

The Model S is city-friendly, take for a drive, and with the help of a steer-by-wire system and the 360-degree camera, help you with extremely nimble a lot of confidence while navigating congested roads, high traffic or tight spaces. The brisk acceleration is superb, with the Long Range variant going from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.2 seconds, while the Plaid version achieves an astonishing 2.1 seconds, and these numbers make the car one of the fastest sedans on the market. What we also experienced is that the rapid acceleration is not just for the sake of it; it does offer practical benefits for quick merges and overtaking in busy city streets. Then, regenerative braking plays a key role in the city, recapturing energy during frequent stops and starts, thereby boosting the driving range. We also felt the cabin to be remarkably silent, and that is something great about being inside amid city noise.

Highway Performance

The highway experience, too, wasn’t different with the Model 3 either, as it gives you that superb feeling with so much power at your disposal and cruise stable. The Plaid’s tri-motor setup means you have massive 1,020 hp of power, and so sure of effortless overtaking and confident high-speed driving. Meanwhile, the Long Range variant comes with around 652 km, suitable for long-distance trips across Saudi Arabia’s vast highways. And, with quick charging, you can get 322 km of range in just 15 minutes, which is not bad at all in minimising stops on long journeys. The adaptive air suspension system, coupled with being an EV, means low centre of gravity, provides a smooth and composed ride, absorbing road imperfections and reducing wind noise. Overall, the Model S strikes a balance between performance with comfort, and so you’re assured of a luxurious drive for extended highway travel.

Ride Quality

When it comes to the overall quality of the ride, the Tesla promises you something special. Because we noticed that the adaptive air suspension is central to a refined ride, with excellent absorption of city potholes and highway undulations. The superior cabin insulation helps drop noise significantly, if to quote Tesla, it says (by about 2 dB) compared to earlier models, this makes your driving experience completely peaceful. What is also notable inside the cabin is the HEPA filtration system, which protects you from harmful gases by maintaining clean air quality inside the cabin. The Plaid’s dynamically sporty suspension tuning provides a lively flair without any impact on the overall comfort, and we felt quite relaxed and enjoyed it, which is what the ride quality is all about across terrains. 

Handling

Another area where Tesla undoubtedly excels, as the handling of the Models is brilliant, largely due to the combination of steer-by-wire technology, adaptive suspension, and all-wheel drive. What is also remarkable is the Plaid’s Track Mode and distinctive silver brake callipers enables smooth, easy and precise cornering along with braking performance, all of which makes the Model S incredibly agile for such a large sedan. The Long Range model also scores well with balanced and composed handling experience suitable for everyday driving. Overall, the Model S is a great sedan to drive, and despite some much power, bigger size and long range, it is cool, both engaging and reassuring, and suitable for everything you wish to drive on, be it city, suburban, and highway roads in Saudi Arabia.

The Model S is available in two variants in Saudi Arabia

• Long Range AWD (SAR 326,762): In this variant, Tesla offers a dual motor, real-life driving range of 652 km, massive power of 670 hp, which helps make the car 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, and standard 19-inch wheels. This variant is suitable for anyone to get luxury and efficiency at a reasonable price. 

• Plaid AWD (SAR 382,933): This is a performance variant, and so you get a Tri-motor, insane 1,020 hp of power, 628 km range, and speed is determined by 0-100 km/h in 2.1 seconds with bigger 21-inch wheels, and Track Mode. If you can pay that extra premium for the performance elements, then this is a perfect choice for you.

Tesla offers Autopilot, a 17-inch touchscreen, and a 22-speaker audio system.

Sayarabay Recommends: Given the option of only two variants, both of which are targeted at two different sets of objectives, it is not hard to make recommendations, the Long Range AWD variant. Start at approximately SAR 326,762, which is perfect for most everyday use case scenarios, and comes with a combination of luxury, performance, and practicality. You get solid power and excellent range, and the acceleration is superb. horsepower and an impressive 652 km range. What is special about this variant is the advanced steer-by-wire system for accurate handling, spacious cabin and versatile performance. This Model 3 Long Range AWD is suitable for professionals and families alike. You get flexible storage and a refined interior with a mix of comfort and most features you would expect, including a high-quality audio experience. On the driving front, we found the ride quality to be smooth, quiet cabin, and so perfectly does the job of a luxury sedan perfectly, and even the same goes with highway drive too. So, in a nutshell, the Long Range AWD is a modern, reliable, luxurious and highly capable all-electric sedan for Saudi buyers.

Tesla Model S is arguably the most modern and futuristic sedan on the market, which gets great design, sophisticated tech, and importantly, the most high-tech driver assistance systems. The cabin is luxurious and spacious too; it is quiet, and you’re offered over-the-air software updates for anything new that the brand introduces, and you won’t miss it or need to visit the workshop. And, so in totality, the Tesla Model S to a large extent set the standard as the luxury electric sedan segment worldwide, and now in Saudi Arabia.

Among Tesla’s early models, first introduced way back in 2012, the Model S has come a long way, with so many new changes, and has become a far better version of itself, and in fact led the EV transformation globally. The latest models get almost everything that is best or as good as it can get, including range, performance, features, cabin, user experience, and top safety credentials.

In terms of practicality, Model S scores well too, with large space inside the cabin and also a big boot, which makes it ideal for family use as well. And, so, our impression of the Model S has been good, but the latest updates have become even better. There is hardly any negative with this luxury sedan, and a great option for a highly capable and well-equipped all-electric sedan segment in Saudi Arabia, if you happen to be in the market. It is among the most compelling electric sedans available in the region.

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