Tesla’s “New” Model S & X Are Barely New—Here’s Why!

Tesla ‘s new Model S and X just dropped. Honestly? It’s pretty underwhelming stuff. The changes are so subtle you’d need a magnifying glass to spot them.

What’s Actually New (Spoiler: Not Much)

Tesla claims these updated flagships are “even quieter inside.” They’ve tweaked the wind and road noise isolation. Additionally, they’ve incorporated some advanced noise cancellation technology. Will you notice while blasting music? Doubtful.

The ride quality supposedly improved as well. New bushings and suspension tweaks promise smoother cruising. However, Tesla is being mysteriously vague about the technical details. Classic Tesla move. There is a new “Fost Blue” paint option available for both models. Because apparently what luxury EV buyers really needed was another blue. 

Tesla’s two top-flight flagship models finally received their long-awaited refresh today, but enthusiasts might be a little underwhelmed.

Interior Upgrades That Matter (Sort Of)

Inside, you’ll find dynamic ambient lighting. Fancy, right? The Model X gets more third-row space and cargo room. That’s actually useful for families hauling kids and gear. The controversial yoke steering wheel is still around. 

Tesla is charging $1,000 extra for it on Plaid models because nothing says “luxury” like paying extra for a steering wheel shaped like a fighter jet.

Performance Changes: The Good and the Confusing

Here’s where things get weird. The Model S Plaid gets “refreshed exterior styling.” Tesla says it’s optimised for high-speed stability. Sounds promising, right? Wrong. The top speed actually dropped from 200 mph to 149 mph. That’s a massive 51 mph reduction. 

Sure, it still hits 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. But for a car costing over $100K, losing top speed feels backwards. The new wheel designs are supposedly designed to improve aerodynamics and extend range. At least that’s practical progress.

Range Improvements: Tesla’s Strongest Card

Here’s where Tesla actually delivers. The Model S Long Range now offers a range of 410 miles on a single charge. That’s genuinely impressive in today’s EV landscape. The Model S Plaid achieves 368 miles of range, an increase from previous versions. 

The Model X also sees solid gains. It now travels 410 miles, an increase of 38 miles from before. The X Plaid gets 335 miles, a 21-mile improvement. These numbers matter for road trips.

The Price Reality Check

Despite these modest updates, Tesla jacked up prices by $5,000 across the board. The Model S now starts at $86,630. The Plaid version? $101,630. That’s serious money for incremental improvements. The Model X starts at $91,630 for the AWD version. The Plaid variant hits $106,630. 

Tesla claims to have improved the cabin experience, but is it worth the premium?

Competition Context: 

While Tesla fiddles with minor updates, competitors are bringing real heat. The Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lucid Air, BMW iX, and Ford F-150 Lightning are all legitimate alternatives now. The BMW iX offers more luxury and reliability. The Lucid Air Dream delivers on range promises. 

Mercedes EQS brings traditional luxury craftsmanship. Tesla’s technological advantage is no longer as decisive.

Conclusion

Tesla’s updates feel more like maintenance than true innovation. While the range improvements are positive, other changes seem minor, such as slightly better noise isolation and ambient lighting, for an additional $5,000. 

Tesla continues to produce excellent EVs, but these updates likely won’t impress customers or draw sales from BMW, Mercedes, or Lucid. Tesla’s flagship models feel sidelined compared to the more attention given to the Model 3 and Y. 

Luxury EV seekers should still consider Tesla, but these updates won’t be groundbreaking. Real innovation is occurring elsewhere in the EV market. Thanks for reading till the end. Let us know what you think in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.