Electric Vehicle manufacturer Tesla has quickly risen as a global leader in clean automotive technology, blazing the trail for traditional automakers to take notice and scramble to keep up their innovation. The Tesla brand currently has four core models available to drive in addition to a few other models currently in development.
Tesla was founded in 2003 and included famed tech tycoon Elon Musk. Beginning in 2005, Musk took on a larger role and helped develop the company's first model, the Roadster. Since bringing this first vehicle to market in 2008 Tesla became the world's best-selling plug-in and battery electric passenger car manufacturer in 2019, and in 2020 surpassed Toyota as the world's most valuable automaker by market cap. This same year, the company surpassed the one million mark of electric cars produced and has accounted for 81-percent of the electric vehicles sold in the United States.
Starting with the lowest priced Model 3, this Tesla currently sits as the company's most affordable option with a $37,990 purchase price for the basic model. Boasting an adequate range of 250 miles and a top speed of 140 mph, the Model 3 will get you where you need to go in style. At 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds, this Tesla is focused more on affordability rather than track performance. Nevertheless, the Model 3 currently sits as the world's all-time best-selling plug-in electric car with over 500,000 sold since it hit the roads in 2017. Initially, the Model 3 was supposed to be Tesla's 'average consumer' model, aiming for a target price of $25,000, but the company could not get that low... yet. Given Tesla's recent battery manufacturing breakthroughs, customers can expect a $25,000 Tesla within three years. From the Model 3 onward, there is a jump in price, but also in performance. Here's a breakdown of the additional three Tesla Models.
Tesla Models Y, S, X: What They Cost & Offer
Tesla's Model Y is the newest vehicle to see mass production and distribution from the U.S. auto manufacturer. Announced as Tesla's first crossover vehicle, the Model Y bridges the gap between the Model 3 sedan and the Model X SUV. The standard model currently sits at a purchase price of $49,900, but even as a larger vehicle (room for seven with an additional $3,000 option) the Model Y offers better range and performance than the Model 3. With an EPA estimated range of 316 miles, a top speed of 135 mph, and 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, the Model Y offers a more affordable electric option in a wildly popular SUV market. Sales are still young on this model as the first vehicles started to deliver this past March in the U.S. only, but currently can be purchased in all of North America, China, and parts of Europe. Soon, Tesla plans to manufacture the Model Y at its Gigafactories in both Shanghai and Berlin, in addition to the U.S.
The next Tesla on the pricing chart is its original sports car, the Model S. Originally launched in 2012, the Model S has seen several upgrades to its powertrain and overall performance, helping put Tesla on the automative map as a serious contender. The latest model sits with a price tag of $74,990 for the standard long range model, offering a dual-motor with an 402 EPA estimated mile range and a top speed of 155 mph. At 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, even the standard model is Tesla's fastest off the line by far. For those with a bit more money to spend (more than double to be exact) the Model S comes with a newly announced Plaid tri-motor upgrade, boasting a scorching 200 mph top speed, a range of over 520 miles and 0-60 in under 2 seconds, making it the fastest sedan on the planet. Most people cannot afford the Model S, let alone the Plaid, but this helps showcase the current ceiling in Tesla's technologies that consumers could one day see become standard in more affordable models.
The final Tesla sits in the middle of the manufacturing timeline and available features, but the Model X currently holds the crown as the largest and most expensive basic model. This Tesla starts at a purchase price of $79,990, $5,000 more than the Model S sedan. However, with that price comes more space, mileage, and top speed than most of the other models. With standard seating for seven, an estimated range of 351 miles and a top speed 155 mph, this electric SUV goes fast and goes far. Not to mention it has awesome falcon-wing doors that make the vehicle look like an 'x' when open. This model faced several delays during production during a more turbulent time in Tesla's early manufacturing, but finally began rolling off assembly lines in the fall of 2015. While this Tesla model has the longest list of previous issues, it has still been widely received as a top ranked SUV, especially as a fully electric option.
Source: Tesla