2026 · Electric full-size liftback sedan
Tesla Model S: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured
Tesla’s flagship liftback on a 100-kWh pack: 670 hp from two motors, or 1,020 hp from the three-motor Plaid.
Figures are for the Model S All-Wheel Drive (2 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Oct 19, 2026.
Where it stands among sedans
- #1 of 7Large suitcases, packed: 3
- #2 of 7Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction: 354 ft
- #1 of 7Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver: 13 ft
- #3 of 7Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver: −1.0 in
- #2 of 7Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year: $747/yr
Ranked against the default trim of every sedan in the catalog that has the figure.
At a glance
| Starting price, this trim | $111,630PublishedCars.com |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Permanent-magnet front and rear motors · Dual motor AWD |
| 0–60 mph, tested or claimed | 3.1 sPublishedTesla |
| EPA efficiency | 124 MPGePublishedEPA |
| EPA range | 410 mi (660 km)PublishedEPA |
| Cargo behind the second row | 25.0 cu ft (708 L)PublishedTesla |
| Large suitcases, packed | 3Simulatedfrom Tesla |
| Seats | 5Published |
| Crash ratings | NHTSA rollover 5★ only · no crash test yet |
Acceleration
Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.
| Power | 670 hp (500 kW)PublishedTesla |
|---|---|
| 0–60 mph, tested or claimed | 3.1 sPublishedTesla |
| 0–60 mph, our simulation | 3.0 sSimulated, estimated inputs |
Braking and stopping distance
The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.
| Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction | 354 ft (108.0 m)Simulated, estimated inputs |
|---|---|
| Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction | 273 ft (83.1 m)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction | 164 ft (50.0 m)Simulated, estimated inputs |
Rollover
Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.
| NHTSA rollover rating | 5★ · 5.7% riskTestedNHTSA |
|---|---|
| Sideways slide that trips it into a roll | 18 mph (28 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height) | 1.81Simulated, estimated inputs |
Efficiency and running costs
At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.
| EPA efficiency | 124 MPGePublishedEPA |
|---|---|
| EPA range | 410 mi (660 km)PublishedEPA |
| Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year | $747/yrDerivedEPA |
| Steady 75 mph, our simulation | 28 kWh/100 mi (17.3 kWh/100 km)Simulatedfrom CR |
| Drag coefficient | 0.23PublishedTesla |
Grip, snow and maneuvering
Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.
| Cornering grip, our simulation | 0.87 gSimulated, estimated inputs |
|---|---|
| Pulling away on packed snow | 0.27 gSimulated, estimated inputs |
| Turning circle | 40.3 ft (12.3 m)PublishedTesla |
| Ground clearance | 4.9 in (12 cm)PublishedTesla |
| Tires | Continental ProContact RX (TS) all-season · 255/45R19 · 285/40R19PublishedTesla |
Space, luggage and fit
Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?
| Seats | 5Published |
|---|---|
| Large suitcases, packed | 3Simulatedfrom Tesla |
| Carry-ons in the space left | 6Simulatedfrom Tesla |
| Cargo behind the second row | 25.0 cu ft (708 L)PublishedTesla |
| Cargo, seats folded | 61.4 cu ft (1,739 L)PublishedTesla |
| Front trunk | 3.1 cu ft (88 L)PublishedTesla |
| Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver | −1.0 in (-3 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver | +1.4 in (4 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver | +4.6 in (12 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger | 0.0 in (0 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in | +3.3 in (8 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in | −2.5 in head · −1.0 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs |
| Front head room, published | 39.7 in (101 cm)PublishedTesla |
| Rear head room, published | 38.1 in (97 cm)PublishedTesla |
| Rear leg room, published | 35.5 in (90 cm)PublishedTesla |
Cabin noise
How loud is it inside at 70 mph, and what exactly are you hearing?
| Cabin sound at 70 mph | 68 dBAEstimateCar and Driver |
|---|
Visibility
Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?
| Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver | 13 ft (3.9 m)Simulated |
|---|---|
| Ground visible within 33 ft ahead | 39%Simulated |
Crash safety
Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.
| Curb weight | 4,561 lb (2,069 kg)PublishedTesla |
|---|
Model S compared
Trims in the catalog
- Model S All-Wheel Drive · from $111,630 · figures on this page
- Model S Plaid · from $126,630
Other sedans
Sources
- Cars.com: 2026 Tesla Model S trims and starting prices ($109,990 AWD, $124,990 Plaid) (2026-10)
- Tesla: Model S: specs (0-60, top speed, peak power, Cd, curb mass) and end-of-production notice (2026-10)
- US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Tesla Model S ratings (2026-10)
- Tesla: Model S Owner’s Manual (2021+, North America): dimensions and cargo volume (2026-10)
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: 2026 Tesla Model S 5 HB BEV AWD (VehicleId 22073): rollover only (2026-10)
- Consumer Reports: Tesla Model S road test report (Long Range, 70-mph highway range) (2026-10)
- Tesla: Model S Owner’s Manual (2021+, North America): subsystems (motors, ratios, steering, brakes) (2026-10)
- Tesla Service: 2021+ Model S replacement tire information (Tesla-approved tires) (2026-10)
- Car and Driver: 2026 Tesla Model S Plaid Tested: Running in Place (2025-10)
Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.