Which Tesla is best for me?

If there’s one brand which has helped to make electric cars truly desirable it has to be Tesla. Since launching the Model S in 2014, Tesla has been famous for making electric cars with longer battery ranges, faster acceleration and more high-tech features than many rivals.

There are now four Tesla models to choose from – the Model S hatchback, the Model 3 saloon and two SUVs, the Model X and the Model Y. Each is fully electric, practical enough for families and gives you access to Tesla’s ‘Supercharger’ network for recharging the battery.

Whether you’re looking for a new or used car, our guide can help you find the Tesla that’s right for you.

Tesla’s most compact car is the Model 3. It’s a mid-size saloon that’s about the same size as a BMW 3 Series. The Model Y is an SUV based on the Model 3 – it’s slightly longer and taller and sits a bit higher off the ground. It’s roughly the same size as SUVs such as the Audi Q5.

The Model S is a large hatchback that’s as long as executive saloons such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Finally, the Model X is effectively an SUV version of the Model S that’s similar in size to the Audi Q8 or the Porsche Cayenne.

The Model S has the longest official battery range in the Tesla line-up. The latest version has a 375-mile range and there’s also a Plaid performance version that’s faster but has a slightly shorter range of 348 miles. Pre-2021 versions of the Model S include a Long Range model that can go up to 393 miles between charges.

All Teslas will give you a very long battery range relative to most other electric cars and are among the best options if you want the most miles per charge. The official maximum range for a Model 3 is 360 miles, while the Model X and Model Y SUVs can go about 330 miles on a full charge.

Teslas were some of the first electric cars to have long-range batteries and even older Model S cars are still very competitive against newer models and other electric cars.

Tesla cars are known for being very quick and the Model S Plaid – the high-performance version of the Model S – is one of the fastest saloon cars in the world. It’s mind-blowing stuff, with a top speed of 200mph and the ability to accelerate from 0-60mph in less than two seconds – faster than any Ferrari.

All Teslas are fast, though, and even the ‘slowest’ does 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds – faster than many sports cars or high-performance models.

Tesla currently sells only one seven-seater car in the UK – the Model X. If you’ve got a big family, or friends that love road trips then it could fit the bill nicely. Although seven-seat versions of the smaller Model Y are sold in other markets, you can only buy a five-seat version – for now, at least – in the UK.

Early versions of the Model S had the option of two ‘jump seats’ in the back – small, rear-facing seats that fold up or down from the boot floor and only offer enough headroom and legroom for children.

The more expensive models – the Model S and Model X – tend to be the best equipped, although it depends which options are fitted to the car you’re considering. That said, in every Tesla you get cutting-edge technology and an impressive infotainment system with a huge touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard that gives the interior a real wow factor.

You get lots of features as standard on every Tesla, too. The latest Model S has screens front and back and wireless charging for all passengers, for example, while the Model X offers extra glamour because of its unusual ‘Falcon Wing’ rear doors, which open upwards.

The infotainment systems across the range are a great hit with the family because kids (and even some adults) will love features like the whoopee cushion noises you can select for entertainment.

The most affordable new Tesla is the Model 3. It’s a family-friendly saloon with great range and amazing tech that will cost you about the same as a petrol BMW 4 Series with similar features and performance. The Model Y is basically an SUV version of the Model 3, offering very similar features and a touch more interior space for a higher cost.

If you’re looking at a new model, there’s a big step up in price to the Model S and Model X, which cost as much as a large luxury SUV or saloon.

The Model S has been around a lot longer than other Teslas, so there are plenty of less-expensive used examples to choose from. The Model Y only went on sale in the UK in 2022 so you won’t find many, if any,  used models for sale, but you should be able to find used Model 3s (on sale new since 2019) and Model Xs (on sale new since 2016).

One of the best things about Teslas is their spaciousness. Even the smallest, the Model 3, has loads of room for passengers in the front and back. Its saloon body style means it’s not as versatile as other Teslas, which all have a hatchback boot lid, but the boot itself is large, if not as big as in a BMW 3 Series.

Like every Tesla, however, the Model 3 gives you something that any petrol- or diesel-engined rival doesn’t – a ‘frunk’. Short for ‘front trunk’, this is an extra storage compartment under the bonnet in the space that would normally be occupied by an engine. It’s large enough for a weekend bag or a few bags of grocery shopping, so it’s genuinely useful.

Other Teslas have even more interior space. The X and Y SUVs are particularly good for families or long weekend trips because you get extra storage space and more room for passengers to relax.

The Model 3, Model Y and Model X are approved for towing and are available with a tow bar. You can pull a maximum of 1,000kg with the Model 3; 1,580kg with the Model Y; and 2,250kg with a Model X. Tesla was one of the first brands to approve an electric car for towing, although the Model S isn’t approved as a tow car.

The Model 3 is the most affordable car in the Tesla range. It’s a practical family car (though not as spacious inside as the other Tesla models) and you get more than 300 miles of official battery range on most versions. If you’re buying your first electric car, the Model 3 is a sensible place to start because it covers all bases – business trips, road trips and everyday journeys – at a relatively attainable price. It was launched in 2019 and even if you’re buying a used model, you get up-to-date tech and some of the latest driving assistance systems.

The Model S, sold in the UK since 2014, remains one of the most desirable electric cars because it’s big, powerful and has a much longer battery range than many rivals. The S is elegantly styled, very comfortable on longer journeys, quick and smooth to drive. Because the Model S has been around longer than other Teslas there are lots of used models to choose from.

The Model X SUV hit the streets in 2016. It’s the most spacious of Tesla’s range and the tech is particularly eye-catching, thanks to a 17-inch touchscreen and back doors that open upwards like bird wings. The X also has a towing capacity of 2,250kg, so could be ideal if you regularly tow a caravan or horsebox.

This is the newbie of the Tesla lineup, launched in 2022. It’s essentially an SUV version of the Model 3, with a similar look but a higher driving position and extra practicality. The battery range is excellent, with both the Performance and Long Range models giving you more than 300 miles per charge.

Final Thoughts

Tesla has changed the electric car market by offering cars that are packed with modern technology, great battery range, and fast performance. With a variety of models, from the cheaper Model 3 to the luxury Model S and roomy Model X, there’s something for everyone.

Whether it’s your first electric car or you’re upgrading, a Tesla is a smart, future-proof option for your next car. Explore our range of used Tesla vehicles to find the perfect match for your needs at MOTORS.

For more insights into electric vehicles and the best deals, visit our electric car buyers guide.