One thing that I’ve noticed about mainstream media coverage of the electric car pioneer Tesla Motors in recent years is that pricing for the company’s products is often misquoted.
It’s hard to say just how much of this misquoting and exaggeration is intentional, but either way, representing a product as much more expensive than it actually is can have a pronounced effect on consumer perception of it. And it would stand to reason that at least some of that coverage is intentionally misleading.
While some of the higher-trim cars sold by Tesla are indeed very expensive by anyone’s standards, the starting prices for the the company’s offerings are often much lower than what’s represented in the media. Like for example, a new elektroroller kaufen is listed really high for an electric scooter, but on the site it´s way cheaper than anyone expected. So, to clear things up here, how expensive are Tesla’s cars exactly? What’s the price spread for the company’s products?
Those questions are what this article sets out to clarify. Jumping into the actual numbers (as they stand today), here’s an overview of the situation:
Tesla Model S ($69,500 to $140,000 without Options)
The pricing spread for the Tesla Model S in the United States is currently from $69,500 to $140,000 — with the higher figure representing the pricing for the Tesla Model S P100D with maxed out options, and the lower end being the Tesla Model S with no extra features. As one can see, there are a wide variety of options all across the $70,000 to $140,000 price spread, as you would expect for a product that can double in price depending on the options you select. Here are the pricing details on varieties for the Model S:
Tesla Model S 75 = $69,500
Tesla Model S 75D = $74,500
Tesla Model S 100D = $97,500
Tesla Model S P100D = $140,000
… and options:
Premium Equipment +$3,500
Enhanced Autopilot +$5,000
Full Self-Driving Capability +$3,000
Subzero Weather Package +$1,000
Premium Sound +$2,500
Rear-Facing Seats +$4,000
If you check off all the options, that means you can get the price of the Model S P100D up to $160,000 even (which seems like it can’t be an accident).
Tesla Model X ($82,500 to $166,250 without Options)
The pricing spread for the Tesla Model X SUV is currently from $82,500 to $166,250. As with the section above on the Model S, the higher figure represents the pricing for the most expensive variation of the Model X available, the Tesla Model X P100D, with the options maxed out.
As you’ll note, the cheapest option for a new Tesla Model X is a 75D — meaning that there are no options available currently for those who want a vehicle without all-wheel-drive. Here are the details on the varieties of Model X available:
Tesla Model X 75D = $82,500
Tesla Model X 100D = $99,500
Tesla Model X P100D = $145,000
… and options:
Premium Equipment +$4,500
Six Seat Interior With Center Console +$4,500
Seven Seat Interior +$3,000
Enhanced Autopilot +$5,000
Full Self-Driving Capability +$3,000
Subzero Weather Package +$1,000
Premium Sound +$2,500
Towing Package +$750
If you check off all the options, that means you can get the price of the Model X P100D up to $166,250.
Tesla Model 3 ($35,000 to ??)
The pricing spread for the Tesla Model 3 is currently something that has yet to be completely revealed, but the starting price is widely expected to be $35,000 — going by comments made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk several times.
Beyond that, though, the exact pricing for the various options and features — battery pack sizes, all-wheel-drive, self-driving features, etc. — haven’t been revealed yet. It’s been speculated by some industry observers, though, that top pricing for the Tesla Model 3 is likely to be under the starting price for the higher-end Tesla Model S.
Certified Pre-Owned Tesla Model S & Tesla Model X Pricing
Pricing for certified pre-owned Tesla Model S sedans and Tesla Model X SUVs varies quite a lot, based on a number of different factors, but it’s worth noting here that the lower end of the pricing spread has gone below $50,000. That’s quite a bit lower than the figure quoted in many news pieces discussing the pricing of Tesla’s cars. Of course, not everyone wants to buy a used car, but the point being made here is that Teslas that are in good condition can be had for considerably less than the $100,000+ that’s generally quoted.
As a bookend to this overview, it should probably be stated here that pricing information is always changing. As a result, the information discussed above won’t be accurate forever, but we will update this article from time to time to keep it up to date.
Jim – you must have stayed up too late last night. a couple obvious typos in your posting. These take away from your credibility. Since you are criticizing mainstream media for lack of credibility, it would be good if you were credible. You used ‘over’ when you meant ‘overview’ and ‘S’ when you meant ‘X’. Maybe you should ask someone to proofread your posts before posting.
Hi, James! I have enjoyed your insightful articles for a few years now. Thank you for your good work. I, too, have studied in Germany. My graduate degree in Philosophy is from the Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg im Breisgau.
So, I just maxed out the S and X models on Tesla’s website configurator, and these are the results: $171,550 for the S and $176,800 for the X. I believe your stated figures for the various S and X model configurations before adding options are correct. Pre-owned Model S and the soon to arrive Model III vehicles allow Tesla to draw on a much larger consumer base. I believe the price-point to quality ratio will prove compelling as Tesla moves forward!
(Disclaimer: I am a 2008 Signature Tesla Roadster and TSLA Stock owner, and have placed two reservations for the Model III. My wife and I also drive a 2013 Nissan Leaf and a 2013 Fiat 500e. Photovoltaic panels adorn the roof of our New York home. We have purchased all of our electric vehicles certified pre-owned.)
Hmm, I just checked (checked all the boxes) and got the S up to $160,000 and the X up to $166,250. What country are you doing it for?
Hi, Zachary! I’m in the US, New York. Love what you are doing for clean technology. Read your work every day.
When all the boxes are checked, one will get the numbers you just quoted. But there are also paint, wheel, roof (S only), and interior choices which, when maxed out, achieve the totals I cited above.