Model S First Drive Reviews

[goyogi]

And they tested next years model as well!
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/drives/2013-tesla-model-s

 

[BYT_P1837]

Faux News: If we don't have anything negative to say, then we don't say anything!

 

[Discoducky]

Road & Track:
2012 Tesla Model S Review – What We Uncovered in a 10 Minute Test Drive – RoadandTrack.com

This quote bodes very well...

The on ramp is one of those wonderful ones with two nice curves with tightening radius. The car handles it nicely reminding me of a BMW 5 Series as much as anything.

 

[heems]

I looked to me like they were in a center arm rest that folds down but I couldn't exactly tell either. Good news anyway.

Indeed...

 

[ckessel]

Every review is positively glowing, which is really great to see/hear. The few videos in some of them the driver is clearly wow'd by the experience.

 

[StephRob]

All of these reviews are so positive. It must be incredibly gratifying to everyone in the Tesla organization. I'm getting almost choked up reading them (no sarcasm at all here). Congratulations to all of you at Tesla!! And especially that "walking ball of Awesome", Elon. Love that!

 

[jomo25]

(4) The second row has LATCH connectors and can fit 3 car seats across

Quick correction. The rear seats do have 3 full sets of LATCH connectors, but you can only fit 2 car seats at a time. Per the Model S Spec page under Safety
Model S Specs and Standard Features | Tesla Motors

 

[Kipernicus]

I'm going to buy a print copy of Motor Trend if Model S is on the cover. Haven't bought a car mag in years...

 

[Citizen-T]

I'm going to buy a print copy of Motor Trend if Model S is on the cover. Haven't bought a car mag in years...

I will do the same.

 

[jomo25]

Did anyone notice this in the Engadget video: when the turn signal light is active, the on screen display of the vehicle blinks along? He was making a left turn, and had a view on the menu with the car showing, and you could see the left turn signal blinking on the display! That's detail!

 

[goyogi]

Quick correction. The rear seats do have 3 full sets of LATCH connectors, but you can only fit 2 car seats at a time. Per the Model S Spec page under Safety
Model S Specs and Standard Features | Tesla Motors

Odd that they would put three car seats in the back at the demo today.
Driving the Tesla Model S Quickly, And Briefly | Autopia | Wired.com

 

[jomo25]

Further discussed here: Carseats

 

[Jason S]

The Engadget review mentioned a 3G connection.

Wasn't Elon quoted as saying 4G? Is LTE coverage available near the plant?

Dunno what is going on with that, but the reviews do all say 3G.

... Actually the 4G coverage for many carriers is pretty awful in the US. Shouldn't be a big problem for most folks anyhow. I'll only need the bandwidth on the occasional business trip when I'm the driver and somebody else is doing some work. Hmmm.... usually I do the work tho. Should I let somebody else drive?!

 

[loganss]

List of reviews/First drive impressions to date:
-- MotorTrend: 2012 Tesla Model S First Drive - Motor Trend
-- co.exist: Inside The Tesla Model S | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation
-- forbes: Tesla Model S: 'If Apple Made A Car, This Would Be It' - Forbes
-- CNET: Tesla Model S first drive: Quiet satisfaction | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews
-- GigaOm: Video: We test drive Tesla Cleantech News and Analysis
-- Wired: Driving the Tesla Model S Quickly, And Briefly | Autopia | Wired.com
-- Yahoo Auto: Tesla Model S: First drive of the electric sedan that will change the world or die trying | The Lookout - Yahoo! News
-- Engadget: Tesla Model S first drive: the sports sedan goes electric (update: video) -- Engadget
-- Daily KOS: Daily Kos: Tesla Model S Has Arrived: You Have a Duty to Buy One (If you can afford)
-- Road&Track: 2012 Tesla Model S Review – What We Uncovered in a 10 Minute Test Drive – RoadandTrack.com
-- Jalopnik: Tesla Model S: The Full Meta Review

 

[Jrhodesmd]

Motor Trend - Is that center console area new?

Looking at the pics from the MT article, I saw they had the Obeche wood Lining the entire center console area, along with some vents in it. Is that the new standard? I have to admit, I look it MUCH better than just the carpet there. Makes it look more "finished."

 

[grisnjam]

Looking at the pics from the MT article, I saw they had the Obeche wood Lining the entire center console area, along with some vents in it. Is that the new standard? I have to admit, I look it MUCH better than just the carpet there. Makes it look more "finished."

It is. Also notice the little cubby under the screen now.

 

[jcstp]

List of reviews/First drive impressions to date:
-- MotorTrend: 2012 Tesla Model S Review – What We Uncovered in a 10 Minute Test Drive – RoadandTrack.com
-- co.exist: Inside The Tesla Model S | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation
-- forbes: Tesla Model S: 'If Apple Made A Car, This Would Be It' - Forbes
-- CNET: Tesla Model S first drive: Quiet satisfaction | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews
-- GigaOm: Video: We test drive Tesla Cleantech News and Analysis
-- Wired: Driving the Tesla Model S Quickly, And Briefly | Autopia | Wired.com
-- Yahoo Auto: Tesla Model S: First drive of the electric sedan that will change the world or die trying | The Lookout - Yahoo! News
-- Engadget: Tesla Model S first drive: the sports sedan goes electric (update: video) -- Engadget
-- Daily KOS: Daily Kos: Tesla Model S Has Arrived: You Have a Duty to Buy One (If you can afford)
-- Road&Track: 2012 Tesla Model S Review – What We Uncovered in a 10 Minute Test Drive – RoadandTrack.com

motortrend link is wrong 2012 Tesla Model S First Drive - Motor Trend

 

[Adm]

Add a very mature "Meta review" by Jalponik: http://jalopnik.com/5920748/tesla-model-s-the-full-meta-review

 

[loganss]

motortrend link is wrong 2012 Tesla Model S First Drive - Motor Trend

Thx. It's fixed now.

 

[pguerra]

Just curious who will be the first from Tesla Motors Club to review Model S? Is here anybody willing to do similar detailed reviews like this guy did for Fisker Karma?

Fisker Karma: An Owner's Review http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnYuO0bGSTc
Fisker Command Center: An Owner's Review http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK8MqjagHu8

Actually it would be interesting to see him to review the Model S.

Thanks for providing these links. I'm surprised at how poor the review is for this vehicle.

Hopefully the Model S's 17" screen will not suffer the same problems as the Fiskar such as: low contrast, difficult to see buttons in the sunlight.

I'm a little concerned about this. What is the general consensus of the Model S's ease-of-viewing the 17" display when in direct sunlight??