Tesla’s Model S & X Updates Add $5,000 to Price Tag
▼ Summary
– Tesla is relaunching updated Model S and Model X with minor changes, including a $5,000 price increase for all variants, amid declining demand.
– The refreshed models feature upgrades like a new Frost Blue paint option, quieter cabins, improved aerodynamics, and adaptive driving beams.
– The Model S now offers a 410-mile range (a 5-mile increase), while the Model X provides slightly more cargo space, but both Plaid versions are heavier with reduced or unchanged top speeds.
– Tesla removed the yoke steering wheel as standard on base AWD models, making it a $1,000 add-on for Plaid versions.
– Customer reactions on social media criticize the updates as underwhelming compared to competitors like Rivian and Lucid, citing demands for better range and tech.
Tesla has quietly rolled out updates to its Model S and Model X electric vehicles, accompanied by a significant price hike that has left many customers unimpressed. The revised models now cost $5,000 more across both the All-Wheel Drive and high-performance Plaid variants, pushing the starting price of the Model S to $84,990 and the Model X to $89,990. While Tesla touts several refinements, the modest improvements have sparked criticism from buyers expecting more substantial upgrades.
Among the changes, the 2025 models feature a new Frost Blue paint option (a $2,500 add-on), redesigned wheels for better aerodynamics, and a quieter cabin. Tesla also added a front fascia camera for improved visibility and dynamic ambient lighting similar to the more affordable Model 3 and Y, though with “unique animations” for the premium models. The Model S Long Range now boasts a 410-mile range (a marginal five-mile increase), while the Model X gains 2.5 cubic feet of additional cargo space for third-row passengers.
However, the updates come with trade-offs. The Model S Plaid is now 26 pounds heavier and sees its top speed slashed from 200mph to 149mph, while the Model X Plaid weighs 183 pounds more without any speed improvements. The polarizing yoke steering wheel is no longer standard on base models, available only as a $1,000 upgrade for Plaid trims.
Reactions on social media have been lukewarm, with some customers questioning whether the changes justify the higher price. One critic pointed to competitors like Rivian, Lucid, and the Cadillac Escalade IQ, arguing Tesla lags behind in delivering true three-row SUV practicality and cutting-edge tech. With demand for premium EVs softening, Tesla’s latest move risks further alienating buyers seeking meaningful innovation.
The refresh follows Tesla’s earlier update to the Model Y, but whether these tweaks will reinvigorate sales remains uncertain. For now, the price bump appears to outweigh the incremental upgrades in the eyes of many enthusiasts.
(Source: The Verge)
