Model S Original Comparison to Today

Model S Original
Comparison to Today

Comparison of the original Model S 85 with the latest LR. All information is for the USA market. (Nov-2024)

Specifications • Prices and Options • Feature Differences • Visual Changes • Common Features • Sources • Compare Another

Model S LR

Specifications

Item	Model S 85	Model S LR
Model Year	2012	2024
Code Name	Whitestar	Lychee
EPA Range	265 mi	402 mi
EPA MPGe Combined	89	120
EPA Efficiency	38 kWh/100 mi	28 kWh/100 mi
Battery Energy	85 kWh	100 kWh
Battery Usable	77 kWh	95 kWh
Battery Software Unlocked	✓	✓
Battery Main Cell Style	18650	18650
Battery Main Cell Type	Lithium-Ion	Lithium-Ion
Battery Main Chemistry	NCA	NCA
Battery Main Cell Vendor	Panasonic	Tesla/Panasonic
High-Voltage Architecture	400 V	450 V
Battery 12V Type	AGM	Lithium-Ion
Low-Voltage Architecture	12 V	16 V
Charging Rate, DC Max	90 kW	250 kW
Charging Rate DC Alternate	90 kW	150 kW
Charging Rate, AC	10 kW	11.5 kW
Charging Systems	Tesla, NACS	Tesla, NACS
Charging Systems, Optional	CHAdeMO	CHAdeMO, CCS
Maximum Speed	125 mph	155 mph
0 to 60 mph	5.6 sec	3.1 sec
Paint Colors	8	6
Peak Power	362 hp	670 hp
Cd	.24	.208
Maximum Regen	50 kW	50 kW
Cargo Space	60.2 cu. ft.	64.6 cu. ft.
Vehicle Width, with mirrors	86.2 in.	86.2 in.
Vehicle Width, folded mirrors	77.3 in.	78.2 in.
Vehicle Width, excluding mirrors	77.3 in.	78.2 in.
Vehicle Length	196 in.	198 in.
Vehicle Height Normal	56.5 in.	56.3 in.
Ground Clearance Maximum	6.0 in.	6.2 in.
Turning Radius	245 in.	245 in.
Towing Capability	0 lbs.	0 lbs.
Seats (standard/optional)	5/7	5
Warranty - General	4 year/50 k mi	4 year/50 k mi
Warranty - Restraint Systems	5 year/60 k mi	5 year/60 k mi
Warranty - Drive unit and Battery	8 year/unlimited k mi	8 year/150 k mi
Weight, Curb	4,647 lbs.	4,560 lbs.
Payload	lbs.	827 lbs.
Date when Info Collected	2-Jul-22	3-Oct-2024

Prices and Options

Vehicle options can mostly be purchased with the vehicle but some options are also available after the vehicle purchase. Options and pricing can change, so consult the Tesla order page for the most current information. Prices, options and features are for the original Model S as of 31-Dec-2012. Comparison is not exact as many options now included are more advanced than those available in 2012.

Item	Model S 85	Model S LR
Active Air Suspension	$1,500	Included
Enhanced Auto-Theft	Not Available	Included
Full Self-Driving	Not Available	$8,000
Homelink	Included	Included
Interior Color White or Cream	Not Available	$2,000
Mobile Charging Cable	Included	$250
Paint - Black	0	$1,500
Paint - Blue	$750	$1,500
Paint - Grey	$750
Paint - Lunar Silver		$2,500
Paint - Pearl White	0	$1,500
Paint - Red	$1,500	$2,500
Paint - Stealth Grey		0
Paint - Ultra Red		$2,500
Paint Armor	$950	Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof	$1,500	Not Available
Parcel Shelf	$250	Included
Premium Interior	$1,500	Included
Seats - 7	$1,500	Not Available
Sound Studio	$950	Included
Tech Package	$3,750	Included
Twin Chargers	$1,500	Not Available
Wheels - Low-Profile	$3,750	$4,500
Yoke Steering Wheel		$250
EVERY OPTION TOTAL**	$18,650	$20,000

Item	Model S 85	Model S LR
Base Price	$78,950	$74,990
Base with Inflation	$100,503	$74,990
Price with every option	$97,600	$94,990
Price with every option and Inflation	$124,244	$94,990
Price with options and Inflation - FSD	$124,244	$82,990
Savings Calculator		Run Calculator

** Using Red paint if available (other optional paint color cost not included).

Feature Differences

This is a list of feature differences, where one vehicle offers something different than another. Features for the Model S 85 are those available at the end of 2012. Since then, some features were made available as part of free updates.

Item	Model S 85	Model S LR
360 Degree Driving Visualization	✘	✓
Acoustic Glass	✘	✓
Active Noise Canceling	✘	✓
Adaptive Air Suspension	✘	✓
Air Quality Monitoring	✘	✓
Alcantara Headliner	✘	✓
All LED lighting	✘	✓
All-Wheel Drive	✘	✓
Audio - Immersive Sound	✘	✓
Audio - Subwoofer Volume	✘	✓
Audio Power	200 W	960 W
Audio Speakers, cabin	7	22
Audio Subwoofers	optional	1
Auto Shift	✘	✓
Auto-Lane Change	✘	optional
Auto-Park	✘	optional
Automatic Emergency Braking	✘	✓
Autopilot Computer	None	HW4
Bioweapon Defense Mode	✘	✓
Blind-spot Warning	✘	✓
Brake Hold	✘	✓
Camera Resolution	0 MP	5.0 MP
Charge Port Door Auto-Close	✘	✓
Chrome Delete	✘	✓
Climate - Remain On	✘	✓
Climate Zones	2	3
Coat Hooks	✘	✓
Connectivity Free Trial Period	lifetime month	12 month
Contact Roadside Assistance	✘	✓
Cost per Year	0	$100
Cupholders	2	4
Dashcam	✘	✓
Dashcam Viewer	✘	✓
Display Orientation, Center	Portrait	Landscape
Display Tilt	✘	✓
Displays Area, Combined	180 sq. in.	206 sq. in.
Door Pockets	✘	✓
Drag Strip Mode	✘	✓
Driver Profiles with Auto-select	✘	✓
Dual-Band FOB	✘	optional
Easy Access Profile	✘	✓
Electronic Door Releases	✘	✓
Electronic fold-flat releases	✘	✓
Electronic Fuses	✘	✓
Enhanced Anti-Theft	✘	✓
Enhanced Battery Cooling	✘	✓
Even DRL LED Illumination	✘	✓
Extensive Sound Insulation	✘	✓
Fastest DC Charging	✘	✓
Fog Lights	optional	✓
Free Navigation and Routing	optional	✓
Front Collision Warning	✘	✓
Glass Roof	✘	✓
Heat Pump	✘	✓
HEPA air filtration	✘	✓
High Performance Gaming Processor	✘	✓
Higher Thermal Brake Calipers	✘	✓
Homelink Auto Open/Close	✘	✓
Homelink Text Identifiers	✘	✓
Initiate Software Update	✘	✓
Interior Camera	✘	✓
Karaoke	✘	✓
Lane Departure Avoidance	✘	✓
Lane Keeping	✘	✓
Liftgate - Open Height Memory	optional	✓
Liftgate - Powered Open and Close	optional	✓
Lighted Vanity Mirror	✘	✓
Load Address from Calendar	✘	✓
LTE	✘	✓
Maps - Charging locations	✘	✓
Maps - Points of Interest	✘	✓
Matrix Headlights	✘	✓
Mirrors - Auto Dimming Sides	optional	✓
Mirrors - Side Heated	✘	✓
Mirrors - Side Power Folding	✘	✓
Mobile Charging Cable	included	optional
Motors - Traction	1	2
Multilingual Voice	✘	✓
Multiple Bluetooth Device Support	✘	✓
Navigate on Autopilot	✘	optional
No-Fade Performance	✘	✓
Notification - Break-In	✘	✓
Notification - Vehicle Unlocked	✘	✓
Notification - Windows Open	✘	✓
Obstacle Aware Acceleration	✘	✓
Parking Sensors Type	none	Camera
PIN to Drive Option	✘	✓
PIN to Unlock Glovebox	✘	✓
Precondition Schedule	✘	✓
Radio - AM	✓	✘
Radio - XM	optional	✓
Rear Door Wide Opening	✘	✓
Rear Seat Fold-Down Center Armrest	✘	✓
Rear Turn lights - Amber	✘	✓
Redundant Steering Power	✘	✓
Remote Climate Control	✘	✓
Remote Seat Heat/Steering Heat	✘	✓
Remote Unlock and Start Car	✘	✓
Remote Vent Windows	✘	✓
Route via Needed Charge Points	✘	✓
Route with Waypoints	✘	✓
Seats - Auto Heat/Cool	✘	✓
Seats - Cooled Front	✘	✓
Seats - Heated Rear	✘	✓
Seats - Perforated	✘	✓
Seats - Rear Electronic Release	✘	✓
Security: Sentry/Valet/Speed limit	✘	✓
Self-Leveling	optional	✓
Sentry Mode	✘	✓
Setup a Service Appointment via App	✘	✓
Side Collision Warning	✘	✓
Single Frunk Latch Design	✘	✓
Smart Summon	✘	optional
Speed Assist	✘	✓
Speed per inch of riide height change	10 sec	5 sec
Steering Wheel - Heated	✘	✓
Steering Wheel Selection Controls	11	16
Steering Wheel Stalks	3	0
Steering Wheel, Racing Inspired Option	✘	✓
Streaming Audio without a Phone	✘	✓
Summon	✘	optional
Supercharger Costs	free	fee
Tall Visors	✘	✓
Tesla Arcade - Main	✘	✓
Tesla Arcade - Rear	✘	✓
Tesla Theater	✘	✓
Tire Pressure By Tire	✘	✓
Tires, Advanced	✘	✓
Traffic and Stop Sign Control	✘	optional
Traffic Aware Cruise Control	✘	✓
Ultra Leather Type Materials	✘	✓
Unlock - via FOB	✓	optional
Unlock - via Keycard	✘	✓
Unlock - via Phone	✘	✓
USB Charge Ports	2	5
USB Charging Speed	Normal	Fast
USB Type	USB-A	USB-C
USB Version	2.0	3.0
Valet Mode	✘	✓
Ventilation Control, Front	Manual	Touch
Ventilation control, Rear	Manual	Touch
Video on 2nd Row Display, when Driving	✘	✓
Video Streaming	✘	✓
Voice Activated Controls	Limited	✓
Warm interior LED lighting	✘	✓
Washer Nozzle Heater	✘	✓
Wiper Blade Defroster	✘	✓
Wireless phone charging	0	4

Visual Changes

Model S LR

There are many changes to the exterior and interior styling. Some of the major changes include:

The entire interior has been completely redesigned
The front facia eliminated the black oval and side vents
The vehicle is more aerodynamic with subtle styling changes
The front and rear fenders are wider to accommodate wider tires
Seven external cameras were added
The headlights, fog lights, and tail lights are updated
The lower rear bumper styling changed
The metal roof was replaced with a large glass panel
Most items previously in chrome are now blacked out
The chrome strip below the doors is gone

Common Features

Charging	Notes	Value
Destination Charging Costs	Using Tesla's network of destination connections	free
Lightest Connectors	Easy to handle	✓
Schedule Charging	Allows home charging at lowest rates	✓
Simple Plug-in and Charge	No special cards or cumbersome interactions	✓
Supercharger Connections	Worldwide as of Jul-2023	50,000
Supports CCS with Adapter	Optional adapter from Tesla	✓
Supports CHAdeMO with Adapter	Optional adapter is no longer sold by Tesla	✓
Supports J1772 with Adapter	For L2 AC Charging, included with vehicle	✓

Connectivity	Notes	Value
Live Traffic Visualization	With connectivity	✓
Over-the-Air Updates	Free, often with new features and enhancements	✓
Web Browser	Access internet web pages	✓

Exterior	Notes	Value
Body Material - Fenders and Trunk	Exterior metal body panels	Aluminum
Body Material - Hood and Doors	Exterior metal body panels	Aluminum
Body Material - Side Frame	Exterior metal body trim and sill	Aluminum
Mirrors - Auto-Tilt	Tilts down when in reverse	✓
Power Retractable Door Handles	With downlights	✓
Puddle Lights when Door Closed	Lights mounted under door handles	✓
Puddle Lights when Door Open	Lights mounted under door	✓
Wheel Lugs	Use more for high torque	5

Interior	Notes	Value
Audio - Multi-Band Equalizer	5 bands	✓
Auto-Locking Glovebox	Glovebox locked when vehicle locked	✓
Automatic Keyless Entry	No keys needed	✓
Automatic Wipers	Manual and automatic modes	✓
Carpeted Floor Mats	For front and rear	✓
Display, Main Size	Diagonal Size	17 in.
Homelink Controls	For garage open/close	✓
Interior Accent Lighting	On door panels	✓
Mirror - Auto Dimming Rearview	Detects headlights behind you	✓
Radio - FM	Analog radio	✓
Radio - FM-HD	Access digital FM HD channels	✓
Seats - 40/60 Fold Down Rear	Greatly expands available space	✓
Seats - Adjustable Lumber Support	For front seats	Both
Seats - Front Driver Power	12-way and driver profile memory	✓
Seats - Heated Front	Three levels	✓
Secondary Storage	Frunk and under Trunk	✓
Steering Feel Adjustable	Comfort, Standard, and Sport	✓
USB Music Player	Play ACC, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV files	✓
Windows - Powered	One-touch	✓

Mobile App	Notes	Value
Remote Charging Control and Status	Set the charging limits, start/stop charging	✓
Show Vehicle Location	Displays location on a map	✓

Navigation	Notes	Value
Maps - Free updates	For resident maps	✓
Maps - Pinch to zoom, shrink, and rotate	Easy to adjust map size	✓
Maps - Real-time Traffic Monitoring	Color coded traffic levels, requires connectivity	✓
Maps - Resident and Internet Maps	Keeps maps accurate	✓
Maps - Satellite View	Requires connectivity	✓
Route to Destination	Shows arrival time and progress	✓
State-of-Charge at Destination	Automatic SOC determination	✓
Traffic Aware Routing	Determines the best route based on current traffic	✓
Voiced Direction Prompts	Enable or disable	✓

Safety	Notes	Value
Airbags		8
Antilock Brakes	Improves emergency stopping distance	✓
Auto - High Beam	Prevents blinding oncoming traffic	✓
Backup Camera	Wide angle	✓
Cornering Lights	LED	✓
Daytime Running Lights	LED	✓
Electronic Stability Control	Far better than ICE, as motor control is almost instant	✓
Electronic Traction Control	Helps maintain traction on slippery road surfaces	✓
Five-star Crash Ratings	NHTSA 5-stars In every category	✓
Low Rollover Risk	Very low center of gravity	✓
Rear Seat ISO Child Seat Latches	For attachment of child seats	✓

Internal	Notes	Value
Bluetooth Phone Connection	For hands-free talking, contacts, calendar	✓
Display Computer	Design generation	MCUZ
Theft Alarm	Alarm sounds if doors, trunk or frunk open when locked	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring	Warns if tire pressure is low or high	✓

Sources

The information listed here has been obtained from the Tesla website, the vehicle manuals, EPA, and our own vehicle analysis. Tesla does not always send out notifications of changes, but we do our best to maintain current information. The last line of the specifications section shows the date when the information was collected for specific vehicles.