Last Updated on August 29, 2022 by Filip Poutintsev
Tesla has transformed the electric vehicle industry. The innovative company has increased in popularity among households and built a loyal fan base. In the United States, almost every second electric vehicle sold is a Tesla.
Tesla boasts luxury, a superior charging network, advanced technology, and a superior range. But is it the right vehicle for you?
If you are confused about whether to buy a Tesla or not, then stick around. In this article, we answer frequently asked questions and weigh the pros and cons of purchasing a Tesla.
Technical specifications
- Long-lasting battery
- Range of 315 miles
- All-wheel drive with two motors
- Seats 5 adults
- 20-inch rims
- Custom driver profiles
- Heated steering wheel
- Warranty
- Maximum supercharging power is 250kW
- 15-inch touchscreen display in the center
- It weighs 4,048 pounds
Pros and cons of owning a Tesla at a glance
Pros
- Design
- Cost of operations
- Environmental Impact
- Performance
- Supercharger network
- Charge at home
- Slow depreciation
- Technology
- 360-degree dash cam
- Autopilot
- PIN to drive
- Safety
- Accessible Tesla accessories
Cons
- Price
- Lack of hardware upgrades
- Lack of dealerships
- Not appropriate for colder climates
- Not suitable for long road trips
- Maintenance and insurance costs
Pros of owning a Tesla
Design
Tesla is one of the most aesthetically appealing electric vehicles on the market. It’s impossible to deny that Tesla vehicles are stylish and sleek.
The modern yet sophisticated design expresses motion and speed. The area enclosed by the windows is streamlined and stretched to make it appear leaner and lower than usual.
Tesla vehicles feature a premium interior with a heated steering wheel and heated front and rear seats. The seating is designed with premium seat material and trim. The interior also includes floor mats.
Tesla vehicles have a tinted glass roof shielded by ultraviolet and infrared protection.
Cost of operations
The running cost of Tesla vehicles is minimal compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. You won’t have to stress about oil or transmission fluid changes, belts, or spark plugs. A Tesla has fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine vehicle.
An internal combustion engine (ICE) can include over 2000 moving parts inside it, whereas a Tesla vehicle has less than 20 moving parts in its drivetrain. Fewer moving parts mean fewer things can go wrong.
The fuel costs are minimal too. You will have to pay 28 cents per kWh if you have a Tesla supercharger. This is a quarter of what you would pay for fuel.
Environmental impact
Tesla vehicles are electric, and as with any electric vehicle, the environmental impact goes without saying.
Electric vehicles contribute significantly fewer emissions than most other vehicles. This results in a massive reduction in air pollution so that urban areas will enjoy improved air quality.
A Tesla is a highly environmentally friendly vehicle because it offers zero carbon emissions. The Tesla Model S and Model X can strip the outside air of bacteria, pollution, and pollen before entering the cabin. These vehicles also systematically clean the air inside the cabin to remove any trace of these particles.
Performance
For a good reason, Tesla has been called the car of the century. Every Tesla model is a brilliant performer. The Tesla Model S can beat Ferraris and Lamborghinis in a 0-60 mph sprint.
Even the slowest Tesla vehicle outruns most other gas-electric hybrid vehicles. Although these vehicles specifically focus on energy efficiency, they don’t compromise their performance.
You can’t get better than the Tesla Model S if you seek performance and speed.
Supercharger Network
If you don’t know already, Supercharger is Tesla’s charging network. The Supercharger Network is one of the most attractive features of Tesla. It makes electric life more relaxing and provides a smoother road trip than a car that runs on fuel.
To recharge your car, you need to drive to a supercharger location. You can find thousands of Supercharger networks around the world. The app will inform you when your car has been charged.
The good thing about Tesla is that you can use the Supercharger Network as well as the Electrify America charging network. In contrast, other electric vehicles can only be charged with the Electrify America network, not the Supercharger Network.
Another advantage of Tesla is that the Supercharger Network is cheaper than Electrify America. You also receive unlimited free supercharging credit if you purchase a Tesla Model S or Model. These credits can help you save more than $10,000 with your Tesla.
As mentioned above, the cost of charging a Tesla is relatively low compared to fuel. So it’s also good for your pocket.
Charge at home
One of the best things about owning a Tesla is that you can charge it at home. You don’t need to drive out to Supercharger networks each time your car needs to be recharged.
You can simply recharge your Tesla overnight at home, saving you money and time.
Slow depreciation
As soon as you purchase a vehicle from a dealership, the vehicle loses 20% of its value. Popular vehicle brands like BMW depreciate rapidly. Tesla does not.
Tesla’s are known to hold their value. Even second-hand Tesla’s are not cheap. This is an advantage if you are a Tesla owner because if you ever want to sell your Tesla at some stage, you are guaranteed to get back a good resale value.
Technology
Tesla offers impressive technology with its battery and powertrain systems. The key to Tesla’s development is its continuous battery research.
Tesla plans to provide batteries containing chemical additives, materials, and coatings that will minimize internal stress and equip the batteries to store more energy over longer periods.
The Tesla app is also incredibly useful. Tesla is always upgrading the software in its vehicles to ensure that the improvements are wirelessly beamed to the vehicles. The large touchscreen display on the center console is sleek, and there are no buttons to fiddle around with.
In addition, Tesla is also working on Tesla Autopilot, an advanced driver assistance system.
360-degree dash cam
A Tesla has eight cameras around the entire vehicle. These eight cameras also function as a dash cam and continuously record.
The cameras give you a visibility range of up to 250 meters. The narrow forward camera has a range of 250 meters, the main forward camera has a maximum visibility of 150 meters, the wide forward camera offers a maximum range of 60 meters, and the forward side looking cameras have a range of 80 meters.
The rear view camera offers a maximum range of 50 meters, and the rearward-looking side cameras can reach a maximum of 100 meters.
No vehicles on the market have anything even close to this function.
Autopilot
Several different vehicle companies are working on upgrading self-drive technology. Every company tackles this differently. Tesla is trying to perfect this technology with vision. They want every Tesla to be equipped with the necessary hardware to allow for a completely self-driving car.
While Tesla is still working on this, the vehicle offers some incredible things. Tesla can automatically accelerate, steer, and brake for other cars and pedestrians. They can also self-drive from a highway on-ramp to an off-ramp. Tesla can automatically change lanes and overtake slower vehicles.
A Tesla can also automatically park itself. This includes perpendicular and parallel parking. These vehicles can also follow robot signals, such as stopping at a red light and driving at a green light.
PIN to drive
Tesla offers its driver’s a range of features, including a PIN to drive. Once this feature is enabled, you must enter a PIN before putting the vehicle in drive mode. So, no one can drive your car unless they have the pin.
If your Tesla car key is stolen and you have enabled the PIN to drive feature, then they will not be able to drive your car.
Safety
Tesla vehicles have a high safety rating in every category. The company has earned five stars in NHTSA, European NCAP, and Australian ANCAP testing.
Tesla has received a five-star rating with its rigid passenger compartment, energy-absorbing crash structure, and effective side impact protection. NHTSA testing found that passengers have a lower risk of injury in an accident in a Tesla.
Tesla also has a significantly low rollover risk on the road, making them one of the safest cars in the world.
The Tesla Sentry Mode also records and picks up external threats through cameras. The system monitors the vehicle’s surroundings 24/7 when not in use. This mode acts as a home alarm system, and you can access a live view of your Tesla’s surroundings through the Tesla app.
Accessible Tesla accessories
Whether you’re driving around your neighborhood or on a long journey, you can personalize your Tesla to suit your taste and requirements.
There are a variety of aftermarket Tesla accessories available. This includes all-weather floor mats, pet seat covers, and LED lighting.
If you’re planning a camping trip, you can even buy an inflatable mattress that fits in the back of your Tesla so that you can have a comfortable sleep in a climate-controlled interior.
Cons of owning a Tesla
Price
Tesla vehicles have a reputation for being expensive. You will probably pay double the amount for a Tesla as for a fuel-powered sedan. But the Tesla Model 3 is averagely priced and offers long-term cost savings.
The $7,500 federal tax credit has expired for new Tesla vehicles in the United States, but state governments may offer a maximum of $2,500 in tax credits, which can help cut down the initial purchase cost of a Tesla.
Another downfall is that the initial price of a Tesla does not include add-ons like the Subzero Weather Package, additional seats, an advanced sound system, and Smart Air Suspension.
Lack of hardware upgrades
While Tesla is constantly updating their software, they have neglected its hardware. This is similar to an old phone or laptop. You may receive software updates, but the older a product gets, the lower the compatibility is because it does not have the hardware to support it.
For $2,500, the Tesla Model S will have a new infotainment system upgrade that will allow drivers to access Sentry Mode and stream Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and more. But you won’t be able to access these features if you don’t upgrade the hardware.
Lack of dealerships
Tesla sells its electric vehicles differently from other vehicle manufacturers. Tesla operates stores and can sell directly to the public in most parts of the United States.
Not having traditional dealerships makes the leasing or buying process more uncomfortable than the traditional method.
Tesla is prohibited from selling its vehicles to customers in certain states. This is mainly due to the unconventional dealership process.
Not appropriate for colder climates
Electric vehicles, in general, are not very efficient in colder climates. This is because they do not produce a lot of heat like internal combustion vehicles.
There are ways to overcome this, though, like heat pumps. The Tesla Model Y is the only model that features a heat pump. But the other Tesla models have a heating system that can be switched on. This will, however, bring down the car’s range, and you will have to recharge quickly.
Not suitable for long road trips
The Tesla is a great fit if you are looking for an efficient urban commuter car. But electric vehicles may be a problem if you want a vehicle that can last a long time on road trips.
You will have to plan around Tesla Superchargers and factor in charging time with your total travel time.
You can use public chargers for Tesla, but you will only get 20–25 miles of range in an hour of charging compared to 150 miles in 20–25 minutes at a Tesla Supercharger.
Tela is improving its range, but if you often take long road trips, then Tesla may not be your best option.
Maintenance and insurance costs
Although Tesla does not require oil changes, if something goes wrong, you may have to pay quite a hefty sum for repairs.
Over time, you may also need to replace the battery, which can cost around $16,000. A 150,000 mile/eight-year warranty covers Tesla batteries.
As Tesla has high repair costs, insurance premiums can also be high. Certain insurance companies may categorize Teslas as luxury vehicles, which will raise the insurance premium.
FAQ Section
How long do Tesla cars last?
According to Elon Musk, if you don’t have an issue driving around with an under-performing battery, then you can keep the same battery for 300,000 to 500,000 miles.
What are some common problems with Tesla cars?
Tesla cars manufactured between 2015 and 2020 were recalled due to potential security risks. This includes the trunk lid suddenly opening when there is movement.
Conclusion
Besides the cons, Tesla cars have plenty to offer, from their superior range to advanced technology. They are suitable for people who commute to the office and for those who have a knack for speed.
We hope our article helped weigh the pros and cons of owning a Tesla. Ultimately, it is up to you whether a Tesla is a right car for you.
