carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $72,790–$85,053 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Tesla Model S at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 9.4/10, while Reliability at 5.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 5.5/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.7/10. The Tesla Model S delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 9.4/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $72,790–$85,053, 120 MPG, seating 5, the Tesla Model S sits in the luxury tier of the ev market. The value score of 6.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Tesla Model S is a solid, well-rounded ev that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is value and reliability — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Tesla Model S ranks #143 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 47% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $72,790 starting price is about 38% above the segment's median of $52,750.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Tesla Model S scores 7.4/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.5 — and starts roughly $7,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $82,389 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $82,389 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $79,990 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $77,590 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $75,190 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $72,790 | |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $70,391 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $67,991 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $65,591 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $63,192 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.2/10 | $60,792 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $58,392 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Adas / Autonomous/self driving / Software 27/01/2022 · 22V037000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through… |
|---|---|
| Air bags 09/11/2021 · 21V868000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment. |
| Electrical system / Software 01/02/2022 · 22V045000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles… |
| Latches/locks/linkages / Hood / Latch 21/12/2021 · 21V00B000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor… |
| Forward collision avoidance / sensing system / camera 29/10/2021 · 21V846000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the… |
Showing 5 of 24 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
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