Tesla Model S and Model X: second facelift plus minor body and chassis tweaks

Tesla has refreshed the declining flagship liftback Model S and crossover Model X and raised prices by $5000 for all trims, believing that the extent of the changes is worth it and dedicated Tesla fans will appreciate it (probably not).

It became known in February this year from the lips of Lars Moravy, head of the company's development department, that Tesla is preparing a second facelift for the Model S and Model X despite their declining sales. Last night, both updated models appeared on Tesla's American consumer website and are now available for order. Tesla did not hold any special presentations for the updated Model S and Model X, nor released any press releases about them, but simply, as they say, put them on the shelf.

Contrary to expectations, the Tesla Model S and Model X did not receive a "monobrow" design reminiscent of the refreshed smaller crossover Model Y earlier this year and retained the previous lighting form, but the headlights received advanced adaptive features. The senior crossover Model X did not earn new bumpers; essentially, it is different from the 2021 Model X only by a new wheel design — 20- or 22-inch.

The Tesla Model S also received new wheels (19- or 21-inch) which, thanks to meticulous aerodynamic design, slightly increased the range on one charge, and the top-end Plaid version got new bumpers — a front one with larger air intakes and a rear one with a developed diffuser, which reportedly enhances the Model S Plaid's stability at high speeds.

Other new features common to both the Model S and Model X include the addition of Frost Blue color to the body palette, a camera in the front bumper for more precise electronic driver assistance, enhanced cabin sound insulation paired with a more advanced active noise cancellation system, improved ride smoothness, new atmospheric LED interior lighting with a welcome mode. For the Model X, an additionally spacious third row of seats and a more spacious trunk are announced.

The powertrain remains the same — dual-motor in "base" (670 hp) and tri-motor in Plaid versions (1020 hp). The range of the dual-motor liftback Model S on 19-inch wheels is 660 km under the EPA cycle (here and below indicated estimated values, precise ones will be known after certification), and the dual-motor crossover Model X on 20-inch wheels is 566 km, larger wheels reduce long-range capability. The Tesla Model S Plaid can drive 592 km on a single charge, and the Tesla Model X Plaid can go 539 km. The Tesla Model S Plaid accelerates to 60 mph (96.56 km/h) in 1.99 seconds, and the Tesla Model X Plaid does so in 2.5 seconds, with the maximum speed limited to 240 km/h in both cases.

The dual-motor Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X now cost $84,990 and $89,990 in the US, respectively, and the tri-motor Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid are priced from $99,990 and $104,990, respectively. The second-level autopilot Full Self-Driving is offered for both models as an option for $8,000. The steering wheel is standard round by default, with the option of a Yoke control for an additional $1,000.

It should be added that the first reactions of the American public and the US media to the updated Tesla Model S and Model X are, to put it mildly, noncomplimentary, as there are no technological breakthroughs, no 800-volt architecture, and nothing that might provoke a wow effect. How long the Model S and Model X will remain in production and whether they will have successors, is still unknown.