2023 Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S revolutionized how we think about cars back when it first came out in 2012, and it continues to astound with every passing year. The driving experience ranges from refined all the way to spill-your-lunch insane and everything in between. The Model S is truly a special thing to drive - if you like going fast. Acceleration is mind-blowing; put this car in its most hardcore setting, flatten the accelerator, and hold on. The 2023 Model S will reach 60 mph in just over two seconds if you nail the perfect launch. This coming from a 4,500-pound luxury hatchback. Keep your foot in it, and Tesla claims a top speed of 149 mph. Unfortunately, the Model S' ability to accelerate is really its party trick. There isn't all that much more to write home about. We found that its brakes tend to fade after a few spirited stops, and the steering is overly light and doesn't offer much in the way of feedback. All-wheel grip is impressive, but this is no sports car. When the dust settles, this is still a supremely comfortable daily driver and highway bomber, but the Model S has typecast itself as a sprinter, and that's how we like to remember it.

With a career spanning over a decade, the Model S might just be the most famous electric vehicle out there. Thousands of YouTube videos showing buxom young ladies trying to snatch $100 bills off the Model S' dashboard helped to make this car famous, but is it more than just a one-trick pony? Sure, it's redefined what the electric vehicle can be and continues to deliver excellent performance, massive range, and good luxury. The hatchback-style liftgate makes it practical, too, and it's comfortable to drive around daily. Safety levels are high, thanks to a vast array of driver assistance tech - but it has a number of shortcomings. For one, we're not fans of the hard-to-use steering yoke, and it's frustrating not to have access to basic tech such as Apple CarPlay. The fit and finish are still not up to scratch after years of complaints, and Euro competitors such as the BMW i7 feel more accomplished. You'd also enjoy throwing a Porsche Taycan around much more. The Model S might be brutally quick, but you're left with a sub-par luxury car once the excitement wears off.