Tesla Model S, Model X to Receive Updates ‘Later This Year’
Having just refreshed its runaway bestselling Model Y SUV, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of Teslas sold in the U.S., the electric vehicle automaker is turning its attention to its original products, the Model S sedan and closely related Model X SUV.
What Updates Will the Model S and Model X Get?
Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy spilled the beans on an episode of the Tesla fanboy podcast Ride the Lightning that aired over the weekend. Little is known yet about the specifics of the updates, as Moravy simply said the company will “give [the Model S and Model X] some love later this year.”
“Some love” leads us to believe these will be minor refreshes along the lines of what Tesla did to the Model Y in the face-lift revealed in January: a sleeker front-end design, likely incorporating a similar full-width light bar and tweaked taillights. Tesla might also tinker with the suspension to bring ride and handling up to date against the burgeoning class of competitive EVs from established automakers and newcomers alike.
As the Model S and Model X are already about as strictly minimalist inside as they could be without crossing over into austerity, we don’t expect major changes to the interior. It’s possible the biggest debate inside Tesla right now is over whether to bring back the turn-signal stalk or leave that function to steering-wheel mounted buttons, as is currently the case.
The Model S launched Tesla into the mainstream for the 2012 model year and was followed by the Model X for 2016. The EV market has utterly transformed since then; for example, upstart Rivian is handily outselling the two Tesla offerings with its R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck. A little nip and tuck seems unlikely to dramatically impact Model S and X volumes, but it appears we’ll find out soon enough. Stay tuned for more.
More From Cars.com:
- Tesla Reinstates Free Supercharging for Life on Model S
- Tesla Announces V4 Superchargers Coming in 2025
- In a Time of Uncertainty, Here Are the Best EV Deals
- Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
- Research Tesla
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
