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2011
Tesla Roadster

Starts at:
$109,000
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New 2011 Tesla Roadster
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Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Conv
    Starts at
    $109,000
    245 mi.
    Range
    2
    Seat capacity
    36 month/36,000 miles
    Warranty
    Electric Pwr
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Conv Sport
    Starts at
    $128,500
    245 mi.
    Range
    2
    Seat capacity
    36 month/36,000 miles
    Warranty
    Electric Pwr
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2011 Tesla Roadster 2011 Tesla Roadster 2011 Tesla Roadster 2011 Tesla Roadster 2011 Tesla Roadster 2011 Tesla Roadster 2011 Tesla Roadster 2011 Tesla Roadster

Notable features

All-electric sports car
288-hp electric motor
Lithium-ion battery pack
Removable soft-top
Rear-wheel drive
Modified front and rear styling
Optional Infotainment Group

The good & the bad

The good

Performance potential
Handling potential
Zero-emissions operation

The bad

Expensive
Not available everywhere
Battery is costly to replace ($12,000)
Unknown reliability
No side airbags or electronic stability system

Expert 2011 Tesla Roadster review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The Tesla Roadster combines the performance of a high-end sports car — it can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, according to the automaker — with the environmental friendliness of an all-electric drivetrain that emits zero emissions.

Built in limited numbers, the Roadster can travel nearly 250 miles on a charge, and its lithium-ion battery pack can recharge in 3.5 hours. A Sport version features quicker acceleration and an adjustable suspension. Competitors to the Roadster include the Porsche 911 and Audi R8.

New for 2011
Tesla does not use model years and instead dubs the latest version the Roadster 2.5. Changes include a new front design with diffusing vents and a rear diffuser. An Infotainment Group with a 7-inch touch-screen navigation system, Bluetooth, 400-watt stereo, HD and Sirius radio and a backup camera is a new option. New seats have more supportive bolsters and a new lumbar support.

Exterior
The Roadster is about the size of a Lotus Elise, and Lotus builds the Roadster’s chassis for Tesla. The Roadster has unique styling, but because the proportions of the cars are similar, it still brings to mind the Elise. The Roadster’s body is made of carbon fiber. Exterior features include:

  • Finned hood, LED taillights
  • Drivetrain mounted in the rear
  • Removable soft-top
  • Optional carbon fiber hardtop
  • 16-inch front wheels, 17-inch rear wheels
  • Sport model has dark-finished wheels, unique badging

Interior
The Roadster’s cabin has a minimalist design, though revisions for 2010 made it more conventional. The air-conditioning controls were moved to a more conventional location below the stereo system. Instead of a gearshift lever, the transmission has Park, Neutral, Drive and Reverse buttons in the center console. Interior features include:

  • Standard heated leather seats
  • Optional microfiber cloth seats
  • Optional full leather interior
  • Optional navigation system
  • Optional Infotainment Group with backup camera
  • Standard iPod-compatible CD stereo
  • Optional navigation system

Under the Hood
The rear-wheel-drive Roadster is powered by an air-cooled electric motor that makes 288 horsepower and 273 pounds-feet of torque in base Roadster versions and 295 pounds-feet of torque in Sport versions. Peak torque is available from zero rpm, which is a boon for acceleration. The electric motor drives the wheels through a fixed gear, and the motor can function as a generator when decelerating to help recharge the battery pack. The electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack made up of 6,831 cells. The battery pack weighs nearly 1,000 pounds, and Tesla says it should last for five years or 100,000 miles. Mechanical features include:

  • Roadster Sport makes 288 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque
  • Zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds (Roadster) or 3.7 seconds (Roadster Sport)
  • Rear-wheel drive
  • Home charging station can charge battery in 3.5 hours
  • Optional plug for recharging Roadster from regular 120-volt outlet
  • Up to 245-mile range on a full charge

Safety
Side airbags and stability control are not available. Standard safety features include:

  • All-disc antilock brakes
  • Traction control
  • Dual front airbags

 

2011 Tesla Roadster review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The Tesla Roadster combines the performance of a high-end sports car — it can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, according to the automaker — with the environmental friendliness of an all-electric drivetrain that emits zero emissions.

Built in limited numbers, the Roadster can travel nearly 250 miles on a charge, and its lithium-ion battery pack can recharge in 3.5 hours. A Sport version features quicker acceleration and an adjustable suspension. Competitors to the Roadster include the Porsche 911 and Audi R8.

New for 2011
Tesla does not use model years and instead dubs the latest version the Roadster 2.5. Changes include a new front design with diffusing vents and a rear diffuser. An Infotainment Group with a 7-inch touch-screen navigation system, Bluetooth, 400-watt stereo, HD and Sirius radio and a backup camera is a new option. New seats have more supportive bolsters and a new lumbar support.

Exterior
The Roadster is about the size of a Lotus Elise, and Lotus builds the Roadster’s chassis for Tesla. The Roadster has unique styling, but because the proportions of the cars are similar, it still brings to mind the Elise. The Roadster’s body is made of carbon fiber. Exterior features include:

  • Finned hood, LED taillights
  • Drivetrain mounted in the rear
  • Removable soft-top
  • Optional carbon fiber hardtop
  • 16-inch front wheels, 17-inch rear wheels
  • Sport model has dark-finished wheels, unique badging

Interior
The Roadster’s cabin has a minimalist design, though revisions for 2010 made it more conventional. The air-conditioning controls were moved to a more conventional location below the stereo system. Instead of a gearshift lever, the transmission has Park, Neutral, Drive and Reverse buttons in the center console. Interior features include:

  • Standard heated leather seats
  • Optional microfiber cloth seats
  • Optional full leather interior
  • Optional navigation system
  • Optional Infotainment Group with backup camera
  • Standard iPod-compatible CD stereo
  • Optional navigation system

Under the Hood
The rear-wheel-drive Roadster is powered by an air-cooled electric motor that makes 288 horsepower and 273 pounds-feet of torque in base Roadster versions and 295 pounds-feet of torque in Sport versions. Peak torque is available from zero rpm, which is a boon for acceleration. The electric motor drives the wheels through a fixed gear, and the motor can function as a generator when decelerating to help recharge the battery pack. The electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack made up of 6,831 cells. The battery pack weighs nearly 1,000 pounds, and Tesla says it should last for five years or 100,000 miles. Mechanical features include:

  • Roadster Sport makes 288 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque
  • Zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds (Roadster) or 3.7 seconds (Roadster Sport)
  • Rear-wheel drive
  • Home charging station can charge battery in 3.5 hours
  • Optional plug for recharging Roadster from regular 120-volt outlet
  • Up to 245-mile range on a full charge

Safety
Side airbags and stability control are not available. Standard safety features include:

  • All-disc antilock brakes
  • Traction control
  • Dual front airbags

 

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Powertrain
3 years / 36,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Consumer reviews

4.2 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.2
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.4
Value 3.7
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 4.2

Most recent

  • Ramona CA, among 1st of exotic cars!

    So I met up with one of the 1st to own the 2020 Roadster in Ramona, CA. The car was impressive in all accounts. The handling on the mountain roads of Ramona was absolutely incredible.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Worthy

    I've had my Roadster for over a year and still love how fast it accelerates. Tesla has provided the best service of any car company I've owned. The range is great, I have a full charge when I leave the house every morning giving me more than 180 miles of range while driving the car spiritedly.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Fantastic sportscar

    The Tesla Roadster is a fantastic sports car, but it is a sports car. One would have spend at least $100k more that the price of a Tesla for a car with better performance at legal speeds. Acceleration: 0 to 60 in 3.7 or 3.9 seconds depending whether a Sport model or a non-Sport model. It has excellent cornering. If you have $300k or more to spend and still buy a Tesla Roadster, it is because it is good for the environment. For pure performance with over $300k to spend, there are lots of great cars available. It is all electric and I just plug it in each night and do not even think about range restrictions while driving in my large metropolitan area. I would think about range for taking a road trip. The car has been trouble free and Tesla service has been excellent. I hardly notice the cost of electricity. To any of my friends who would have been a good candidate for a Jaguar E-Type in its heyday, I would highly recommend the Tesla Roadster. My Tesla has been much more reliable than most of the many sports cars that I have owned.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very Fast, No Gas or other Bills!

    Great Fun Fast Electric Sports Car! Never worry about gas prices again! Very reliable, just plug it in @ night, and you're ready to go again.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Unparalleled acceleration in this price bracket.

    This car is a lot of fun and the torque from the electric engine at any speed is amazing. The negative is obviously its limited ~250 mile range, but as long as you're not going across country this is an amazing car to drive around in. It's novelty is backed up by incredible performance matched only by Lamborghini and similar companies for hundreds of thousands more. A symbol of the future of automotive power and a great car to drive.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Really bad car.

    I have to admit i have owned dozens of cars.( cause i have millions of dollars) But this car was the worst. My friend told me to get one, because they were excellent car. But he was wrong.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2011 Tesla Roadster?

The 2011 Tesla Roadster is available in 2 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • Sport (1 style)

What is the electric range of the 2011 Tesla Roadster?

The 2011 Tesla Roadster can travel 245 miles on a single charge depending on electric motor and battery options.

EPA-estimated range is the distance, or predicted distance, a new plug-in vehicle will travel on electric power before its battery charge is exhausted. Actual range will vary depending on driving conditions, trim level, driving habits, elevation changes, weather, accessory usage (lights, climate control), vehicle condition and other factors.

Is the 2011 Tesla Roadster reliable?

The 2011 Tesla Roadster has an average reliability rating of 4.2 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2011 Tesla Roadster owners.

Is the 2011 Tesla Roadster a good Convertible?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2011 Tesla Roadster. 83.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.2 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.2
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 3.7
  • Exterior: 5.0
  • Reliability: 4.2
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