2020 Tesla Model S vs. 2021 Tesla Model S
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2020 Tesla Model S and 2021 Tesla Model S contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2020 Tesla Model S and the 2021 Tesla Model S.
In comparing the 2020 Tesla Model S's and the 2021 Tesla Model S's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Tesla Model S has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for used cars. The 2020 Tesla Model S and 2021 Tesla Model S have the same interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2020 Tesla Model S's and the 2021 Tesla Model S's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Tesla Model S is a better car than the 2021 Tesla Model S.
Pricing: A used 2020 Tesla Model S ranges from $37,992 to $57,999 while a used 2021 Tesla Model S is priced between $45,992 to $78,765.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2020 Tesla Model S and the 2021 Tesla Model S both lose 59.5 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Tesla Model S is 8.1 out of 10. Tesla Model S is ranked 2 out of 26 Best Electric Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings. Out of 15 Best Luxury Electric Cars, the Tesla Model S is ranked 2 and the Tesla Model S is ranked 2 based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Tesla Model S is 9.4 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2020 Tesla Model S and the 2021 Tesla Model S makes 518 horsepower. The Model S is rated to deliver an average of 121 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), while the Model S is rated to deliver an average of 124 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe). Both have a highway range of 391 miles. Both models use electricity. The charge time for both the Model S and the Model S is 12 hours (240V).
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$69,420
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$86,610
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$69,420 - $103,800
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$69,420
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$74,660
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$69,420 - $79,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,387
Price Range:
$37,992 - $57,999
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$66,181
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$47,387 - $84,974
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
104
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
47,531
# Good or Great Deals:
67
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$61,216
Price Range:
$45,992 - $78,765
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$71,926
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$61,216 - $82,635
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
255
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
37,157
# Good or Great Deals:
142
Tesla Model S Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
9.4 / 10
Retained Value:
6.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Tesla Model S Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
9.4 / 10
Retained Value:
6.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2020 Tesla Model S
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Tesla Model S
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
259.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
147.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
35.4 - 259.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
608.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
342.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
76.2 - 608.3
Tesla Model S Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
15 out of / 26Tesla Model S Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
15 out of / 26Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
2020 Tesla Model S Trim Levels
Long Range, Long Range Plus, Performance
2021 Tesla Model S Trim Levels
Long Range, Long Range Plus, Performance, Plaid
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 150000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
518 hp
Torque:
487 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.106 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
518 hp
Torque:
487 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.107 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
MPGe:
121 / 112 / 117
Range (city/hwy):
391 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
100 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
12 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
MPGe:
124 / 115 / 120
Range (city/hwy):
391 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
100 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
12 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
26.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
26.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4883 lbs
Width:
86.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
196 inches
Wheelbase:
116.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4852 lbs
Width:
86.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
196 inches
Wheelbase:
116.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Red
Red Multi-Coat
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Red
Red Multi-Coat
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Beige
Cream
Black
Black
White
Black and White
Interior Colors
Beige
Cream
Black
Black
White
Black and White
