• Lots of stowage space in the front and rear
• Hatchback practicality with loads of luggage space
• Plenty of room for large families

How much space is there?

Despite those voluptuous, svelte looks, a surprising trump card is how strong Tesla Model S practicality is. Unlike conventional saloons in this class such as the Mercedes-Benz EQE, the Tesla’s actually a hatchback with a very large tailgate. It can also be opened and closed at the touch of a button.

Given just how big the Model S is, it’s no surprise it’s roomy for humans as well as luggage. There’s plenty of space up front and decent room in the rear too – headroom is a bit tight for taller passengers, although this is no worse than a Porsche Taycan or Audi E-Tron GT.

Legroom is very good thanks to a flat floor and almost no intrusion from the transmission tunnel you’d get in a more conventional car. This results in an excellent amount of space while enjoying a fairly low and sporty seating position.

Boot space and storage

The Tesla can swallow 745 litres of luggage, extending to 1,645 litres with the 60:40 split rear seat tumbled over. That the luggage cover doesn’t lift up with the tailgate is a minor gripe as it does fold in half manually. Because there’s no engine up front, there’s a 150-litre space under the bonnet too, particularly useful if you’re intending to use the optional boot-mounted child seats.

Inside the Model S you’ll find a decently-sized glovebox, a small shelf below that 17.0-inch touchscreen, a flat storage area between the front seats – ideal for bags – and a couple of cup holders under the front arm rests. Other than that, it’s a little lacking for oddment stowage.

Is it easy to park?

Well, it’s massive and if you’re a Brit, you’re sat on the wrong side of the car, which makes things very inconvenient. Visibility is good, though, helped by frameless doors. Pillars are relatively slender and the door mirrors are mounted on protruding metal plinths, maximising rearward visibility.

Parking aids are excellent – cameras offer a great view all round, and the quality of their images is crisp on the central screen. But overall, this is one area of the Tesla Model S that’s sub-optimal if you go anywhere near a carpark.

Safety

• It’s an old car now, but safety systems still cut it 
• Autopilot potentially takes the strain out of long journeys
• Good crash-avoidance technology as standard

When tested by the team at Euro NCAP at the end of 2022, Tesla Model S safety was rated at five stars. Packed with airbags all round and various electronic safety systems to keep the car stable, the Model S will not only protect occupants in the event of a crash it will minimise the risk of the car losing control in the first place.

Inside, two rear seat positions have Isofix mounting points. Should you be unlucky enough to be involved in a serious collision, various parts of the car are marked behind doors and under the bonnet showing where the emergency services need to access to cut the flow of electricity and make it safe to dismantle.

Externally, the lights are full LED at the rear, while the front features full adaptive LED tech with cornering lights as standard. Other safety kit includes:

• Collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking
• HEPA air filtration system
• Daytime running lights
• Three-position dynamic LED turning lights
• Washer nozzle heaters
• Six airbags: head and pelvis airbags in the front plus two side curtain airbags
• Electronic stability and traction control
• Two second row Isofix attachments for child seat installations (accommodates three child seats simultaneously: two with ISOFIX and one with top tether and belt)

Watch: Tesla Model S crash test video