Tesla Model S

Build Quality

Once you are inside, the first thing that strikes you is the difference in feel compared to other luxury cars. Tesla did the minimalist approach here - nearly everything is operated via the large touchscreen in the middle.

The seats are quite comfortable and are made of this synthetic leather that feels quite good. The quality of the build is much better than previous Tesla models I have been in. Everything is solid and well built.

However, the thing is that, in case you have a BMW or Mercedes, you may feel the lack of real buttons and knobs. I did initially but after days I got adjusted to it.

The Front Seats

The driver’s seat is just so comfortable and perfect for driving conditions. It offers good visibility along with being heated and ventilated (the co-driver seat also has this feature). I am about 5’8” and had enough leg or knee room to drive at my comfortable position. Even long highway drives were not an issue.  

Let’s now talk about the steering wheel, which is arguably one of the most noticeable features and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag from my experience driving a Tesla in the UAE. The Model S comes with its standard ‘yoke’ style steering wheel. It initially felt futuristic but takes some serious getting used to it. The yoke can be quite awkward to drive at first as we are basically accustomed to traditional round wheels. 

That said, if you prefer to have a conventional round wheel, Tesla does that too but at an extra charge. But believe me, this investment is worth it. On the tech side, the wheel has nifty haptic buttons and physical dials on either side, a thumbs-up for touch feedback, but the control logic occasionally trips me up. For example, scrolling on the right can pause or restart the music track instead of skipping it, which shows there’s room for software polish. 

In addition, such traditional features as turn indication are less intuitive. The blinker buttons are not positioned where one would expect them to be and signalling off roundabouts or when having to change lanes quickly in the city traffic can be quite difficult and in some cases dangerous. In comparison to other European cars with well-placed stalks or paddle shifters, this arrangement is not so convenient, especially in a daily-driver environment such as in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

The concept of incorporating some smart detection for roundabout signalling—where the car can detect your wheel turn and help with blinkers—could be a big deal. Until then, be prepared for a bit of a learning curve and some tentative driving when employing the Tesla’s unusual steering system in the UAE.

On the whole, the steering wheel design is innovative and futuristic but not exactly practical in my daily driving scenario. It can be adjusted to the yoke and controls, but Tesla needs to do more to fine tune driver comfort and safety features to the rigors of UAE driving.

The Back Seats

Although the seats are a bit wedged, which can be uncomfortable to the thighs after long rides, the overall space is comfortable to most adults. That being said, taller occupants of about six feet two inches and above may find themselves cramped in the headroom department, which is not uncommon among the competing luxury EVs.

I found the rear seats very comfortable after I jumped into them. The back seat passengers have a lot of legroom, in part thanks to the flat floor design, so even the middle occupant does not have to deal with the usual encroachment of a transmission hump. The seats are however wedged a bit which may be uncomfortable on the thighs during long drives. 

One of my favorite features is that all of the seats in the rear are heated including the middle seat which is not common and adds to the luxury of the interior. This is certainly helpful in cooler nights in the Emirates when driving. Besides the heated front seats with a ventilation and lumbar support, and a heated steering wheel, the cabin provides a luxurious experience to the driver and the passengers.

I however realized that the panoramic glass roof that fills the cabin with natural light does not come with an integrated electronically operated sunshade that would have been a welcome addition to counter the intense sun in the UAE. Passengers will have no choice but to choose aftermarket solutions to have that additional comfort. The Model S rear seat is a highly elaborated, roomy and luxurious alternative to the different climates and conditions of the UAE.

Storage Space

This is where the Model S excels You have a frunk (front trunk) since the engine is not in the front - that is about 89 liters of additional space to carry bags or groceries. Right at the front, the large glove box is noticeable- not only in terms of space but also in terms of security as it has a PIN code that can be set within the infotainment system to provide a sense of security to valuables. The center console is exceptionally done with two swift wireless charging bays at the front, which is convenient to both the driver and front passenger. Further down, there are several compartments to accommodate small items: a tidy bay suitable to a wallet or purse, two cup holders, and below them, a large storage area with two USB Type-C ports that provide up to 36 watts of power to charge quickly.

The rear cabin also carries forward this considerate design with two more USB Type-C charging ports, which will be useful to passengers who need to charge their devices fast. Under the center armrest, there is an even bigger compartment that can be used to keep bigger wallets, sunglasses, or change in coins- a convenient feature to use in everyday life. There is plenty of storage in the front door bins, which are large enough to hold 500ml bottles; the rear door bins are more limited but can hold essentials. The ones that require more space can fold down the rear middle seat to access several compartments, two wireless charging bays, just like the front, which is quite convenient when going on a long trip.

Lastly, it has a large cargo area with 709 liters of cargo space that can be expanded to a whopping 1,739 liters when the back seats are folded down making it ideal to carry luggage or bulky items. In general, Tesla Model S in the UAE is a balanced experience of storage in terms of security, convenience, and the possibility of meeting all travel and lifestyle needs.

The safety technology on this Model S is very impressive. 

• Eight cameras with a full 360-degree view
• Autopilot system 
• Emergency braking, blind spot warnings, lane keeping assist
• Eight airbags
• A perfect 5-star safety rating

The entire design is just fluid. No haphazard bits poking out, no false air vents - everything is functional. It is like Tesla said, what would happen if we made a car that was basically a smooth bar of soap? And somehow it works.

The model S on the roads is no doubt a head turner. I must have stared at it parked outside my building for almost 10 minutes. It measures approximately 5 metres and it has a serious road appearance without being too wild to park in the tight spots of the UAE. 

That glass roof is something as it goes to the back all the way. This makes the cabin feel very open and airy which is ideal on long drives when you just want to sit in the back and gaze at the big blue skies. And you would also certainly like the way the glass keeps the heat out and yet lets in light. 

I personally prefer the new exterior design, it is a little more aggressive and refined than the previous one, particularly compared to the Model 3. The front headlights are seamlessly incorporated in the body that gives it a sharp and modern look. The wheel arches and side skirts are painted in body color and not only do they give the car a polished look but also result in a very impressive drag coefficient of 0.208.

As to the towing capacity, it can tow up to 750 kilograms with a trailer with brakes and 1,600 kilograms with the one that is not braked. The roof load capacity is 75 kilograms useful when you are adding roof racks or additional storage.

The Front End

I will now tell you the weird part. There’s no grille at all. When I saw the Model S for the first time, I thought something was missing! But in reality, it makes sense. EVs don’t need to suck in the air like ICE cars need to do. Additionally, it probably helps with crazy aerodynamics that keeps this thing so efficient in the hot UAE climate. 

The sleeK LED strips are also pretty cool and look futuristics, especially at night on UAE’s well-lit roads. 

The Side and Back

On the side, it is all about those clean lines. The mirrors fold automatically and the door handles are flush with the body (they pop out when you touch them - fancy!). Minor things, but they make the car feel luxurious.

The back is plain yet unique The LED taillights are also spread over the entire width, and you can see a Model S a long way down Emirates Road.

The standard wheels are 19-inch alloys, but you can upgrade to 21-inch, to get that extra sporty feeling. The design is completed by the integrated spoiler and sleek tail lights around back.

All in all, the Model S is a very stylish, practical and performance oriented car. I found the exterior design very appealing.

Okay, this car gets wild now. I drove the Plaid version, and quite frankly, nothing gets you ready for the acceleration. When you put it in the floor it's like being launched from a cannon. The figures tell you 0-100 km/h in 2.1 seconds, but feeling it is something else.

This is what the UAE line-up looks like:

The even regular AWD version is insanely quick The Plaid? That is hypercar territory I tried it on a closed road (safely), and the acceleration literally makes you gasp.

Real-World Driving

In everyday driving in Dubai, you do not require all that power. It is good to know it is there in case of highway merging or overtaking. Electric motors have instant torque, so there is no waiting time, you think about accelerating, and it happens.

The car is also different in driving modes The Chill mode makes it behave like a luxury sedan - smooth and quiet. Ideal to cruise around Marina or JBR. Sport will provide a little more performance and Plaid will open it all up. It even has a Track mode in case you ever take it to Dubai Autodrome.

Range and Efficiency

In my experience of driving the Tesla Model S Plaid extensively in the UAE, the car is by far superior to its German rivals in terms of electric range and efficiency. The Model S has a 100 kWh gross battery pack (reportedly 99 kWh net usable capacity according to various sources, but Tesla does not actually specify this in their spec sheets or press materials). The standard equipment of a heat pump is especially useful in the cooler months of the UAE winter, and increases efficiency when cabin heating is necessary.

Tesla states that the Model S has a range of about 600 km in mixed WLTP cycle in UAE conditions. But in my enthusiastic driving sessions, which involved many launch control demonstrations, I regularly recorded 400-430 km of real world range. I think that with a more economical driving style and no acceleration tests, the range would probably reach 460-500 km, which is also a very good result of such a high-performance vehicle.

This efficiency factor is especially noticeable when it comes to comparing it with the competitors in the UAE market. 

The general performance that Tesla has managed to extract out of their battery pack and the tri-motor system is worth recognition, particularly given the extreme performance capabilities. The smooth combination of regenerative braking, thermal management, and aerodynamic design (0.208 drag coefficient) allows the car to save a lot of energy both in the city and on the highway throughout the Emirates.

Among the first things that you see inside is the 17-inch display, which has been changed to the much more intuitive landscape format. The new layout is much more natural and adaptable, and what is even better is the possibility to electronically tilt the display towards the driver, passenger, or keep it in the middle-a nice touch that makes it more usable by all front-seat occupants.

The big touchscreen is the core of the vehicle operation, which allows controlling the climate settings, navigation, and the extensive range of apps that keep the drivers both informed and entertained. Interestingly the drive mode selector is also built into this touchscreen interface- swipe up to drive, swipe down to reverse, and tap to park. This is not a standard input but it takes some time to get used to but once familiar, it feels natural and contemporary. To prevent any mishap with touchscreen, Tesla has provided a backup touch input bar just below the wireless chargers.

One of the more surprising omissions is the lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, which Tesla owners have come to expect throughout the brand. Although the native system makes up with a rich set of features, this lack may be experienced by users who compare the Tesla ecosystem to other luxury electric vehicles.

The sound is amazing I am referring to 22 speakers that make each drive a concert. The system goes ahead to regulate the sound automatically depending on the number of people in the car and whether the windows are open. That is pretty smart stuff

Behind the steering wheel, the digital driver display supplies all necessary driving information and includes in-built navigation. Nevertheless, in contrast to some of its rivals, it is not customizable and does not have a head-up display, which is surprising given the technological edge of Tesla.

Talking of technology, the Tesla app is outstanding. Its simple interface turns your smartphone into a remote control of your vehicle, which makes it possible to pre-condition the cabin, open the tailgate, front trunk, or charging port, and even summon the car in some countries. The extra security of Sentry Mode, which uses the car cameras in a 360-degree view, highlights the comprehensive nature of Tesla vehicle security. 

The Tesla Model S is available in two variants in the UAE.

The pricing of UAE is quite simple:

Model S AWD (AED 322,990)

• 670 hp, 634 km range
• AWD, heated/cooled seat, Autopilot
• A 22-speaker sound system, top notch everything

Model S Plaid (AED 377,990)

• 1,020 hp, 600 km range
• Tri-motor configuration, Track mode, full performance
• The same luxury features, with track-oriented extras

It is costly. However, it is reasonable value compared to similar performance cars in Germany. Maintenance is also very cheap compared to conventional cars and the resale value is good.

I have spent several weeks with the Model S and I am impressed. It is not flawless - the spare interior design may be irritating to others, and the construction quality though much improved, is still not on the level of German luxury cars.

However, the driving is something special It is whisper quiet, ridiculously quick when you need it to be and actually practical in the UAE life. The technology is good, the charging infrastructure is okay and getting better, and the car actually improves with time as updates are done over the air.

The Model S is the electric luxury sedan that UAE buyers who want the best can get. It makes electric driving not only tolerable, but actually exciting and desirable.