After eagerly anticipating its arrival, I recently took delivery of my 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid, equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. This marked an upgrade from my trusted 2016 Model S, which served me faithfully from new. The journey to owning this Plaid was a bit of a Tesla rollercoaster. Initially, I had placed an order for the Plaid+ model, drawn to its promised features and extended range. However, when that model was unfortunately canceled by Elon, I shifted my order to the standard Model S. Faced with a significant wait time for the base model, I ultimately circled back to the “plain” Plaid, as it offered the quickest path to getting behind the wheel of a new Tesla.
Having now spent considerable time with the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid, I’m ready to share my comprehensive perceptions and comparisons to my previous Model S, focusing on what makes this vehicle truly stand out.
Navigating the Yoke: More Than Just Hype
The unconventional yoke steering wheel of the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid has been a significant talking point, and I approached it with an open mind, ready to adapt. While the yoke is largely a non-issue and even offers benefits, there are a couple of instances where its design presents minor challenges.
Initial Impressions and Minor Nuisances
On winding Vermont roads, I encountered a slight inconvenience. When preparing for a turn, the directional buttons, integrated into the yoke, weren’t immediately locatable. The yoke wasn’t horizontally aligned at that moment, leading to a rare fumble with the turn signal. It’s a small learning curve, and as Elon Musk optimistically suggests, Full Self-Driving is intended to mitigate such manual inputs in the future. (And in my experience, Elon, despite timelines, generally delivers on his promises).
Another minor annoyance is the proximity of the windshield wiper button to the cruise control thumbwheel. I found myself occasionally brushing the wiper button while adjusting cruise control speed. Similar to my 2016 Model S, initiating Autosteer at lower speeds in town doesn’t automatically adjust upwards when the speed limit increases. A potential improvement could be requiring a longer press for the wiper button activation.
Visibility and Comfort
Despite these initial minor adjustments, the yoke in the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid is surprisingly comfortable and offers an expansive, unobstructed view of the instrument panel and central screen. The unique design ultimately fades into the background during regular driving, becoming a natural part of the driving experience.
Unleashing the Plaid Performance: A Beast on the Road
The “Plaid” designation is not just for show; the performance of the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid is truly in another league. It out-handles any vehicle I’ve personally owned, including past experiences with Porsche Caymans and Panamera loaners. The low center of gravity gives it a planted, glued-to-the-road feel, and the suspension is exceptionally well-tuned, providing both comfort and responsiveness.
Handling and Suspension
The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid excels in cornering and overall agility. The suspension absorbs road imperfections effectively while maintaining composure during spirited driving. This balance of comfort and performance is a hallmark of the Plaid’s engineering.
Mind-Bending Acceleration and Speed
At my age, outright speed isn’t my primary focus, but the Plaid’s acceleration is undeniably breathtaking. During my initial road trip from Boston to Vermont, in a designated passing zone, I instinctively floored the accelerator to pass. This was an experience I wouldn’t necessarily recommend casually attempting! The car is an absolute performance machine. Starting from around 45 mph, the acceleration was unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. Before I even returned to my lane, the speedometer had surged to 104 mph.
Image of the Tesla Model S Plaid interior, showcasing the yoke steering wheel and digital displays, emphasizing the vehicle’s modern and performance-oriented design.
Autopilot Safety Features and Speed Limits
The car’s reaction to this burst of speed was noteworthy. The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid promptly fussed at me and disabled Autosteer. Apparently, exceeding certain speed thresholds triggers a safety protocol, deeming the driver potentially irresponsible with Autopilot. This safety feature is impressively engineered, as even rebooting the computer couldn’t restore Autosteer immediately. It required completing the current “trip” and initiating a new one to regain Autosteer functionality.
This experience underscores Tesla’s commitment to safety, often overlooked amidst criticisms. Despite Senator Markey’s concerns and others, Tesla’s engineers in Fremont have clearly prioritized safety, perhaps more comprehensively than any other automaker. The sophisticated safety measures built into the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid are a testament to this dedication.
Autopilot and Full Self-Driving: Navigating the Nuances
It’s crucial to remember that Tesla’s “Autopilot” is designed as a driver assistance system. Drivers must remain vigilant and prepared to take control at any moment. The technology in the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid is invaluable for enhancing safety and providing early warnings, particularly when human attention might waver.
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Recognition
With Autosteer engaged, the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid now provides warnings as you approach traffic lights, regardless of the color. While this cautious approach is safety-oriented, it can be slightly overzealous, as the car slows unnecessarily even for green lights, requiring a tap on the accelerator to resume speed. Hopefully, future iterations of Full Self-Driving (FSD) will refine this behavior.
Gravel Roads and Unmarked Pavement
Autosteer functionality has expanded significantly. The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid can now even navigate gravel roads, a capability that demonstrates Tesla’s progress towards full autonomy. While I initially approached gravel road Autosteer with some skepticism, its functionality is surprisingly robust, aligning with Elon Musk’s vision for FSD. Autosteer’s ability to read and follow unpainted pavement seams has also noticeably improved, contributing to a confident “on rails” driving sensation.
Road Construction and Obstacle Avoidance
Encountering road construction near Walden Pond, I observed the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid handle cones with remarkable precision. When approaching cones, including one that was knocked over, the car intelligently hugged the center line to avoid the fallen cone without crossing over, then smoothly recentered itself in the lane. It also proactively slowed down upon detecting the roadside cones, showcasing impressive obstacle awareness.
Areas for Improvement – Bicyclist Detection
While Autopilot demonstrates significant advancements, it’s not yet flawless. In one instance, the system’s reaction to a bicyclist wasn’t as prompt as I would have preferred, prompting me to take manual control. This highlights areas where ongoing development is crucial. Tesla’s “Dojo” project, designed to analyze vast amounts of driving data, is intended to continuously refine the software and improve these types of interactions in future updates.
Speed Limit Sign Recognition
A particularly impressive feature is the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid’s accurate interpretation of speed limit signs, including nuanced town-wide speed limits. In areas with signs indicating a speed limit followed immediately by a “25 mph townwide limit unless otherwise posted” sign, the car correctly recognizes and maintains the higher speed limit where applicable, rather than reverting to 25 mph unnecessarily.
The Tesla Advantage: Continuous Improvement and Owner Loyalty
A key reason for Tesla owners’ strong affinity for their vehicles is the continuous improvement through over-the-air software updates. Unlike traditional automakers, Tesla vehicles evolve and enhance their capabilities over time. For older drivers like myself, this is a significant benefit. As driving faculties may naturally decline with age, the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid will continue to improve, offering enhanced safety and driver assistance features.
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Comfort and Quietness – Superior to Luxury Brands
The seats in the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid are remarkably comfortable, mirroring the upgrades in my 2016 model. Even on extended drives, they remain supportive and pain-free. This comfort level, as Sandy Munro has also highlighted, surpasses many luxury brands. Furthermore, the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid incorporates insulated glass, resulting in a remarkably quiet cabin. At 65 mph, it’s quieter than my previous Mercedes S560 and rivals the hushed ambiance of Porsche Panamera loaners I’ve experienced. Road noise is minimal, creating a serene driving environment.
Sound System Excellence
The premium sound system in the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid, which I also opted for in my 2016 model, continues to impress. It far outperforms the “Burmester” system in my 2019 Mercedes S560, which suffered from perceptible total harmonic distortion and crossover distortion. The Tesla system delivers crystal-clear audio with no noticeable distortion, providing an exceptional listening experience.
Addressing the “Always Late” Perception
The common criticism that Tesla is “always late” needs to be viewed in context. Tesla operates on a different paradigm compared to traditional automakers. Elon Musk sets ambitious goals and pushes the boundaries of technology. While timelines may sometimes be missed, the result is groundbreaking products that consistently outpace the competition. No other automaker currently offers vehicles with the level of technology and continuous improvement found in a Tesla, electric or otherwise. Tesla is actively shaping the future of automotive technology, and the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid is a prime example of this forward-thinking approach.
The Minor Drawback – Missing Energy Usage Display
If there’s one aspect I genuinely miss in the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid, it’s the absence of the old energy usage display. As someone who frequently undertakes long road trips, often venturing beyond established charging networks, monitoring energy consumption is crucial for me. Previously, I relied on the energy usage display to assess real-time energy consumption against predicted usage, accounting for factors like drafting, headwinds, and rain, to optimize my range and charging strategy. Without this display, judging how far I can push the range, even with the Plaid’s extended range, becomes less intuitive. It’s a personal preference, but restoring the classic energy usage app via a software update would be a welcome improvement.
Conclusion: A Technological Marvel and a Driver’s Dream
In summary, the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid is an exceptional vehicle – a mechanical, aerodynamic, and technological marvel. It’s undeniably powerful, perhaps even excessively so for my personal needs, but the sheer performance is captivating. While I might have been equally content with the standard Model S, the Plaid’s quicker availability and the opportunity to further support Tesla’s mission of sustainable transportation made it a worthwhile choice. Beyond the exhilarating performance, the continuous improvement through software updates, the advanced Autopilot system, and the overall driving experience solidify the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid as a leader in the electric vehicle landscape. I eagerly anticipate joining the ranks of Tesla’s FSD Beta drivers when the update becomes available and look forward to sharing further insights as the technology evolves.
