Tesla Model S and Model X Refresh: What’s New and What’s the Cost?

Hey everyone, DennisCW here! I’ve been eagerly awaiting the reveal of the updated Tesla Model S and Model X, and today, we finally have the details. While there aren’t too many surprises due to the numerous leaks over the past few weeks (or even months), there are still some intriguing updates worth diving into. Let’s break down the refreshed Model S and Model X, explore the new features, discuss the price increases, and share my initial thoughts on whether these changes are trending in the right direction.

Price Increases: A $5,000 Jump Across the Board

First things first, let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. Both the Model S and Model X have seen a $5,000 price hike across all variants. If you’ve been following Tesla news like I have, you might recall that the Model X received a price bump around January or February, while the Model S saw a similar increase in November or December (don’t quote me on the exact dates, but I’ll confirm them later). This latest increase just adds to the trend, and honestly, I’m not thrilled about it. Tesla is a business, and I get that they need to adjust pricing, but it’s a tough pill to swallow for potential buyers.

Design Updates: Aggressive Rims and Subtle Tweaks

Now, let’s talk about the aesthetics. The refreshed Model S and Model X come with some noticeable design changes. Starting with the exterior, the new wheels (or rims, if you prefer) are striking. The Model X sports 20-inch Perhix wheels, while the Model S gets 19-inch Magnetite wheels (pardon my pronunciation on those names!). These rims give the vehicles a much more aggressive and sporty look, especially on the Model S Plaid version, which also features a redesigned front bumper.

Looking at the interior, the updates are more subtle but still cool. Tesla has taken ambient lighting to the next level with multicolor LED lighting on the dashboard, center console, front and rear doors, footwells, and even door pockets. You can now customize the colors to your liking, which adds a nice personal touch. It’s a feature we’ve seen in the Model 3 and Model Y, and I’m glad to see it extended across the lineup.

New Features: What’s Under the Hood (and Inside the Cabin)?

Beyond the visual updates, Tesla has packed in some functional improvements:

• Front Bumper Camera with Washer: This is a welcome addition to both the Model S and Model X. Now, the Model 3 is the only Tesla vehicle without this feature. Better visibility and safety? I’m all for it.
• Enhanced Ambient Lighting: As mentioned, the LED lighting is now customizable and more extensive, covering multiple areas of the interior.
• New Exterior Colors: Two new colors are available—Frost Blue Metallic ($2,500) and Diamond Black ($1,500). Fresh options for those looking to stand out.
• Matte Black Front Tesla Logo: A small but sleek change from the previous chrome logo.
• Improved Noise Reduction: Tesla claims less wind and road noise, along with more effective active noise cancellation. I’ll believe it when I drive it, but it sounds promising.
• Smoother Ride: Thanks to new bushings and an updated suspension design, the ride quality should be improved. Again, I’ll reserve judgment until I test it myself.
• Adaptive Driving Beams: The LED headlights now feature adaptive beams, similar to the Model Y.
• More Space in Model X: Tesla says there’s more room for third-row occupants and cargo in the Model X. I’m curious to see how they’ve achieved this.
• New On-Screen Welcome Animation: A fun little touch when you open the car, though I couldn’t help but chuckle at its inclusion in the refresh highlights.

Overall, these updates seem like a mix of practical improvements and small, flashy additions. I’m intrigued, but I’ll need to get behind the wheel to truly feel the difference in ride quality and noise reduction.

My Initial Thoughts: A Lack of Substance?

I’ll be honest—while I’m excited to see a refresh for the Model S and Model X, I can’t help but feel there’s a lack of substantial innovation here. Many of these updates are incremental, and the price increase feels like a bitter trade-off. Tesla seems to be focusing heavily on features like ambient lighting (with multiple bullet points dedicated to it in their release notes), which feels a bit like they’re trying to hype up smaller changes. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good LED glow, but I was hoping for something more groundbreaking.

There’s also a part of me that wonders if Tesla is trending in the wrong direction with these price hikes and relatively minor updates. Are they prioritizing profit margins over delivering jaw-dropping value? Maybe. But as always, I’ll reserve my final judgment until I can drive these refreshed models and experience the changes firsthand.

Protect Your Credit Before Financing a Tesla

Speaking of buying a Tesla, if you’re planning to finance one of these updated models (or any Tesla), there’s something crucial you need to do first: protect your credit. I recently learned that Bank of America had a data breach and didn’t notify customers for a month. That’s right—your social security number, phone number, and email could be exposed on the dark web for weeks or even months before you’re informed. On average, companies take 277 days to report a breach. That’s 9 months of vulnerability!

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Final Thoughts and What’s Next

The refreshed Tesla Model S and Model X bring some cool updates to the table—new rims, enhanced ambient lighting, and practical features like the front bumper camera. However, with a $5,000 price increase across the board, I’m left wondering if the value matches the cost. I’m excited to check out the builder pages for more details and, of course, to test drive these vehicles to see if the improvements are as noticeable as Tesla claims.

What do you think of the refresh? Are the new features worth the price hike, or were you hoping for more? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more Tesla updates and tech content. Until next time, this is DennisCW signing off!

Stay charged,
DennisCW