2014 Tesla Model S Performance 85 kWh $37,990

"Sleek," "desirable," "luxurious," "powerful" and "inspiring" are all words that one typically uses to describe the latest European luxury sedan. But in this case, they also describe America's latest and best homegrown electric vehicle, the 2014 Tesla Model S. With its luxury sedan accommodations, pulse-quickening performance, world-class handling and unmatched range, the Model S is a huge departure from the typical electric car. Yet thanks to a thoroughly modern interpretation of interior design and a host of advanced technological features (including an all-wheel-drive model and a rapidly expanding Supercharger network), the Model S also serves as a new benchmark for all vehicles, electric or otherwise. Despite these many virtues, the Tesla Model S is not exclusive to the ultra-wealthy. Pricing for the base model starts around $70,000 when new, and that's not including a federal tax credit. While this isn't exactly chump change, the base model's EPA-estimated range of 208 miles is more than double that of any other electric vehicle. To get the most out of your Model S ownership, though, we'd recommend the bigger (and more expensive) 85 kWh battery pack, which provides greater performance and an as much as 265 miles of range. Considering the Model S is a new type of car coming from a new, relatively tiny automaker that has just one previous car under its belt (the Roadster), perhaps it doesn't come as a surprise that there are some inevitable bugs to work out. You can read about our year-long experience with our own Model S with the 85 kWh battery and third-row seating option. Reliability was subpar at least in comparison to other, more established cars, but we've been impressed with the Model S's overall versatility and Tesla's prompt warranty service repairs. The 2014 Tesla Model S is a large, four-to-seven-passenger luxury sedan. It's available in four trim levels: 60, 85, P85 and P85D. Late in the model year, Tesla updated P85 models to come standard with a more powerful, dual-motor setup (detailed later in the Powertrains and Performance section), and these models are known as P85D. Each trim level's name refers to the kilowatt-hour (kWh) capacity (and thus battery capacity and output) of the sedan. The Model S 60 comes with 19-inch wheels, all-season tires, automatic xenon headlights, LED taillights, keyless entry and start, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 17-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, cloth and premium vinyl upholstery, heated eight-way power front seats (with four-way power lumbar), 60/40-split-folding rear seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a seven-speaker sound system with dual USB ports (media and charging) and HD radio. A cellular connection, Internet radio and WiFi connectivity are included. A universal mobile connector (with 110-volt, 240-volt and J1772 adapters) is included as well. Options for the Model S 60 include the Supercharger Enabled package that provides free, rapid charging (about half the charge in as little as 20 minutes) at Tesla's growing network of Supercharger stations around the country. Outfit the Model S with a second onboard charger for up to twice the standard rate of charge (up to 58 miles of range per hour) when combined with the optional 80-amp at-home wall charger. Range-enhancing tires are also available. The optional Tech package includes adaptive cruise control, frontal collision warning, LED running and cornering lights, automatic high-beam control, lighted door handles, auto-dimming mirrors, power-folding and heated exterior mirrors, a power hatchback, driver memory functions and a navigation system. (Depending on when your Model S was built, it may lack the adaptive cruise control, frontal collision warning and auto high beams.) Tesla says that future software updates for the Tech package will include an "Autopilot" function that allows for hands-free driving of the Model S, including automatically changing lanes by selecting the turn signal indicator, autonomous steering, a parking-spot detection system and hands-free parallel parking functions. The Smart Air Suspension option (requires the Tech pack) adds self-adjusting (adjustable height) suspension. Optional front and rear parking sensors and foglamps also require the Technology package. The Ultra High Fidelity Sound option ups the speaker count to 12 and also includes satellite radio. A Subzero Weather package adds heated rear seats, wiper blade defrosters and washer nozzle heaters. Clear film paint protection is offered, as is Matching Yacht Floor trim that coordinates the center console tray to the rest of the interior trim; otherwise the trim is high-gloss black. A Premium Interior package (requires leather seats) covers the lower instrument panel, armrests and driver airbag. Optional fold-flat rear-facing seats increase total passenger capacity to seven, while an Executive rear seat package eliminates the rear bench seat (replacing it with two captain's chairs) and reduces overall capacity to four passengers. The Executive rear seats and rear-facing seats cannot be simultaneously equipped. Finally, a simulated suede headliner, LED interior lighting and a parcel shelf round out the interior offerings. Besides an increase in battery capacity and motor output, the Model S 85 is Supercharger-enabled and comes with the range-enhancing tires. Otherwise all the above options are available. The P85 and P85D provide some additional power, plus red Brembo brake calipers and simulated suede headliner. Other options include a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, 21-inch wheels with high-performance summer tires and the Technology and Smart Air suspension packages, along with revised suspension tuning.