HERE'S WHAT IT'S LIKE TO OWN THE TESLA MODEL S PLAID: DUDE, I LOVE (OR HATE) MY RIDE!

EV Channels Review

This episode of 'Dude, I Love (Or Hate) My Ride!' features an in-depth look at the Tesla Model S Plaid, with owner Chris sharing his experience after purchasing it in late September with around 6,000 miles. The primary highlight is the car's astonishing acceleration, described as addictive and unparalleled, making it the quickest accelerating car available. However, the owner notes that while exhilarating in a straight line, it doesn't offer the same corner-carving fun as a smaller vehicle like the Model 3. Road trips are manageable, with an average of 300 miles per charge, though charging can take 20-30 minutes for a significant boost, and up to an hour for a full charge. Criticisms include the controversial yoke steering wheel, which the owner finds less preferable than a traditional wheel despite its utility with Autopilot, and persistent build quality issues like panel gaps and rattles, which are unexpected for a car at this price point. The owner also touches on the limitations of Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta and the car's top speed being capped at 165 mph without further hardware and software upgrades. Despite these drawbacks, the owner unequivocally loves the acceleration, stating it's the main reason for his satisfaction with the vehicle.