The most recent iterations of Tesla’s flagship cars, the Model S and Model X, have been formally launched. They contain a few new features, minor styling changes, and—most importantly—a $5,000 price rise for the entire lineup.
What’s New for the Model S and Model X in 2025?
The upgrades are comparatively little, even though they are being promoted as a refresh. What Tesla added or altered is as follows:
- New Frost Blue Paint: $2,500 for this high-end exterior paint choice.
- Improvements in Slight Range:
With 19-inch magnetite wheels, the Model S Long Range can now travel up to 410 miles.
With the $4,500 upgrade of 21 Velarium wheels, range drops to 380 miles, which is little less than earlier estimates. - Wheel Updates:
Model S: 21-inch Velarium and 19-inch Magnetite wheels.
Model X: New 22-inch Machina and 20-inch Perihelix wheels. - Front Bumper Camera: This new camera helps with ADAS features like spotting potholes in the road.
- Better Interior Acoustics: Active noise cancellation is more successful and there is less wind and road noise, though Tesla could not disclose any numbers.
- Dynamic Ambient Lighting: Entering S/X now offers animated lighting sequences similar to those in Model 3/Y.
- Suspension Upgrade: A smoother ride thanks to new bushings and suspension design.
- One new safety feature that is common to all of Tesla’s models is adaptive driving beams.
- Updates to the Plaid Model: Minor cosmetic changes, such as a new rear diffuser and a redesigned front end for increased stability at high speeds.
- Interior of the Model X: There is a little more room for third-row passengers and luggage, though details were not made public.
Price Changes
The biggest visible update may be the cost:
| Model | Variant | New Price (USD) | Price Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model S | Long Range | $84,990 | +$5,000 |
| Model S | Plaid | $99,990 | +$5,000 |
| Model X | Long Range | $89,990 | +$5,000 |
| Model X | Plaid | $104,990 | +$5,000 |
Diverse Responses and the Market Environment
The update has been deemed lackluster by critics, despite the fact that it brings the Model S and X closer to the appearance and feature set of the more recent Model 3 and Model Y. Several highly anticipated innovations, such steer-by-wire and the 48-volt architecture first seen in the Cybertruck, were left out of the Tesla.
The future of these luxury automobiles seems to be stalling in terms of sales. According to reports, Tesla has stopped disclosing individual Model S and X delivery numbers. In Q1 2025, total sales (including Cybertruck and Semi) were only 12,881 units, which translates to a yearly pace of only about 32,000 units.
The bottom line
Though it lacks the cutting-edge features that many had anticipated for, Tesla’s 2025 upgrade to the Model S and Model X provides modest design and comfort enhancements. With a significant price increase and few real improvements, the update appears to be more aimed toward Tesla acolytes than at increasing the consumer appeal of its high-end automobiles.