Skip advert
Advertisement

Best American cars of all time - Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S shows that the US offers more than gas-guzzling V8's

Tesla’s Model S is not just one of the best electric American cars, it is one of the best electric cars, period. This is a seriously impressive feat when you think about how new to making cars Tesla is (compared to marques such as Ford). 

The Model S is a large saloon car that runs on electricity alone - but it's not limited to a short 150-mile range like some battery-powered vehicles. Since the first UK-market Model S arrived in 2014 Tesla has regularly revised and improved its saloon. So much so that the Model S now has a claimed range of 394 miles – almost 100 more than the longer-range model offered at launch. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Model S, even in its lowest-power guise, is a quick car and can easily embarrass some of the world’s best supercars. Then there’s the Model S Plaid, which is touching hypercar territory. The Model S Plaid trades 21 miles of theoretical range for a higher top speed (200mph vs 155) and a faster 0 to 60mph time (1.9 seconds vs 3.1). Numbers like these show that a gentle touch of the accelerator is enough to fire any Model S towards the horizon at a rapid pace. In addition to being seriously fast, the Model S is comfortable and luxurious. Then again, it should be as prices start at near enough £85,000 or north of £113,000 for the Plaid. 

With no engine, and the batteries and electric motor mounted low in the chassis, the Tesla is a really practical car. In the back, there’s plenty of legroom, you get three ISOFIX mountings and there’s also no transmission tunnel to be climbed over. Some early models even came with rear-facing jump seats in the boot suitable for kids under 10-years-old. Without them, there’s a huge amount of space to store your luggage, too.

Best American cars of all time:

  1. Ford Mustang
  2. Chevrolet Corvette
  3. Cadillac Eldorado
  4. Ford Model T
  5. Jeep Wrangler
  6. Tesla Model S
  7. Oldsmobile Curved Dash
  8. Cadillac Type 53
  9. Ford GT40
  10. Duesenberg Model J
Skip advert
Advertisement
Content editor

Ryan is responsible for looking after the day-to-day running of the Auto Express website and social media channels. Prior to joining Auto Express in 2023, he worked at a global OEM automotive manufacturer, as well as a specialist automotive PR and marketing agency.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Fastest-accelerating cars in the world 2025
Fastest-accelerating cars 06/25

Fastest-accelerating cars in the world 2025

Combustion-engined supercars are making a last stand against electrified machines in the fastest accelerating car stakes, here are all the top contend…
Best cars & vans
5 Jun 2025
Best used electric cars to buy now
Best used electric cars - header image

Best used electric cars to buy now

Looking to join the electric car revolution but have a smaller budget? Here are the best used electric cars to buy
Best cars & vans
13 Mar 2025
Trailblazing Tesla Model S and Model X finally axed in the UK
Tesla Model S - front cornering

Trailblazing Tesla Model S and Model X finally axed in the UK

A few left-hand-drive examples are still available, but once they’re gone, that’s it – in the UK anyway
News
25 Feb 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025