The Tesla Model S and X receive a few Updates for 2026

The company’s flagship products get a few new features, new wheel designs, and a quieter cabin.
The Model S Long Range also gets about 13 kilometres more range, for a total of 660 km.
These updates are quite light, considering the Model S launched in 2012 and the Model X in 2015.

Following on from the updates made to the Tesla Model Y earlier this year, the American EV maker is making some changes to its two flagship products, the Model S sedan and the Model X crossover.

While the Model Y (and the Model 3 before it) benefited from a comprehensive mid-cycle refresh, the updates to the Model S and X are quite small in comparison.

New 2025 Tesla Model Y Launch Series Arrive in March at $84,990

Indeed, the sedan now offers 660 kilometres (410 miles) of range, up from 647 kilometres, and tweaked aerodynamic exterior design elements for the Plaid version that aim to improve stability at high speeds.

The Model X gets more interior space in the third row and in the cargo compartment.

In addition, both models share a new Frost Blue paint colour, a quieter cabin thanks to improved active noise cancellation as well as reduced road and wind noise, new wheel designs, a new front camera, dynamic ambient lighting, revised bushings and suspension components that provide a smoother ride, and finally, active high beams.

Prices have also been increased by $5,000 in the United States, pushing base prices to $84,990 for the Model S and $89,990 for the Model X.

In Canada, the Model S now starts at $133,990, and the Model X is priced from $140,990. However, not all updates are displayed on the brand’s website, as buyers are encouraged to browse existing inventories to avoid tariffs on new vehicles.

While the Model X and especially the Model S were groundbreaking when they were introduced, showing electric vehicles could be fast, practical, and appealing to the mass public, the competition has caught up.

Indeed, companies such as Lucid and Rivian now offer EVs that are more modern, have more range, charge faster, and are more affordable than the Model S and X.

For example, the Lucid Air offers up to 824 kilometres of range and can accept fast charging at a rate of up to 400 kW thanks to its 800-volt battery architecture. In addition, the Lucid Air has a much more modern design than the Tesla Model S, which still sports a lightly refreshed version of its original 2012 appearance.

Another comparison pits the Rivian R1S against the Tesla Model X. Here again, the Rivian comes out ahead, with up to 660 kilometres of range and a more modern and distinctive style. The Tesla does charge faster, however.

Given Tesla’s reputation as an innovator in the EV market, more was expected from the Model S and Model X updates.

Something that could have made these vehicles more competitive is an 800-volt architecture that would have allowed faster charging than the 250-kW cap imposed by the 400-volt system.

Tesla already employs this technology in the Cybertruck, and much more affordable models from General Motors, Hyundai, and Kia can also boast 800-volt charging.

If Tesla wants to take back its place as the leader of EV innovation and development, it will need to do more than just restyle its most expensive sedan and SUV.