Tesla Cars is a unique car brand thanks to its entirely electric lineup, making it one of a very small list of companies that produce only electric vehicles. The company’s vehicles are built on a bespoke EV platform, which allows Tesla’s designers to maximise space and practicality elements inside the cabin. Tesla’s vehicles are very heavy on the technology side of things, with a large central-mounted display taking control of most vehicle functions, which is also quite unique and has inspired a number of its rivals to follow suit. Tesla is also one of the leaders of battery technologies, which gives its vehicles some of the most impressive driving range figures on the market.

The most popular models of Tesla Cars here in Australia include the Model Y and the Model 3. In terms of outright sales, the Model Y is currently Tesla’s best-selling vehicle, taking third-place in Australia’s overall sales in May, 2023 with 3178 vehicles sold, followed by the Model 3 sedan and the Model X SUV. In the past, the Model S sedan was Tesla’s most popular model, though it has been overtaken by more affordable options like the Model 3 and Model Y.

Over time, Tesla has reported mixed results when it comes to reliability. Some consumer reports, like the iSeeCars reliability study named the company a good long-term option for reliability with an overall score of 8.8 out of 10, while the more comprehensive 2023 edition of the JD Power Dependability Study reported that Tesla had more reliability issues than the industry average. In that report, Tesla Cars reported 242 problems per 100 vehicles, which is above the industry average of 186 problems per 100 vehicles.

Range figures for Tesla’s cars start at 455km in the Model Y SUV, rising to 491km in the entry-level Model 3 and up to 547km in the Model X. Tesla’s vehicles with the longest range figures include the Model 3 Long Range which offers 602km of range, 514km in the Model Y Performance and up to 580km in the Model X dual-motor Long Range. 

Charging times for the Model 3 with a standard 11kW AC charger stand at just over six-hours, rising to over eight-hours in the Model 3 Long Range variant. With the help of one of Tesla’s DC  Superchargers, you can drop this down to thirty-minutes, depending on the variant. Charging times for the larger batteries powering the Model X SUV take around seven-hours with a 16kW charger, dropping to 30-minutes when recharging at one of Tesla’s Superchargers.

Here in Australia, prices for Tesla Cars range from $61,300 for the entry-level Model 3 rear-wheel drive, up to $174,000 for the range-topping Model X Performance. For reference, prices for the Model Y range from $69,300 for the rear-wheel drive variant, with Long Range variants of the Model 3 and Model Y priced at $74,300 and $82,300, respectively. The range-topping Model 3 Performance is priced at $88,015 while the Model Y Performance is priced at $98,415. Keep in mind that these prices do not include on-road costs.

Tesla Cars are fitted with an array of sensors and onboard cameras that offer a range of high-tech safety features to keep its driver and surrounding motorists and pedestrians safe. Five-star ANCAP safety ratings are buoyed by standard equipment lists that includes autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warnings, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance, cameras and parking sensors, and lane departure alerts.

Tesla Cars are powered by either a single electric motor sitting at the rear axle, or two electric motors sitting at the front and rear of the vehicle. In the base Model 3, the electric motor is paired with a 62.3kWh battery pack, while dual-motor variants of the Model 3 pick up a larger 82kWh battery pack. The Model Y is offered with the same mix of single and dual-motor engine options with a 62.3kWh battery as standard, increasing to 82kWh in the Model 3 Long Range and Performance variants.

Tesla Cars are backed by a four-year, 80,000km warranty for the vehicle itself, while the battery, motors and high-voltage components are backed by an eight-year warranty, with a kilometre cap of 160,000km for rear-wheel drive Model 3 and Model Y variants, increasing to 192,000km for all-wheel drive variants. Tesla claims that its batteries will offer capacities of at least 70 per cent over eight-years from the date of purchase.

As one of the first mass manufacturers of electric vehicles, Tesla is considered one of the world’s leading companies when it comes to technology and particularly innovation in the world of electric motors and high capacity battery packs. Tesla’s head-start on the competition has given its cars some of the most impressive range figures across all segments that it competes in, while its charging network offers some of the fastest charging times for the segment. Tesla famously markets itself as a technology company, which means the high-tech features list continues inside the cabin and is headlined by a simplistic design paired with a large central-mounted display that controls the majority of vehicle functions.

The most common problems reported by Tesla owners include battery deterioration - that results in decreasing range figures over time - as well as suspension issues and problematic heat pumps. Tesla Cars have also been notorious for problems with the fit and finish of door panels, interior panels like the dashboard, issues with the AutoPilot system and issues with the infotainment display.

While its cars are complex, high-tech affairs, thanks to the simplicity of an electric motor that requires just one moving part, Tesla Cars need far less maintenance than a comparable petrol or diesel-powered vehicle. Like all cars, Tesla vehicles do need some maintenance, though, which typically involves replacing, rotating and balancing the tyres, replacing brake pads and brake fluid, and air conditioning filters.