2013 Tesla Model S Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

2013 Tesla Model S Long-Term Road Test

We take a look at our Tesla Model S's rearward visibility.

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throwback

Unfortunately most modern cars have terrible rear visibility. I recently rode in a mid 70's Mercedes and the outward visibility was great. Partly due to the thinner pillars, but mostly due to the amount of glass area in the car. Todays cars use relatively small side glass with steeply raked backscreens.

mensadoc

Yeah, this car inspires so many superlatives that it's difficult to find any details to pan, isn't it?
The Model S is, without doubt, the finest automobile I've ever owned (and I've owned some very fine cars over the years).

zimtheinvader

" Todays cars use relatively small side glass with steeply raked backscreens." --- yep, it is all about making them look sleeker today rather than being able to see while you drive.

duck87

At what price beauty? Just remember to plug the damn car in

mercedesfan

@mensadoc,

I'm also a highly satisfied owner, but I disagree with you. The Model S is definitely the most fun sedan I've ever owned (which is worth a lot), but as an overall car it doesn't measure up to its price competitors in a number of ways. It isn't

throwback

mercedesfan, what you are experiencing (with the Benz) is the benefit of many decades of building high end, premium cars. Mercedes simply has it down to a science. They lost their way with the S class before your model, but they seem to be back on track. Have you seen the leaked photos of the next gen S class' interior? Simply stunning, and I 've never been a S class fan.

fordson1

Wow - you get across that you're a Mensa member, a doctor, have an expensive car and have had many of them in the past...all in 2 sentences. And you live in the biggest house on the biggest side of town.

duck87

Man, I wish I was a Mensa doc. I'm only a Mensa engineer, which means I drive a beater RX-7 with a LS1 engine swap. This car inspires so many expletives that it's difficult to find any details to praise. It is, without a doubt, the finest beater I have ever owned (and I have owned many fine beaters over the years).

noburgers

maybe it's just me, but I like to see where I'm going, and behind me as well. On a track by itself, only going forward, then the 'S' would be a delight

stovt001_

For the first time I wish this was jalopnik so Duck87 could win comment of the day.

toto_48313

The C Pillar is wide, but I never had any issue with rear or side visibility, while driving or going back.
The visibility is definitly much better that what I was expecting when I saw the car design for the first time.

printerman1

I agree, but, do you notice most small cars are lacking in rear window visibility. Over the decade, the lack of visual. Plus the irritating use of the white headlights, which many people leave on high beam.

nanostream

Perhaps that's why they put a wide angle HD video camera above the license plate that works while in reverse or when driving. I use this more than the rear view mirror these days.

jeffhre

I suppose that mensa certification doesn't take you as far as I had fantasized it would. Do ya get a certificate with that to hang on your wall or something? Duck87, great comment, but I'm sort of a Mercedes S fan too. Never driven one though.

mayhemm

Just trollin', fellas?

FYI, I only took this username because MRUNIVERSEIMTEHBEST was taken.