Pricier and heavier Tesla Model S and Model X refresh leaves fans unimpressed

Tesla has rolled out another update for its aging premium electric cars, the Model S and Model X, but the changes are drawing more criticism than applause. The refreshed models are now more expensive, heavier, and, in the case of the high-performance Model S Plaid, slower. This latest revision seems to widen the value gap between Tesla's top-tier offerings and its much more popular, and affordable, Model 3 and Model Y siblings.

The backlash, which quickly populated social media platforms following the announcement, centers on a simple premise: customers are being asked to pay more for less of what they valued. Both the Model S and Model X see their price tags inflated by a flat $5,000 across all trims. This pushes the starting price of the Model S All-Wheel Drive to $86,630, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $101,630. Similarly, the Model X All-Wheel Drive starts at $91,630, with its Plaid version commanding a $106,630 price tag.

The most talked-about change is the quiet downgrade of the Model S Plaid's top speed. Previously touted with a headline-grabbing 200 mph capability, the new models are now listed with a much lower top speed of 149 mph.

The 200 mph figure was always contingent on a pricey optional track package with special brakes, but the new, lower number on the spec sheet feels like a step backward for a vehicle defined by its extreme performance. In exchange for the reduced top speed, Tesla delivered a slight increase in the Plaid's estimated range, up from 348 miles to 368 miles.

The updates also add weight to these already heavy electric cars, with the Model S Plaid gaining another 25.8 lb. The Model X Plaid has packed on a more substantial {{83 kilograms}}, bringing its total curb weight to a hefty 5,434 lb. This extra mass comes from a handful of new features, but it works against the very performance ethos that defines the Plaid models. While the base Model X saw a significant range boost to 352 miles, critics question if the trade-offs in weight and cost are justified by the incremental upgrades.

What else do the buyers get for their money? Tesla says it has improved ride comfort with tweaked suspension components and new bushings. The company also claims the cabins are now quieter, thanks to better noise insulation and a more effective Active Noise Cancellation system.

Aesthetically, the interior now features multi-color ambient LED lighting, and drivers gain a front bumper camera with its own washer for better visibility when parking. There are also new wheel designs and a new "Frost Blue" exterior paint option. These features feel more like minor quality-of-life updates than a significant refresh, especially since they lack the advanced technology, such as steer-by-wire or an 800-volt architecture, found on the newer Cybertruck.

The once-standard yoke steering wheel is no longer a default feature on the base models. It is now relegated to a $1,000 option, and only on the top-tier Plaid trims. This decision appears to be a quiet admission that the futuristic design was not universally loved. With sales of the Model S and Model X slowing to the point where Tesla groups them into an "Other Models" category in its sales reports, this lukewarm update does little to reignite interest in the vehicles that first established the brand as a leader in the EV space.

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