Model S vs. Model X: which one actually fits you now that both are discontinued.

Tesla stopped building new Model S and Model X units earlier this year, so if you want one today, you’re buying used. Here’s how the two actually differ.

Range and performance

In their final configurations, the Model S covered an EPA-estimated 309 to 410 miles depending on trim, with 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds (1.99 seconds for Plaid). The Model X covered 335 to 352 miles, with 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds (2.5 seconds for Plaid) — less range and performance, but seating for up to seven and the cargo flexibility of its falcon-wing SUV body.

Seats and cargo

Model S seats five. Model X can be configured for up to seven, which matters if you regularly carry more than four passengers or need a usable third row.

What “discontinued” means for a buyer

Tesla ended production of both to free up its Fremont line for Optimus, according to its January 2026 announcement, and said at the time it would keep servicing existing cars “for as long as people own the vehicles.” That said, software updates and third-party parts availability are both expected to slow down over time as Tesla shifts engineering resources to the Model 3 and Model Y. Worth factoring into a used purchase: even a late-model Model S or Model X will likely see fewer future software features land than a current Model Y does.

Used prices for both vary widely by year, battery health, and Autopilot hardware, so get a quote on the specific car you’re looking at rather than assuming a ballpark figure still holds. If you don’t need the extra seats or the falcon-wing doors, the Model S is the quicker, longer-range pick of the two. If you need third-row capacity, the Model X is the one built for it — though it’s worth cross-shopping a Model Y L, since that one is still in production and under full warranty.

Photo by Matheus Bertelli.