Articles & guides
buying-guide - Tesla Articles
Guides, reviews, and ownership tips — read by thousands of Tesla owners.
Articles

Test drive a Tesla before you order.
Tesla offers a showroom demo drive, a self-serve option, and a new at-home program called Tesla Ride, and none of them use the exact car you’ll eventually take delivery of.

Picking between the Model Y, Model 3, and Cybertruck in 2026.
With Model S and Model X gone, Tesla’s new-car lineup is down to three — here’s what each one actually costs and who it fits.

Model Y L or Rivian R1S: how the specs actually compare
Both are three-row electric SUVs for a family, but they land in very different price brackets. Here’s how the Model Y L and Rivian R1S actually compare on seats, range, and towing.

Tesla AWD vs. RWD: which drivetrain should you actually buy?
RWD Teslas cost less and go farther per charge than the AWD version of the same trim. Here’s what the extra motor on AWD actually buys you.

Model 3 vs. Model Y: how to choose based on what you actually need
Model 3 and Model Y are close on price and nearly identical on base range, so the real decision comes down to how much cargo space you actually need.

Thinking about a Model Y L instead of a Model X? Read this first.
Tesla’s six-seat Model Y L and the three-row Model X both fit a family, but only one of them Tesla will still sell you new.

The 2026 Model Y just earned IIHS’s top safety award. Here’s what that covers.
The redesigned 2026-27 Model Y earned IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ award. Here’s exactly what it scored well on, and the one category where it didn’t.

The 2026 Tesla lineup, explained.
With Model S and Model X production over, the current Tesla lineup is Model 3, Model Y, Model Y L, and Cybertruck. Here’s what each one costs right now.

Model 3 vs. Cybertruck: which one actually fits you.
A sedan built to be cheap, efficient, and easy to park versus a truck built to haul and tow — how the Model 3 and Cybertruck actually compare on price, size, range, cargo, and towing.

Tesla’s certified pre-owned program, explained.
Tesla launched a real certified pre-owned program in August 2026. Here’s what the inspection, warranty, and pricing actually cover if you’re shopping used.

Cybertruck vs. Model S: which one actually fits you.
A stainless-steel truck and a performance sedan aren’t really cross-shopped, but if you are choosing between them, here’s how they actually compare on price, range, and what they’re built to do.

What to set up in the Tesla app before your car arrives.
Your Tesla Account works before delivery day. Here’s what you can and can’t do in the app while your order is still pending.

Model 3 vs. Model X: which one actually fits you.
The Model 3 is Tesla’s affordable, high-volume sedan, while the Model X is a three-row flagship SUV that’s no longer in production and getting more expensive as inventory shrinks.

Model 3 vs. Model S: which one actually fits you.
The Model 3 is the affordable, practical daily driver, while the Model S now means paying six figures for one of Tesla’s last leftover flagship sedans.

Model S vs. Model Y: which one actually fits you.
The Model S starts about $70,000 higher than the Model Y and is now in its final, discontinued model year, while the Model Y offers more seating flexibility and everyday range at a fraction of the price.

How Tesla’s ordering process actually works, step by step
A step-by-step look at how Tesla’s online ordering process actually works, from configuring the car to the order fee to the pending tasks in the Tesla app.

Do you need running boards for your Tesla?
Running boards help some Tesla owners more than others. Here’s who actually benefits, and what to check before you buy a set.

Model S vs. Model X: which one actually fits you.
Both are sold from remaining inventory only. Here’s how the flagship sedan and SUV actually compare.

Get your home ready before your Tesla arrives.
Home charging installation takes longer than delivery does. Line up an electrician, a permit, and your HOA before your Tesla shows up.

Model 3 trims: which one should you buy.
Tesla now sells four Model 3 trims, and the old “Long Range” name is gone. Here’s what Standard, Premium RWD, Premium AWD, and Performance actually get you.

Model 3 vs. Model Y: which one actually fits you.
The Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV share a platform but differ on cargo space, starting price, and range — here is how they actually compare as of August 2026.

Found a problem at your Tesla delivery? Here’s what happens next.
A paint chip, an uneven panel gap, a rattle from the trunk liner. Here’s how to document it, report it, and actually get it fixed.

Model Y vs. Model Y L: which one actually fits you.
Tesla’s stretched, six-seat Model Y L costs about $20,000 more than a standard Model Y. Here’s who actually needs the extra row.

Frunk and Trunk Organizers: Do You Actually Need One?
Tesla’s front and rear trunks have real weight limits and no built-in dividers. Here’s what the owner’s manual says, and when an organizer earns its keep.

Buying a Used Tesla From Tesla: What the Price Actually Includes
Tesla sells its own used inventory with a fixed, non-negotiable price. Here’s what that price covers, and what it adds on top.

Home Delivery vs. Pickup Center: What Actually Differs When You Get Your Tesla
Home delivery and pickup at a Tesla location differ in more than convenience: who shows up, how much you can inspect before accepting, and how paperwork gets signed all change depending on which one you get.

Tesla Model X trims compared: which one should you buy?
Tesla ended Model X production in 2026, so here’s how the AWD and Plaid trims compare on price, range, performance, and seating for anyone shopping remaining or used inventory.

Tesla Cybertruck trims compared: which one should you buy?
A trim-by-trim look at the current Cybertruck lineup — AWD, Premium AWD, and Cyberbeast — to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget.

How Tesla’s Referral Program Works, and What You Actually Get
Tesla’s referral program is a company-run perk system, not a tax credit, and the exact rewards for buyers and referrers change often, so here is what the program currently offers.

Tesla Model Y trims compared: which one should you buy?
Standard, Long Range, Performance, or Launch Series. Here’s what actually separates Model Y’s trims, as of July 2026.

Custom Order vs. Inventory Tesla: Which One Fits You
A custom order lets you configure a Tesla exactly how you want it and wait weeks to months, while an inventory car is already built, ready in days, and sometimes discounted, but limited to what is already on the lot.

Tesla Model S trims compared: which one should you buy?
Model S comes in two flavors, base and Plaid. Here’s what actually separates them, as of July 2026.

Tesla Model 3 trims compared: which one should you buy?
Tesla’s 2026 Model 3 lineup runs three trims, from a sub-$40,000 Rear-Wheel Drive to a 2.9-second Performance. Here’s what actually separates them.

What happens between your Tesla order and delivery day.
A walk through the ordering, VIN assignment, and scheduling steps that happen before you pick up your Tesla.

Buy these accessories in your first month.
A short, verified list of the accessory categories that solve real problems for new Tesla owners, drawn from Tesla’s own shop and established EV press rather than any single brand.

Inspect Your Tesla Before You Accept Delivery
A practical, item-by-item guide to what to check on your Tesla before you sign for delivery, covering the VIN, paint and panel gaps, glass, tires, interior trim, software, the odometer, and the charging cable.
Ready to order?
Three months of FSD (Supervised), on Tesla.
Get 3 months of FSD (Supervised) free when you order through our link.
GetTesla earns Tesla Credits when you order through this link. It costs you nothing extra and the benefit comes from Tesla. How the referral works