This Older EV Still Has One Of The Best Driving Ranges – TopSpeed

Electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in the past decade and a half, with battery technology getting better by the year and driving ranges outdoing even gas-burning cars. Today, it is not unusual to see modern EVs offering 300 miles or more on a single charge. But this certainly wasn’t the case eight years ago, so it may come as a surprise that one Tesla model back in 2017 was already going for well over 300 miles long before most competitors even cracked 200.

Back then, most EVs on the market hovered closer to 100 or 150 miles of range, and long-distance travel in an EV seemed more like a pipe dream than a reality. Charging infrastructure was still growing, and the idea of skipping multiple charging stops on a road trip induced nothing but range anxiety in drivers. That’s where this Tesla really stood out, making long-distance driving in an EV even remotely possible.

Even today, this 2017 Tesla continues to rival the range of many brand-new electric models, showing just how far ahead of the curve it was at launch, and the 2025 version of this car is even better. Let’s dive in and see what Tesla was cooking up back in 2017.

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The 2017 Tesla Model S 100D Offers 335 Miles Of Range

Tesla Model S Maximum Range Through The Years

This Was The First Model S To Go Over 300 Miles On A Single Charge

When the 2017 version of this Tesla launched with an EPA-rated range of 335 miles in its 100D trim, it marked a major improvement over the previous years’ capabilities. That 41-70 mile increase over the last few Model S years was not only massive in terms of true usability, it pushed the car past a psychological threshold for many buyers. At a time when most EVs struggled to clear even half that distance, being able to drive more than 300 miles without recharging was a big deal. This wasn’t only the first Tesla to cross this threshold, it was the first time any EV from any manufacturer could travel this far on a single charge.

The Model S Was The Longest-Range EV On The Market 2012–2022

From the time it first launched in 2012 through 2022, no other EV on the market matched the driving range of the Model S. It remained the segment leader for an entire decade, consistently pushing its maximum range higher with each model year while dominating the competition. That streak finally ended in 2023 when the Lucid Air Grand Touring arrived with a 512-mile range. Even today as of 2025, no EV has topped that number, including Tesla’s current models.

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The 2017 Model S Was Also The Fastest Production EV In The World

Performance Specifications

The 2017 Tesla Model S came in several trims, each offering different power and performance levels. The 60D, 75, and 75D trims came with both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) setups, and delivered solid performance with 315 to 518 horsepower, depending on the trim. The 90D came with a larger battery pack and more power, enough to go from 0 to 60 MPH in about 4.2 seconds. But it was the 100D that offered the best balance of range and performance, combining a dual-motor setup with a 335-mile range and similar 0 to 60 MPH time as the 90D.

Across all trims, Tesla’s instant torque and single-speed transmission gave the Model S a distinct advantage over traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) sedans. Even without upgrades like Ludicrous+ mode, the 100D delivered enough performance and acceleration to rival gas-burning sports cars in its price range.

Ludicrous Mode Took The Model S To The Next Level

For drivers who wanted more than just speed, the 2017 Model S P100D offered Ludicrous+ mode. This upgrade pushed the already fast P100D to new extremes, including 762 horsepower and 782 pound-feet of torque, rocketing it from 0 to 60 MPH in just 2.5 seconds. At the time, it made the Model S the quickest production electric car in the world, outpacing many high-performance supercars and showcasing what electric powertrains could really do.

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Tesla Model S Compared To Other EVs In 2017

EV Range Comparison

Back in 2017, the Tesla Model S 100D’s 335-mile range placed it in an entirely different category from nearly every other EV on the market. The next closest competitor was the Chevrolet Bolt EV, offering 238 miles on a full charge. After that, the drop-off was steep. The Volkswagen E-Golf and Hyundai Ioniq Electric hovered around 125 miles of range, while the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf offered just 114 and 107 miles of range, respectively. Most of these models were marketed as affordable city-focused EVs, but their limited range made them less practical for long trips or rural use.

The Model S, by contrast, was designed for true all-purpose driving and performance. It offered enough range for long road trips without constant charging stops, and it benefited from Tesla’s rapidly expanding Supercharger network. In a segment dominated by short-range options, the 100D helped redefine what EV buyers and drivers could expect out of electric transportation.

Which Model S Trim Was The Best Value In 2017?

At a starting price of $94,000, the 100D was far from inexpensive, but it offered a balance of power, practicality, and range that no other EV could match. Compared to the base 60D, which started at $76,300, the 100D brought nearly 100 more miles of driving range and better acceleration, making it a much better overall value. While the P100D promised mind-blowing performance, its $135,000 price tag was difficult to justify unless buyers were specifically seeking Ludicrous+ speed.

Today in 2025, the value offered by a used 2017 Model S is even more impressive. According to Kelley Blue Book estimates, a used 2017 Tesla Model S 100D now costs around $26,703. For a luxury EV with over 300 miles of range and 577 horsepower, that price makes it one of the most best used EVs available in its price range. It delivers top-level performance and solid range at a price that’s far cheaper than just about any brand-new EV you can buy today.

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The 2025 Tesla Model S Offers 410 Miles Of Range

In 2025, the base trim dual-motor Tesla Model S AWD offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 410 miles on a full charge. While it falls short of the Lucid Air Grand Touring’s 512-mile range, it still delivers incredible range for a full-size electric sedan that also produces 670 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.1 seconds. That level of performance makes it one of the quickest EVs in the world, even before stepping up to the Plaid.

For those who want more speed, the tri-motor Model S Plaid delivers 1,020 horsepower and a rocket-like 0 to 60 MPH time of just 1.99 seconds on its way to a top speed of 200 MPH. Despite that acceleration, the Plaid still offers 348 miles of range. Few EVs on the market combine this level of power and practicality, and even fewer can do it while offering nearly 350 miles of range.

Is The Tesla Model S Still The Best Bang For Your Buck?

Looking at current pricing, the base 2025 Model S starts at $79,990, while the high-performance Plaid trim starts at $94,990. It’s basically impossible to find another vehicle on the market that offers anything close to the Model S Plaid’s level of performance for under $100,000. Tesla’s recent price cuts have made the value of a new Model S even more enticing, especially considering that the 2017 Model S 100D cost $94,000 when it launched. Today’s Model S gets more range, provides more power, comes with better features, and starts at a lower price.

The Plaid is the fastest car available for less than six figures, with its only true competitors being exotic supercars and the $249,000 Lucid Air Sapphire. Tesla also offers Full-Self Driving as an option, adding more appeal for tech-focused buyers. Lately, I’ve even been looking at used 2021 and 2022 Model S Plaids myself. Tesla is currently selling them for around $60,000 with extended warranties, making a nine-second quarter-mile luxury car more attainable than anyone ever imagined.