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Didn't realize how much I missed a "Luxury" interior.....
While many try to consider Tesla as a Luxury brand, those that truly know Tesla's know that Tesla is not a "luxury" car. It is the most technologically advanced car and that tech brings it into the same price category as your Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc... and well above Cadillac or Lincoln.
Having come from Mercedes & BMW cars before, I missed the luxury feel of those cars when I got my Tesla. But the tech of the Tesla was enough to outweigh the loss in luxury as I am a tech geek. Now having been a Model S owner for three years, I've grown used to the minimalist interior. But will say, Elon's "minimalist" description is accurate, hence somewhat boring outside of the tech features.
Today, for the first time in a 3 years, I sat in a "luxury" brand. And not even one of the German brands. Sat in the new Cadillac CT6. Those truly in love with the Tesla "minimalist" design would likely hate the Cadillac. But those like me that enjoyed the plush and luxury of a "luxury" car I think would see that Cadillac has come a long way. Wow, that interior was nice. Comfortable. Massage seats. TV's in the back seat. Two big screens. Not the Tesla 17" screen, but a very nicely integrated 12" screen.
Just wondering if Tesla will ever someday consider offering a true "luxury" package option in their cars? For those of us that want it? Probably not likely as they keep taking choices away rather than adding them. But for those that don't love the idea of having an EV, it might help bring in some additional "luxury" brand customers. I know I've heard/read many comments about the bland interior of Tesla from those accustomed to luxury cars.
Wishful thinking on my part, but would personally love it if Tesla borrowed a few more parts from the Mercedes luxury parts bin. Can't imagine it would be all that difficult for them to add luxury to the interior. With the technology of a Tesla as it is, programming a few TV screens & massage seats would be a breeze, along with some fancier materials and rear seats.
Just throwing it out there as a wishlist item. Maybe if enough people said they'd like the option, they'd consider it. Would be nice if they did so before these other brands start introducing their EV's into the market. The Cadillac is already a plug-in hybrid and has their "Super Cruise" feature which is reasonably comparable to AP on the highways. Add a little more EV range and they could be a serious Tesla competitor. And that car fully loaded is $75,000, the same as the base model of a Model S. If it was all Electric, can't imagine it wouldn't steal quite a few sales from Tesla at that price point. Even if the Hybrid offered 50+ miles of EV range, that would cover most people's daily driving and would save having to charge on long distance trips, for those that don't want to.
Anyway, figured I'd share my thoughts in hopes that maybe Tesla will be proactive with some additional luxury choices/options rather than have to react after other premium EV's hit the market.
I know the Tesla faithful will say the Tesla is great as it is and that doesn't have to change. But how about those that haven't switched to a Tesla simply because they want more luxury? Why not offer options for both? Of course they would charge a premium price for the option and just make more money, especially if doing so convinces more people to buy a Tesla.
Having come from Mercedes & BMW cars before, I missed the luxury feel of those cars when I got my Tesla. But the tech of the Tesla was enough to outweigh the loss in luxury as I am a tech geek. Now having been a Model S owner for three years, I've grown used to the minimalist interior. But will say, Elon's "minimalist" description is accurate, hence somewhat boring outside of the tech features.
Today, for the first time in a 3 years, I sat in a "luxury" brand. And not even one of the German brands. Sat in the new Cadillac CT6. Those truly in love with the Tesla "minimalist" design would likely hate the Cadillac. But those like me that enjoyed the plush and luxury of a "luxury" car I think would see that Cadillac has come a long way. Wow, that interior was nice. Comfortable. Massage seats. TV's in the back seat. Two big screens. Not the Tesla 17" screen, but a very nicely integrated 12" screen.
Just wondering if Tesla will ever someday consider offering a true "luxury" package option in their cars? For those of us that want it? Probably not likely as they keep taking choices away rather than adding them. But for those that don't love the idea of having an EV, it might help bring in some additional "luxury" brand customers. I know I've heard/read many comments about the bland interior of Tesla from those accustomed to luxury cars.
Wishful thinking on my part, but would personally love it if Tesla borrowed a few more parts from the Mercedes luxury parts bin. Can't imagine it would be all that difficult for them to add luxury to the interior. With the technology of a Tesla as it is, programming a few TV screens & massage seats would be a breeze, along with some fancier materials and rear seats.
Just throwing it out there as a wishlist item. Maybe if enough people said they'd like the option, they'd consider it. Would be nice if they did so before these other brands start introducing their EV's into the market. The Cadillac is already a plug-in hybrid and has their "Super Cruise" feature which is reasonably comparable to AP on the highways. Add a little more EV range and they could be a serious Tesla competitor. And that car fully loaded is $75,000, the same as the base model of a Model S. If it was all Electric, can't imagine it wouldn't steal quite a few sales from Tesla at that price point. Even if the Hybrid offered 50+ miles of EV range, that would cover most people's daily driving and would save having to charge on long distance trips, for those that don't want to.
Anyway, figured I'd share my thoughts in hopes that maybe Tesla will be proactive with some additional luxury choices/options rather than have to react after other premium EV's hit the market.
I know the Tesla faithful will say the Tesla is great as it is and that doesn't have to change. But how about those that haven't switched to a Tesla simply because they want more luxury? Why not offer options for both? Of course they would charge a premium price for the option and just make more money, especially if doing so convinces more people to buy a Tesla.
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PS I am on my 2nd Model S and I am a Tesla fan and supporter.
Will a 2020 MS have massage seats? Perhaps.
Me, I couldn’t even abide the center console on the newer cars, and don’t use what nick-knack storage comes with the car.
To me, Cadillac trails in this market because it mainly focuses on luxury only. Sure, there's the V series, but it doesn't compete with AMG or Porsche Turbos. And, because, Mercedes and Porsche is known for performance and innovation even before luxury, they will continue to lead.
Meanwhile, Tesla has already shown they cannot compete in the luxury market. So, they would have to do a lot of catching up if they ever expect to compete in that market.
I think Tesla has already lost the luxury EV market before it has even started. Mercedes and Porsche will soon bring their EVs to market.
they've lost the luxury market to Tesla now, how would they retake the market?
those that can afford a new tesla can afford gas and they are choosing the less luxury vehicle with the inconvenience of charging over the luxury brands with a similar price point and the convenience of a quick fill-up.
if this is not telling to you, I don't know what is.
Tesla is NOT in the luxury car market. It's in the technology car market, which it pretty much created when they priced their non-luxurious, technologically advanced car around $100k.
Most people who drive luxury cars know that Tesla is not a luxury car (or will soon realize it like the OP has)
Also the luxury market is tiny compared to the mass market cars out there.
But the Tesla does not look as luxurious as a high end Mercedes or BMW. But that is up to the individual buyer to determine if that is important to them. But OTOH the Tesla is 'sleeker' and more advanced looking than a high end Mercedes or BMW. But personally I could care less how a car look while I am driving it. I cannot see the front or back end in the car, so the outside looks matter none to me.
For me personally, I do not want a 'plush' ride of a car that floats down the road. I want to enjoy the great handling.
As to interior creature comforts, as others have pointed out, Tesla will probably come out with a new design for the interiors of the S which is more luxurious looking. That way for the market that wants that 'look' they can have it, but will not force it on everyone.
I'd take the Sports Sedan any day. I was shopping for a GT car and this was as close as I could get.
Although that sounds rational, it is incongruent with human emotion. People connect with the outside styling of a car. Otherwise the Pontiac Aztec would have sold millions because it had everything except looks.
'For me personally, I do not want a 'plush' ride of a car that floats down the road. I want to enjoy the great handling.'
You're talking about Cadillac and perhaps Lexus there. Mercedes Benz S series and Porsche Panamera do not 'float' down the road. That is why I say there are pure luxury cars and then there are luxury performance cars.
BTW, unless something major changes with the Model S interior in the next couple of years, my wife has already put her request in for a Mission E as her daily driver. That poor'ole BMW AH7 already has 149,000+ miles on it and still going strong for her....
"Tesla is NOT in the luxury car market. It's in the technology car market, which it pretty much created when they priced their non-luxurious, technologically advanced car around $100k."
That is actually true. Mercs or Lexus did not lose the "luxury" car market. It's the luxury car market that is gone when people start to realize that is not the main thing they want in an expensive car as they were lead to believe before Tesla came along.
@reed_lewis
"I hardly call a blackberry phone a 'luxury phone'"
That's how we think now but not what many thought in the beginning. The iPhone look was considered too plain Jane to them.
I would agree here. I've driven different Mercedes Benz E500 - E550 before my MSP90D and I say the MS drives comparatively well. In fact, better due to the much quicker acceleration. Yes, the lower center of gravity results in very good handling, although you can definitely feel the weight.
Having said that, the MS still cannot compete with luxury vs MB, which is what this thread is about. Sure, my 2010 MB E550 lacked luxury (much less than the 2005 E500), but compared to 2017 E series and any MB S series, the MS may compete with drive performance, but not luxury.
With the Tesla infrastructure in place, it will be much more difficult for the competition to implement the aspects people desire in Tesla vehicles, versus the minimal effort it will take for Tesla to slap a "luxury" interior in their superior BEV's, assuming that's what Tesla wants to do.
Which position would you rather be coming from as an automobile manufacturer CEO?
All that said, I’d be first in line to pay extra for an Audi-level interior option.
Tesla is NOT in the luxury car market. It's in the technology car market, which it pretty much created when they priced their non-luxurious, technologically advanced car around $100k.
Most people who drive luxury cars know that Tesla is not a luxury car (or will soon realize it like the OP has)
You completely missed my point.
Less luxury is killing the luxury models.