2021 vs 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid Differences

As with any tech company, Tesla is always keeping things fresh and updating its offerings. It’s flagship model, the Tesla Model S Plaid, received an update in late 2021, and Tesla has already seen fit to update it in March of 2022.

Starting at the front of the car, Tesla gave the head lamps a refresh, keeping the same basic shape and layout, but equipping the new beams with the company’s new adaptive LED matrix design that allows for selective dimming. This feature reduces the output when encountering oncoming traffic to keep everyone safe and happy on the road. And, with an increase in brightness from the new head lamps, the new feature was the perfect combination.

Moving towards the rear of the Model S Plaid, you’ll find that the charging door has been changed. Early quality issues were remedied with the previous design, but the charge port door now opens in a gull-wing fashion similar to the latest Model 3 vehicles. This design opens up the area around the actual charge port, making it less likely for users to accidentally hit the nearby painted surfaces or tail light with a hap-hazard plug-in maneuver.

Swinging around back to the rear of the Model S Plaid, the overall look (Bottom photo above) is now more refined in appearance compared to the previous version (Top photo above). The horizontal trim piece no longer pierces the tail lights, nor does it include the previous raised Tesla letters.

Finally, the Plaid badge that adorned the first 25 Model S Plaid cars built, which no doubt was an homage to the faster-than-light plaid speed in the movie Space Balls, is now standard, and replaces the simple plaid letter badge.

Overall, these are some minor changes, and if they’re not bold enough for your tastes, T Sportline can definitely provide you with something more eye-opening!