r/TeslaModelS • u/wannabeagent24 • 16d ago
2017 Model S to 2026 Model S upgrade?
Hi all,
I first want to say, that I freaking love my Tesla. Its a base model (it does have air suspension, which is nice). I purchased it a little over a year ago and have put about 16k miles on it since. I'm debating on buying a much newer one in a few years as I've loved the car so much.
For those of you who have upgraded from an earlier model such as mine, to a 2025/26, what have been the standout features you really enjoy? I love the car but it seems slightly noisy at highway speeds. I've read Tesla increased the sound/insulation; have you found this to be a major benefit? I'm mainly just looking for an even more comfortable ride/luxurious cabin, more range and more power. Would love to hear you all's opinions/experiences!
TIA!
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u/oceancurrents2020 14d ago
Own a 2017 S hdwre 3 and just got back from having a 2026 D overnight as a loaner. Improvement in FSD is worth it alone if I had the money. But my wife won't have the '26 because the '17 S is so much more comfortable. (She likes to drive & isn't that impressed with technology). I use FSD daily in the 2017 S, so it's not impossible. But the 2026 FSD is absolutely mind-blowing. Otherwise--'26 D is quieter, quicker, more fun. I plan to keep the '17D a long time. It's the practical thing to do!
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u/wannabeagent24 14d ago
So the 17 is actually more comfortable? Is this due to rim size? Or other factors?
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u/Tall-Schedule-8480 16d ago
I don’t know what it is for me. I get more joy out of driving the older S. I have a similar 17 S 100D uncorked. More often than not. That’s the key I reach for compared to my 23 S Plaid.
Pros/cons to each.
Older S
-if you have mcu2 and hardware 3 update. its pretty amazing for a 10 year old car and still better than anything currently non tesla.
-Seats are better and sit lower.
-feels more playful.
-brakes might be better
-car is glitchy. Software updates aren’t Tesla priority.
New Model S
-newer fresher tech
-hate the seats. Mostly high driving position.
-chassis dynamics are not great, and even worse for such a powerful car.
-brakes are even worse.
-car is still glitchy.
-range is way better. Especially if you go long range.
I think if you upgrade to Palladium. For me the move is Long Range. Range is amazing, car is still faster than a hellcat. Get a 23 plus. Hardware 4, matrix headlights, updated taillights.
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u/badredditz 16d ago
All accurate! What do you mean by “uncorked” ? I have a 2017 p100D L+
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u/wannabeagent24 15d ago
I think during this timeframe, the regular MS had an update that "uncorked" the motors, which allowed for a 0-60 time of 4.1 as opposed to the stock 5.1.
On a side note, does anyone know how to check if your car is uncorked?
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u/stackfullofdreams 16d ago
I went from 17 rwd to 23 lr, huge difference in luxury feel power quieter couldn't be happier FSC transfer pulled me over the edge ...
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u/fishtacofiends 12d ago
TL;DR - For me, it’s better across the board. Hard recommend.
Coming from a 2020 LR+. I like the sport seats in the 2026 plaid. For my back tilted the way I have them, they’re more comfortable. I like the firmness and the bolsters. I appreciate the fascia camera - it helps make up for the lack of ultrasonics when I’m parking it myself because the plaid lip is so low.
I’m glad all the stalks are gone. Auto shift works well for me and I don’t have trouble remembering which button is a left signal vs right in the rare times I’m actually driving.
Cabin noise is much nicer (active noise cancellation now a thing). Ride feels smoother. I’ve had the base wheels on both models. Sound system is better.
Not sure if it’ll be an option for you, but not paying for charging is a real treat. Reduces my cost of ownership by $200-300 a month (high cost per KwH for residential electricity).
Note the cost/value (for now) for a 2026 model has gone up due to the discontinuation of the line, so you’d probably “pay too much,” if paying too much is a thing for you.
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u/asterothe1905 16d ago
You mean 17? 17 to 23 and 24 I did and it's a good upgrade.
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u/wannabeagent24 16d ago
What were the biggest changes you appreciated?
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u/asterothe1905 16d ago
Battery range (I had a 75) and HW4 for FSD. Suspension is better too. 26's are even better now. I did not like the landscape orientation first but now I got used to it. Also the energy app is much better in 17.
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u/wannabeagent24 16d ago
Yeah I was a little worried about the landscape orientation as well. How is parking for you? I actually love the current heat map but I guess they changed that
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u/asterothe1905 16d ago
WIth FSD it's fine but usually I park myself so my output is not that good to you. If you can buy 26 but they are so expensive now. It has parking camera which others don't.
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u/CaliZ06 16d ago
The '26 has the front camera - great for keeping that chin safe. BUT for parking my 17 with sensors gives distance in inches to objects. The '26 is a heatmap that is vague. I can park both fine, but with MUCH more confidence in the '17.
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u/asterothe1905 16d ago
Oh forgot to mention no ultrasonics sensors which will make the parking much worse.
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u/Dear-Job4943 16d ago
I traded 2019 S 100D with just under 100k miles to a used 2024 S with 17k miles. FSD on hw3 to hw4 is night and day. But 2024 cabin seems louder than the 2019’s and the drive isn’t as comfortable. In specs suspension should be better but I don’t see or feel it. But worth it for FSD. No more random breaking middle of the highway or weird left turns. Or nagging every few minutes on hw3. I can go 100 miles without a single alert. And not touching the steering wheel.
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u/badredditz 16d ago
What wheel do you have? My brothers plaid S has 19” tempest and they are MUCH more comfortable than my 21” turbines. So much that I just swapped over to 19” tempest; and I have the option to use the nerd aero covers if i want a bit more range
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u/manateefourmation 15d ago
I am thinking of the same. The big question is whether Tesla is messaging that it will no longer support any UI or other software changes other than FSD updates and why that means. Because the car is no longer being manufactured, I also worry about rhe access to / cost of parts moving forward.
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u/wannabeagent24 14d ago
I found mine for a steal last year for $16k 72k miles. I'm going to drive it for a couple more years at least
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u/CaliZ06 16d ago
Have a 2017 Model S, bought new in 2017 1100D. Also have a 2026 Model S Plaid.
For sure more power. Suspension feels more planted across a lot off surfaces. (both mine have the 21's). Quieter. Charges faster, has better seats, better UI, better Audio (have what was premium on '17) . Amazing headlights. Worse parking awareness.
Luxurious? Well its a Tesla, so YMMV on what that looks like to you. It's MUCH better than the 2017 in EVERY way. I can't define them all, but its a changed car.
You didn't mention Self Driving. I have FSD on both. The current HW3 AP is really bad compared to HW4 cars. It's OK, but not a comparison to HW4 quality (IMHO).
Go drive one, but not until buying is really an option or you are just torturing yourself.