Mention ‘global disruptor’, and Tesla springs to mind almost instantly. Within only ten years, the company has challenged the automobile industry on a worldwide scale, revolutionising not only what a car can be, but how the whole EV industry operates. By adopting a no-dealerships model and updating cars remotely, it compelled the most established giants like BMW, Mercedes, and Toyota to rethink their strategies.
Being a trailblazer in the electric vehicles (EVs)world, Tesla has fundamentally transformed EVs into desirable and mainstream vehicles when other legacy manufacturers were still designing around petrol and diesel engines. What’s more, it proved sustainability could be achieved without compromising on-road thrills, and that speed, silence, and zero emissions could go hand in hand.
Approaching a Model X or Model S Plaid, especially in their early years, before other players in the industry followed suit, felt like entering a different era of driving: doors open as you come near, and displays turn toward your line of sight.
In this guide, we break down Tesla’s most expensive models, from limited-edition Roadsters to high-performance family SUVs, exploring features, performance, and design.
Tesla Roadster: $109,000 to $250,000
Tesla’s first-ever produced car, the Roadster (2008–2012), was a small two-seat convertible created with a Lotus chassis. With this model, Tesla has introduced the 53-kWh battery, which provides about 390 km of range and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds. Original prices ranged from about $109,000 to approximately $128,500 for the "Sport" edition. Tesla also built a limited Signature Series with special trim, but only 2,450 units were made.
These early Roadsters have become collectors’ items. A low-mileage 2008 "Signature 100" Roadster recently sold at auction for over $250,000 – far above its original price. Their historical value as Tesla’s first vehicle and their limited production make them especially coveted today.
Tesla has brought back the Roadster nameplate with a futuristic new model, which was first unveiled in 2017. This car promised a 0–100 km/h time of 1.9 seconds, a top speed exceeding 400 km/h, and a 1,000 km range. The basic model is priced at $200,000, whilst the limited Founders Series is set at $250,000. Production was limited to 1,000 vehicles.
Tesla claims it will feature three electric motors that deliver over 1,020 brake horsepower, but this production has been delayed. Despite this, the Roadster remains Tesla’s most expensive offering on paper.
Tesla Model S Plaid $130,000
The Model S, which was introduced in 2012, is Tesla’s breakthrough in the luxury EV market. Over time, this model evolved through the P85, P100D, and finally the Plaid variant. By 2023, Tesla S Plaid had a starting price of nearly $101,630 in the US, with a top-tier version reaching approximately $130,000. In the UK, prices currently exceed £100,000.
The Plaid model features a tri-motor powertrain generating 1,020 brake horsepower, which means that it sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just under 2 seconds. It can complete a quarter-mile (402 metres) in approximately 9.4-9.6 seconds, making it one of the fastest cars in the world. The range is an impressive 560 km, though Tesla originally claimed up to 390 miles (627 km).
Tesla, shortly after, planned a more advanced model, the Plaid+, with a projected 520-mile range, but Elon Musk later cancelled it in 2021, claiming that Plaid was sufficient. The Model S Plaid, with its futuristic interior, large central screen, optional yoke steering, and advanced driver-assistance, represents Tesla’s most advanced and expensive saloon to date.
Tesla Model X Plaid $106,630
Since its release back in 2015, the Model X has been regarded as Tesla’s large crossover SUV. Yet in 2021, the Plaid version was introduced, which shares the tri-motor setup of the Model S Plaid. Designed with approximately 1,020 brake horsepower, this vehicle accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds. By 2023, the Model X Plaid’s primary price was $106,630, while the base all-wheel-drive model was set at $91,630.
The Model X is set apart by having special rear doors that open upwards like falcon wings, as well as seating that fits up to seven passengers. The range that comes within this series is between 540–566 km, depending on the configuration. It is undoubtedly impressive for a vehicle of its size. Some of the features that make it highly regarded are its spacious interior, performance credentials, and advanced technology. The X Plaid stands out as the world’s fastest production SUV, even though it was not as widely sold as the Model S.
Tesla Cybertruck $100,000
Tesla claimed that the tri-motor Cybertruck will achieve 0–60 mph in under 2.9 seconds and offer over 500 miles (805 km) of range. Yet, Cybertruck production, as of mid-2025, has been significantly moderated. The manufacturing facility at Giga Texas is operating below capacity, and deliveries dropped from 6,400 in Q1 to approximately 5,000 in Q2 2025.
Due to its angular body with a stainless-steel exoskeleton and futuristic proportions, Cybertruck remains Tesla’s most talked-about model from the moment it appeared on the roads in 2019 to this day. This very concept makes it plain that the company intended to redefine the way pick-up trucks are seen or thought about.
Originally, Tesla presented the tri-motor four-wheel drive version as the top tier of this class, with a price that reached over $80,000. If we factor in add-ons such as Full Self-Driving, upgraded interiors, and high-spec configurations, these could easily push the price to over $100,000.
As the wind was not in their sails, Cybertrucks that were built between November 2023 and February 2025 were recalled due to a manufacturing issue related to loose trim panels, leaving the vehicle available only in North America, with no confirmed launch plans for Europe or Asia to date.
The Cybertruck, despite all the setbacks, remains one of Tesla’s most expensive vehicles in its fully equipped form.
Limited Editions and Aftermarket Conversions
Tesla has explored limited-edition models, though the most notable examples are within the Roadster line. The 2008 Signature Series and the upcoming Founders Series for the second-generation Roadster both cater to collectors. While other models haven’t seen major factory-issued limited editions, early Model S units featured exclusive interior finishes, including bison leather.
Tesla vehicles have long attracted aftermarket attention. Companies like Unplugged Performance and Brabus have created bespoke Model S and Roadster conversions, which feature carbon fibre kits, performance tuning, and luxury interiors. These modifications can add tens of thousands of pounds or euros to a vehicle’s cost. Notably, Brabus’s take on the original Roadster included aesthetic and aerodynamic upgrades for display at the Essen Motor Show.
Collectors also drive prices up at auction. Rare, early-model Roadsters or fully loaded Plaids in pristine condition often command prices far beyond their original cost. Tesla’s brand value, along with low production numbers and continuous innovation, has helped the demand for premium editions stay high.
Conclusion
Tesla's highest-priced vehicles range from just above $100,000 for the Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid, reaching $250,000 for the Roadster Founders Series. The older versions, such as the first-generation Roadster, continue to retain special value; they can be found in recent auction results with more than double their original price.
Each of these vehicles represents a landmark in Tesla’s journey: the Roadster proved EVs could be fast and desirable; the Model S Plaid introduced higher standards for electric saloons; the Model X Plaid delivered sports car performance in a family-friendly SUV; and finally, the Cybertruck pushed design boundaries for electric utility vehicles. The future Roadster promises to outpace traditional elite supercars, since Tesla uses these top-tier vehicles not just to generate revenue, but to push the limits of EV technology.
