From the start of its production in 2016, Tesla’s Model X was a futuristic head-turner with its gullwing doors and roller coaster-like
With some really amazing colors, Teslas are not only gorgeous cars, but they also come in some really striking colors, including the iconic Red Multi-Coat and the dramatic (but now discontinued) Obsidian Black Metallic.
It might be difficult to figure out which colors were available on certain models and years of Teslas if you’re in the market for a used model.
Our Ultimate Guide to Tesla Colors includes everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Tesla paint (and interior) color options to help used Tesla buyers (and anyone else looking to research Tesla colors over time).
You can browse our entire page to discover the detailed history of Tesla colors through the years by selecting a specific Tesla Model from our table of contents!
Tesla Model S Colors
It should come as no surprise that Tesla has been making the Model S for so long, and that it has offered a wide range of color options both inside and outside of the vehicle over the years.
It is even harder to know which Model S models had available interior/exterior colors since the first Model S rolled off the assembly line in 2012. This includes battery and drive configurations.
Our guide is as comprehensive as possible. Below you’ll find the different Model S colors (both interior and exterior) based on their year, battery, and drive combo (70D, P85D, 100D, etc.) as tabbed information. For each Tesla Model S year, you can view all of the colors and trim levels by clicking (or tapping) the tab you’re interested in.
2012 Model S Colors
As the world’s most groundbreaking electric sedan went on sale, the Model S arguably marked a landmark in Tesla history.
Its sleek design, lightning-fast acceleration, and everything you’d expect from a luxury gas car made it one of the best electric vehicles available.
During 2012, five different battery models (40, 60, 85, P85, and P85+) were produced. Eight exterior colors were available, and three interior colors were available.
Exterior colors
Tiburon Gray Metallic
Signature Red
Silver metallic
Shasta Pearl White
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
(Leather)
2013 Model S Colors
There are six battery and motor options for the Model S for 2013. These include 60, 85, P85, P85+, 85D, P85D, and P85DL. The Model S is the world’s largest electric vehicle, making it the world’s most popular electric vehicle.
Two of Tesla’s most popular colors are available for the 2013 model year, Pearl White Multi-Coat and Red Multi-Coat. Several previous Model S colors have been removed, and the naming conventions of the remaining colors have been simplified.
Exterior colors
Red Multi-Coat
Silver metallic
Solid Black
Solid White
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
Gray
2014 Model S Colors
The introduction of Autopilot in 2014 opened up a new era in self-driving technology and helped the Model S become a semi autonomous vehicle.
Model S 2014 has been revamped with new batteries, trim levels, and performance models, with the addition of 60, 85, P85, P85+, 85D, P85D, and P85DL. The 40 kWh battery pack option has been removed. The Model S 2014 lineup now has 60, 85, P85, P85+, 85D, P85D, and P85DL with only the P85DL remaining.
Among the most notable new features of the 2014 Model S lineup is the “D” (dual motor) configuration.
All interior and exterior colors from last year remained unchanged in 2014. However, there were many other changes in 2014.
Exterior colors
Red Multi-Coat
Silver metallic
Solid Black
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
2015 Model S Colors
As part of 2015’s launch, a 90 kWh battery option was introduced for Model S, which provides a range of 270 miles.
Among the available combinations of battery and drive in 2015, a 70 kWh pack was added. There was an increase of 11 battery/drive configurations (60, 70, 70D, 85, 85D, P85D, P85DL, 90, 90D, P90D, P90DL).
Two metallic colors were added to the 2016 Tesla Model S: Midnight Silver Metallic (still available today), and Obsidian Black Metallic (subsequently discontinued).
Exterior colors
Blue Metallic
Red Multi-Coat
Solid White
Gray Metallic
Silver Metallic
Titanium Metallic
Black Metallic
Solid Black
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
2016 Model S Colors
A number of new features were added to the Model S in 2016, including the Autopilot 2.0 hardware (HW2/AP2) in October 2016 and the 100kWh battery pack.
This was the most diverse model year lineup of all time, encompassing 17 battery/drive/software combinations (60, 60D, 70, 70D, 75, 75D, 85, 85D, P85D, P85DL, 90, 90D, P90D, P90DL, 100D, P100DL, and P100DL).
Scaling down would soon become apparent to Tesla.
There is now an option for vegan leather (synthetic) seating material on the interior, replacing Blue Metallic and Gray Metallic on the exterior.
Exterior colors
Black Metallic
Solid Black
Red Multi-Coat
Solid White
Silver Metallic
Titanium Metallic
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
Tan
Gray
2017 Model S Colors
As a result of Tesla’s decision to streamline production and reduce the number of Model S configurations available for 2017, the 85 kWh battery option would no longer be available for 2017. It will remain available for the 60, 60D, 70, 70D, 75, 75D, 90, 90D, P90D, P90DL, 100D, P100D, and P100DL Model S versions.
We also think Solid White (although it was the same color as Pearl White Multi-Coat, in our opinion) is less attractive than Pearl White Multi-Coat.
A vegan leather (synthetic) Ultra White option has also been added as a substitute for gray leather (paving the way for Black and White seats in the future).
Exterior colors
Black Metallic
Silver Metallic
Red Multi-Coat
Silver Metallic
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
2018 Model S Colors
2018 saw Tesla eliminate the 90 kWh battery pack from its lineup, leaving only eight battery pack/drive unit configurations (60, 60D, 75, 75D, 90D, 100D, P100D, and P100DL).
Aside from the new Obsidian Black Metallic paint, the exterior color of the Model S remained unchanged from the previous year.
In place of the Ultra White interior option, Tesla has switched to their core interior colors (Black and White, Cream, and All Black), which are still available. A synthetic leather interior option replaced animal hide leather and the Multi-Pattern cloth interior option.
Exterior colors
Solid Black
Red Multi-Coat
Silver Metallic
Interior colors
(Vegan Leather/Synthetic)
2019 Model S Colors
With the 2019 Model S, Tesla has decreased the number of battery packs and drive units available, only offering 75D, 100D, P100D, and P100DL options.
The Model S trim levels have been renamed Standard Range, Long Range, Long Range Plus, and Performance from kWh to words mid-way through the year.
Additionally, Tesla has eliminated Silver Metallic from the exterior colors of the 2019 Model S.
There are no changes to any of the interior color options.
Exterior colors
Red Multi-Coat
Interior colors
Cream
(Vegan Leather/Synthetic)
2020 Model S Colors
There are only 3 battery options left for Model S 2020, with AWD as the standard option. This is the biggest reduction of Model S variants in its history.
In September 2020, after Tesla Battery Day, the Model S Plaid battery pack option was added, further reducing battery pack options to Long Range Plus and Performance.
Despite still offering customers a meaningful level of choice, Tesla did not change the core set of Model S color options for 2020.
Exterior colors
Red Multi-Coat
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
Cream
(Vegan Leather/Synthetic)
2021 Model S Colors
There were three variants of the Tesla Model S available in 2021: Long Range Plus, Performance, and Plaid (the only variant that went beyond Ludicrous).
2021’s Model S interior colors were unchanged from last year, while Tesla’s five exterior colors proved to be the best balance between buyer choice and production efficiency yet again.
Exterior colors
Red multi-coat
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
Cream
(Vegan Leather/Synthetic)
2022 Model S Colors
Two Model S variants were available for 2022: the Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive Model S and the Tri-Motor All-Wheel Drive Model S Plaid.
As in the previous year, users can select from five exterior colors and three interior colors for the Model S.
Exterior colors
Deep Blue Metallic
Red Multi Coat
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
Cream
(Vegan Leather/Synthetic)
2023 Model S Colors
With the addition of Ultra Red, which is a throwback to Signature Red, Tesla has come up with a new deep red color for 2023. Red Multi-Coat has been replaced by Ultra Red.
In addition to Ultra Red, there are two additional colors available for Model S (Long Range AWD and Plaid). It’s unclear whether Tesla will introduce a new gray or silver color similar to the Quicksilver color found on Model Y in Germany.
Exterior colors
Red Milti-Coat
Ultra Rede
Interior colors
(Leather, Vegan Leather/Synthetic, or Multi-Pattern Textile)
Cream
(Vegan Leather/Synthetic)
Best Model S Color
Obviously, everyone has their own opinion on what color is the best Tesla Model S. But what does “best” mean exactly? When it comes to hiding scratches, the best color may not be the one that looks the best when clean, or the one that works best for winter climates.
The best Tesla Model S color depends on a lot of factors, so let’s take a look at some of them.
Best Tesla Model S Color for Hiding Scratches
There is no doubt Pearl White Multi-Coat will take this award, with Silver Metallic coming in second place. Since Silver Metallic has been discontinued, Pearl White Multi-Coat will take this award entirely.
As the base color for the Model S, Pearl White Multi-Coat is also one of the most affordable colors, thanks to the metallic white and the fact that most scratches are light/white.
Easiest Tesla Model S Color To Take Care
As for ease of maintenance, Silver Metallic is definitely the easiest Tesla Model S color to maintain. However, due to the discontinuation of Silver Metallic, Pearl White Multi-Coat is a better choice.
Other colors and hues are harder to maintain over time, with Solid Black being the most difficult Tesla color to keep clean over time. White and silver are excellent at hiding dirt (especially in the winter), as well as scratches.
Best-Looking Model S Color in Daylight
Dark Blue Metallic works best in bright sunlight, and it’s also one of the most attractive Tesla Model S colors in daylight. Red Multi-Coat would come in second.
Best-Looking Model S Color at Night Time
A black vehicle in the moonlight is the epitome of class. There is just nothing more beautiful than it.
Best Overall Tesla Model S Color
One of the most beautiful colors Tesla ever offered is Obsidian Black Metallic, though it is unfortunately no longer offered.
Those metallic flakes in Obsidian Black Metallic help hide scratches and imperfections almost as well as any black can. As a matter of fact, Obsidian Black Metallic is the best color for a Tesla Model S during the day because it shines a little more than Solid Black (which you ought to cover with PPF in any sort of winter climate).
With their layered base color and metallic tones, Tesla’s Multi-Coat and Ultra options are gorgeous. However, if we had to choose one color still available in 2023, it would be Pearl White Multi-Coat.
People Also Asked
1. What colors does a Tesla Model S come in?
   The Tesla Model S comes in a variety of colors, including but not limited to:
   – Solid Black
   – Midnight Silver Metallic
   – Deep Blue Metallic
   – Pearl White Multi-Coat
   – Red Multi-Coat
2. Which Tesla color is most popular?
The popularity of Tesla colors can vary over time and by region. However, historically, black and white have been among the most popular choices for Tesla owners.
3. What is Tesla’s main color?
Tesla doesn’t have a single “main” color, as it offers several options to cater to different preferences. However, black and white are commonly chosen colors and are often considered standard options.
4. What Tesla colors are free?
Tesla typically offers certain colors at no additional cost, often referred to as “standard” or “included” colors. As of the last update, Solid Black is usually offered as a free color option, while other colors may have an additional charge. However, it’s essential to check Tesla’s current offerings as they may vary.
