Tesla Motors is famous for turning its back on automotive traditions, including the annual model-year change. Making alterations to coincide with the start of the new model year has become a rite with most automakers, but Tesla has a history of making changes when it wants to. So, while significant changes are on the way for several Tesla models in 2024, it is difficult to predict when they will appear on vehicles available for sale in the United States. In addition to the existing models, Tesla introduces the long-awaited Cybertruck in 2024. Here's a look at what's likely to come our way for 2024.
After a long wait, the Cybertruck has arrived. Three versions of Tesla's new stainless-steel pickup truck are available, with launch prices ranging from $57,390 to $96,390. The angular design and shatter-resistant "armor" glass are not a surprise, but the prices are higher than Tesla's forecast initially.
Under a glass roof, the austere 5-passenger cabin features 18.5-inch front and 9.4-inch rear touchscreen displays. The Cybertruck offers wireless smartphone charging, high-powered USB-C ports, and 120-volt and 240-volt power outlets. A 15-speaker premium audio system fills the truck with sound, and a hospital-grade air filter removes nearly 100 percent of particulates from the cabin's air.
The Cybertruck comes in rear-wheel drive (RWD), all-wheel drive (AWD), and Cyberbeast versions. The RWD version is the most affordable and the least powerful, accelerating to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds. Get the AWD version, and Tesla claims a 4.1-second run to 60 mph thanks to 600 horsepower. Cyberbeasts supply 845 hp and 60 mph in 2.6 seconds if you choose Beast Mode. The AWD and Cyberbeast can tow 11,000 pounds.
Range estimates are 250 miles for the RWD, 340 miles for the AWD, and 320 miles for the Cyberbeast. Tesla offers an optional bed-mounted range-extending battery for up to 470 miles. Put the truck on a Supercharger for 15 minutes, and Tesla says it can recoup up to 128 miles of range.
In addition, the Cybertruck sits on 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and features a steer-by-wire system that eliminates the physical connection between the squircle-shaped steering wheel and the steering rack. Tesla says the Cybertruck also offers rear-wheel steering and air suspension, providing 12 inches of maximum wheel travel and 16 inches of maximum ground clearance.
A 6-foot, 4-inch cargo bed gives you up to 2,500 pounds of payload capacity. It can carry a traditional 4-foot by 8-foot piece of plywood and offers 67 cubic feet of locking storage under the "vault" bed cover and in the front trunk. Fold the Cybertruck's back seat down and there is 54 cubic feet of in-cab storage space. Tesla says you can export 11.5 kilowatts of power from the Cybertruck to power a home during an outage.
Tesla has typically eschewed standard auto industry practices like "mid-cycle changes." Still, it seems to be moving closer to adopting those industry norms. For example, the 2024 Model 3 is the subject of what others would call a styling "refresh" designed to give the current mechanicals new consumer appeal. It includes altered front and rear designs, including new taillights. Inside, it gets ventilated seats, a revised center screen, and a new screen in the back of the console to benefit rear-seat passengers. The revised Model 3 ditches steering wheel stalks in favor of new controls for forward/reverse selection and turn signals. Tesla also replaces the wood-grained dash trim with fabric.
Many expect Tesla to make substantial changes to the Model S in 2025, with speculation ranging from a mild refresh to a complete redo. With that looming, Tesla is standing pat with the 2024 edition of the luxury sedan. Should you desire a version with 1,020 hp and a top speed of 200 mph, the recently introduced tri-motor Plaid version is your answer. The more placid dual-motor version remains available starting at $74,990.
The Model X SUV represents a small portion of Tesla's sales, so it gets less attention than the other Tesla models. The brand seems content to let the falcon-winged Model X stay the course for the 2024 model year with virtually no changes. The next major change for the Model X will likely happen in 2026.
The Tesla Model 3 sedan and Tesla Model Y crossover SUVs are joined at the hip so that the changes to the Model 3 will make their way into the Model Y. Since updated Model 3s have already appeared in other markets and updated Model Ys have yet to, the Model Y updates will likely lag by a couple of months or more. But you can expect to see similar exterior tweaks. More significant changes to the interior will come, like perforated, ventilated front seats, a mildly revised center touchscreen with more substantively revised functions, and a new, sportier steering wheel. You can also expect some suspension alterations.
Tesla Motors is the primary source of information in this article. It was accurate on December 6, 2023, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack is currently the host of the SportsMap Radio Network program America on the Road, available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, and other outlets.
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