If you believe the Internet, which of course you should always do without question, the Tesla Model S is akin to a magic carpet, gliding mere inches above the tarmac, wielding its electric might. But, this isn't a fairy tale, it's about cold, hard millimeters - the ground clearance, to be precise. Let's not mince words - the ground clearance of a car is one of those figures that don't inspire bedtime stories, yet it's vital for not scraping your car's belly like a disgraced knight on every speed bump.
Over the years, the Tesla Model S has seen its belly lift like a proud cat stretching in the sun. Initially, the first generation of Model S from 2013 to 2016 started with a somewhat modest 144 mm. Then, like a plot in an ever-thickening novel, the 2016 facelift swooped in, hiking up the skirts to a more respectable 160 mm. And there it has stayed, steadfast, through the second facelift right up to the present day models. For those keeping score, that's an increase of 16 mm, which in the world of ground clearance, is not just a number, but the difference between scraping your dignity and blissfully ignoring those pesky speed humps.
Now, let's see how the Model S stacks up within the Tesla family, where ground clearance is a game of millimeters. In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 scurries closer to the ground at 140 mm, the sleek sedan evidently prioritizing aerodynamics over clearance. The Model Y and the gargantuan Model X, on the other hand, tower above, with 167 mm and a lofty 223 mm respectively. Yes, the Model S sits in that sweet spot, elevated enough to avoid casual scrapes, yet not venturing into the SUVs' airier realms. The Cybertruck, incidentally, floats on a different plane altogether at a staggering 433 mm, but that's a story for another day.
Moving on to the neighbors, the Tesla Model S finds itself in an interesting neighborhood. Take the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT for instance, virtually hugging the road at a mere 96 mm - talk about living on the edge! On the flip end, we have the Elaris Leo, standing tall among sedans at 160 mm, precisely mirroring our Model S. Vehicles such as the Electric Brands XBUS (200 mm) and the BYD Atto 3 (175 mm) elevate the discussion to new heights, though it's like comparing apples to a very electric orange. Speaking of rivals, even the ground clearance zealots like the VW ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E with their 163 mm and 147 mm respectively, strive to find that balance between the sky and the road. It's a crowded scene, full of highs and lows, but the Tesla Model S, with its evolutionary rise to 160 mm, finds itself cruising with both grace and practicality. Now, whether that extra legroom underneath makes a difference while cruising down the lane, or merely adds a few more sparks to its electric aura, is a story that every speed bump and driveway in town is eager to tell.