Chevrolet has stated that one of the goals their engineers had in mind while developing the new Corvette ZR1X was to produce a hypercar that could actually function as a daily driver. The car is not just a four-wheeled rocket that's only suited for the track, but something that makes sense as your grocery getter and daily commuter, while also being the most powerful American car ever to reach mass production.We can't know whether Chevrolet is successful in accomplishing that goal until we get our hands on the new Corvette. Still, we know that combining high power and daily usability is possible because the precedent for such a vehicle goes back to 2021, with the launch of the Tesla Model S Plaid.The Plaid looks much like any other Model S, and, if you keep it in Chill or Standard mode, it drives more or less like any other example of the sedan, too. However, hit that Ludicrous+ button and you can unlock sprints to 60 miles per hour in just two seconds. Here's how Tesla created the everyday hypercar segment. It's Definitely A Hypercar TeslaOne of the really exciting things about EVs and hybrids is that they essentially democratize high-end power output. You don't need twelve cylinders and a pit crew to enjoy the thrill of quick acceleration and four-figure horsepower. The Model S Plaid is a herald of a new era in performance vehicles – the first 1,000-hp daily driver, but not the last.Note that the 162 mph top speed is based on how fast the Plaid can go with the speed governor installed. A group of Canadian enthusiasts hacked one of these cars a few years ago and managed to reach an incredible 216 mph. The Model S Plaid Remains One Of The Fastest Production EVs In The World TeslaA Tesla Model S Plaid equipped with the Track Pack set a new record for fastest EV around the Nürburgring in June 2023, with a time of 7:25.231, beating the Porsche Taycan's earlier record by two seconds. The German automaker later returned to the track with its EV and set a new record of 7:07.55.The record has been broken a few times since by supercars, such as the Rimac Nevera, with a time of 7:05.29, and sedans, such as the Chinese Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, at 7:04.957. However, these models are expensive or unavailable. The base Taycan starts in the low six figures, and the Nevara costs more than $2 million. The Xiaomi isn't available in the United States.In any event, if we're talking about EVs that can set a seven-minute lap around the nearly thirteen-mile track, just being part of that exclusive club is something to write home about. You Don't Need A Track To Get Your Money's Worth From A Model S PlaidTeslaEven driving a mid-range sports car can feel a bit like you've got a tiger by the tail when you take it out on crowded public roads. To truly function as a daily driver, a vehicle must be able to get in touch with its gentler side. So the good news is that the Model S Plaid has no problem taking it down a notch when cruising around. With the softer air suspension settings engaged and light steering action, the Model S Plaid strikes a nice balance, offering a solid grand-touring experience when you're not looking to take off like a space shuttle. It's A Daily Driver First, And A Hyper Car Second TeslaIf anything, the Tesla Model S Plaid perhaps errs too far on the side of comfortable daily driving. We're not sure if that's a fault so much as an essential component of the car's design, considering the Model S started as a practical four-door, only to upgrade the powertrain to a thousand-horsepower monster five years after the original version's initial launch.In our reviews of the Model S Plaid, we've noted that the Porsche Taycan is more satisfying to drive in terms of handling corners. However, the Model S Plaid can get occupants to the other end of a straight runway faster than a Star Trek teleporter, but it's not a driver's car in the same way as the Porsche.The Model S Plaid just wants to be an accessible EV that breaks the high-price supercar monopoly on mind-boggling track times, and it's achieving that with flying colors while delivering everything you'd want from an electric family sedan, including: 100 cubic feet of passenger volume with seating for five. 320 miles of range. Available automatic parking and enhanced autopilot. A five-star overall NHTSA safety rating (based on the 2016 model) and five stars from Euro NCAP (2022). Superior vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, according to the IIHS (2016-2021 models). You Can Score A Model S Plaid For Cheap In 2026 TeslaWith a starting price of $109,990 for the 2026 model, the Model S Plaid is more accessible than many other cars in this power category. It's also going out of production this year, so you better jump if you want one. If you're willing to buy used, though, you could just about cut that price in half, and you've got what looks to be the cheapest path to 1,000+ hp – unless you want to buy a dozen 92-hp 1995 Mitsubishi Mirages for $1,000 each.Running a search on the Tesla Inventory site, we turned up the following models: A 50,908-mile 2022 model selling for $55,900. A 38,225-mile 2022 model selling for $60,200. A 55,954-mile 2021 model selling for $51,300. A 32,401-mile 2021 model selling for $54,000. A 41,660-mile 2021 model selling for $55,700. Teslas are some of the fastest-depreciating vehicles on the market, so these prices might even be considerably lower by the time you read this. Used Models Are Cheap, But The New Facelift Is Substantial TeslaIf you want to achieve supercar performance at a mid-range luxury sedan price, we strongly recommend a model from the 2021 or 2022 model years. However, if money is no object, the Tesla Model S underwent a substantial facelift for the 2026 model year, updating its admittedly dated appearance and adding or revising numerous features.The new model delivers up to 410 miles of range. Tesla adds a new camera to the front end, the suspension is reportedly more comfortable, road noise is quieter, and there are adaptive headlights. It even comes with a new exterior color option, Frost Blue Metallic.Based on the updates, the 2026 Model S Plaid is a better car overall than the previous version. Starting at an MSRP of $101,630, the question ultimately comes down to whether it's $50,000 better than a used 2025 Model S Plaid. That's for you to figure out, but we're standing by the 2021 and 2022 models as the best deal you're going to get on a next-level performance car for the time being in this price range.Sources: Tesla.
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