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2009 Tesla Roadster Review

April 28, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Sleek carbon-fiber bodywork
Road & Track

It's stunning. The crisp lines across the carbon fiber body give a futuristic look
The Detroit News

Cabin has a minimalist design
Cars.com

The 2009 Tesla Roadster is based on a Lotus Elise platform, but its styling is wholly unique and unquestionably cool.

A number of reviewers mention that the Tesla Roadster isn't an all-new vehicle; Car and Driver reports that this "two-seat targa [is] assembled by Lotus in England and finished by Tesla Motors in San Carlos, California." However, while the underpinnings are derived from the Elise, the exterior bodywork is completely changed, and the Tesla Roadster has received fantastic reviews from both critics and consumers. Road & Track loves the "sleek carbon-fiber bodywork," while The Detroit News calls it "stunning," featuring "crisp lines across the carbon fiber body [that] give a futuristic look." Cars.com notes that this Tesla 2009 model "comes with a removable soft-top (a carbon fiber hardtop is optional)."

Despite the car's undeniable stage presence, the Tesla Roadster is actually quite small. The Detroit News marvels that the 2009 Tesla Roadster "is only 155 inches long (that's 6 inches shorter than the 2009 Honda Fit) and only 44 inches tall—and that's including the roof." Nobody seems to mind the tiny dimensions, however, and The Detroit News in particular feels "there's a minimalist approach to the car's body that combines form and function into fine art."

The understated style of the Tesla 2009 Roadster's exterior carries over to the interior, which is sparse but pleasant. Car and Driver reports that the Tesla Roadster's cabin "is efficiently trimmed with a glossy carbon-fiber console with buttons for the cabin-temperature controls, seat heaters, and air conditioning." The main screen you'll find in this high-tech marvel is the "Vehicle Display System," which Road & Track says is located "down to the left of the steering wheel and, among many other features, has touch-screen settings of five operational modes." Cars.com notes the "minimalist design" of the 2009 Tesla Roadster's interior, but reviewers once again find it more futuristic than annoying.

Conclusion

The 2009 Tesla Roadster has the stunning looks to match its sportscar performance.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Sleek carbon-fiber bodyworkRoad & TrackIt's stunning. The crisp lines across the carbon fiber body give a futuristic lookThe Detroit NewsCabin has a minimalist designCars.com The 2009 Tesla Roadster is based on a Lotus Elise platform, but its styling is wholly unique and unquestionably cool. A number of reviewers mention that the Tesla Roadster isn't an all-new vehicle; Car and Driver reports that this "two-seat targa [is] assembled by Lotus in England and finished by Tesla Motors in San Carlos, California." However, while the underpinnings are derived from the Elise, the exterior bodywork is completely changed, and the Tesla Roadster has received fantastic reviews from both critics and consumers. Road & Track loves the "sleek carbon-fiber bodywork," while The Detroit News calls it "stunning," featuring "crisp lines across the carbon fiber body [that] give a futuristic look." Cars.com notes that this Tesla 2009 model "comes with a removable soft-top (a carbon fiber hardtop is optional)." Despite the car's undeniable stage presence, the Tesla Roadster is actually quite small. The Detroit News marvels that the 2009 Tesla Roadster "is only 155 inches long (that's 6 inches shorter than the 2009 Honda Fit) and only 44 inches tall—and that's including the roof." Nobody seems to mind the tiny dimensions, however, and The Detroit News in particular feels "there's a minimalist approach to the car's body that combines form and function into fine art." The understated style of the Tesla 2009 Roadster's exterior carries over to the interior, which is sparse but pleasant. Car and Driver reports that the Tesla Roadster's cabin "is efficiently trimmed with a glossy carbon-fiber console with buttons for the cabin-temperature controls, seat heaters, and air conditioning." The main screen you'll find in this high-tech marvel is the "Vehicle Display System," which Road & Track says is located "down to the left of the steering wheel and, among many other features, has touch-screen settings of five operational modes." Cars.com notes the "minimalist design" of the 2009 Tesla Roadster's interior, but reviewers once again find it more futuristic than annoying. ConclusionThe 2009 Tesla Roadster has the stunning looks to match its sportscar performance. 2009 TESLA ROADSTER STYLING | [9 out of 10] Road & Track: "Sleek carbon-fiber bodywork" The Detroit News: "It's stunning. The crisp lines across the carbon fiber body give a futuristic look" Cars.com: "Cabin has a minimalist design" The 2009 Tesla Roadster is based on a Lotus ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Despite its unique powertrain, the 2009 Tesla Roadster competes in an impressive bracket of high-performance two-seat sportscars. Probably the closest comparable production car is the Porsche 911 Turbo, which is slightly quicker to 60 mph (3.7 seconds against the Tesla's 3.9) but costs $25,000 more. Adding the Sport option to the Tesla Roadster brings its 0-to-60-mph time down to 3.7 seconds as well, but you'll pay dearly for that fifth of a second: the price goes up another $19,500. The Porsche is better built, has a higher level of amenities, and offers far more dealers and service points, plus more space for people, stuff, and luggage. Another competitor, the Ferrari F430 Spider, costs $75,000 more for roughly equal performance. On the lower end of the scale, the Audi R8 carries a sticker price equal to the Tesla Roadster's, but with its standard V-8 engine, is more than a second slower to 60 mph. All three of these cars, of course, have ranges of 300 miles or more on gasoline, with tanks that can be refilled in 10 minutes or less. The Roadster's range, on the other hand, is quoted as 244 miles (from the EPA test cycle), but aggressive driving is likely to take that below 200 miles. However, Tesla buyers know that perfectly well. One further consideration: Any of those three companies (Audi, Ferrari, or Porsche) may be a better bet to exist 10 years hence than Tesla, whose executive turnover and abrupt changes in product strategy have kept the Silicon Valley gossip mill humming.

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See the Tesla Roadster in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (1 total)

  1. By David Brusiee #1, Posted: 8/20/2009

    I can hardly believe that nobody has posted any comments to this site. Hmmmm
    Anyhow I think that Tesla has developed some great technology and hope that it will promote the entire electric car industry.
    /DaveB

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