Compare the2026 Audi e-tron GTVS 2026 Tesla Model S

The e-tron GT’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model S doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi e-tron GT are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS has a standard Maneuver Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Model S doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The e-tron GT has a standard Audi Connect CARE, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model S doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the e-tron GT and the Model S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the e-tron GT for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Audi will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model S.

There are over 45 percent more Audi dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the e-tron GT’s warranty.

The RS e-tron GT performance’s standard electric motors produces 242 more horsepower (912 vs. 670) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (737 vs. 723) than the Model S All-Wheel Drive’s standard electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the RS e-tron GT performance is faster than the Model S All-Wheel Drive:

For better stopping power the RS e-tron GT performance’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model S:

The e-tron GT RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Model S doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The e-tron GT has a standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Model S doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The e-tron GT stops shorter than the Model S:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the e-tron GT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Model S.

The e-tron GT offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Tesla doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Model S.

The RS e-tron GT performance handles at 1.01 G’s, while the Model S All-Wheel Drive pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RS e-tron GT performance executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Model S (23.3 seconds @ .93 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the e-tron GT’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the Model S’ (38.1 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

A Service Interval Display is standard on the e-tron GT to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model S.

The e-tron GT Prestige/RS has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model S doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Laser headlights, standard on the e-tron GT Prestige/RS, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Model S’ LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The e-tron GT’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model S doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the e-tron GT has standard extendable sun visors. The Model S doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The e-tron GT offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Model S.