What Car Does Elon Musk Drive? The Real Story Behind His Daily Ride

Elon Musk doesn’t just talk about electric cars-he lives in one. If you’ve ever wondered what car Elon Musk drives on a regular day, the answer isn’t a luxury sedan from Germany or a flashy sports car from Italy. It’s a Tesla Model S. Not the fancy Plaid version you see in ads, but a plain, unmodified 2013 Model S. He’s been spotted driving it in Los Angeles, at Tesla factories, and even during late-night visits to Gigafactory Nevada. No vanity plates. No custom paint. Just a black Model S with tinted windows and a cracked windshield from years of use.

Why a 2013 Tesla Model S?

Musk doesn’t see his car as a status symbol. He sees it as a working prototype. The 2013 Model S was one of the first mass-produced electric vehicles with a range over 250 miles. It’s the car that proved EVs could be practical, not just eco-friendly novelties. Musk drove this same model through Tesla’s early struggles-when the company was nearly bankrupt, when production delays piled up, and when critics called electric cars a fad. He didn’t upgrade because he didn’t need to. The car still worked.

He’s mentioned in interviews that he drives it to stay connected to the product. When engineers report a software glitch or a door handle issue, he doesn’t just read the report-he’s experienced it firsthand. In 2018, he tweeted a photo of the cracked windshield after hitting a pothole on the way to the factory. He didn’t get it fixed. He just laughed and said, “It’s still got 200,000 miles on it.”

He Owns Other Cars, But Doesn’t Drive Them

Elon Musk owns more than one car. He has a Tesla Roadster in space-literally. That’s the red roadster he launched aboard the Falcon Heavy rocket in 2018, with a mannequin named “Starman” in the driver’s seat. He also owns a Tesla Cybertruck, which he’s been seen test-driving around Hawthorne, California. But he doesn’t use either for daily commutes.

He once said, “If I had to pick one car to drive for the rest of my life, it would be the Model S.” That’s not marketing. That’s truth. He’s owned multiple Model S units over the years, but he keeps coming back to the 2013 model. He even gave away his 2018 Model S to a Tesla employee who won a company contest. He didn’t keep it as a collector’s item. He gave it away because he didn’t need it.

What About the Cybertruck? Isn’t That His Future Car?

The Cybertruck is his most visible new project, and he’s been photographed driving it. But it’s not his daily driver. The Cybertruck’s angular design and stainless steel body make it tough, but it’s not comfortable for long drives. The ride is stiff, the cabin is loud, and the infotainment system still has bugs. Musk drives it for short trips-like going from his office to the factory-or to show off its off-road capability. But he still parks it and goes back to the Model S.

There’s a reason he hasn’t switched: the Model S is reliable. It’s had over 15 software updates since 2013. The battery still holds 85% of its original capacity. The motor hasn’t failed. The regenerative braking still works like new. That’s not luck. That’s engineering. And Musk knows it better than anyone.

He Doesn’t Like Luxury Cars

Musk has made it clear he doesn’t care about traditional luxury. He once called a $200,000 Mercedes “a waste of money.” He’s driven a $30,000 Toyota Corolla in his early days. He doesn’t buy cars for comfort or prestige-he buys them for function. His Tesla Model S doesn’t have leather seats. It doesn’t have heated rear seats. It doesn’t even have a premium sound system. It has a 17-inch touchscreen, a rear camera, and autopilot that’s been updated to handle city streets.

When he bought his first Tesla in 2008, he paid $109,000 for it. He sold his Ferrari F430 to help fund Tesla. He didn’t keep the Ferrari as a backup. He didn’t trade it for a Range Rover. He sold it because he didn’t believe in gas-powered cars anymore. That decision changed his life-and the car industry.

What Does His Car Say About Him?

Elon Musk drives a 12-year-old electric car because it still works. He doesn’t need a new one to prove he’s successful. He doesn’t need a private jet or a yacht to show he’s rich. His car tells you everything you need to know: he’s not here to impress. He’s here to build. He’s not a celebrity who wants to be seen in the latest model. He’s an engineer who wants the machine he helped create to keep running.

That’s why he still drives it. Not because he can’t afford a newer Tesla. Not because he’s cheap. But because the 2013 Model S still does everything he needs it to do. And that’s more than most cars can say after a decade.

He’s Not the Only Tech CEO Who Drives a Simple Car

Musk isn’t alone. Mark Zuckerberg drives a Honda Civic. Larry Page used to drive a Toyota Prius. Jeff Bezos owns a Tesla Model S but drives a Mercedes E-Class for family trips. The pattern is clear: the most successful tech founders often choose practicality over prestige. They know that real innovation isn’t about what you drive-it’s about what you build.

What’s Next for Elon Musk’s Car?

Will he ever switch to a Model 3 or Model Y? Maybe. But he’s said the Model S is still the best Tesla for long-distance driving. The newer models have better range and faster charging, but they lack the space and comfort of the original Model S. Musk has a family. He needs room for his kids. He needs a back seat that doesn’t feel like a closet. The Model S still wins there.

He’s also been spotted testing the new Tesla Robotaxi prototype. But he’s not driving it yet. It’s still in development. When it’s ready, he’ll probably drive one. But until then? The 2013 Model S is still his ride.