Tesla PUP (Premium Upgrade Package) – What's Included and Is It Worth the Cost?
Deciding which options you can't live without is one of the toughest parts about shopping for a new car. Do I need the spoiler? The 24 inch rims? The undercoating to prevent rust damage? Probably not. Still, selecting options can be a whole lot of fun. It can also be an exercise that results in spending way too much money. In an effort to help you strike a balance between getting what you want and not breaking the bank, here we take a look at the Tesla Premium Upgrade Package (PUP) – what's included and is it worth the cost?
Models S and X
The good news is…if you're buying a new Model S or X, you are getting the PUP whether you like it or not. Congratulations!
The PUP packages used to cost $5,000 and $6,000 for the S and X respectively. Last year Tesla decided to increase their prices by $2,500 for the S and $3,500 for the X in order to streamline the production process and bring the price down on all vehicles. The PUP includes a HEPA air filter with "Bioweapon Defense Mode," (a silly name for what is essentially a large, very effective air filter) and a fantastic premium sound system. The now-standard PUP for the S and X Models also includes cold weather features such as a heated steering wheel and heated seats for all passengers. The fine folks at electrek penned an excellent write-up on this development here.
Elon and Co.'s most affordable and best-selling vehicle to date is the wildcard in all of this. As of the date of this writing, you may select or forgo the PUP for your new Model 3. The upgrade will set you back $5,000 and will include the following:
Heated seats for all passengers.
Two USB ports in the rear (there are two USB ports in the front center console of every Model 3).
A premium audio system similar to the one in the S and X Models mentioned above.
Premium seating and interior materials (as opposed to the textile seating in the non-PUP versions).
Custom driver profiles that remember where you prefer your seat, mirrors, and steering column.
Power adjustable front seats.
A tinted glass roof with infrared protection.
LED fog lights.
A Center column docking station for two smartphones.
Upgraded side mirrors with power folding, heating and auto dimming.
So here's the $64,000 question. Is it worth it? Well, I can tell you that when it gets cold in my neck of the woods, I would gladly pay $5,000 for the heated seats alone. I wrote about how all-electric vehicles perform in cold climates here, if you're interested. My opinion aside, most of the Tesla owners on the various forums I frequent seemed to think it is. The positive reviews for the Tesla PUP were so overwhelming in fact, that I was unable to find a single Tesla owner with the PUP who regretted their decision.
Any of our readers out there opt for the PUP with their purchase? Do you love the additional features or do you regret your decision? Please leave us a comment below and share your thoughts.
Source | Image: Tesla Motors
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Tesla PUP
Neil Brooks
Neil Brooks is an electric vehicle owner and lover currently based in the greater Washington D.C. area. Neil is a fan of all things electric and may be the only person in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States to own both an electric leaf blower and an electric chainsaw. When he's not busy blogging about the latest on electric technology he enjoys grilling, rock climbing, and taking naps in his hammock.
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