{"id":7041,"date":"2026-02-17T16:44:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:44:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/non-categorise\/doug-demuro-crowns-the-tesla-model-s-car-of-the-century\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T13:27:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T12:27:19","slug":"doug-demuro-crowns-the-tesla-model-s-car-of-the-century","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/news\/doug-demuro-crowns-the-tesla-model-s-car-of-the-century\/","title":{"rendered":"Doug DeMuro Crowns the Tesla Model S Car of the Century"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doug DeMuro, a YouTube automotive reviewer with over 5 million subscribers, has just settled a debate that has been ongoing among enthusiasts for years. For him, <strong>it\u2019s not even a question<\/strong>: the <strong>2012 Tesla Model S<\/strong> is THE <strong>most important car of the last 30 years<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a Tesla owner and observer of the automotive market\u2019s evolution, I\u2019ve always felt this impact daily. But hearing an external expert, renowned for his objectivity, confirm it with such conviction, validates something profound. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So why does such a respected reviewer place the <strong>Tesla Model S<\/strong> on this pedestal, above all other automotive innovations since the 90s?<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"an-influential-automotive-reviewer-who-doesnt-pull-punches\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Influential Automotive Reviewer Who Doesn\u2019t Pull Punches<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doug DeMuro is not just any automotive YouTuber. This American <strong>automotive reviewer<\/strong> has built a solid reputation thanks to his detailed reviews and his uncompromisingly <strong>factual analysis<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What makes him credible? He tests absolutely every brand without apparent bias. You\u2019ll see him point out the flaws of a Ferrari as easily as the qualities of a Kia. No beating around the bush, no sponsorship influencing his judgment.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This statement about the Tesla Model S comes from a recent video where he retrospectively analyzes the <strong>historical impact<\/strong> of certain vehicles on the automotive industry. And his conclusion is unequivocal. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why does his opinion carry so much weight? Because it represents the perspective of a traditional car enthusiast, not a pre-converted \u201ctech enthusiast.\u201d When someone who isn\u2019t in the Tesla bubble says this, it has a whole different significance.  <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/demuro-tesla-model-s-voiture-siecle-02-17-01.jpg\" alt=\"Doug DeMuro Crowns the Tesla Model S Car of the Century\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"why-the-tesla-model-s-rather-than-the-nissan-leaf-or-the-chevrolet-volt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why the Tesla Model S rather than the Nissan Leaf or the Chevrolet Volt?<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-forgotten-pioneers\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Forgotten Pioneers<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s remember: the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt were released before the Tesla Model S, as early as 2010. Technically, they were the first mass-market electric cars of the modern era. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But their positioning confined them to the role of \u201cgreen\u201d cars with obvious compromises. Limited driving range, modest performance, questionable design. The general perception was clear: <strong>electric vehicle<\/strong> = sacrifice.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-difference-between-being-first-and-changing-the-game\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Difference Between Being First and Changing the Game<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doug DeMuro explains it perfectly: \u201cIt\u2019s not the car that does it first, it\u2019s the one that <strong>democratizes the technology<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Tesla Model S proved that an EV could be <strong>desirable without compromise<\/strong>. We\u2019re talking about 400+ kilometers of real-world range compared to barely 150 km for the Leaf. A world of difference.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My observation in the field is unequivocal: people wanted THIS car, not just \u201can electric car to look good.\u201d The Tesla Model S created desire, not ecological resignation. <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"the-cultural-revolution-making-electric-cars-cool\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Cultural Revolution: Making Electric Cars Cool<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"a-radical-shift-in-perception\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Radical Shift in Perception<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before the Tesla Model S, the image of the <strong>electric vehicle<\/strong> was catastrophic: an eco-friendly, slow, and frankly ugly little car. Something for Parisian hipsters willing to make any sacrifice. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the Tesla Model S? EV = <strong>performance<\/strong>, cutting-edge technology, unapologetic luxury. A complete <strong>cultural revolution<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The \u201cwow\u201d factor was everywhere: acceleration that rivaled supercars, a giant touchscreen when others were still using buttons, an elegant design that ages remarkably well.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And today, the <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/interieur\/tesla-model-s-plaid-elle-depasse-les-1-000-chevaux-mais-pourquoi-faire\/\">Tesla Model S Plaid, exceeding 1,000 horsepower<\/a>, continues to push the boundaries of <strong>electric performance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-domino-effect-on-the-global-automotive-industry\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Domino Effect on the Global Automotive Industry<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The impact on the <strong>automotive industry<\/strong> was immediate. The German giants, who scoffed at first, were forced to react urgently. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Porsche developed the Taycan<\/li>\n<li>Audi launched the e-tron range<\/li>\n<li>Mercedes created its EQ division<\/li>\n<li>BMW accelerated its i series<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EV was no longer an experimental niche market, but the future acknowledged by all major players. My observation is simple: in 2012, driving a Tesla made you a \u201cweird early adopter.\u201d In 2025, it\u2019s almost mainstream.  <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/demuro-tesla-model-s-voiture-siecle-02-17-02.jpg\" alt=\"Doug DeMuro Crowns the Tesla Model S Car of the Century\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"the-industrial-feat-creating-a-car-manufacturer-in-2012\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Industrial Feat: Creating a Car Manufacturer in 2012<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But beyond the product itself, one must realize the magnitude of the achievement. The consensus in the <strong>automotive industry<\/strong> was clear: it was impossible to launch a new viable <strong>American car manufacturer<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>industrial barriers<\/strong> seemed insurmountable: colossal capital needed, complex supply chains, a distribution network to be created from scratch. A logistical and financial nightmare. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A striking historical reminder: the last viable American manufacturer before Tesla was\u2026 Chrysler in 1925. Nearly a century of failures in between.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elon Musk\u2019s audacity was to invest billions in this \u201cimpossible\u201d gamble. And above all, to understand that it wasn\u2019t enough to build a good electric car. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was necessary to create the <strong>Supercharger infrastructure<\/strong> to solve the chicken-and-egg problem: no EVs without fast charging stations, no charging stations without EVs to make them profitable. Tesla invested massively in this <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/superchargeur\/comment-utiliser-les-superchargeurs-tesla\/\">Supercharger network, which revolutionized fast charging<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a European, we sometimes forget this feat: creating an automotive brand from scratch and not only surviving but dominating an entire segment.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"a-legacy-that-goes-far-beyond-automotive\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Legacy That Goes Far Beyond Automotive<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tesla never became \u201cjust\u201d a car manufacturer. It\u2019s a tech and energy company that happens to make cars. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Tesla ecosystem<\/strong> is complete: the car + home energy (Powerwall) + the charging network. An integrated vision that no one else has replicated with such success. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gradual opening of Superchargers to other brands in 2024-2025 also shows the maturity of this infrastructure. What was an exclusive competitive advantage is becoming an industry standard. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Tesla Model S was the <strong>catalyst for change<\/strong>: without its initial success, there would be no Model 3 accessible to the general public, no Gigafactories worldwide, no major disruption of the sector.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My personal view? The Tesla Model S paved the way, and now we see the fruits everywhere. Even <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/voyages-road-trip\/roadtrip-de-619-km-bienne-a-davos-en-tesla-model-s\/\">those road trips in a Tesla Model S that were unthinkable before 2012<\/a> have become a daily reality for thousands of owners.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>electric vehicle market<\/strong> faces challenges in 2025, that\u2019s undeniable. But the impetus given in 2012 remains decisive for understanding where we are today. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doug DeMuro\u2019s analysis ultimately aligns with the experience of millions of owners and industry observers. The Tesla Model S may no longer be the best-selling Tesla \u2013 the Model 3 and Y largely dominate \u2013 but it remains THE foundation upon which everything else has been built. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My personal feeling, after all these years following the sector\u2019s evolution? Whether you\u2019re a Tesla fan or a critic of the brand, it\u2019s hard to deny the <strong>historical impact<\/strong> of this model on the entire automotive industry. This is also confirmed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodtimers.com\/fr\/histoire-de-lautomobile-americaine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">recognized automotive analyses<\/a> on the evolution of American manufacturers.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Final thought: what if in 30 years, we did the same exercise, which electric car would have the same weight in history? Is the revolution over, or is it just beginning? <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And you, do you think DeMuro is right? Does the Tesla Model S truly deserve the title of the most important car of the last three decades? <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Doug DeMuro, a YouTube automotive reviewer with over 5 million subscribers, has just settled a debate that has&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[89,90],"class_list":["post-7041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-model-3","tag-model-y","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"acf":[],"onesignal_meta_box_present":null,"onesignal_send_notification":null,"onesignal_modify_title_and_content":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_heading":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_content":null,"_yoast_wpseo_title":null,"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":null,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":null,"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7041"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7041\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}