2020 Model S Raven vs 2023 Model S Plaid - HW3 vs HW 4
After lots of research, I made the switch from a 2020 Model S Raven to a 2023 Model S Plaid with HW4. Overall, great decision. For those making a similar choice, a few items of note:
- HW4 is WAY better. Don’t believe the reviews that say that the two are close. HW3 requires close supervision at all times. HW4 feels like you are in a Waymo. FSD on the Raven was not safe. Erratic lane changes, sudden stops, driving in lanes that aren’t lanes, inching into traffic at a stop sign etc etc. HW3 also required me to bump the steering wheel every minute or so, where with HW4 I receive almost no prompts. The only mild benefit of HW3 is that it didn’t have a camera watching your eyes. So slightly easier to use your phone. Otherwise no comparison and worth the cost of the upgrade by itself.
- The Plaid is a much better car. Almost perfect really. Better suspension, less interior noise, better controls and love that I don’t need a key fob. Build quality is also better - less squeaks, rattles etc. And then there is the power. Off the line who cares - either car can make you hurl if you floor it. Where the Plaid shines is at speed. Car pulls at almost any speed where the Raven lost a lot of zip once you got north of 70 mph.
- In terms of cost, I paid $67K on Carvana for the 2023 Plaid with 48K miles. Car is pristine. They gave me $27K for my 2020 MS Raven, which had some significant exterior scrapes and interior blemishes. So $40K to make the switch. IMO a late year 2023 with HW4 is the sweet spot for value.
Only question mark for me so far are the seats. Same exact shape as in the Raven but so far not as comfortable. Not sure if that is just a matter of getting used to them or an actual difference. Only thing I can tell is that the seats are a bit firmer (but not the sport seats in the later model Plaids).