Tesla just killed its flagship sedan and SUV. Production ends in Q2 2026, and the used market is about to be flooded with S and X examples at prices that make a lot more sense than they did two years ago. If you own one, or you’re about to buy one, now is a good time to think about what you actually put on it.
End of an Era, Start of a Buyer’s Market
Elon Musk confirmed it on the Q4 2025 earnings call: the Model S and Model X programs are ending with an “honorable discharge.” The Fremont factory floor, where these cars were built from 2012 to 2026, is getting converted to Optimus robot production. No replacements are coming. When the last one rolls off the line this quarter, that’s it.
In practice, that means a wave of used S and X inventory hitting the market over the next 12 to 18 months. People who ordered last-chance units, long-term owners ready to move on, and fleet operators clearing house. These cars will be available at prices that finally reflect their real-world depreciation, rather than the inflated premium they carried as Tesla’s halo vehicles. For buyers who have always wanted a Plaid or a loaded Long Range but couldn’t justify the price, this is the window.
And for people who already own one and plan to keep it long-term, that opens a different question: what are you actually doing about the wheels?
The Problem With Stock S and X Wheels
Here’s the honest situation. The Model S ships from the factory on either 19-inch Cardenio wheels (245/45R19, square fitment) or 21-inch Arachnid wheels (265/35R21 front, 295/35R21 rear, staggered). The Model X runs 20-inch Slipstream wheels (265/45R20 front, 275/45R20 rear, staggered) as standard, with 22-inch Turbine wheels (265/35R22 front, 285/35R22 rear) as the upgrade option.
Both cars come from the factory with staggered setups on most trims, meaning different front and rear sizes. That prevents front-to-rear tire rotation, which accelerates wear and increases long-term running costs. The 21-inch and 22-inch staggered options also come with low-profile tires that punish you on imperfect roads, and OEM replacement costs are steep. For anyone keeping an S or X for the long haul, this setup starts to feel like a liability.
A Wheel That Was Actually Built for These Cars: The UP-RW FF
Unplugged Performance just filled a gap that has existed for years with the UP-RW FF Road Warrior, a flow-formed version of their well-regarded forged UP-RW wheel. The key point: this is the first time the Road Warrior design has been available for Model S and Model X, in a single 19-inch diameter that fits every S, 3, X, and Y variant worldwide.
The move to 19 inches matters beyond just fitment. Going from factory 21s or 22s down to a square 19-inch setup means all four tires are the same size, which enables front-to-rear rotation. Over the life of a set of tires, that alone pays for a meaningful chunk of the cost of the wheels. The taller sidewall also absorbs road imperfections that low-profile rubber simply transfers straight to the cabin.
Owners originally equipped with 19-inch wheels can reuse their factory tires directly, and the wheel is designed to work with existing Tesla TPMS sensors, so there are no extra sensors to buy or program. The wheel is not compatible with bolt-on wheel spacers, which is worth noting if you run them.
The Spec Sheet That Actually Matters
The UP-RW FF carries a load rating of 2,095 lbs (950 kg) per wheel, matching the forged version and well above the platform’s requirements. It comes backed by a lifetime structural warranty: if the wheel cracks or breaks during normal daily use, Unplugged replaces it for the original owner. That is a genuine commitment, not fine print.
The aerodynamic design carries over from the forged UP-RW, which was validated through CFD testing at 20 inches. In that study, the UP-RW reduced drag by 12.3% compared to Tesla’s factory Performance 20-inch wheels, landing within 0.010 Cd of Tesla’s 18-inch Photon Aero wheel, the lowest-drag option Tesla offers from the factory. At 19 inches, with the same integrated disc architecture, the FF version is expected to perform comparably to or better than the previous model. For a car where every efficiency variable matters, that is not a trivial claim.
The wheel is also compatible with Unplugged Performance’s replaceable curb guard rings, which protect the outer lip from parking damage. Customers can order the wheel with or without them. On a car you’re planning to own for five to ten years, having the option to refresh the edge of a curbed wheel instead of replacing the whole thing is a practical feature that cheap wheels simply don’t offer.
One Wheel, Every Tesla
While the S and X angles are the headlines, the UP-RW FF fits the full Tesla lineup. Model 3 and Model Y owners get access to the same Road Warrior design and the same aero, warranty, and curb protection benefits at the same price point. The Model 3 ships from the factory on 18-inch Aero or 19-inch Sport wheels, and the Model Y on 19-inch Gemini or 20-inch Induction wheels, both in staggered configurations on Performance trims. The UP-RW FF’s 19-inch square setup addresses the same rotation and sidewall arguments for these platforms as it does for the S and X. At $1,595 for a set of four during the preorder window (through April 6, 2026, rising to $1,835 MSRP after), it is a genuinely competitive price for a wheel with this engineering and warranty behind it, regardless of which Tesla you drive.
For owners who want a complete solution, Unplugged Performance offers hand-picked wheel-and-tire packages that combine the UP-RW FF with pre-selected high-performance and sports tires, already mounted and balanced, at a lower combined price than buying the components separately. It is the cleanest way to get a ready-to-bolt-on upgraded setup without having to research tire compatibility yourself.
The Bottom Line
If you’re keeping your Model S or X for the next several years, which more and more owners are going to be doing, whether they planned on it or not, the UP-RW FF is the most complete answer to the wheel question these platforms have had. Better aero, rotatable square fitment, real warranty, and curb protection built in. Model 3 and Model Y owners get the same deal at the same price. It took a while to arrive for the S and X, but it arrived at exactly the right moment.
Check out the full media gallery below for a closer look at the UP-RW FF Road Warrior on all four Tesla platforms.
