The air at 14,115 feet is notoriously thin. If you’re driving a traditional internal combustion engine, your car is gasping for oxygen, losing roughly 3% of its power for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. By the time you reach the summit of Pikes Peak, a standard gas car has been stripped of nearly 40% of its performance. But we don't deal in gas cars. At Frontier Tesla, we’ve seen firsthand how the electric revolution has turned the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) into a playground for instant torque and silent speed.
When you’re planning a trip to Colorado Springs to tackle the most famous mountain road in the world, the question isn't whether you should go electric. The question is: which Tesla is the right tool for the job? Choosing between a Tesla Model 3 Performance vs Model S rental isn't just about budget. It’s about how you want to feel when you’re staring down the W-Bottoms or navigating the terrifying drops of the Upper Section.
The Electric Advantage on America’s Mountain
Pikes Peak is a 12.42-mile gauntlet. It features 156 turns and a 4,720-foot vertical climb. For decades, drivers struggled with turbo lag and overheating engines. EVs changed that narrative. Because an electric motor doesn't need to "breathe," it delivers 100% of its torque at the starting line and 100% at the finish line.
We’ve found that renters often underestimate the psychological boost this provides. You aren't worrying about downshifting or staying in the power band. You’re just driving. But the Model 3 and the Model S offer two very different philosophies for conquering this ascent. One is a scalpel; the other is a sledgehammer.
Tesla Model 3 Performance: The Scalpel for the 156 Turns
If your goal is to feel every inch of the pavement, the Model 3 Performance is your weapon of choice. It is significantly lighter than the Model S, weighing in at approximately 4,065 lbs compared to the Model S Plaid’s 4,766 lbs. On a road where weight transfer dictates your safety, that 700-pound difference is massive.
Which Tesla handles the Pikes Peak hairpins best?
The Tesla Model 3 Performance handles the Pikes Peak hairpins better than any other vehicle in the fleet. Why? It comes down to the wheelbase and the polar moment of inertia. The Model 3 is shorter and narrower, making it feel much more "tossable" in the tight, low-speed switchbacks known as the W-Bottoms.
In our experience, the Model 3’s steering rack feels quicker. When you’re cranking the wheel 180 degrees to clear a hairpin, the Model 3 rotates with a level of eagerness that the larger Model S can’t quite match. It feels like a sports car. The Model S, by comparison, feels like a high-speed grand tourer. If you want to "dance" with the mountain, the 3 is your partner.
Tesla Model S: The Sledgehammer Approach
Don't count the Model S out. While it’s heavier, it compensates with raw, unadulterated power. If you rent a Model S Plaid from us, you’re sitting on 1,020 horsepower. That is more than almost every professional race car that competed in the Hill Climb twenty years ago.
The Model S excels in the "straights"—though on Pikes Peak, "straight" is a relative term. Between the hairpins, there are sections where you can let the car run. The stability of the Model S at high speeds is unparalleled. Its longer wheelbase provides a planted feel that can be very reassuring when there is a 2,000-foot drop-off just three feet from your passenger-side tire.
Is the Model S worth the extra rental cost for the Hill Climb?
Whether the Model S is worth the extra rental cost depends entirely on your priorities. If you value prestige, interior luxury, and the sheer bragging rights of driving a sub-2-second 0-60 mph car up a mountain, then yes. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
However, for the specific task of navigating the Pikes Peak Highway, the Model 3 Performance often provides more "smiles per mile" for the enthusiast driver. The Model S is a technological marvel, but its width can make the narrow lanes of the upper mountain feel even tighter. We usually tell our clients: if you want to feel like a VIP, take the S. If you want to feel like Randy Pobst, take the 3.
Can I rent a Tesla with Track Mode for the Pikes Peak Highway?
Yes, you can rent a Tesla with Track Mode for the Pikes Peak Highway through Frontier Tesla. We specifically maintain a fleet of Performance-tier vehicles—both Model 3 and Model S—that have Track Mode V3 fully enabled.
This isn't just a gimmick. Track Mode is essential for a high-performance climb like Pikes Peak for several reasons:
- Torque Vectoring: You can adjust the bias between the front and rear motors. Want more rotation in the corners? Send more power to the back.
- Aggressive Cooling: Track Mode pre-conditions the battery and runs the fans at maximum speed to prevent thermal throttling.
- Adjustable Regenerative Braking: This is the most critical feature for the descent (more on that in a moment).
- Stability Control: You can dial back the computer's intervention, allowing for a bit of slip if you’re a skilled driver.
We do ask that you use these features responsibly. Pikes Peak is a public toll road, not a closed circuit. But having the capability of Track Mode ensures that the car’s cooling systems are ready for the sustained high-power draw of a 4,000-foot climb.
Mastering the Descent: The Glen Cove Brake Check
What goes up must come down. And coming down Pikes Peak is arguably more dangerous than going up. The park rangers at Glen Cove (about halfway down the mountain) will stop every single car to check brake temperatures with an infrared gun. If your brakes are over 300°F, they’ll force you to park for 30 minutes to cool down.
This is where your Tesla Model 3 Performance vs Model S rental choice pays dividends. Because of regenerative braking, you can descend almost the entire mountain without ever touching your physical brake pedals.
How to use Regen to pass the Brake Check
We’ve seen gas-powered SUVs with smoking brakes pulled over at Glen Cove while our Tesla renters sail through with brake temperatures near ambient levels. Here’s the trick: set your regenerative braking to "Standard" or use the Track Mode settings to max out the regen.
As you lift off the accelerator, the motors turn into generators, slowing the car down and pumping energy back into the battery. On a full descent from the summit, you can actually gain 5-8% of your battery charge back. It’s free energy. More importantly, it keeps your friction brakes cold and ready for an emergency.
Key Takeaways for Your Pikes Peak Adventure
- Model 3 Performance: Best for agility, hairpins, and a "sports car" feel.
- Model S: Best for raw power, stability, and luxury.
- Track Mode: Available on our Performance models; vital for thermal management.
- Regen is King: Use it on the way down to avoid the "Brake Check" penalty.
- Charging: Start your climb with at least 60% battery. There are Superchargers in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs to top off before you head up.
The Logistics: Downtown Pickup and Self-Driving
We know you don't want to spend your vacation at a rental counter. That’s why we offer downtown pickup in major cities across the USA, including Denver and Colorado Springs. Our cars are self-driving capable, which is a godsend for the highway trek from the airport to the base of the mountain.
Imagine landing, picking up your Model 3 Performance downtown, and letting the car handle the traffic while you focus on the scenery. Once you hit the toll gate at the Pikes Peak Highway, you take the wheel and experience the raw capability of the dual-motor setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the battery drain faster on the climb? Yes, significantly. You are fighting gravity. Expect to use about 15-20% of your battery just on the 12-mile climb. However, remember that you will gain a good portion of that back on the way down.
Is it safe to use Autopilot on Pikes Peak? We strongly advise against it. The Pikes Peak Highway has sharp drop-offs, inconsistent lane markings, and unpredictable tourist traffic. Autopilot is designed for highways, not 156-turn hill climbs. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
What happens if I run out of battery at the top? It’s actually very hard to do if you follow our guidelines. Even if you reach the summit with 5%, you’ll likely have 12% by the time you get back to the bottom thanks to regenerative braking.
Do I need special tires? Our Performance fleet comes equipped with high-performance all-season or summer tires (depending on the month) that provide the necessary grip for the mountain's asphalt.
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Book?
If you’re still torn, look at it this way. Are you the kind of person who wants to feel the "finesse" of a corner? Book the Model 3 Performance. It’s the enthusiast's choice for a reason. Are you the kind of person who wants the most powerful, technologically advanced machine available? Book the Model S.
Either way, you’re choosing a superior way to experience one of the world’s greatest roads. No engine noise to drown out the wind. No power loss. Just you, the torque, and the clouds.
Ready to conquer the Peak? Book your Tesla Model 3 Performance or Model S rental today and experience the mountain the way it was meant to be driven.
Sources
- Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Official Site - Historical data and race records.
- Tesla Track Mode V3 Overview - Technical specifications for torque vectoring and cooling.
- Unplugged Performance 2021 PPIHC Report - Real-world data on Model 3 Performance on Pikes Peak.
- Colorado Springs Tourism: Pikes Peak Highway - Driving safety and road information.