Phone Mounts for a Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S MountsThe Tesla Model S in this brand’s top of the line sedan.  High end sedans are typically among the easiest to find mounts for, but this was an exception.

We’ve reviewed the entire Tesla lineup including the Model Y and Model 3.  This was a little easier than the other two.

Mount Analysis

A photo of the interior of the Tesla Model S accompanies this article.  It doesn’t look like your typical high-end sedan.

Most car model specific articles on this site have the words “Phone, GPS and Tablet Mounts” within it.  This one just has the words “Phone Mounts”.  This is because there is simply nowhere to put a tablet.

The thing I was drawn to was a gigantic 17″ touchscreen display.  It’s large enough to be distracting.  You will likely use this display for a lot of things, but it sure provides a large GPS display.  In fact, it’s like watching a GPS on a TV screen.

So let’s look at some phone mounts for a Tesla Model S.  There are a few good locations and several “not so good” locations.

Windshield and Dash Mounts for the Tesla Model S

First, let’s look at the windshield.  The challenge here is to ensure the mounting location doesn’t block your view of the road.  Consider the Arkon Slim Grip Ultra Travel Mount for smartphones. The cradle expands to over seven-inches wide and that is large enough to hold a phone with or without a case (including a thick Otterbox Defender).  The expandable cradle includes support legs that can be moved from side to side to leave any port on your phone exposed for cables.  The mount can be adjusted at the base and cradle.  It rotates 360 degrees.

If you would like to use a Garmin GPS in this vehicle, remove the cradle and adapter from this mount.  That uncovers a 17mm ball which is the exact size necessary to fit the socket on the back of a Garmin vehicle GPS cradle (such as the Nuvi or Drive).

This mount kit includes a dash disk for turning the suction mount into one that works on top of the dash.  Best location is towards the left of the touchscreen on top of the dash.

Unique Mounts for the Tesla Model S

An entire line of mounts unique to Tesla have come to market over the past few years.  Attachment to the display tablet or somewhere close to it seems to be a theme.

Take the Torras Magnetic Car Mount for Tesla Vehicles as an example.  This is a mount that uses a magnet to connect to your phone.  It can utilize the MagSafe connection on an iPhone or other phones supporting this connection.  This attaches to the back of the Tesla Model S display screen.  This mount features the ability to fold it behind the display when not in use which is nice.

Tesla Model S Mount Summary

How about a few of our other mounting locations?  There aren’t any.  The cup holders are set too far back to be of any use.  There is no CD player.  The car seat bolts aren’t easily accessible.   Forget the vents.

So that leaves the windshield and display as the best locations for mounting a phone.  You can also consider the top of the dash but I think the windshield or air vent make better locations in the Tesla Model S.  These locations are also good for mounting a GPS although I suspect between your smartphone and big giant touchscreen console, you won’t be needing your Garmin GPS.