March 01, 2023

What does Jay Leno really think about Tesla?

"I'll take it," screams Jay Leno as he races down the street in a new Tesla Roadster with the company's chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen. Leno clarifies, "I'll buy it!" It turns out this isn't the first time Franz and Jay have met one another. Back in 2012, the two connected in order to discuss (and showcase) Tesla's first flagship sedan, the Model S, on Jay Leno's Garage. And over time, Leno has become a big fan of the Silicon Valley automaker.

Above: Jay Leno and Tesla's Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen (Image: Teslarati via CNBC)

Leno already owns a Tesla Model S. And in the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage, Teslarati reports, "Leno’s Tesla visit began with a brief test drive of the Model 3. Leno was largely impressed with the electric sedan, stating that the smaller car 'feels exactly like a Model S.'" High praise from the car aficionado.

Above: Franz and Jay talk about the Model 3 and new Tesla Roadster (Image: Teslarati via CNBC)

From there, the segment moves to the forthcoming Roadster which is slated for launch in 2020. Beforehand, Leno had driven the original version of the Roadster which Tesla had launched way back in 2008. “I’m driving the past so I can look at the future,” Leno explains. Teslarati notes that Leno compares the new Roadster's "top speed to that of a fighter jet and the car’s quarter-mile time to that of a purpose-built drag racer."

Above: Tesla's Elon Musk discussing the original Tesla Roadster years ago with Jay Leno (Source: Jay Leno's Garage)

Over the years, Leno has grown increasingly appreciative of Tesla's mission and its CEO Elon Musk. He's appeared on CNBC a number of times to discuss Tesla. He's called Elon Musk a modern day "Thomas Edison or Henry Ford." He's thrown his support behind Tesla's Autopilot as an important advance in vehicle safety. And Leno has also defended the company against unfair treatment in the media.

Above: Leno driving a Tesla Model S (Image: Tesla Updates via Jay Leno's Garage)

In any event, to get a better sense of what this automotive expert really thinks of Tesla, check out this round-up of Tesla-related segments featuring Jay Leno...