Tesla Showroom Opens Next to Prudential Center

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It’s pretty hard to have a bad day when it starts with a ride in a Tesla. And this is coming from someone who owns a jeep and can hardly be bothered to change the oil. But even I was impressed with the cars on view at the company’s newest retail space on Bolyston St., which opened earlier this month.

Situated right next to the Prudential Center, the space is designed to have more in common with its retail neighbors than with a traditional car dealership, so consumers can feel comfortable browsing and learning about the cars’ technology without the pressure to buy. The impressive all-glass storefront is at the base of a new high-rise sustainable tower that also houses performance brand Under Armour. In addition to peering under the hoods, (which look very unlike other cars, given their lack of motors) visitors to the space can also customize their own sedan and sign-up for a test drive. I declined the offer to get behind the wheel out of extreme unease over being responsible for the $134,000 Model S P100D, but agreed to be driven around the Back Bay by a charming driver.

That sedan went from 0 to fast in a second and in that second, and for the rest of the ride, I felt like the protagonist in a futuristic time travel movie. There is a 17 inch touchscreen in the center of the dash that controls most of the car’s functions.  It also alerts the driver to the car’s charge status and where the closest charging station is located. On average, the sedan can go 250 miles once charged. When needed, there are roughly 750 charging stations located along the country’s major roadways and often near shopping centers so drivers have something to do while the car charges. It takes about 30 minutes, which is the right amount of time to feel smug for not using gas. Even if you don’t get the charming driver, I highly recommend taking a Tesla for a spin.

Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., 888 Bolyston St., tesla.com.