In 2026, Elon Musk’s daily driver is the Tesla Cybertruck (Cyberbeast trim), with the Tesla Model S Plaid as his secondary go-to. His full garage spans both ends of automotive history:
- Daily drivers: Cybertruck, Model S Plaid, Model X
- Classics he owns: 1976 Lotus Esprit “Wet Nellie,” 1967 Jaguar E-Type, Ford Model T, 1978 BMW 320i
- No longer owned: McLaren F1, Hamann BMW M5, Audi Q7
- In orbit: His original Tesla Roadster, launched via SpaceX in 2018
Introduction
Search “Elon Musk cars” and you’ll find conflicting, outdated lists sites still claiming he drives a McLaren F1 he sold nearly two decades ago.
Tesla’s CEO genuinely collects cars, both electric and gasoline, but most articles blur his current daily fleet with his historic collection, leaving readers unsure what he actually drives today.
This guide separates the two clearly, corrects outdated claims, and adds what competitors miss: a current-vs-former ownership table, myth-busting on the “flying car” rumor, and a look at where his garage is headed next with Cybercab and autonomous driving.
Modern Vehicles tracks vehicle ownership data across public figures and automakers to keep this kind of profile accurate and current.
What Car Does Elon Musk Actually Drive in 2026?
Musk’s primary daily driver is the Tesla Cybertruck (Cyberbeast), regularly seen at Gigafactory Texas and SpaceX facilities. When not in the Cybertruck, he alternates between the Model S Plaid for performance trips and the Model X for family outings. He’s publicly joked that choosing between the Model S and Cybertruck is a daily dilemma.
Elon Musk’s Car Collection at a Glance
How Many Cars Does Elon Musk Own? Roughly seven verifiable vehicles across two tiers: three modern Teslas in daily rotation, and four classic/vintage cars kept for sentimental value excluding vehicles he’s sold (McLaren F1, BMW M5, Audi Q7) and one car no longer on Earth (his orbiting Roadster).
Daily Drivers vs. Collector Cars: Musk treats his garage in two distinct tiers Teslas for practical daily use, gas-powered classics for design appreciation and nostalgia. He’s said the classics aren’t trophies; he keeps them to honor automotive history while building its electric future.
Elon Musk’s Current Tesla Fleet
Tesla Cybertruck (Cyberbeast) His Main Daily Driver: As of late 2025 into 2026, the Cyberbeast became Musk’s primary daily driver, frequently spotted at Gigafactory Texas and SpaceX in its unpainted stainless-steel form, delivering tri-motor AWD and extreme towing capacity.
Tesla Model S Plaid Performance Pick: His go-to vehicle, cited for blistering speed and as his benchmark for Tesla performance engineering.
Tesla Model X Family SUV: Used for family outings thanks to its seven-seat configuration and Falcon-wing doors, a design directly inspired by frustrations with a previous SUV.
Elon Musk’s Classic & Vintage Car Collection
1976 Lotus Esprit “Wet Nellie” (James Bond Car): Purchased at a 2013 auction for nearly $1 million; Musk has spoken about wanting to make it actually function as a submarine using Tesla powertrain tech.
1967 Jaguar E-Type Roadster: Called “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari, one of Musk’s first dream-car purchases after falling for the design as a teenager.
Ford Model T: A gift representing the “disruption” of the original automotive industry, a nod to Musk’s own mission with Tesla.
1978 BMW 320i (His First Car): Bought for $1,400 in his Zip2 days and refurbished himself; still owned as a sentimental piece of his origin story.
The Tesla Roadster That Went to Space
Musk’s original 2008 Tesla Roadster built on the Lotus Elise chassis as Tesla’s first production car launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy in 2018 and now orbits the sun with mannequin “Starman” at the wheel. It’s the only car in his collection no longer on Earth.
Cars Elon Musk Used to Own (And No Longer Does)
| Vehicle | Status | Why It Left the Garage |
| McLaren F1 | Sold (2007) | Crashed while driving with Peter Thiel; uninsured, repaired, later sold |
| Hamann BMW M5 | No longer owned | Sold; the tuned 600-hp sedan reportedly inspired Tesla’s “Ludicrous Mode” |
| Audi Q7 | No longer owned | Musk called it “particularly horrendous”; its cramped third row helped inspire the Model X’s Falcon-wing doors |
Common Myths About Elon Musk’s Cars (Debunked)
Does Elon Musk Have a Flying Car? No verified flying car exists in his personal garage; the search interest stems from speculative coverage, not an actual product.
Does He Still Own the McLaren F1? No. He sold it in 2007 after a high-profile crash. Articles listing it as current are outdated.
How to Track Tesla’s Latest Models (If You Want His Taste)
Tesla updates its lineup and trims regularly. To follow vehicles similar to Musk’s picks, check official Tesla configurator pages directly for current trims, pricing, and delivery timelines rather than relying on stale blog estimates.
What Elon Musk’s Car Choices Reveal About Tesla’s Design
His Audi Q7 frustrations directly led to the Model X’s Falcon-wing doors; his enthusiasm for blistering acceleration in cars like the McLaren F1 echoes in Tesla’s “Ludicrous” and “Plaid” modes. His garage functions as an informal R&D mood board as much as a personal collection.
Self-Driving & the Future of Elon Musk’s Garage
Musk’s daily vehicles run Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software, making his personal fleet a live testbed for autonomous features Tesla pushes to consumers.
What’s Next Cybercab, Optimus, and Robotaxi Plans
Tesla’s Cybercab and robotaxi initiatives suggest Musk’s future “daily driver” may eventually be fully autonomous. This section will be updated as the rollout progresses through 2026.
Key Takeaways on Elon Musk’s Car Collection
Musk’s garage splits into two worlds: cutting-edge Teslas (Cybertruck, Model S Plaid, Model X) for daily use, and gasoline-era classics (Lotus Esprit, Jaguar E-Type, Ford Model T, BMW 320i) kept for sentiment and design appreciation. He’s sold his most famous supercars, and one car, his original Roadster, now orbits the sun.
Elon Musk Car Insurance & Ownership Facts
Musk’s McLaren F1 was uninsured at the time of his crash, meaning he absorbed the full repair cost personally, a reminder that even billionaires sometimes skip coverage on irreplaceable vehicles.
FAQs
1. What car does Elon Musk drive daily?
Elon Musk has said that he usually drives a Tesla Model S Plaid for everyday use. He also occasionally uses a Tesla Model X, especially when traveling with family or testing Tesla’s latest features.
2. What was Elon Musk’s first car?
Elon Musk’s first car was a 1978 BMW 320i, which he bought as a student. He repaired and maintained the used car himself before eventually upgrading to more expensive vehicles.
3. Does Elon Musk still own a McLaren F1?
No, Elon Musk no longer owns the McLaren F1. He famously crashed the supercar in 2000 while giving a ride to a business partner. The car was heavily damaged and later sold.
4. What happened to Elon Musk’s original Tesla Roadster?
Elon Musk’s original Tesla Roadster was launched into space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket in 2018. The electric sports car remains in orbit around the Sun as part of the demonstration mission.
5. Does Elon Musk own a flying car?
No, Elon Musk does not own a flying car. Although he has discussed the idea in interviews, he has expressed concerns about safety, noise, and practicality, focusing instead on electric vehicles and advanced transportation technologies.
6. What classic cars does Elon Musk own?
Over the years, Elon Musk has owned several notable classic and collectible cars, including a 1967 Jaguar E-Type and the famous Lotus Esprit “Wet Nellie” submarine car featured in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.
7. Why did his car choices inspire Tesla’s Model X doors?
Elon Musk has said that the dramatic doors on cars like the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing inspired Tesla’s Model X Falcon Wing doors. Tesla redesigned the concept with advanced sensors to improve access in tight parking spaces.
8. What is Elon Musk’s most expensive car?
One of Elon Musk’s most expensive cars is the McLaren F1, which originally cost around $1 million. Today, well-preserved examples are worth more than $20 million, making it one of the world’s most valuable collector cars.
9. Does his car company make self-driving cars?
Tesla develops advanced driver-assistance technology called Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised). While these systems can automate many driving tasks, they still require an attentive human driver and are not fully autonomous.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s garage is a study in contrasts: stainless-steel Cybertrucks parked beside a 1920s Ford Model T, and a Bond-movie submarine car sharing space with Tesla’s most advanced performance sedan.
While outdated lists still credit him with cars he sold years ago, his real 2026 daily fleet centers on the Cybertruck and Model S Plaid. For more accurate, regularly updated vehicle ownership profiles, explore more guides on Modren Vehicles.
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