Tesla Model X – Will Change Your Life
The Model X is an all-electric SUV that has the potential to change people’s lives. It’s expensive, but it boasts impressive performance and can comfortably seat seven.
It’s also very easy to live with. The party piece is the Falcon Wing rear doors that hinge at the top and lift upwards.
Powertrain
The Model X carries the Tesla nameplate’s reputation for performance with its twin electric motors and high-speed capabilities. Regardless of the version you choose, this midsize SUV will quickly accelerate from a stop and pass and merge with ease at higher speeds.
Its large center display is among the industry’s best for crisp graphics and its simple Google-based navigation system is a standout, too (although it can be confused in areas with spotty cell service). Over-the-air updates add new features and optimizations as you drive, which keeps this car fresh.
Its unique falcon-wing doors aren’t as intuitive to use as those of other luxury vehicles, and the interior design is a bit more stark than many German premium brands at this price point. Still, it’s roomy in the front seats and has a full suite of driver assistance features. The Tesla Model X is capable of rapid charging and can achieve an 80% state-of-charge in around half an hour. It supports NACS and CCS Combo 2 connector types. See the table below for details on charging options.
Performance
When you put the pedal to the metal in a Model X, the car responds with a sense of urgency that’s utterly unlike any other SUV. Its combination of all-wheel drive and instant torque from the electric motors means it’s a mighty fast SUV, with the top-of-the-range Performance model able to slingshot itself to 60mph in a bonkers 2.7 seconds. It can also travel up to 358 miles between charges.
If you’re looking for even more speed, the Model X Performance can be upgraded with a more powerful rear motor and the Ludicrous drive mode that offers supercar-like acceleration. The standard dual-motor setup is still plenty quick, though, and doesn’t suffer from the loss of power that deprives many exotic sports cars of their exhilarating feel as they climb to highway speeds.
The 2024 Model X’s stark interior is typical of Tesla, with the driver facing an angular digital gauge display and a massive 17.0-inch landscape infotainment screen. The lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is disappointing, but the built-in sat nav and audio menus work well enough. Standard driver-assistance features include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.
Range
The 2023 Model X offers plenty of standard equipment for its lofty price, including heated seats and steering wheel for all occupants, a powered tailgate, and vegan simulated-leather upholstery. A premium 17-speaker audio system is also included. For safety tech, there’s automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control, while the $5,000 Full Self-Driving Capability adds auto parking for both parallel and perpendicular spaces, Smart Summon (the Model X drives itself to a set destination or your location), traffic light and stop sign control, and freeway driving suites that handle everything from exit ramp to on-ramp handling.
The dual-motor Model X gets to 60mph in just 3.8 seconds and can travel 358 miles between charges, which is more than most SUVs get from their tanks of gas. Tesla’s Supercharger public charging network allows owners to add 175 miles of range in around 15 minutes. Braking is impressive, with a natural feel that’s often lacking in other electric vehicles. Its regenerative braking has Standard and Low modes that recapture energy and send it back to the battery, which helps the car coast longer and slow down more slowly.
Design
If you aren’t familiar with the Model X it might look like one of those futuristic SUVs that have to be seen to believe. It’s 4WD and has seven seats but it isn’t really a conventional SUV either. Its signature Falcon doors open up in 11 inches of space with sensors to prevent them hitting pillars or kids and it’s an amazing thing to see in person.
The cabin is minimalist with a huge 17-inch landscape infotainment screen the hub for nearly all functions. It is quick and user-friendly but can feel intimidating to new owners who are used to more traditional controls.
The X offers five-, six- and seven-seat configurations with a useful frunk forward of the cabin for additional cargo. It can tow up to 5,000 lb and has 77 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Handling is car-like with instantaneous power delivery from foot commands and minimal body movement through turns and bumps for a comfortable ride. Adjustable steering stiffness through software is also a nice touch.
Value
The Model X is one of the few SUVs to offer seating for seven, and its rear “Falcon Wing” doors are unlike anything else on the market. Its electric powertrain and high-tech interior also make it stand out.
For those looking for an SUV with even more impressive acceleration, a Model X in Performance or Ludicrous mode can get to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. This makes it the fastest production SUV ever.
The standard Autopilot system creates a semi-autonomous driving experience on the highway, but drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Other driver assistance features include blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
If you’re interested in a Tesla Model X but can’t afford to purchase one brand new, consider looking for a used Model X with a few years of age on it. According to iSeeCars, the Model X depreciates 60.7 percent after five years, which is lower than the average luxury electric midsize SUV’s depreciation rate of 70.9 percent.
