Tesla Model X review – is this the family car of the future?
Tesla Model X review – is this the family car of the future?
T he Model X marks Tesla’s 2nd major launch. Based on the Model S hatchback, it is a fully electrical SUV with show-stopping Falcon Wing rear doors and a range from a single charge of up to three hundred fifty miles in official test cycles.
As with the Model S, it is available in a range of power outputs, with each upgrade resulting in enhanced range and spectacle. Tesla’s hope is that this electrified SUV is all a family could ever wish for from their car, and as ever offers a range of charging options, from plugging in at home to using one of its superchargers, which can take the battery from empty to an eighty per cent charge in just forty minutes.
Space 8/Ten
Two boots, and room for up to seven people
T he Model X can be ordered with five, six or seven seats. Either way the 2nd row benefits from lots of legroom and effortless access thanks to what Tesla calls “Falcon Wing” rear doors. These double-hinged doors lift up and out at once and feature sensors that prevent them from hitting anything nearby. Slightly slow to open they might be, but they do also provide a broad and tall space to climb into the car (provided there’s room for them to open fully), which combined with 2nd row seats that slide out of the way on electrified motors makes access to the rearmost seats effortless.
Albeit there’s enough head room in the third row for a six-foot tall adult, legroom is restricted, making them only truly suitable for children.
W ith all three row of seats in place you still get enough boot space for a few shopping bags, helped by a removable false floor. Fold the rearmost seats down and the Model X offers a large rear stream area, albeit it is ultimately compromised by its sloping rear windscreen, and the 2nd row seats don’t fold at all. There is, however, another storage space under the front bonnet sufficient to carry an overnight bag (there’s no engine to worry about, reminisce).
Up front the glovebox is slender, but you do get two large centre cubbies and door pockets. There’s also lots of headroom, while a windscreen that arches up over the driver’s head makes the interior feel light and airy.
Convenience 8/Ten
Avoid the largest wheels
T he Model X is based on the same platform and battery technology as the Model S hatchback, so it’s no surprise that it’s identically as quiet to drive. There’s scarcely a whine from the electrical motors as you accelerate, leaving just a bit of wind and tyre noise to deal with, neither of which is excessive.
So far we’ve only tested the Model X on 22-inch wheels, which make the rail rather too hard. Opting for smaller wheels would likely solve this, because the standard air suspension otherwise does a good job of keeping the car lodged on UK roads.
The seats are very comfy, and suggest good support for long journeys.
Dashboard layout 8/Ten
Hi-tech and effortless to use
T he dashboard in the Model X closely resembles what you’ll find in the Model S, and is thus suitably different from the norm. The very first thing you’ll notice is the giant 17-inch tablet-style touchscreen, which is used to control most of the car’s functions. It works beautifully, with the satnav taken care of by Google Maps, music played through online streaming services, and the controls for charging and heating laid out in a logical style.
T here’s another TFT display for the dials, which again presents information in a very clear style, and the overall quality of the fixtures and fittings is moving closer to what you’d expect of a premium marque. As it stands BMW, Mercedes and Audi still build plusher interiors, but thanks to the quality of technology on suggest it’s unlikely Tesla owners will feel short-changed.
Effortless to drive 6/Ten
Visibility and size hold it back
R ear visibility is poor to the point that it’s scarcely worth looking over your shoulder when reversing. Instead, most will rely on the built-in sensors and excellent rear-view camera, which projects a widescreen photo on to the central touchscreen.
Large rear windows do gratefully make it lighter to check for cars in your blind catches sight of before switching lanes on the motorway.
As with many big SUVs it’s also unlikely to see where the Model X’s bonnet completes, plus of course it’s a broad car (broader, indeed, than the equivalent BMW or Range Rover). However, the steering is accurate enough to place the car confidently on the road, and the spectacle of the electrified motors is lightly sufficient to make overtaking a breeze, no matter what power output you opt for.
Don’t leave behind that because you’ll be driving an electrified car you won’t have any gears to worry about, and even much of the slowing down is taken care of by the regenerative braking. Four-wheel drive will also appeal to those who live in areas that regularly get snow, but this is still no off-roader.
Joy to drive 7/Ten
W eight holds it back, but it’s still hugely quick
Even lower-powered 75D version of the Model X suggest a very strong kick of acceleration, and by the time you’ve moved up to the 90D or 100D the spectacle becomes fairly comical; this is a large SUV that will out-accelerate many supercars away from the line.
Ultimately the Model X’s weight holds it back from feeling truly sporty, but the steering responds well (you can increase the weight of it via a Sport setting accessed via the touchscreen), the bod doesn’t lean strongly in corners and it has a lot of grip.
Ultimately, the joy of driving a Model X comes from the speed of the car, rather than any sense of interaction with it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still mightily awesome.
Reliability 7/Ten
Limited data so far, but warranty is good
Tesla doesn’t build enough cars to be included in the JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability survey. While there were some faults reported with the Falcon Wings doors on early models in the US these are now said to have been addressed, and the Model S upon which this car is based generally fares well in reliability studies.
Tesla provides a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty on the car itself, while the battery warranty is eight years and unlimited mileage.
Fuel economy Ten/Ten
Amazingly cheap to run for a car of its size and speed
F uel economy is of course a misleading term for an electrified car, but if we think about the range from a total battery charge (in normal driving you can expect a safe minimum of 180-280 miles depending on the model you choose – the range increases as you stir up through 75D, to 100D), plus the low cost of recharging that battery whether it’s at home overnight, at work or as part of a longer journey, the Model X offers unbeatable pence-per-mile costs for a large SUV, especially when you consider how powerful it is.
N ote, however, that while Tesla’s Supercharger stations, which have been designed to facilitate long-distance travelling, were originally available for owners to use free of charge, there will in future be a cost associated with them.
Affordability 6/Ten
Costs considerably more than hybrid SUVs
Due to the Model X being a fully electrical vehicle it qualifies for the utter £4,500 Government Plug-in Car Grant. Even so it costs thousands of pounds more to buy than what could be considered its closest rivals in the form of hybrid versions of the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, and is also more expensive to lease.
From April two thousand seventeen the Model X will also lose some of its tax advantage due to the supplement due on cars costing more than £40,000, which equates to £310 for each of the very first five years of ownership. You will, however, be exempt from the London Congestion Charge, and company car drivers sold on the Model X’s combination of talents will also find it is usefully tax efficient for a car of its value and spectacle.
Servicing is required every twelve months or 12,500 miles, in addition to which Tesla can carry out online upgrades to the car. Tesla also offers fixed-price service plans, which permit owners to budget for running costs.
Safety 8/Ten
No crash test data yet, but should perform well
The Model X is yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP, but the Model S on which it is based scored the maximum five cars.
I t gets the total complement of airbags and Isofix child seat mounting points, while having the weight of the batteries centred in the floor of the car also means it is more resistant to rolling over than other cars of its size. Tesla also boasts of its sophisticated air filtration system, which stops pollen, pollution and bacteria from coming in the interior.
The Model X features an assortment of radars, sensors and cameras, so it’s no surprise to learn than an autonomous emergency braking system is also fitted to every model. In addition, Tesla offers an Autopilot function that in time (following software updates and relevant legislation) will suggest total self-driving functionality.
Standard spec 6/Ten
Best warn the bank manager before ordering
A ll versions of the Model X feature satnav, DAB radio, LED headlights, the Falcon Wing doors and keyless entry. However, it is possible (and in some cases necessary) to spend a lot on optional extras. For example, upgrading from the standard five seats to seven costs £4,000, the utter Autopilot system with self-driving is £8,000, the Premium Upgrades package including the advanced air filtration system £4,500 and so on.
Our favourite version
75D, list price £80,400
Options you should add: Metallic paint (£1,000), Seven seat interior (£4,000)
Verdict 7/Ten
The Model X is a desirable car, and offers useful extra space over the Model X for big families. However, while its electrified range and spectacle impress, it is also expensive compared with rivals. It’s a good electrical SUV, then, but the Model S remains Tesla’s best car.
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Tesla Model X review – is this the family car of the future?
Tesla Model X review – is this the family car of the future?
T he Model X marks Tesla’s 2nd major launch. Based on the Model S hatchback, it is a fully electrified SUV with show-stopping Falcon Wing rear doors and a range from a single charge of up to three hundred fifty miles in official test cycles.
As with the Model S, it is available in a range of power outputs, with each upgrade resulting in enlargened range and spectacle. Tesla’s hope is that this electrical SUV is all a family could ever wish for from their car, and as ever offers a range of charging options, from plugging in at home to using one of its superchargers, which can take the battery from empty to an eighty per cent charge in just forty minutes.
Space 8/Ten
Two boots, and room for up to seven people
T he Model X can be ordered with five, six or seven seats. Either way the 2nd row benefits from lots of legroom and effortless access thanks to what Tesla calls “Falcon Wing” rear doors. These double-hinged doors lift up and out at once and feature sensors that prevent them from hitting anything nearby. Slightly slow to open they might be, but they do also provide a broad and tall space to climb into the car (provided there’s room for them to open fully), which combined with 2nd row seats that slide out of the way on electrical motors makes access to the rearmost seats effortless.
Albeit there’s enough head room in the third row for a six-foot tall adult, legroom is restricted, making them only truly suitable for children.
W ith all three row of seats in place you still get enough boot space for a few shopping bags, helped by a removable false floor. Fold the rearmost seats down and the Model X offers a large rear flow area, albeit it is ultimately compromised by its sloping rear windscreen, and the 2nd row seats don’t fold at all. There is, however, another storage space under the front bonnet sufficient to carry an overnight bag (there’s no engine to worry about, recall).
Up front the glovebox is slender, but you do get two large centre cubbies and door pockets. There’s also lots of headroom, while a windscreen that arches up over the driver’s head makes the interior feel light and airy.
Convenience 8/Ten
Avoid the fattest wheels
T he Model X is based on the same platform and battery technology as the Model S hatchback, so it’s no surprise that it’s identically as quiet to drive. There’s scarcely a whine from the electrical motors as you accelerate, leaving just a bit of wind and tyre noise to deal with, neither of which is excessive.
So far we’ve only tested the Model X on 22-inch wheels, which make the rail rather too rock-hard. Opting for smaller wheels would likely solve this, because the standard air suspension otherwise does a good job of keeping the car lodged on UK roads.
The seats are very convenient, and suggest good support for long journeys.
Dashboard layout 8/Ten
Hi-tech and effortless to use
T he dashboard in the Model X closely resembles what you’ll find in the Model S, and is thus suitably different from the norm. The very first thing you’ll notice is the phat 17-inch tablet-style touchscreen, which is used to control most of the car’s functions. It works beautifully, with the satnav taken care of by Google Maps, music played through online streaming services, and the controls for charging and heating laid out in a logical style.
T here’s another TFT display for the dials, which again presents information in a very clear style, and the overall quality of the fixtures and fittings is moving closer to what you’d expect of a premium marque. As it stands BMW, Mercedes and Audi still build plusher interiors, but thanks to the quality of technology on suggest it’s unlikely Tesla owners will feel short-changed.
Effortless to drive 6/Ten
Visibility and size hold it back
R ear visibility is poor to the point that it’s hardly worth looking over your shoulder when reversing. Instead, most will rely on the built-in sensors and excellent rear-view camera, which projects a widescreen picture on to the central touchscreen.
Large rear windows do gratefully make it lighter to check for cars in your blind catches sight of before switching lanes on the motorway.
As with many big SUVs it’s also unlikely to see where the Model X’s bonnet completes, plus of course it’s a broad car (broader, indeed, than the equivalent BMW or Range Rover). However, the steering is accurate enough to place the car confidently on the road, and the spectacle of the electrified motors is lightly sufficient to make overtaking a breeze, no matter what power output you opt for.
Don’t leave behind that because you’ll be driving an electrical car you won’t have any gears to worry about, and even much of the slowing down is taken care of by the regenerative braking. Four-wheel drive will also appeal to those who live in areas that regularly get snow, but this is still no off-roader.
Joy to drive 7/Ten
W eight holds it back, but it’s still hugely quick
Even lower-powered 75D version of the Model X suggest a very strong kick of acceleration, and by the time you’ve moved up to the 90D or 100D the spectacle becomes fairly comical; this is a large SUV that will out-accelerate many supercars away from the line.
Ultimately the Model X’s weight holds it back from feeling truly sporty, but the steering responds well (you can increase the weight of it via a Sport setting accessed via the touchscreen), the figure doesn’t lean intensely in corners and it has a lot of grip.
Ultimately, the joy of driving a Model X comes from the speed of the car, rather than any sense of interaction with it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still mightily astounding.
Reliability 7/Ten
Limited data so far, but warranty is good
Tesla doesn’t build enough cars to be included in the JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability survey. While there were some faults reported with the Falcon Wings doors on early models in the US these are now said to have been addressed, and the Model S upon which this car is based generally fares well in reliability studies.
Tesla provides a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty on the car itself, while the battery warranty is eight years and unlimited mileage.
Fuel economy Ten/Ten
Exceptionally cheap to run for a car of its size and speed
F uel economy is of course a misleading term for an electrical car, but if we think about the range from a utter battery charge (in normal driving you can expect a safe minimum of 180-280 miles depending on the model you choose – the range increases as you stir up through 75D, to 100D), plus the low cost of recharging that battery whether it’s at home overnight, at work or as part of a longer journey, the Model X offers unbeatable pence-per-mile costs for a large SUV, especially when you consider how powerful it is.
N ote, however, that while Tesla’s Supercharger stations, which have been designed to facilitate long-distance travelling, were originally available for owners to use free of charge, there will in future be a cost associated with them.
Affordability 6/Ten
Costs considerably more than hybrid SUVs
Due to the Model X being a fully electrified vehicle it qualifies for the utter £4,500 Government Plug-in Car Grant. Even so it costs thousands of pounds more to buy than what could be considered its closest rivals in the form of hybrid versions of the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, and is also more expensive to lease.
From April two thousand seventeen the Model X will also lose some of its tax advantage due to the supplement due on cars costing more than £40,000, which equates to £310 for each of the very first five years of ownership. You will, however, be exempt from the London Congestion Charge, and company car drivers sold on the Model X’s combination of talents will also find it is usefully tax efficient for a car of its value and spectacle.
Servicing is required every twelve months or 12,500 miles, in addition to which Tesla can carry out online upgrades to the car. Tesla also offers fixed-price service plans, which permit owners to budget for running costs.
Safety 8/Ten
No crash test data yet, but should perform well
The Model X is yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP, but the Model S on which it is based scored the maximum five cars.
I t gets the total complement of airbags and Isofix child seat mounting points, while having the weight of the batteries centred in the floor of the car also means it is more resistant to rolling over than other cars of its size. Tesla also boasts of its sophisticated air filtration system, which stops pollen, pollution and bacteria from coming in the interior.
The Model X features an assortment of radars, sensors and cameras, so it’s no surprise to learn than an autonomous emergency braking system is also fitted to every model. In addition, Tesla offers an Autopilot function that in time (following software updates and relevant legislation) will suggest utter self-driving functionality.
Standard spec 6/Ten
Best warn the bank manager before ordering
A ll versions of the Model X feature satnav, DAB radio, LED headlights, the Falcon Wing doors and keyless entry. However, it is possible (and in some cases necessary) to spend a lot on optional extras. For example, upgrading from the standard five seats to seven costs £4,000, the total Autopilot system with self-driving is £8,000, the Premium Upgrades package including the advanced air filtration system £4,500 and so on.
Our favourite version
75D, list price £80,400
Options you should add: Metallic paint (£1,000), Seven seat interior (£4,000)
Verdict 7/Ten
The Model X is a desirable car, and offers useful extra space over the Model X for big families. However, while its electrified range and spectacle impress, it is also expensive compared with rivals. It’s a good electrical SUV, then, but the Model S remains Tesla’s best car.
F or all the latest news, advice and reviews from Telegraph Cars, sign up to our weekly newsletter by injecting your email here
