Name: Tesla Model X Review
Item: Tesla Model X
Author: Gumtree.com

Tempted by an SUV but nagged by feelings of environmental guilt? The Tesla Model X, the all-electric SUV from the mould-shattering manufacturer, could be the answer to your conundrum. In actuality it’s more of a crossover, as it’s styled with a sloping roof and isn’t intended to be used off-road. It will do the SUV trick of turning heads in the street though, particularly when you pop the falcon wing rear doors. The Bond car theme continues with the autopilot self-driving function and the Bioweapon Defence Mode, while Ludicrous mode will take you from 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds, which is pretty nifty for a car with no engine.

Despite all these bells and whistles, it’s also a practical family vehicle, with plenty of room, an extra boot space where the engine would be in most cars, and easy-to-use Isofix mounts for child seats.

Visit the Tesla Model X page to explore available cars and specs.

What we think about the Tesla Model X

The Tesla Model X is a car that will have jaws dropping on the school run, and proves you don’t need an engine to enjoy blistering performance.

Pros

Astonishing acceleration

Comfortable seating for seven

Impressive safety features

Suite of fun accessories

Huge cargo capacity

Cons

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Ride is a bit firm over bumps

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Premium rivals have more impressive build quality

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More expensive than conventional SUVs

The Model X was unveiled in 2015 and is still in its first generation. A facelifted version is due to arrive in the UK in 2022. It’s currently available in two versions, the Performance and the Long Range.

Driving performance of the Tesla Model X

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

The Model X stands out from most electric cars thanks to its acceleration. You don’t even need to shell out for the Performance version with its Ludicrous Mode to get an incredible kick – the Long Range boasts a 0 to 60 time of 4.4 seconds. Another thing that sets the Model X apart from most other cars is the way you can drive it with just one pedal. When you lift your foot off the accelerator, strong regenerative braking kicks in, helping to recharge the battery as it slows the car. You can always turn this feature down if you prefer a more traditional approach.

Thanks to the low-mounted battery pack and the air suspension that comes as standard, it doesn’t roll through corners the way you might expect an SUV to. It’s a much more agile beast than the Audi E-tron or the Mercedes EQC, though it does lose out to these models when it comes to ride comfort. The electric steering system with its linear weighting makes it easy to turn the wheel.

Safety and reliability of the Tesla Model X

Our Safety Rating9 / 10

The Tesla Model X was awarded the full five stars by Euro NCAP in 2019. Its suite of safety tech is state-of-the-art, with the Enhanced Autopilot mode monitoring the car’s surroundings with 360˚ camera coverage and 12 ultrasonic sensors. The car will work to stay in its lane and adjust speed in response to other road users. There’s also a collision warning system, airbags in the first and second rows and Isofix child seat anchor points in four of the five rear seats.

Under the bonnet of the Tesla Model X

Our Engine Rating9 / 10

What there is under the bonnet of the Model X is space for a set of golf clubs. The power comes from the battery pack – 75 KWh in the entry-level model, rising to 100 kWh in the higher-end versions. Tesla claims the Ludicrous Mode on the Performance model makes it the fastest SUV ever, and the lower-spec versions are no slouches either. Towing capacity is generally not a problem either, rated at 750kg for an unbraked trailer and 2,250kg for a braked trailer.

What you'll find in the Tesla Model X

Our Design Rating7 / 10

The Model X takes a rather different approach to creating wow factor than most SUVs, eschewing butch styling in favour of a minimalist and futuristic-looking silhouette. What you make of the design will depend to a large extent on how you feel about a family car with falcon wing doors like the DeLorean in Back to the Future. Some people think they’re silly; others think they’re awesome. Whatever your view, they’ll certainly be a talking point.

Comfort and interiors in the Tesla Model X

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

The low floor makes the Model X easy to get in and out of, which will be a bonus for families looking to wow their kids’ classmates with those wing doors on the school run. There’s plenty of space, except for in the back row, which is best used for children. The highly adjustable seat and steering wheel mean it’s easy for the driver to get comfortable too. The cockpit has a very minimalist feel, the usual array of buttons having been done away with in favour of a touchscreen than controls everything from the suspension to the stereo. Materials all feel of decent quality, but some of its rivals in this class do feel better screwed-together.

What features you'll find in the Tesla Model X

Our Features Rating8 / 10

The huge 17.0-inch touchscreen dominates the dash and does all the things buttons would do in a more conventional car. There’s a second digital display behind the steering wheel in place of instrument dials, and the sharp graphics make it easy to digest the large amount of information. There are a bunch of of fun features. Romance Mode brings up a roaring log fire on the screen, whacks up the heating and plays appropriate music. You can turn the touchscreen into a drawing board to doodle on, or use it to play old-school Atari games with the steering wheel as a controller. There’s even a ‘Fart on demand’ mode that will link the indicators to a range of whoopee cushion noises under the seat of your choice. It’s all very silly, but as Tesla boss Elon Musk said, “silly things are important.”

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Tesla Model X

Our Fuel Consumption Rating10 / 10

Well, the Tesla Model X doesn’t actually use any petrol, so the fuel economy question here is more how far the car will travel on a full charge. The Long Range Plus version should easily be able to take you more than 230 miles, while the Performance should get you more than 200. If you can access Tesla’s supercharger network, you should be able to charge up to 80% in 45 minutes or so, with a full charge talking a bit over an hour. These chargers are often free to use for older Teslas, though owners of post-2017 models will have to pay. Charging at home will likely take most of a day. There are a lot of variables, but as a rule of thumb travelling a mile in an electric car will cost about half what you’d spend on fuel to cover the same distance.

Running costs of the Tesla Model X

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Although Teslas come in a higher price bracket, with few moving parts to worry about, you can expect maintenance costs to be fairly low. London drivers will also handily escape the Congestion Charge. Insurance will set you back though, with the Tesla Model X sitting in the highest insurance group, 50.

Our verdict of the Tesla Model X

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Tesla Model X is a family car with many standout features, from the striking wing doors, to the raft of tech, to the performance it delivers from its batteries.

Tesla Model X Review