EV Review: 2019 Tesla Model X

Photo Credits: Car and Driver, Tesla.com

A Tesla Falcon with Wings

Overview

Performance: All-Electric vehicle, 518 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 86-95 mpge

Price estimate: From $81,000 to $97,000

—

Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Drivetrain Warranty: 8 years / unlimited miles

Roadside Assistance: 4 years / 50,000 miles

2019 Tesla Model X Review

Intro

It’s a Tesla vehicle, so that means the looks are frequent as one drives along in this attention-grabbing, rolling monument to technology.

The Tesla Model X personifies cool. One of the reasons the all-electric sport utility vehicle separates itself from the crowd is its rear doors swing upward instead of straight out. With the doors open, the Model X looks like a bird in flight. Perhaps that is apropos because the Model X can certainly fly down the road.

Exterior Style

Like other Tesla vehicles, the Model X certainly has its list of impressive qualities. Yet not everything is right with this SUV that features a low roofline and appears somewhat hatchback-like. Those unique doors are slow to open and prevent the SUV from having a roof rack or a roof-mounted cargo box. Low garage ceilings can also be a problem and best be careful opening the doors in tight parking situations.

The rear doors are cool-looking, but could steer some Model X buyers away. So could the sticker price that starts at approximately $82,000 (minus $7,500 federal rebate), more than double the price of the Tesla Model 3 sedan. The ceiling is high for a loaded Model X Extended range, roughly $138,000. The new all-electric Audi e-tron and Jaguar’s I-Pace SUVs are its only true rivals.

Performance and Battery

The standard trim model (now called Standard range) has enormous horsepower and goes 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Yet that is crawling along compared to the upper-level Model X (Extended range), which has been clocked going 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, while the “Ludicrous mode” drops the 0-60 time further to a mind-bending 2.8 seconds. Note that Ludicrous mode costs an additional $20,000.

We’ve already mentioned the Model X features terrific acceleration. The 75-kWh battery delivers 518 horsepower and the 100-kWh battery generates 680 horsepower. It has three rows of seating and is capable of towing nearly 5,000 pounds.

Charging and Range

Like all Tesla vehicles, the all-wheel drive Model X has impressive range. The Standard range model goes around 270 miles before a charge is required and the Extended range travels 295 miles. Charging times with a standard 240-volt outlet takes approximately 10 hours and just over one hour at a Tesla Supercharging station.

Conclusion

There are many reasons to own a Tesla. One of them is certainly having the neighbors admiringly checking out your ride when it’s parked in the driveway. Tesla vehicles are not only technological wonders, they are also sharp-looking cars that are wickedly fast. And the combination of looks and speed are a very good one-two punch to any competitor.

– J.W.