Tesla Model X 2017 review
Test Drive

Tesla Model X 2017 review

Richard Berry road-tests and reviews the Tesla Model X SUV and reports performance, power consumption and verdict at its Australian launch in Victoria.

At some point, Tesla needs to confess... and admit that they are aliens. That they are the first fleet of colonists belonging to a super-advanced civilization from another planet.

How else are their vehicles so fast? How else can they travel so far on electricity alone and then recharge so quickly? And how is it that they have embraced fully autonomous technology while other car companies are only dabbling in experimental autonomous driving technologies?

Wake up folks, Elon Musk is not the CEO of Tesla, he is General Iiiikbliergh from Centauri 1. Come on, his really bad human mask is a win-win.

Okay, maybe not. But we were very impressed with the Model S when we reviewed it and now the large Model X SUV has arrived in Australia. Like the Model S, the Model X is all-electric and has a 0-100 km/h top speed of 3.1 seconds, making it not only the fastest accelerating SUV, but also one of the fastest cars on the planet.

So does this new gift from our alien overlords live up to the hype? Maybe it accelerates quickly to 100 km / h, but does it behave like a piece of cheese in the first corner? Is it a practical SUV? Towing? And what made me quit? We found this out while flying the most vicious model in the lineup, the P100D.

Tesla Model X 2017: 75D
Safety Rating-
engine's type-
fuel typeElectric guitar
Fuel efficiency—L / 100km
Landing5 Places
Price from$95,500

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10


I'm pretty sure the designer who came up with the Model X shape was sitting at his computer, looked at the mouse in his hand, and said, “That's it! Where are we having lunch now?

With coupe styling similar to the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, as well as the same short overhangs, the Model X is one sleek piece of an SUV. At the time of this writing, the Model X is officially the most aerodynamic SUV on earth, with a drag coefficient of 0.24, making it 0.01 more slippery than the Audi Q8 SUV Concept.

The Model X is simply breathtakingly gorgeous.

The Q8 will be an all-electric SUV, just like the Model X, but the Benz GLE Coupe and BMW X6 only run on diesel and petrol engines. The closest electric equivalent is the GLE 500e and X5 xDrive 40e, but these are plug-in hybrids that still use gasoline. The Model X is much closer in shape, size, and spirit to the GLE Coupe and X6—their electric versions just haven't been born yet.

The Model X just falls short of drop dead beauty, simply because there are some elements that, while they may make aerodynamic sense, aren't all that aesthetically pleasing. Sure, EVs don't need a grille, but without a mouth, their face is a bit tatty. The way the back of the car ends abruptly, as if it had been sawn off, reminds me of the bottom of a Toyota Prius.

What lets these not-so-pleasant moments get overlooked are the stunning design features, such as the massive swept-back windshield, wheel arches filled with giant 22-inch wheels, and the Falcon Wing's upward-opening doors.

That slippery shape also hides how huge the Model X is, but the dimensions don't. At 5037mm, the Model X is 137mm longer than the Benz GLE Coupe and 128mm longer than the BMW X6. Width with mirrors folded down is 2271mm, 142mm wider than the GLE Coupe and 101mm wider than the X6. But at 1680mm, the Model X isn't as tall as them - the GLE coupe is 1709mm and the X6 is 1702mm.

Ground clearance ranges from 137-211mm, which is not bad for an SUV.

It may be an SUV, but the Model X has all the hallmarks of a Tesla, from the window profile to the expressionless face. The same goes for the cabin with its giant display, beautiful quality materials and stylish design.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10


Yes, it's fast and electric, but if you take away the utility of an SUV, you're left with just a sports car, right? So Model X should be practical - and it is.

There are five seats as standard, but you can choose a six- or seven-seat layout. The GLE coupe, the X6, even the Q8 (when it finally arrives) can only seat five. All seats in the Model X are individual bucket seats - two in the front, three in the second row, and two more in the third in the case of the seven-seat car.

Now the real test. I'm 191cm tall, so other than being denied access to some amusement park rides, sitting in your driver's seat can be a problem in various cars. Fits Model XI, but with a gap near the thumbnail - which is normal. Headroom is good due to the recessed windows in the Falcon Wing's doors, which become a roof when closed.

However, the Falcon's doors are smart in that they can open just 30cm to either side of the car.

The P100D we drove was a seven-seater. At the rear, in the third row, headroom is limited due to the roofline. Legroom is adjustable because the second row seat can be moved forward, but I couldn't sit behind me. The third row is really meant for kids or Danny DeVito, although getting in is great thanks to the slide-out second row.

Storage space is good, with six cup holders (two in each row of seats), medium-sized bottle holders in the front doors (there are none in the rear doors due to gravity), a large bin on the center console, and a glove box.

There is no engine under the hood, so it becomes a front trunk (fruit?). The total volume of the luggage compartment of the front and rear trunk (with the third row folded down) is 2180 liters.

All doors open automatically - Falcon front and rear fenders. They are a little slow, and forcing them only makes them rev their motors angrily. This is a great party trick, but if you get in and out frequently, like I did during the photo shoot, they become a hassle.

However, the Falcon's doors are smart in that they can open just 30cm to either side of the car.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 9/10


The P100D is the king of the Model X (P stands for Performance, D stands for Dual Motors) and has a list price of $271,987. Beneath that is the $194,039 100D, then the $90 187,671D, and then the $75 entry-level variant of the $166,488 line.

Yes, the P100D we drove costs $100 more than the entry car, but you get some nice standard features. For example, the Ludicrous Speed ​​Upgrade, which reduces the acceleration time to 0 km/h from 100 to 5.0 seconds. A larger battery for increased range and performance, plus a rear spoiler with three height settings. Falcon swing doors are also standard.

Other standard features found on each variant include a 17-inch touchscreen, a nine-speaker audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, and front and rear parking sensors. In addition to the rear view camera, the Model X is also equipped with seven other cameras - these are for the Enhanced Autopilot ($7500) autonomous driving option, which is currently in development but will be rolled out soon, according to Tesla.

The standard five-seat option, the six-seat option costs $4500, and for seven seats, you'll have to part with $6000.

Our test car was also equipped with the optional towing package – yes, you can tow with the Model X. It has a towing capacity of 2500kg.

Our test car, with all its options, moved up to the $300 mark.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10


Model X is all-wheel drive. The P100D has 193 kW/330 Nm at the front axle and 375 kW/600 Nm at the rear; the other variants have only 193 kW/330 Nm engines front and rear.

There is no transmission in the traditional sense, only one gear with a fixed gear ratio (1:8.28). This means smooth, strong instant attraction.




How much fuel does it consume? 9/10


The P100D has a 100 kWh battery that is stored under the floor. The official NEDC range for the P100d is 542km, but in fact Tesla says your range on a full charge is about 100k short.

The 100D also has a 100kWh battery, but with a 656km NEDC range. This is followed by the 90D with 90 kWh (489 km) and the 75D with a 75 kWh battery (417 km).

Piloting the Model X is like driving a high-speed train.

Charging through one of the Tesla Supercharger stations will charge the battery for 270 km in 20 minutes, and the wall-mounted device, which comes free (you have to pay to install it), will replenish it at a speed of 40 km per hour. There's also a charging cable that can be plugged directly into a power outlet at home - it's a lot slower, around 10-15km/h, but it's fine in a pinch.

What is it like to drive? 9/10


I've had a couple of wrists from car sickness in the past, but never as a driver - until now. So much acceleration from the Model X P100D and my need to drive every car like it was a rally event that I managed to get myself a little… um, nauseous.

It's not so much a car as it is a train, because piloting the Model X is like driving a high-speed train - you have that instant sledgehammer acceleration, you're sitting quite high, and the view from the cab with the giant windshield (the largest in production) is cinematic. The hood is short and lowered so that it seems that the base of the windshield is the front of the car. Combine this with almost complete silence, and the only sign that you are traveling at warp speed is what feels like a punch in the gut and the landscape hurtling towards you.

How did he manage when it came to the first corner? Surprisingly good.

It's almost complete silence because there's a distant hum of electric motors, and I also picked up a little wind noise that seemed to come from behind the back doors. In addition, the cab is so well insulated that road noise is almost inaudible.

How did he manage when it came to the first corner? Surprisingly good. The course was also not easy. Tesla chose Black Spur, one of the best highways in Victoria that winds from Healesville to Marysville. I've driven it in everything from hot hatchbacks to family sedans, but the Model X would be there in proper sports car territory.

With the batteries located along the floor, the center of gravity is low, and this is of great importance in reducing body roll, and the air suspension not only provides the SUV with a comfortable ride, but also excellent handling.

The steering is heavy, but quick and precise.

Braking is practically not required. As soon as you release the accelerator pedal, regenerative braking quickly reduces speed.

The driver's seat was a little cramped around my legs - my height is to blame - but I felt comfortable on my back - a bit firm - some would say it supports me.

While forward visibility is unmatched, it's hard to see through the small rear window, but the rear camera is excellent.

The trip was short, but in my 50 km blast I used up an average of 329 Wh/km. The car was not fully charged when I hit the road, and the gauge showed me that it had about 230 km "in the tank." There were only 138 km left on my return, but I was driving hard enough to get sick.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

4 years / 80,000 km


guarantee

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10


The Model X doesn't yet have an ANCAP rating, but there are indications that it will likely earn the maximum five stars easily. There are 12 airbags, AEB, and when the Enhanced Autopliot software is ready to download, it will become completely autonomous, meaning it will get you where you need to go without having to drive it - but before you drive, check the rules of your region. enjoy it, okay?

All five rear seats in our test car had ISOFIX anchorages and top cable points.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10


The Model X is covered by a four-year or 80,000 km warranty, while the battery and drive unit are backed by an eight-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Verdict

Incredibly impressive in every way, from slick acceleration to practicality. It's expensive when optional, but it's a special car. I miss the noise of gasoline engines and the drama that comes with it. Alien technology, you mean? No, rather the future of human travel. Just make sure you have a stomach for it.

Would you prefer the Model X X6 or the GLE Coupe? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

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