Tesla Model X Review 2024

Tesla Model X At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Tesla Model X is the pricey option in this class, but for some buyers - buyers who want either ultimate EV practicality or that desirable Tesla exclusivity - it’ll be worth it.

+Exceptionally strong performance, can seat up to seven people, Falcon Wing doors have real wow-factor.

-Rivals are better to drive, interior quality is disappointing, really expensive to buy.

New prices start from £90,980
Insurance Group 50

The 2016 Tesla Model X gives you things that no other luxury electric car can, namely the ability to seat seven people and theatrical Falcon Wing doors. It also gives you all the stuff EV buyers like, such as emission-free motoring, low running costs, strong performance, a very long driving range and impressive refinement. It’s very expensive, though, and cheaper rivals such as the Audi E-Tron, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC drive better and are far stronger on interior quality.

You’ve got to hand it to Elon Musk, he’s one heck of a marketeer. It’s incredibly difficult to get any start-up company off the ground, let alone one selling cars, let alone one exclusively selling electric cars at a time when hardly anyone was buying them.

And yet, that’s precisely what he did with Tesla. Amazing what you can achieve when you already have billions behind you, isn’t it?

But how did he do it? Simple. He made Teslas cool. He made it cool to drive a socially-responsible electric car. He made it cool to have pretty much every function controlled through a touchscreen. He made it cool to have a car that was so technologically advanced, it could receive updates and upgrades over wifi, rather than from a visit to the dealership.

Things like these really struck a chord with technology fans the world over, and Tesla soon became a must-have brand for any self-respecting early-adopter.

The Model X is one of the firm’s more aged offerings, and it’s also the biggest. Yet aside from its techy image and desirability, what does it give you that other electric cars can’t? Well, Falcon Wing doors, for one thing.

These lift up, up and away from the car’s body in dramatic fashion, meaning you’re bound to get noticed when you’re getting in or out. Another big tick for Tesla customers.

Unlike any of its rivals, it also has the ability to seat seven people, provided the right box on the options list has been ticked, that is. Interior space is pretty generous, too, although adults will only want to travel in the extra two chairs for short periods of time.

Where the big Tesla can’t match its rivals, though, is on interior quality. The materials, and the precision with which they’re assembled, simply can’t live up to the incredible standards set by the Audi E-Tron and Mercedes EQC, and that becomes even more galling when you consider how much more expensive than those cars the Model X is.

The Tesla trails the rest on the quality of its driving experience, too. It doesn’t handle as keenly as the Jaguar I-Pace, while the jittery ride means it’s not as comfortable as most rivals, either. And while an electric car will always be quieter than a combustion-engined car, it can’t match its direct rivals for refinement, either.

That said, the Tesla does have the edge in a few areas. All of the cars in this class are fast, but choose the fastest version of the Model X, and you’ll have one of the fastest cars on the planet, capable of doing 0-60mph in just 2.6 seconds. What’s more, and importantly for EV buyers, the Model X’s official range figures also have the beating of rivals’.

Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar's Tesla Model X review

Ask Honest John

Will an electric car be able to tow a caravan?

"Will electric cars be able to tow a caravan? "
Yes. While most early electric vehicles weren't rated for towing, there's now an increasing amount on the market that can be used as tow vehicles. Take a look at the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, for example – both can tow up to 1600kg, which should be enough for a fairly large caravan. Alternatively, bigger (more expensive) electric SUVs like the Audi e-tron and Tesla Model X are capable of towing a fairly hefty 1800kg and 2250kg respectively. Obviously, the range of an electric car is likely to drop quicker when towing – but we'd expect many camping and caravan sites to offer access to electric car chargers as we approach 2030. The Caravan Club, for example, allows members to charge their cars on their pitch for a small fee.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What's the best electric or PHEV for towing?

"I currently drive a Mitsubishi Shogun, I would like to replace it with an all-electric or hybrid SUV but I have been told that I won't be able to pull as much weight as I pull now. The Shogun hauls 3250kg, any advice?"
The closest you'll find is the new Land Rover Defender P400e. It's a plug-in hybid 4x4, capable of towing up to 3000kg. The most capable electric vehicle is a Tesla Model X, which is rated to tow up to 2250kg. In reality, we'd recommend sticking to diesel power if you regularly tow heavy trailers.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Can electric vehicles tow a trailer?

"Are electric cars able to tow caravans and trailers?"
There are a few electric cars that are able to tow. These include the Polestar 2 (towing capacity 1500kg), Audi e-tron (1800kg) and Tesla Model X (2250kg). EVs have a number of advantages when it comes to towing: they're usually quite heavy (a good thing when towing) and provide instant torque. They also have good brakes with regenerative braking helping to slow down, which will help keep a trailer or caravan under control.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What electric vehicles can tow a 1450kg caravan?

"We are being pressurised into going electric, despite the manufacturing sites not being 'green' for the foreseeable future. Being a caravaner and also towing other trailers from time to time, what electric vehicles will tow a 1450kg caravan? Also what range could I expect?"
There are a few electric cars that'll be able to tow your caravan. These include the Polestar 2 (towing capacity 1500kg), Audi e-tron (1800kg) and Tesla Model X (2250kg). EVs have a number of advantages when it comes to towing: they're usually quite heavy (a good thing when towing) and provide instant torque. They also have good brakes with regenerative braking helping to slow down, which will help keep a trailer or caravan under control. We don't have any data on what range you can expect when towing but, obviously, it'll be considerably less than the standard WLTP range figure. Bear in mind that technology has moved on rapidly over the last 10 years and will continue to do so over the coming years - by 2030, there'll be a much wider range of EVs capable of towing. New plug-in hybrid vehicles will be on sale until 2035 and these are well-suited to towing.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Tesla Model X cost?