2023 Tesla Model X SUV

　　

2023 Tesla Model X Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　Having lost nearly none of its showstopping appeal since its debut in 2016, the Tesla Model X continues to occupy a tiny niche in the automotive landscape. Sporting an EPA-estimated range of up to 348 miles, quicker acceleration than most people know what to do with, and seating for up to seven people, the Model X would appear to be the answer for families looking to go electric. Dusting off most sports cars in a straight line just happens to be a bonus.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Tesla Model X EV Insights

Trim:Model X Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $79,990 MSRPPlaid 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $89,990 MSRP

　　

Range

　　348 miles

　　EPA Estimated Range

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 296 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 150,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　

Charging at Home

　　14 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　Tesla SuperchargerProprietary Tesla charging standard. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$7,900

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$7,500

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Clean Vehicle Tax Credit of $3,750 or $7,500 depending on model eligibility for the purchase of a new plug-in electric vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer. To be eligible: A vehicle must have undergone final assembly in North America (the United States and Puerto Rico, Canada, or Mexico). Critical mineral and battery component requirements determine credit amount. Maximum MSRP of $55,000 for cars and $80,000 for SUVs/trucks/vans. Income eligibility applies depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$70/mo

　　Model X

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Unlike most other automakers, Tesla makes rolling updates to its vehicles rather than waiting for a brand-new model year to come around. Recent updates include pricing reductions and a swivel function for the center touchscreen. For the 2023 Model X, the most notable change so far is the return of a traditional steering wheel, at least as an option. It's a welcome change as we never liked the aircraft-style steering yoke that Tesla added to the car a couple of years ago. The steering yoke is neat in theory but is awkward to use when you're making a lot of steering inputs, like during a U-turn.

　　The 2023 Model X has some advantages and drawbacks when compared to other electric luxury SUVs that include the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and Rivian R1S. Check out our Expert Rating below to read our test team's full evaluation of the Model X's real-world range, utility and more.

　　

What's it like to live with?

When Tesla introduced the Model X in 2016, we bought one and drove it for nearly two years and 25,000 miles. An all-new design and Tesla's third electric vehicle, our first-year Model X had more than a few problems. However, while the latest examples of this SUV have an upgraded interior, new infotainment and driving assistance technology, and better build quality, many of our observations from living with the Model X still apply. Recurrent

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Model X drive? Performance has become the calling card of the Tesla brand and the midsize Model X upholds that reputation. The standard Model X boasts 670 hp and accelerates quite quickly. The 1,020-hp Plaid is even more brutal. Make sure to give your passengers fair warning before putting your foot down.

　　Balancing out that impressive speed are excellent brakes that are both easy to use in traffic and strong and confident when you need to stop in a hurry. There's enough regenerative braking when lifting off the accelerator that you can often drive around without touching the brake pedal. Though we're really not fans of the awkward steering yoke, the X's ultra-quick steering makes it feel nimble, while its low center of gravity and adaptive suspension keep body motions to a minimum. This sizable family SUV drives more like a car.

　　Also worth noting: The adaptive air suspension provides up to 8.9 inches of ground clearance when you need it.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Model X? One benefit of the larger Tesla models, including the Model X, is the adaptive air suspension, which significantly improves ride comfort. Even with 20-inch wheels and an exceptionally high tire pressure of 45 psi, the Model X boasts an admirable ability to absorb bumps in the road. This quality, along with a cabin well insulated against outside noise, makes for a very comfortable environment.

　　As far as seats go, the Model X's are pretty well cushioned and provide enough adjustments to dial in your personal comfort. But the simulated leather upholstery lacks breathability, so even mildly warm weather can make the seats feel swampy. The Model X's climate controls are simple to use, but know that the extra-large windshield lets in a bit more heat during hot summer days than a typical-size windshield.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below