Tesla Model X 2017 Review

There’s no doubting the new Tesla Model X is a stunning bit of kit. It’s a low slung SUV that combines supermodel looks with Silicon Valley know-how, and a dash of practicality.

The Model X is the world’s first long-range pure-electric SUV and the second vehicle to join Tesla’s Australian line-up, taking its place alongside the 2015 Carsales Car of the Year, the Model S.

Price and equipment
On test is the range-topping Model X P100D which is powered by a 100kWh dual motor with performance all-wheel drive. Equipped with the fabled Ludicrous mode, the P100D is promised to sprint to 100km/h in 3.1sec, has a top speed of 250km/h – and a total possible range of 542kms.

Equipped with an optional third-row that offers adequate accommodation for adult passengers, this is a performance SUV for the gadget-loving Eco Warrior and their entire tribe.

Early adoption does not come cheap, however, with the Model X P100D base price set at $211,200 before options, GST, Luxury Car Tax or on-road costs are added on.

The Model X P100D does come with some good equipment as standard, but many of the flashier options, including the much-vaunted autopilot and self-driving capability, are pricey extras.

Smart air suspension is standard on the P100D as are performance goodies such as the Ludicrous Speed upgrade, active spoiler and painted red brake calipers.

Luxury interior finish includes black leather seats, ash wood trim and light Alcantara headliner while Tesla’s large 17-inch colour touchscreen is front and centre of the standard technology inclusions.

The Model X SUV comes standard with a five-seat configuration or is available with optional six or seven seats. The seven-seat option adds an additional $6000 to the asking price while the options box is also ticked for the sub-zero weather package ($1500) which includes heating to all seats, as well as a heated steering wheel.

The price of a flashy exterior package is also not cheap with metallic paint a $1500 upgrade and 22-inch Onyx black wheels shod with 235/35-series Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber an eye-watering $8400 add-on.

Rockstar features
Also added to the base price are those game-changing technologies that help Tesla garner its sexy headlines.

Enhanced Autopilot ($7600) increases the number of on-board cameras from one to four and adds 12 ultrasonic sensors to give enhanced 360-degree coverage of the car and objects in close proximity. A further $4600 adds the kit required to enable eventual full self-driving capability, even though there’s no timeframe on if and when that technology will be approved for use on roads in Australia.

Autosteer, Tesla’s lane-keeping steering assist technology, is currently in Beta and only able to function under 80km/h – and on certain well marked stretches of road such as freeways.

A similar system in the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class offers a gentle and graduated input which is subtle but direct. By contrast, the Tesla beta system delivered steering inputs which were jerky and operation was intermittent, particularly in left-hand lanes which were flanked with high walls.

We put the system’s issues down to its calibration process which occurred during our drive but frankly, aren’t yet convinced that putting development versions of driver assistance technologies as critical as steering assist into the hands of customers is altogether wise.

More sizzle than a Kardashian wedding
As you would hope from a car company that generates more hype than a Kardashian wedding, the Tesla Model X does offer plenty of sizzle. While the driver plays the role of high-tech pilot under the Model X’s sweeping glass windscreen/sunroof, VIP passengers can access their seats through unique Falcon wing rear doors which open upwards similar to gullwing doors.

The Falcon wing doors pivot in the middle to enable them to open in tight parking spaces, and underground car parks. Their operation does deliver the requisite level of showmanship, and the car looks impressive (if a little OTT), with both doors open to the heavens. By the end of single day’s use, however, I found their novelty to have worn thin and I wasn’t even having to load multiple kids into the back.

I can’t tell you how much I longed to just fling a rear door open to chuck something on the back seat. It’s definitely a case of style over substance.

The position of the doors when open does give good access to climb behind the second row to access the two seats in the rear, and while the last row does offer good leg room in comparison to other seven seat vehicles, I found the space to be quite oppressive once the second-row seat slid back and the rear door closed. With black upholstery, black carpet, a low roof line and the closed door, the third-row is not the place for a claustrophobe.

With the third-row seats folded flat, luggage capacity is certainly more than reasonable – in fact in six seat configuration, the total available capacity is an impressive 2180 litres.

Should you need to carry seven occupants plus luggage, then the Model X offers a $1150 towing package that will tow up to 2280kg on the standard 20-inch wheel or a lower 1588kg on our optional 22-inch wheel. That’s at least enough for a trailer to carry your extra baggage.

Performance
Ditch the brood and the baggage, however, and the Model X becomes all about the driver. The 17-inch touchscreen is simple to use with an excellent interface which is easy to learn. The driver information display is also simple, with contextual displays including energy usage and navigation instructions.

Slam your right foot on the ‘gas’ pedal and the Model X’s torque is instant and unrelenting, overtaking is breathtaking and ludicrous mode is exactly as advertised, even though it really is just a quick and expensive party trick. Happily however, its performance story doesn’t end with straight line speed.

The Model X features a composed ride at all its variable ride heights, and even on the 22-inch wheels, is easy to handle. The suspension is compliant and not overly stiff, but the Model X lacks the dynamic prowess of the BMW X6 and commanding driving position of the Range Rover Vogue.

The performance of the Eagle F1s tyres is impressive, combining confident grip with low levels of noise – an important factor when driving an electric car. That said, the 22-inch wheels do present somewhat of a compromise around town as there’s some significant scrubbing when on full lock.

Conclusion
The Tesla Model X is surprisingly versatile, but is it the best luxury performance SUV on the market? The whole premise of a family SUV is flexibility and practicality. Add luxury aspirations into the mix and you’ve simply got to deliver a car that delights at every turn.

Unfortunately, we found a handful of issues that tainted our initial Model X experience.

After a morning’s repeated use, the driver’s side rear door on our test model failed to open to its full height while the motor struggled and seemed under load. Locking the car and restarting the ignition cycle did seem to kick the door back into action but the motor remained on an intermittent go-slow.

A cursory read of Tesla owners’ posts online would seem to indicate that this is not an uncommon experience. That also seems to be the case with a squeak which developed in the suspension over city speed bumps.

A $300,000 car should be built to impeccable standards but we found the body panels and wheel arch trims misaligned and paint beading on the edges of the boot.

As a long-range electric SUV the Tesla Model X is in a class of one, but in the burgeoning and highly competitive luxury performance SUV market, these quality issues are likely to detract from the appeal of the Tesla as a genuine luxury vehicle.

2017 Tesla Model X P100D pricing and specifications:
Price: $238,806 (plus on-road costs)
Motors: Three-phase/four-pole AC induction
Output: 447kW/1074Nm (combined, not verified)
Transmission: Reduction gear
Electric Range: 542km
Energy Consumption: 226Wh/km
Fuel Lifecycle CO2: 212g/km
Safety Rating: N/A
Warranty: Four years / 80,000km

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