2018 Tesla X P100D All-Wheel Drive, Silver Metallic

 

2018 Tesla X P100D All-Wheel Drive, Silver Metallic

Model Strengths: All-electric drivetrain, potent acceleration, quiet motor, great handling for an SUV, trick doors.

Model Changes: Tesla does not update their models yearly, instead opting for an approach where they're constantly improving the car through small periodic updates. Recent updates include flat folding rear seats and the discontinuation of the 90D model.

Model Value: The Model X is not a cheap car, with a base price of around $80,000. However that price is aided by federal tax credits designed to increase sales of alternative fuel vehicles, up to $7,500 in credit is available to buyers in the U.S., with some states even offer additional tax credits. For that price, owners get a luxurious and practical all-wheel drive vehicle that won't cost a penny at the fuel pump. Tesla estimates that buyers will save an average of about $5,400 over an equivalent gasoline powered vehicle, over their first five years of ownership.

Model Overview: The Model X comes in 3 basic trims, 75D, 100D and P100D. The 75D is the least powerful trim and while Tesla doesn't brag about a specific horsepower numbers, it does quote the 75D as being able to hit 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. For an SUV, especially an electric model, the 90D and 100D claim 0-60 in 4.7 seconds while the P100D boasts 0-60 in 2.9 seconds. Both of those figures are staggering, making even the mid-level 100D faster than just about any sports car on the road. A single speed transmission is all that's needed to transmit that power to the road, since unlike a traditional gasoline engine, electric motors make plenty of power from 0 rpm all the way up to the redline.

The two downsides for electric cars have classically been a lack of power and a laughably small range. As noted, there is no lack of power with any Model X. Range for the vehicle is a claimed 237 miles for the 75D. That should be enough to cover just about anyone's commute. The more powerful 100D has a longer range of 295 miles. In any of these cases, the purchase of a Model X, gets owners access to Tesla's ever expanding network of "Supercharger" fast charging stations. With these stations placed conveniently across the United States, owners will be able to refuel the vehicles for free. Tesla claims that about 20 minutes at a supercharger station will charge the vehicle up about halfway.

Standard features on the Tesla Model X include most of the basic luxury SUV amenities, though several features stand out. The gullwing doors might be the most talked about feature on the Model X. The front doors open as any normal car door would, but the rear doors open up and out of the way, folding in the middle to avoid touching any adjacent cars (there are sensors in the door to keep this from happening automatically.) The advantage is a large hole in the side of the vehicle, making ingress and egress particularly easy with the door well out of the way. Another uniquely pleasing feature of the Model X is the panoramic glass roof. The windshield stretches back, curving above the driver's head before finally meeting the tops of the rear doors. There is no break in the glass before that point, meaning one piece of glass acts as both a windscreen and a moonroof. The rest of the roof has not been neglected either, with see-through glass creating the majority of the roof.

The Model X offers options that are similarly outlandish. The car has an optional "autopilot" feature that acts like an enhanced cruise control. Not only will the Model X keep pace with the other cars on the road, speeding up and slowing down with them, but it will also keep to its lane, even around gentle corners. A quick tap of the turn signal is all that's needed to change lanes while in autopilot mode. Autopilot mode also includes a self-parking system.

More traditional options on the Model X include a tow package, a 17-speaker premium sound system, an air suspension system, a premium package with things like cooled seats, as well as automatically opening front doors. A third row seat is also optional.

2018 Tesla X P100D All-Wheel Drive, Silver Metallic