2023 Tesla Model X

When is a door not a door? Gullwing doors have been around since the days of the DeLorean, but the Model X has retained them as a distinguishing characteristic over the aforementioned S and Y. There’s no doubt that when they’re all open, the car looks dramatic. Unfortunately, they’re hopelessly impractical in a domestic garage where they may not have enough clearance to open, and not everyone will appreciate the attention they attract. They’re also prone to mechanical and electrical maladies, though they are highly practical for people with mobility issues or young children. Just be aware you need to stand well clear of them; children excitedly trying to climb in could cause them to stop.

We could supplement this section heading by asking "when is a wheel not a wheel?". The answer, a couple of years ago, was when Tesla replaced the X’s steering wheel with a yoke. Today, you have the option of ordering a conventional wheel, and it’s an option we would select without hesitation. The yoke does provide a flash of personality in an otherwise austere interior, dominated by a 17-inch landscape touchscreen with a 2,200x1,300 resolution. There’s no smartphone mirroring, but since it handles almost everything you do in the car, this brilliantly clear screen is going to be well-used nonetheless.

Space and power in abundance. The X’s interior might be spartan, but it’s impressively spacious. That bulbous body can accommodate up to seven people if you add third-row seating, though it’s extremely cramped back here. It also steals cargo space which extends to 88 cubic feet with all but the front seats dropped. While a five-seater configuration might seem to be the obvious default, you can have your X with six seats by specifying second-row captain’s chairs. These are less appealing than the all-day comfort offered by the front-row seats, while a panoramic glass roof sweeps down into the windscreen and provides panoramic aspects. A large frunk is another welcome addition to the storage canon.

You wouldn’t expect a seven-seater AWD-only SUV to offer much in the way of performance, yet the three-motor Plaid model can hit 60 from a standing start in two and a half seconds. Its 1,020 hp peak output is absolutely ludicrous, while the Dual Motor version’s 670 hp is pretty astonishing, too. Low-sited batteries ensure the X doesn’t lean over when it reaches a corner, and while there isn’t a huge amount of driving pleasure on offer, it rides well and handles more like a car than an electric SUV. Stick to the standard 19 or 20-inch wheels, since the 22-inch alternatives damage ride quality without offering significant traction benefits. Speaking of traction, don’t even think about venturing off-road, because the X simply isn’t built for the rough stuff.

Loaded with toys. If the 17-inch front infotainment display isn’t enough on-screen real estate, every Model X also packs a rear 9.4-inch touchscreen with wireless controller capabilities and wireless charging for smartphones. This epitomizes the tech-focused nature of the X, with heated seats all around and ventilated seats up front. A 22-speaker audio system joins three-zone climate, heated wipers, and a heated windshield on all models.

Safety is impressive, with wraparound cameras supporting driver safety systems including active lane control, adaptive cruise, and blind-spot monitoring. Ignore the Full Self-Driving Capability package – not only does it cost $15,000, but it doesn’t live up to its billing. Far better to spend $6,000 on the Enhanced Autopilot package’s automated lane changes and automatic parking. The self-summon function might occasionally be useful in a cramped car park, but it’s another example of gimmickry that doesn’t really enhance the ownership experience.

Final thoughts. Of all the Tesla models on sale today, the X is the easiest to dismiss. Its meteoric performance and 300-miles-plus range are only slightly superior to that offered by far cheaper siblings, while reliability issues are exacerbated by unnecessary gimmicks like those troublesome gullwing doors. It’s impressively spacious inside, but the third row is best for small children. Above all, it simply feels too expensive – there’s a fine line between minimalism and looking spartan, and for us, the interior falls on the wrong side of that line, especially when fitted with an unwieldy yoke instead of a proper wheel.

That’s not to detract from the incredible achievement of building a spacious seven-seat SUV that can tow 5,000 pounds while accelerating faster than pretty much any other vehicle this side of million-dollar hypercars. The X is a remarkable feat of technology, which will be adored by some, but its own siblings are similarly ballistic without costing as much or imposing as many compromises.

Check prices for the 2023 Tesla Model X »