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2016 Tesla Model X Long-Term Road Test - Introduction

Edmunds.comEdmunds.com Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,315
edited April 2016 in Tesla
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2016 Tesla Model X Long-Term Road Test - Introduction

Edmunds.com has purchased a 2016 Tesla Model X Signature P90D to test over the course of 12 months and at least 20,000 miles. We will be testing its range, energy consumption, interior, comfort, performance, cargo capacity, audio and technology, along with documenting any maintenance or repairs that are needed.

Read the full story here


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Comments

  • marcos9marcos9 Member Posts: 96
    Calling the Model X as a "practical package"? Are you kidding me? A used Kia Rondo - that is a practical package. A $145k electric vehicle that looks like an SUV is not practical at all. Make no mistake - people are buying these Teslas because they are the kool-aid flavor of the month.
  • s197gts197gt Member Posts: 486
    i think this vehicle stretches the definition of SUV about as far as it can go.
  • jakek66jakek66 Member Posts: 60
    It isn't an SUV, I'm pretty sure a Mustang has as much ground clearance. It really does remind me of a Kia Rondo with its tall shape.

    Predictions: Most of the journalist will fall in love with the 0-60 in 3 seconds. The issues will go away because of that. They'll lose only $10k in trade in since they will still be rare next year. Rear doors will not work right 80% of the time ( open too shirt) and there will be 3 problems that will need to get fixed (which Tesla will do well).
  • bolotiboloti Member Posts: 47
    First - glad you got it - looking forward to this year with X! However:
    "The entry-level 70D starts at $81,200 and includes a 70-kWh battery that's good for 220 miles of driving range, seating for five and a conventional suspension."
    Are you saying the base model is a 5-seater ? Which version gets 7 seats ? Or this is a typo ?
  • fordescortgtfordescortgt Member Posts: 32
    Well this is a nice if you have one or 2 kids. Think there is definitely a cool factor in play here. Kids aside this would be a great car pool vehicle. Looks like you can actually get 6 people in here (Former NBA HR directors may need to grab shotgun. I do not really see this as the large family/minivan replacement vehicle unless you are keeping it to 2 kids, then again if you bought this you probably have the money for a nanny and a minivan for her to drive the kids around. So just enjoy your hatchback... I mean crossover (or is it an SUV). Honestly as long as it stayed working this would be a great commuting car, it would even be fine as the occasional family car when you want to let the workhorse rest. But I am not so sure I would want to load this car up with 6 or 7 folks AND ALL THERE STUFF and take a road trip. PLEASE DO THIS WITH YOUR TESTER STRAP A TULE TO THE ROOF AND SEE IF IT AFFECTS THE RANGE.
  • kirkhilles1kirkhilles1 Member Posts: 863
    Aww, yeah! Don't know why all of the hate. Yeah, its a $145k vehicle, so? I don't recall getting hate on the 2013 Porsche Carrera 911 for $98k and that's not even the highest end Porsche and that's just a coupe. A fully loaded Cayenne Turbo looks to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $199k. Look forward to reading everything about it.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    @fordescortgt, if you strap a Thule or Yakima rack on top, you won't be able to open the rear doors. ;)
  • throwbackthrowback Member Posts: 445
    Looking forward to see if the Model X suffers from the same problems as the Model S. The 5 or 7 seat version seems the least desirable to me. I understand there is(will be?) a 6 seat version with the middle 2nd row seat removed. this will allow for long items (major benefit of SUVs) to be carried inside. The 2nd row does not fold flat so to me this is more people carrier than SUV. Please do a deep dive on the fit of the falcon doors. As soon as I saw those doors I knew there would be issues. They are big and heavy with complicated articulation and dual hinges. That means very tight tolerances to make them work and fit properly, curious to see how they hold up with daily use.
  • bankerdannybankerdanny Member Posts: 1,021
    edited April 2016
    I saw one of these in Chicago on Lake Shore Drive this morning on the way to work. Not digging the flat, grill free front end.

    Even if you don't have any mechanical issues with the doors, I still don't like them. Gull wings and scissors are fine for exotics, but really don't belong on a vehicle intended to be every day transportation. If Tesla wanted to be different they should have been the first to offer a sliding door on an SUV, that would add actual utility, not simply bling.
  • daryleasondaryleason Member Posts: 501
    I'm really interested in the towing capacity, not because I'd ever purchase a Model X, but because I'm curious how it'll do. It's an all-electric vehicle, which means that, theoretically, it should have massive towing potential due to the drive motors' instant torque capability. In all honesty, the X is probably limited more by what the frame can handle than what the motors could physically move. On a follow-on observation...this thing is technically a 4 wheel drive SUV. Let's do the RTI on it, then take it off road, Edmunds. Just make sure you get some over-sized tires and you'd better come up with a makeshift skid-plate to protect that under-body battery pack.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    @bankerdanny, great idea on the sliders. They could even do a two stop long slider - click once to slide back to the driver's area, and click twice to open up the whole side.

    Sliders would be much more practical for tight garages than gull wings or even normal doors.
  • mercedesfanmercedesfan Member Posts: 365
    I'm looking forward to following this test. As a Model S owner I have been probably overly critical of the X so far. It's funny looking and doesn't seem to boast appreciably more space. Maybe this will change my mind.
  • daryleasondaryleason Member Posts: 501
    @stever : You just want to turn it into an AWD mini-van.
  • ebeaudoinebeaudoin Member Posts: 509
    Can't wait to follow this test!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited April 2016
    @daryleason, I don't need AWD any more. Just really like my sliders and hate to lose them when I downsize. Funny though, I hate the two pocket doors in my house. Go figure. Maybe if I power them.... :)
  • tlangnesstlangness Member Posts: 123
    throwback said:

    Looking forward to see if the Model X suffers from the same problems as the Model S. The 5 or 7 seat version seems the least desirable to me. I understand there is(will be?) a 6 seat version with the middle 2nd row seat removed. this will allow for long items (major benefit of SUVs) to be carried inside. The 2nd row does not fold flat so to me this is more people carrier than SUV. P

    Correct, we have the 6 passenger version.
  • miata52miata52 Member Posts: 114
    The Model X is already being recalled: http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/tesla-to-recall-2700-model-x-suvs-over-rear-seats-that-1770292140

    Is yours so affected?
  • markinnaples_markinnaples_ Member Posts: 251
    And so it begins...
  • 5vzfe5vzfe Member Posts: 161
    "Starting at $133,200, Signature models are essentially P90Ds bundled with features that would otherwise be optional: leather seating surfaces, autopilot semi-autonomous driving, 22-inch wheels, third-row seats, a high-current (72 amp) onboard charger and the Premium Upgrades package (which includes a motorized driver's door, HEPA cabin air filter, ventilated front seats, extended leather surfaces, synthetic suede headliner and adaptive headlights)."
    What. This is the wrong car for penny pinchers for a multitude of reasons, but still, most of those items are standard or at least available on compacts and subcompacts these days. And when you put it into Ludicrous mode, remember to yell: LUDICROUS SPEED - GO!
  • keefwivanefkeefwivanef Member Posts: 10
    I hope they have learned how to attach the wheels properly this time.
    Google Tesla Whompy Wheels
  • keefwivanefkeefwivanef Member Posts: 10
    kirkhilles1 said:

    Aww, yeah! Don't know why all of the hate. Yeah, its a $145k vehicle, so? I don't recall getting hate on the 2013 Porsche Carrera 911 for $98k and that's not even the highest end Porsche and that's just a coupe. A fully loaded Cayenne Turbo looks to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $199k. Look forward to reading everything about it.

    But it CLAIMS to be green and saving our small blue planet.
    Meh!
  • actualsizeactualsize Member Posts: 451
    miata52 said:

    The Model X is already being recalled: http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/tesla-to-recall-2700-model-x-suvs-over-rear-seats-that-1770292140 Is yours so affected?

    We're looking into it. We only just picked it up a week ago, and a recall like this had to be pretty far along in the investigation phase before it went public. Our car may have been updated before it left the factory.

    Twitter: @Edmunds_Test

  • actualsizeactualsize Member Posts: 451
    stever said:

    @fordescortgt, if you strap a Thule or Yakima rack on top, you won't be able to open the rear doors. ;)

    True, dat. That's one reason why we bought the tow package and its removable 2-inch receiver. Hitch mounted bike racks are the only way to go with the articulated doors.

    Twitter: @Edmunds_Test

  • handbrakehandbrake Member Posts: 99
    I hope this test includes a lot of use of the Supercharger network. I am a two time Tesla owner (P85 first, now a P85D) and the biggest problem I have with Tesla is that the Supercharger network has not kept up with the number of users.

    When Edmunds had its P85, the Supercharger network worked pretty well (I had a P85 at the same time). At least in California, the Superchargers are now pretty crowded and what used to be a 20-30 minute stop for a charge is now an hour or more in many places.

    I have no plans to buy an X, or a Model 3, unless there is a serious improvement in Supercharger availability. We all know that the Model S/X P90D is very quick off the line. What is more interesting is how it functions as an every day vehicle, and in California, that means how long it takes to Supercharge and what the real life range is. I've found that on my P85D, the real range is about 200 miles, so I have to use Superchargers quite a bit when I'm driving around all day.
  • misterfusionmisterfusion Member Posts: 471
    Yes! I've been waiting for this intro since spotting the Model X on the Edmunds Twitter feed like two weeks ago.
  • prndlolprndlol Member Posts: 140
    The Model X with its slightly wonky proportions reminds me of the 1990 Olds Expression concept:
    http://autosofinterest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/1990-Oldsmobile-Expression-concept-d-med2.png
  • cotakcotak Member Posts: 89
    edited April 2016
    The recall of a car just delivering to customers, result from a test that was only conducted in Europe. Is why I didn't put down a deposit for the model 3.

    Simply put while I do think Tesla is doing a good thing and there cars are very interesting for our two car family. There is a definite feeling of an Apple-est way of doing things. That is they tell you how great it is but in reality it is majority marketing. Musk made a big fuss about how the model 3 will be very safe. And Tesla also sell up how no one's died in a Model S yet. However, until they build their own crash facility and do upwards of 100 crashes a year like Volvo does. And like Volvo aces a new crash test with a chassis designed more than 10 years before the test by a public body (aka small offset crash). It is all talk.
  • handbrakehandbrake Member Posts: 99
    I'm going to make a prediction...Edmunds is enjoying the power of this car. Though it has minimal miles on it, the X is chugging down 400+ wh/mi in the pictures. My P85D has a lifetime average (over 20,000 miles) of about 315 wh/mi, and I drive fast. Either the X gets significantly worse mileage than the S or Edmunds has spent 100 miles in ludicrous mode doing 0-60 runs.
  • lmbvettelmbvette Member Posts: 93
    Let me get this straight, you put down 40k over two years ago and still got your car delivered 5 months after the original release date? Yikes.
    Don't worry about what other people think. Drive what makes you happy.
  • longtimelurkerlongtimelurker Member Posts: 455
    handbrake said:

    I hope this test includes a lot of use of the Supercharger network. I am a two time Tesla owner (P85 first, now a P85D) and the biggest problem I have with Tesla is that the Supercharger network has not kept up with the number of users.

    When Edmunds had its P85, the Supercharger network worked pretty well (I had a P85 at the same time). At least in California, the Superchargers are now pretty crowded and what used to be a 20-30 minute stop for a charge is now an hour or more in many places.

    I have no plans to buy an X, or a Model 3, unless there is a serious improvement in Supercharger availability. We all know that the Model S/X P90D is very quick off the line. What is more interesting is how it functions as an every day vehicle, and in California, that means how long it takes to Supercharge and what the real life range is. I've found that on my P85D, the real range is about 200 miles, so I have to use Superchargers quite a bit when I'm driving around all day.

    This was predicted (Supercharger congestion), but if you're driving around hundreds of miles per day, then yes, you have to rely on that network rather than just charging it at night.

    And you bought what you bought, with your money, but if you are having to spend upwards of an hour of the waking hours of your day refueling your vehicle, maybe you purchased the wrong vehicle - ? Yes, you are saving money, but your time is worth money, too, and you might be better off spending $40 and five minutes every other day or every three days refueling an ICE vehicle, rather than $0 and an hour per day or every other day recharging your Tesla...I dunno. I you're driving a $100k+ car, your time has to be worth more than $20-$40 an hour. Just a thought...
  • tlangnesstlangness Member Posts: 123
    lmbvette said:

    Let me get this straight, you put down 40k over two years ago and still got your car delivered 5 months after the original release date? Yikes.

    That's correct.
  • csubowtiecsubowtie Member Posts: 143
    Cool! I'm interested in how an electric vehicle handles the more trucklike duties, pulling a trailer or loaded up to the max with people/cargo. I'm sure it has the power, but what about things like longevity and overheating issues? Could this replace a Tahoe for family practicality?
  • actualsizeactualsize Member Posts: 451
    csubowtie said:

    Cool! I'm interested in how an electric vehicle handles the more trucklike duties, pulling a trailer or loaded up to the max with people/cargo. I'm sure it has the power, but what about things like longevity and overheating issues? Could this replace a Tahoe for family practicality?

    We'll definitely be looking at that, but this is no Tahoe. The max tow rating is 5,000 pounds, and ours has the 22-inch wheels that knock that down to 3,500 pounds. Still enough for a bass boat, a couple of jet skis or a small camper, but this is more akin to the Traverse as far as that stuff goes.

    Twitter: @Edmunds_Test

  • 500rwhp500rwhp Member Posts: 99
    .
    handbrake said:

    I hope this test includes a lot of use of the Supercharger network. I am a two time Tesla owner (P85 first, now a P85D) and the biggest problem I have with Tesla is that the Supercharger network has not kept up with the number of users.

    When Edmunds had its P85, the Supercharger network worked pretty well (I had a P85 at the same time). At least in California, the Superchargers are now pretty crowded and what used to be a 20-30 minute stop for a charge is now an hour or more in many places.

    I have no plans to buy an X, or a Model 3, unless there is a serious improvement in Supercharger availability. We all know that the Model S/X P90D is very quick off the line. What is more interesting is how it functions as an every day vehicle, and in California, that means how long it takes to Supercharge and what the real life range is. I've found that on my P85D, the real range is about 200 miles, so I have to use Superchargers quite a bit when I'm driving around all day.

    I'm sure the network will be even more useful when 5x the current ownership numbers are out there due to model 3 sales. Good luck charging in less than 2 hours in some areas. Sounds like a huge cost savings.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    A reporter is hoping to talk with someone who has put in an application to buy one of the new Ford GTs. Please email pr@edmunds.com before Monday, April 18, 2016 with a few lines about your decision.
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