Tesla Model X

Tesla Model X at a glance

The Model X was Tesla's third production car after the Tesla Roadster and the Tesla Model S, and the brand's first SUV. According to the old 1cars text, about 60% of its parts were shared with the Model S saloon. Its story is part of the history of Tesla, and the rest of the range, including the Tesla Model 3, is in the Tesla catalogue.

Design and falcon-wing doors

The Model X has no conventional grille; a smooth front panel hides the radar and other sensors. Its signature feature is the pair of falcon-wing rear doors, which lift upwards on double hinges and use sensors to avoid hitting nearby cars or low ceilings. They make it easy to reach the second and third rows even in tight parking spaces, although problems with the doors delayed the start of deliveries. The very large panoramic windscreen extends far over the front seats. All versions have air suspension, which raises ground clearance to about 230 mm at its highest setting, and the door handles sit flush with the body.

Interior and practicality

The cabin seats up to seven adults in three rows, and the second row can be a bench for three or two individual seats. The third row is best for shorter passengers. A large central touchscreen controls almost all functions, and the HEPA cabin filter was designed to keep out dust, bacteria and viruses. Because there is no engine, there is storage under the bonnet as well as behind the seats; total cargo space is about 2.5 m³ with the seats folded.

Versions, batteries and performance

All Model X versions have an electric motor on each axle and therefore all-wheel drive. Top speed was limited to 250 km/h on the performance versions. The 2021 refresh brought a new interior, a revised powertrain and suspension and the three-motor Plaid, which covers a quarter mile in 9.9 seconds. The June 2025 update added a front bumper camera, new wheels, more third-row space, ambient lighting and adaptive headlights.

Chassis, brakes and towing

The front suspension uses double wishbones and the rear a multi-link layout, both with air springs. All four wheels have ventilated disc brakes, and regenerative braking recovers energy into the battery. The electric power steering becomes heavier at higher speeds. With the optional tow bar, the Model X can tow up to 2,250 kg (5,000 lb).

Dimensions

Safety

In its 2019 Euro NCAP test the Model X received five stars, with 98% for adult occupants, 81% for children, 72% for pedestrians and 94% for safety assist. In 2017 the US NHTSA gave it five stars in every category, making it the only SUV with that result at the time. Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking, side collision avoidance, blind-spot warning, a system that disconnects the battery in a crash and a 360-degree camera view. The Model X has been the subject of 38 recalls up to April 2025, including third-row seat latches (2016), parking brakes (2017) and the falcon-wing doors.

Sales and the end of production

Tesla sold 25,312 Model X in 2016 and delivered 46,535 in 2017, and the 100,000th was delivered by September 2018, with 106,689 sold by then. In January 2026 Tesla announced that the Model X and Model S would be discontinued and their production line in Fremont converted for Optimus humanoid robots. A final run of 100 "Signature Edition" cars was offered by invitation, and production ended in May 2026.

Rivals: how the Model X compares

The Model X competed with electric SUVs such as the Audi e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQC and Jaguar I-Pace, and with large premium SUVs such as the Volvo XC90. Its strengths are range, performance, seven seats and the Tesla Supercharger network; its weaknesses are the large number of recalls, the complexity of the falcon-wing doors and a high price.