Used Tesla Model X 2016-present review

Any car manufacturer with an eye on financial success has an SUV on its fleet these days – so much so that even luxury and sporting brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Lamborghini all satisfy that particular raised ride-height itch.

Tesla has the Tesla Model X, a 2.5-tonne seven-seat SUV launched in 2016 that shares the Tesla Model S’s remarkable performance, high price tag and impressive claimed range, as well as most of its underpinnings, but cloaks it all in an on-trend, larger and more practical body.

It’s a big and heavy car. It’s not just the luxury that weighs it down; it’s the batteries – the combined weight of them tips the scales at almost twice as much as a conventional engine and fuel tank. However, the Model X carries all that weight low, so it's good for the centre of gravity, and the car isn’t as tall or as ungainly as many in this class.

As far as power goes, there’s a choice of the entry-level 60D, 75D, 100D or super-fast P100D. The entry-level 60 kWh 60D model, with a claimed 200-mile range, was dropped after just a year, leaving the 75D as the base Model X. The 75kWh motor is smooth, refined and near silent, as you’d expect, and it's quick too. In official tests, it managed a range of 259 miles, although, as with all electric cars, this is likely to be substantially less in the real world; we’d estimate around 150 miles. The 100D is likewise whisper-quiet and comes with the 100kWh motor that we’d expect to top more than 200 miles, despite an official range of nearer 300 miles. The P100D is the full-fat high-performance version, also known as 'Performance Ludicrous', and is able to propel this heavy SUV from a standstill to 62mph in just 2.9sec – faster than the vast majority of supercars. Despite such storming performance, it remains remarkably refined at all speeds. It also combines that with a real range figure of 233 miles, according to our most recent test.

Later versions post-2020 received a facelift and minor tweaks with Plaid AWD, Long Range AWD, Long Range and Performance power variants, and Long Range, Long Range Plus, Performance and Plaid trims.

This being a large and heavy vehicle, you might expect the ride and handling to suffer, but the Model X corners smoothly with little body lean. It’s not much fun, admittedly, but it is safe and stable. On rough surfaces, the ride can thump – perhaps not surprisingly given the enormous 21in wheels fitted – but it’s never uncomfortable.

Inside, the Model X looks suitably modern and luxurious. There’s a good driving position with plenty of electrical adjustment, as well as a comfortable and supportive seat. The dashboard is dominated by a digital instrument display in front of the driver and a huge 17.0in touchscreen that controls nearly every important function in the car. This looks futuristic but can be fiddly to use, especially on the move, and some of the icons are rather small.

Alas, while the material quality looks good, there are noticeable areas where the interior feels a little too flexible and there are some gaps where neater shut lines might be expected.

On the matter of space, there’s plenty of it. You can opt for seven seats from new, and most buyers do, although the two flip-up rearmost seats are perhaps best suited to children. There’s plenty of room in the middle-row seats and access to them is through the spectacular-looking falcon-wing doors that also leave a large area for entry and egress.

There are plenty of storage spaces and the boot is a good size in five-seat mode. You can also fold the middle-row seats down flat via a button on the touchscreen.

If you're interested in buying a used Tesla Model X, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site here.

Around £41,000 is the entry point for a Model X. This will buy you an early 2016 or 2017 car, most likely a 60D or possibly a 75D model, from a trade seller or independent dealer, and the car will have an average mileage for the year and a full history. Pay between £45,000 and £60,000 and you’ll pick up a clean 2018 car with a reasonable mileage, although you’ll need upwards of £70,000 for a 100D model and nearer £80,000 for the P100D version. especially if a 2019, 2020 or 2021 car. You'll most likely be paying over £80,000 for any examples which are from 2022 or 2023.

There are no fuel costs, of course, but a full charge will cost around £10 on an Economy 7 night rate. The Model X takes about an hour to charge from almost flat to almost full when connected to one of Tesla’s Supercharger fast-chargers, of which there are now more than 30 in the UK.

Road tax

You won’t pay an annual road tax.

Insurance

Insurance costs will be on the high side, while servicing is required annually or every 12,500 miles and servicing plans are available. A three-year maintenance plan includes three inspections in total – one every 12 months or 12,500 miles, whichever occurs first – and can be paid for up front or in instalments at a cost of £1575.

A four-year/50,000-mile warranty is standard from new, with the battery covered for eight years, no matter how many miles you do. Tesla’s over-the-air wi-fi software updates fix glitches and add features while you're asleep, rather than requiring you to book your car in to a dealer.

If you can stretch to the asking price of a used 100D model, we’d opt for that, just because of the potential promise of a longer range.

The only 'trim' option is to opt for the P100D version, which adds better interior trim – that's welcome – but, of course, stupendous performance. Alas, it comes at quite a cost, so you might be better off seeking out the regular versions.

Our favourite Tesla Model X: 100D

Among conventionally powered rivals, the Audi Q7 runs the Model X close. It’s a seven-seat SUV that's full of luxury, although if you opt for the e-tron version you’ll only fit five people. The e-tron is a plug-in hybrid, not a fully electric car, but it’s remarkably refined and has lively performance and a comfortable ride. The regular diesel Q7 is capacious and practical, too, and likewise remarkably refined, while the high-performance SQ7 is thrillingly quick. Later versions feature mild-hybrid technology.

The Range Rover PHEV is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that combines all the traditional virtues of the Range Rover – the presence, the luxury, the off-road ability – with a little environmental awareness. Performance is storming and on-paper fuel economy is impressive. It’s rather expensive, though.

The Jaguar I-Pace is a great-looking fully electric SUV with an official WLTP range of 292 miles and a real range figure of 253 miles. It comes with an incredibly plush interior and a fantastic driving position. The ride is really comfy, too. Not a seven-seater, though, like the Model X.

The Audi E-tron is another large SUV that is fully electric and five seats only, with an official WLTP range of 237 miles and a real range of 196 miles, in our hands. It's incredibly refined at all speeds, beautifully built and very well equipped. still expensive used, but there are savings to be had.

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If you're interested in buying a used Tesla Model X, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site here.