2016 Tesla Model X electric

The market is just too new and that is the only reason the Tesla Model X has no real competition - an EV SUV. It carved out an all-new segment and the closest competitor to it remains the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid and Volvo XC90 T8 - both hybrid SUVs that have good performance and have a lot of utility on offer along with the luxury inside. 

The all-new 2016 Tesla Model X comes in four trims - 60D, 75D, 90D, and P90D. The trims vary in features, obviously, and also vary in battery capacities, range, and performance. The 75D has a 75 kWh battery pack and a range of up to 237 miles, whereas the 90D has a bigger 90 kWh battery and the longest range - 257 miles. The P90D tweaks the 90 kWh battery on the 90D for more performance, for a drop-in range. 

The 60D is powered by a 60 kWh battery pack which is basically the 75 kWh battery found on the 75D, with the option to unlock the remaining capacity. One thing about Tesla is that it doesn’t differentiate between its trims by way of features and as a result, all the cars are loaded to the brim no matter how powerful they may be. In practice, it is safe to say that the 60D trim is as well-equipped as the P90D, albeit with a smaller battery and lower range. 

The Model X is a very well-equipped crossover but still, the manufacturer offers options to customize the crossovers up to the consumer’s taste. Some of the popular packages include the Premium Upgrades package that adds in features like ventilated front seats, HEPA cabin air filter, synthetic suede headliner extended leather surfaces and adaptive headlights. Other packages include the Subzero Weather package and the Towing package that add further options. 

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Since the features are very similar on all the trims, we recommend the 75D which gives a considerable upgrade to the 60D range and saves $10,000 over the 90D trim. The 90D would’ve been our choice but the 37 miles upgrade in the range doesn’t justify the price bump. Adding to the already well-equipped trim, the Premium Upgrades package does justify its worth with all the features it adds in. 

The 2016 Tesla Model X is powered by a battery pack - that differs by capacity on different trims - which gives varying output, range and is paired to a single-speed gearbox. The output is sent to all four wheels which aid in acceleration and vastly improve drive quality. The 60D’s battery capacity and motor combination churn out 328 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, which increases as the battery capacity increases. 

The battery placement on the Model X is very low which helps in keeping the center of gravity low and also aids a lot in handling and also cements the company’s claim of the Model X being “unrollable”. The air suspension on offer adapts to the roads well but it is not as floaty as some of the other cars in the range. The acceleration is tremendous, immediate, and rather addictive for some. The ambient noise levels are very well-controlled keeping the driving serene for all occupants. 

Since the Model X is a very unique offering in itself, there’s no direct rival for it in the market currently. The closest rivals, though, are hybrids which are more powerful than the base Model X and provide better acceleration figures as well. The Porsche is the quickest despite having only one electric motor, while the Volvo’s twin-charging gives it more torque off the line. 

The Tesla Model X is available with a 60 kWh battery pack in the base trim - the 60D - which gives out an estimated range of 200 miles. The range on offer is quite low but Tesla also provides an option to increase the range by paying extra to unlock the remaining 15 kWh which adds nearly 40 miles more to the range. Having said that, this 60 kWh battery pack is more efficient than the gas-fed engines and has an estimated 91 MPGe in the city, 94 MPGe on the highway, and 93 MPGe combined. 

In terms of range as well, the hybrid competitors provide more than Tesla’s range. The most range-focused variant of the Model X’s battery is good for only 257 miles on a full charge, which is no way near the range the hybrids put out. In the hybrids, the Cayenne Hybrid racks up the most miles followed by the XC90 T8. 

The 2016 Tesla Model X brings in an interior never seen before in a car, ever. The dashboard is plain, simple, and devoid of any buttons or physical controls - everything is controlled via the big infotainment screen mounted on the center of the dashboard. The dashboard has a clean and minimal look and is covered in soft-touch materials that increase the posh inside. The door panels recite a very similar story with the posh soft-touch treatment and along with unique trim pieces to make the cabin feel rich. 

The seats on offer are bucket seats which provide tremendous comfort and support, which is very important while on a twisty road or on a long drive. The seats offer a range of adjustability and are also heated. Ventilated on the higher trims. The rear-seating can be configured for a 5-, 6-, or a 7-seater configuration that highly depends on the customer and how many people s/he decides to fit in regularly.

The Model X has the biggest cabin on offer and can easily fit in the occupants without any discomfort. It has loads of headroom and shoulder room to make the cabin feel airy and spacious while the legroom is considerably more than the rivals. Also, it can carry more in both its trunk and its frunk (due to the absence of an engine under the hood) which is more than double what the Porsche can carry. That being, the most highlighting interior features are:

• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable seats 
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Dual-illuminating vanity mirrors
• Dual-zone climate control
• Keyless ignition

How intuitive is the infotainment unit in the 2016 Tesla Model X?

The 2016 Tesla Model X comes equipped with a humongous 17-inch display across all the trims. This unit is mounted on the center of the dashboard and controls everything inside the cabin and by everything, we also mean the opening of the glove box! The infotainment screen is very conveniently placed and is within easy reach of the driver.

Talking of the features on offer, this system has everything that a modern car needs such as Bluetooth for connected telephony and also for music streaming. The music is blasted inside the cabin via a 9-speaker sound system which maintains tremendous quality and sounds no less than impressive. Talking of these, some of the most highlighting features are:

• 17-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth
• AM/FM
• AUX input
• 9-speaker audio system

The 2016 Tesla Model X looks as if it belongs to a time traveler - the design is very futuristic and the lines are clean and typical Tesla with no extra lines and creases. The face of the crossover is minimalist with an all-LED setup and functional air vents that house the company's logo above it. 

To the side, there are the massive alloy wheels that suit looks and have a very appealing design. The rear carries over the design language with a clean design and an all-LED tail lamp setup. The lack of exhaust gives a very packed look to the rear as well as makes the Model X look like a swole Model S.

Tesla’s big battery setup does add a lot to its weight and this is where the rivals take advantage in terms of acceleration. It is also the longest by proportions and has more interior space than the rest. The Tesla’s lower ground clearance also helps it to stick to the ground well, and also provides excellent handling around the corners. That being said, the Model X does look very different from the other cars on the road and to highlight that, some of the features are:

• LED fog lights
• LED headlamps
• Keyless Entry
• Falcon Wing Rear Doors
• Self-Presenting Front door
• LED turning lights

The 2016 Tesla Model X comes well-equipped with active and passive safety features, right from the base trim onwards - a thing not seen in other cars. The Model X’s chassis is based on the Model S and due to the battery’s placement, the Model X has impeccable stability at high speeds and this chassis is the most stable in the segment without compromising on the strength. Apart from other safety features, some of the highlighting safety features onboard are:

• Adaptive cruise control 
• Lane centering Assist
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking 
• Collision avoidance
• Lane Keep Assist

The Tesla Model X is a crossover that is the most unique in the car market today. The EV is very quick, in its P90D trim, while the lower trims have impressive acceleration as well. The range on the Tesla isn’t as good as the other hybrid cars in the segment but there is time for the segment to boom and reach its peak. That being said, the Model X is the most comfortable, well-mannered, and best-handling crossover out there.