2019 Tesla Model X Review

Tesla's Model X was the first electric SUV to come to market back in 2016. Other automakers are slowly coming out with competing models, but for now the 2019 Model X is still the most versatile all-electric SUV available.

As with other Teslas, you get plenty of driving range — up to 295 miles in the Model X Extended Range model — and wicked-fast acceleration. There's also access to Tesla's Supercharger network, a robust set of driver assist features and a clean-looking cabin aesthetic. Specific to the Model X are its attention-grabbing swing-up doors, three rows of seating, and a 4,980-pound tow rating.

Drivers who frequently transport people in the back seats will find the falcon-wing doors to be more of an annoyance after the novelty wears off, however. They can be slow to open or won't open completely if you've parked in an area with a low ceiling. And forget about installing a traditional roof rack system. Another issue with the Model X is its rear seating area. The second-row captain's chairs, if you order them, don't fold down, which limits the vehicle's utility.

If maximum seating space isn't a priority, you might consider one of the rival electric vehicles that are coming out this year, such as Audi's e-tron or Jaguar's I-Pace. They're both functional five-seaters with an established dealer network. Then there is the multitude of traditional gasoline-powered SUVs, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Land Rover Range Rover, which feature similar towing performance and better utility.

Ultimately, though, if all you want is either the quickest-accelerating SUV or the one with the craziest doors, you'll no doubt be quite satisfied with the Model X.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Tesla Model X as one of Edmunds' Best Electric Cars for this year.

Also, we picked the 2019 Tesla Model X Performance as one of Edmunds' Fastest Electric SUVs for 2019.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds' editorial team was one of the first to acquire and live with a 2016 Tesla Model X for a full year. The signature falcon-wing doors turned out to be more for style than utility. Still, we found the Model X to be impressively fast for a vehicle its size. To learn more about the Tesla Model X of this generation, read about our experiences from a full year of living with a 2016 Tesla Model X. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world battery efficiency. There were only a few trim level changes for the 2019 Model X, so most of our observations still apply.

Tesla often changes up its products at unexpected times, so what is true today may change tomorrow. Adding to the confusion is that the company has altered the Model X's trim designations and stopped referring to the X based on battery size. On the plus side, the new names are easier to understand.

The 2019 Model X was initially available in two performance levels: the standard Model X and the quicker Model X Performance, and each level came with an additional subtrim. Midyear changes reduced the range of the standard Model X and increased the range of its subtrim level. Whichever version you get, all-wheel drive comes standard, and multiple seating configurations are available.

At the beginning of the model year, the standard Model X featured 270 miles of range, with a battery pack that powered the Model X from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Keeping the ride somewhat comfortable is an air suspension system that is standard on every Model X. Also standard are keyless entry and start, heated front seats, a power liftgate, navigation, a towing package, and advanced driver safety features such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. For more range, opt for the Model X Extended Range that adds 25 miles of range, making it 295 miles. Performance is otherwise identical.

Midway through the model year, Tesla tweaked the trim levels slightly. The base Model X was renamed Standard Range, and estimated range dropped to 250 miles (with a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds). The Extended Range model was renamed Long Range, and range increased significantly to 325 miles (with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds). Soon after this, Tesla discontinued the Standard Range variant.

Performance enthusiasts can opt for the Model X Performance model, which Tesla says rips to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. The available Ludicrous Mode option (which Tesla later made standard) drops the 0-60 time further to a mind-bending 2.7 seconds but otherwise doesn't change any of the other metrics.

It goes without saying, but don't expect to come close to these range figures if you're dabbling with these acceleration times.

After choosing your desired performance level, there are only two more options to select. First is seating configuration. Normally, the Model X comes with five-passenger seating, but you can get a six-passenger configuration with two captain's chairs in the second row and a third-row bench, or a seven-passenger configuration with two rows of benches.

Finally, you can opt for Enhanced Autopilot, which includes additional cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the ability to self-center in a lane and change lanes. (Note that this package is simply referred to as Autopilot on vehicles produced later in the year.) Also available is the Full Self-Driving Capability feature, which adds automated parallel and perpendicular parking, additional fine-tuning to the way Autopilot behaves on the highway, and a summon feature that calls the Model X to your location in a parking lot. 

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our road test of the Tesla Model X P90D Signature.

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2016, the current Model X has received minor ongoing revisions, including the deletion of various battery sizes and trim levels and the addition of fold-flat second-row seats. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Model X, however.