2026 Tesla Model X

How does the Model X drive? Performance has become the calling card of the Tesla brand and the midsize Model X upholds that reputation. The standard Model X boasts 670 hp and accelerates quite quickly. The 1,020-hp Plaid is even more brutal. Make sure to give your passengers fair warning before putting your foot down.

Balancing out that impressive speed are excellent brakes that are both easy to use in traffic and strong and confident when you need to stop in a hurry. There's enough regenerative braking when lifting off the accelerator that you can often drive around without touching the brake pedal. Though we're really not fans of the awkward steering yoke, the X's ultra-quick steering makes it feel nimble, while its low center of gravity and adaptive suspension keep body motions to a minimum. This sizable family SUV drives more like a car.

Also worth noting: The adaptive air suspension provides up to 8.9 inches of ground clearance when you need it.

How comfortable is the Model X? One benefit of the larger Tesla models, including the Model X, is the adaptive air suspension, which significantly improves ride comfort. Even with 20-inch wheels and an exceptionally high tire pressure of 45 psi, the Model X boasts an admirable ability to absorb bumps in the road. This quality, along with a cabin well insulated against outside noise, makes for a very comfortable environment.

As far as seats go, the Model X's are pretty well cushioned and provide enough adjustments to dial in your personal comfort. But the synthetic leather upholstery lacks breathability, so even mildly warm weather can make the seats feel swampy. The Model X's climate controls are simple to use, but know that the extra-large windshield lets in a bit more heat during hot summer days than a typical-size windshield.

How’s the interior? Obviously, the doors are the biggest story here on the Model X. First you have the driver's door that opens automatically and can be shut without lifting a finger (brilliant!). Then you have the rear doors that open like wings (conversation starter!) and provide unmatched access to the rear seats. But they can also be liabilities in garages and other places with low ceilings.

The user interface is one of the few areas where Tesla has taken a step back with the Model X. A few years ago, Tesla removed the traditional column stalks and replaced them with touch-sensitive buttons, which makes simple everyday actions much more distracting. Even changing lanes requires you to take your eyes off the road momentarily to press the correct arrow button. We also suggest opting for the traditional steering wheel instead of the gimmicky yoke. It'll take a little while to learn the big 17-inch touchscreen's menu structure.

Interior space is generous in the first and second rows. The complex falcon-wing door mechanisms intrude somewhat on third-row headroom. Oh, and that aforementioned extra-large windshield provides a panoramic view out like no other.

How’s the tech? For all the technological marvels in the Model X, there are some shortcomings. The lack of smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a big drawback, and Bluetooth is a poor substitute. If you're parked, you've got access to an internet browser that allows you to do stuff like watch Netflix or scroll through YouTube videos — provided you're subscribed to a Tesla data plan or connected to Wi-Fi.

The Model X's advanced driver aids also didn't prove as robust as those in other Teslas we've tested. The adaptive cruise control was prone to false positive collision warnings, and lane centering seemed to favor the driver-side line instead of the center. The real-time digital map of all the cars and motorcycles around you is pretty neat to see, and we like that you can pull up the rearview camera anytime you want.

One of Tesla's greatest innovations are the over-the-air updates that can add new features and system optimizations. Also, the big center screen is the largest in the industry, with crisp graphics and a stunning Google-based nav system. Our only gripe is that it can leave you temporarily mapless in spotty service areas.

How’s the storage? Storage is excellent in the Model X. The combination of the large rear cargo area (that includes generous underfloor storage for the five-seat configuration) and the largest front trunk in the segment makes the X the best at hauling cargo. Though we don't recommend an EV if you need to tow things over long distances, the Model X is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.

The Model X's in-cabin storage configuration for small items is definitely more creative and better than average. There's sizable storage underneath a sliding cover with configurable drawers. We're still not convinced it's the most efficient design, but we definitely like this setup by Tesla the best so far.

The falcon-wing doors absolutely rule for car seat access, and there's sufficient room for a large rear-facing seat behind an average-size driver. Car seat anchors are tucked a bit deep, though, and the fixed headrests mean the top tethers are awkwardly routed to the side.

Is the Model X a good value? Overall, the Model X's pricing is pretty competitive among midsize luxury EVs even without the benefit of a tax credit. Tesla's build quality has steadily improved over the years, though the Model X's is still a bit below the competition. You do get a battery range and performance advantage, but the interior lacks the solidity of an Audi even if the minimalist design is visually appealing.

The basic warranty is four years/50,000 miles, which is about average. The powertrain is covered for eight years/150,000 miles, and Tesla guarantees that the battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity over that period.

The Model X is engineered to wow. It'll impress your passengers with its sheer speed and panoramic windshield, and it'll entertain parents in the school pickup line as your kids pile in through an outstretched falcon-wing door. The X's theatrics have likely converted a good number of SUV fans to EVs.

Even a base Model X is pretty fun to hustle around. That's thanks to the low-mounted battery weight that makes it feel more like a car than an SUV. The immediate thrust from the electric motors becomes addicting, so much so that you might swear off gas-powered cars for good.