Tesla’s 2022 Tesla Model X is out and the model that has been around for over five years is still turning heads. This electric SUV has no match among rivals when it comes to acceleration. How’s that, you might ask? Well, the Model X Plaid, which is the performance version with three electric motors and 1,020 horsepower, launches from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. The 2022 Tesla Model X goes big on the range, too, posting up to 350 miles of range on a full charge. There’s even seating for up to seven passengers.
This is all great, but the Model X no longer has a lock on the luxury electric SUV segment. New rivals are coming out for 2022, including the BMW iX and Rivian R1S. If you don’t want to put up with the Model X’s quirks — the finicky operation of the falcon-wing doors, no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among others — these are going to be worth checking out. Check out our test team’s Expert Rating to learn more about the Model X’s hits and misses.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The base Model X comes standard with two electric motors—one at the front axle and one at the rear—which enables all-wheel-drive capability. This setup is plenty swift and Tesla claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.8 seconds. The 1020-hp three-motor Plaid high-performance variant is boasts a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of 2.5 seconds, but we haven’t verified its acceleration times at our test track yet. When we tested the Model S Plaid—the Model X’s sedan platform- mate—it managed a viscera-compressing 2.1-second zero-to-60-mph time. Handling is respectable, but the Model X’s party trick is the strong acceleration generated by its electric motors.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The 2022 Tesla Model X comes standard with a battery large enough to cover a claimed 351-mile driving range; upgrading to the faster Plaid model drops the estimated driving range to 335 miles. Recharging is quick via one of Tesla’s Superchargers, which are located across the country. Charging at home via a 240V or 120V connection will be slower, but probably more convenient for owners, so Tesla offers in-home charging equipment for purchase.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Among other similarly-sized all-electric SUVs, the Model X boasts the highest MPGe ratings from the EPA. Long Range models earned ratings of 109 city, 101 highway, and 105 MPGe combined. Even the Plaid model, which sacrifices some efficiency for faster acceleration, outperforms key rivals such as the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-Tron SUVs in this metric. For more information about the Model X’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A stark and nearly buttonless interior design is classic Tesla. The driver faces a digital gauge display and a unique yoke-style steering controller, which is often frustrating to use and difficult to get used to. Also unique is the Model X’s windshield/glass roof that runs seamlessly from the base of the hood and up-and-over the front-seat passengers for a nearly uninterrupted view of what’s ahead and what’s above. Despite these whiz-bang features, the 2022 Tesla Model X‘s cabin leaves us wanting, especially considering its price can easily break the six-figure barrier, with non-descript air vents, misaligned panels, and flat-backed seats that don’t offer enough adjustments.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A huge touchscreen infotainment system dominates the dashboard and controls nearly all of the Model X’s various features and settings. A secondary digital readout directly in front of the driver serves as the gauge cluster. Tesla’s infotainment system is certainly high-tech, but what you won’t find is Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capability. Rear-seat riders are treated to their own small display which provides entertainment and, presumably, some control over the car’s features.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Most buyers are looking more for tech features than luxury, though, and the Model X can be optioned with the feature that is possibly the most buzzworthy: Autopilot. Tesla’s semi-autonomous driving mode uses several cameras, multiple sensors, and radars to detect objects, people, and other vehicles and uses them to pilot the Model X under its own power.
The Model X also offers a Summon feature that allows the user to park or retrieve the SUV from tight spots while standing outside—a feature that seems gimmicky but proved necessary thanks to the silly top-hinged doors. For more information about the Model X’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
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