Used 2020 Tesla Model X

Several existing luxury brands and newcomers to the market are touting their electric-crossover SUVs, but only the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace are actually on sale at the start of 2020. And neither comes close to matching the range and performance of the comparatively pricey 2020 Tesla Model X.

Able to travel up to 328 miles on a single charge, accelerate to 60 mph in as few as 2.7 seconds, and tow up to 5,000 pounds, the Model X makes owning an electric vehicle a viable alternative to a gasoline-powered model.

Unconventional features include a set of nifty but impractical Falcon Wing rear doors, upcoming self-driving technology, a giant tablet-style touch-screen display, and floating pedestal seats for the second row. On the practical side, the Model X’s available 3rd-row seat isn’t big on legroom, but the 7-passenger option includes fold-down 2nd-row seats that help this SUV to swallow up to 88 cubic feet of cargo.

As far as the ride and handling are concerned, in everyday driving you’d be hard-pressed to distinguish among the Model X’s two trim levels. Thanks to a predictive and adaptive air suspension and 20-inch wheels, a smooth, comfortable, and quiet ride is the rule rather than the exception.

Handling impresses, too. Responsive steering feedback helps this big crossover SUV feel a bit smaller and more agile than one would think, making the Model X an easy vehicle to live with. The low center of gravity, a result of the battery and electric motor weight located low and centralized in the chassis, gives the Model X slot-car-style cornering capability.

The real thrill in driving a Model X, however, is the instantaneous rush of speed that comes when you put your foot down. The Model X Long Range zooms to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and it’s the slow version of the SUV. The Model X Performance, with the available Ludicrous Mode engaged, delivers 100 percent of the electric motors’ power to the wheels for a breathtaking zero-to-60-mph run of 2.7 seconds.

Once you’ve owned a Model X, the morning school run will never be the same.

Aside from its panoramic windshield, Falcon Wing rear doors, and extra cargo capacity, the Tesla Model X SUV is essentially identical to the Tesla Model S sedan.

That means comfort and materials’ quality are high, but build quality can be inconsistent. It also means the controls for the climate system, audio system, and other functions are accessible only through a massive 17-inch touch-screen display mounted portrait-style on the dashboard. It’s well integrated with the overall interior design, unlike what you’ll find in the Tesla Model 3, and the screen is both fast to react to inputs and simple to use.

Circling back around to Tesla’s power-operated Falcon Wing doors, they open up like gullwing doors instead of out like a conventional SUV’s. They’ll wow your neighbors and your kids will love them, but they can be frustrating in low clearance situations as well as problematic during bouts of heavy snow or rain.

Much of this Tesla’s appeal is that it looks like nothing else on the road. Well, except for another Tesla.

When viewed from the front, the 2020 Tesla Model X is almost indistinguishable from its sexy sedan brother, the Model S, which is still one of the best-looking cars around. And the family resemblance continues with the SUV’s steep windshield that extends up over the roof, flush chrome door handles, and fastback roofline.

However, while the Model S pleases the eyes with a low silhouette and wide stance, when viewed from some angles the Model X looks awkwardly proportioned. In fact, the standard white paint makes the SUV look like a candidate for an Easter egg coloring party. Also, note that the Falcon Wing doors negate the ability to install a roof rack, but Tesla does offer trailer-hitch racks that solve that design compromise.

PANORAMIC GLASS SUNROOF
The Model X’s windshield extends all the way over the top of the front seats, giving the driver and front passenger a panoramic view of their surroundings.

FREE SUPERCHARGER ACCESS
At the start of 2020, Tesla offers Model X buyers free unlimited use of its Supercharger charging-station network. Located on Interstates and in popular locations across the U.S., Tesla Superchargers make family road trips in a Model X a reality.

As the 2020 calendar year kicks off, the Model X comes in Long Range and Performance trims. Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is standard, along with free unlimited access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. Note that Tesla modifies its vehicles, prices, and perks throughout the year, so things could change over the course of 2020.

Old Man Winter is no challenge for a Tesla Model X. The SUV includes heated seats throughout the cabin, a heated steering wheel, heated and power-folding side mirrors, heated windshield-washer nozzles, and a wiper de-icing system. Vegan “leather” upholstery is standard, as well as 12-way-power adjustment for the front seats.

Other equipment highlights include dual-zone automatic climate control with a medical-grade air-filtration system, a 17-speaker premium sound system, navigation, and a power-operated rear liftgate. Autopilot ADAS (advanced driving-assistance system) includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring is also standard on the Model X.

Choose the Model X Performance, and the SUV supplies much faster acceleration via Ludicrous Mode. The interior also offers a carbon-fiber trim selection with black or white upholstery.

The only free paint color is white. The others cost extra, as do the two optional wheel selections. Note that with Performance trim the black 22-inch wheels reduce driving range to an estimated 272 miles.

Five-passenger seating is standard, with both 6-passenger and 7-passenger layouts available for thousands of extra dollars. The pricey Full Self Driving Capability package ($7,000) equips the Model X with automatic parking, automatic lane changing, Smart Summon, and Navigate on Autopilot. Navigate gives the SUV autonomous highway-driving capability from onramp to offramp, similar to Cadillac’s Super Cruise.

Later in 2020, Tesla expects to add automatic driving for city streets as well as stop-sign and traffic-light recognition capability to this package, giving the Model X full self-driving capability. We’ll see if that actually comes to pass.

The 2020 Tesla Model X uses two AC electric motors and a 100-kWh lithium-ion battery to power all four of the SUV’s wheels. A predictive and adaptive air suspension is standard equipment.

At the start of 2020, two versions of the Model X are on sale. The Model X Long Range travels an estimated 328 miles on a charge, accelerates to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 155 mph. The Model X Performance trades range for speed, traveling 305 miles on a charge but using its standard Ludicrous Mode to scream to 60 mph in a downright ridiculous 2.7 seconds. It also reaches a top speed of 163 mph.

In 2019, Tesla started rolling out its new 200-kW V3 Supercharger stations. Using one, Tesla says recharging time is cut by 50 percent. Any Supercharger will provide up to 115 miles of added range in just 15 minutes, according to Tesla. Use a standard 240-volt outlet at home, and the SUV is ready to go after plugging in overnight.

AC electric motors w/100-kWh lithium-ion battery pack (Model X Long Range)
N/A horsepower
750 lb-ft of torque (estimated)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 99/93 MPGe

AC electric motors w/100-kWh lithium-ion battery pack (Model X Performance)
N/A horsepower
750 lb-ft of torque (estimated)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 90/89 MPGe (20-inch wheels), 80/77 MPGe (22-inch wheels)