After having tried the Tesla Model S Plaid, the American manufacturer offered us to take the wheel of the SUV version: the famous Tesla Model X Plaid, with 1,020 horsepower, with 7 seats, an XXL trunk and the integration of a video game console (Steam). We spent two days in his company, here is our complete and detailed opinion on this electric car from space, which promises nearly 600 km of autonomy with performance worthy of a supercar.

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Tesla is the number one in electric cars, just ahead of China’s BYD. And this has been the case for years, since the launch of its Model S in 2012. So yes, other electric car manufacturers have been present for years, like Renault with the Zoé, marketed since 2012, or the Nissan Leaf, since 2010.

But no manufacturer has succeeded in what Elon Musk succeeded in doing with the electric car: making it attractive, or even much more attractive than an equivalent thermal car. Nobody (or almost) dreams of a Renault Zoé. But, of an electric car that promises hundreds of kilometers of autonomy, with a huge trunk and the performance of sports cars? There are people there.

Since 2012, Tesla has of course been caught up by some manufacturers in specific areas. But none has yet managed to master as many elements as Tesla managed to do with its electric cars. And to drive the point home, the American manufacturer launched the new Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X a few months ago. We were lucky enough to get behind the wheel of the Tesla Model S Plaid in December 2022, and now we are facing to the new Tesla Model X Plaid.

On paper, as can be seen on the technical sheet, there are few technical differences between the Model S and the Model X. Everything is done mainly in terms of dimensions. The technical basis remains the same, with a battery of around 95 kWh and three electric motors (two at the rear and one at the front) which make it possible to announce a power of 1,020 hp. Almost ten times more than little Zoé. But on the design, it is not at all the same car as the Model S.

DESIGN: A BIG ELECTRIC SUV

In terms of design, the new Tesla Model X does not go unnoticed. It incorporates almost all of the style elements of the old version. To differentiate it, the new Model X adopts a new front bumper with minor changes. For the rest, impossible to differentiate the old Model X from the new, from the outside.

We then always find this massive SUV design, which has more of a place on the huge American roads than on our small French roads. When you stand next to it, the car seems really big and you wonder how you are going to park it, with its 2 meters wide (excluding mirrors) and its length of 5 meters.

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The fact that the design has changed very little compared to the old Model X (released in 2015) is good news. This avoids making the previous version look old. Especially since the drawing is quite in tune with the times. He is rather versatile and absolutely not eccentric. On the street, people don’t really look up to this car. Except connoisseurs who spot the “Plaid” logo on the tailgate at the back.

What immediately differentiates a Model X from a Model S (apart from the height) are the famous Falcon Wing doors. Those that provide access to the rear rows. They are not butterfly doors, since they each have two hinges. This then makes it possible to modulate their opening, in order to be able to do so in almost any circumstance.

Did a car park too close to you? You will have more chance of entering through the Falcon Wing doors than through the driver’s door! Families love this feature, which offers a huge opening and easy access. What easily adjust a child seat for example. We warn you: when the Falcon Wing doors open, everyone will be watching you. For discretion, we will come back.

On the Plaid version, Tesla integrates red brake calipers (our version was not yet entitled to this novelty). Note that the fin is present on the classic Dual Motor version as well as on our Plaid version. Too bad it is no longer motorized, as was the case a few years ago, to store it when stationary.

Because we must not lie, the design of the Model X is not the most successful of the range. And in particular because of its rear part which lacks coherence and is a little coarse. At the same time, it is difficult to fit the space of a mini van in the format of an SUV.

On the Plaid version, the Tesla Model X is fitted with 20-inch Cyberstream rims. Our test version had the right to the option at 5,900 euros: the 22-inch Turbine wheels. These reduce autonomy and comfort, but give a more sporty and dynamic side to the electric car.

LIVABILITY: A MINIVAN OR AN SUV?

With a wheelbase of 2.965 meters, there is room within the Tesla Model X. In the Plaid version, it is only possible to choose the six-seater version, with two seats per row. In the Dual Motor version, it is possible to choose the five-seater version (with a bench seat as a second row), the six-seater version as well as the version with seven seats. But beware, once the choice has been made when ordering, it is not possible to modify the layout.

In the six-seater version, the second row does not fold down, unlike the five- and seven-seater versions. Which means, in practice, 425 liters of luggage space in seven- and six-seater versions, 935 liters in five-seater versions and 2,431 liters with all the seats folded down, except the two in the first row. In other words, the payload capacity of the Tesla Model X is enormous.

Especially since a front trunk (frunk) of 183 liters takes the place of the heat engine. Because yes, that’s also the advantage of an electric car: freeing up space in the front for a second trunk, since the motors are much smaller and positioned directly on the axles.

With the six-seater version, we enter the world of high-end hybrid bikes. The two seats in the second row are independent and motorized, allowing them to be adjusted electrically. The space left in the middle allows you to store some luggage, but also to access the third row. It is also possible to slide each seat in the second row independently to leave more or less space in the third.

Beware of the latter: it is rather intended for small adults or children. But she is far from ridiculous and does not play the role of uncomfortable places. Long journeys can be considered, provided they are not too tall or too wide. For family use, we prefer the five or seven-seater version, which maximizes boot volume, with a 1/2 – 2/3 folding bench seat. But this one has seats that are a little less comfortable, because they are not completely individual in the second row.

Let’s take a closer look at the front seats: there is space, a lot of space even. Moreover, we have not specified it yet, but the interior of the Tesla Model X has been completely redesigned compared to the old versions. This is where you can recognize a new Model X at a glance. The materials have been completely renewed, with alcantara, vegan leather, carbon, glass and even aluminum. .

The 17-inch screen now horizontal allows for a new center console, even larger than the old one, which was already gigantic. There are two slots for charging smartphones by induction. There are so many storage spaces. This is a little less the case at the rear, since the Falcon Wing doors prevent storage.

The third row consists only of two cupholders. Unfortunately, the five- and seven-seater versions do not allow, in the second row, to transform the middle seat into a central armrest, like what many cars offer, including the Tesla Model S.

Last point concerning the habitability of the Tesla Model X: its huge panoramic windshield, the largest on a production car according to the American brand. And it must be said that the result is breathtaking. We absolutely do not feel cramped in the front seats. The view is masterful, and increases the feeling of space, but also visibility in the city. On the other hand, in the rear seats, the Falcon Wing doors prevent having a glass roof, so it is a little less impressive and welcoming.

DRIVING AIDS: HANDS-FREE!

Tesla electric cars are renowned for their self-driving capability, which arrived in 2016. In practice, it’s adaptive cruise control paired with lane-keeping assist. Called Autopilot, this feature is actually level 2 semi-autonomous driving. In the United States, Tesla offers FSD (full self-driving) with much more efficient autonomous driving, especially in urban areas, as we have seen. demonstrate during our test of the Tesla Model S on American roads.

Autopilot, on the other hand, is made for use on highways and expressways. It works on secondary network roads, departmental type, as long as there are lines on the ground. But beware, it is not made for this, and the chicanes are poorly supported, which could result in a devastating straight for the rims.

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A few years ago, Tesla’s self-driving was simply the best in the world. But competing manufacturers have made efforts, even great efforts. Like Mercedes, which even offers level 3 autonomous driving on its latest EQS. But this is not what changes the situation in practice.

At Mercedes, it is possible to slightly modify the trajectory of the car without cutting off the lane keeping aid, which will resume its centering afterwards. This is called collaborative driving. Convenient for letting an emergency vehicle or two-wheeler pass between the lines. Conversely, at Tesla, we feel that the car is on rails, so it is impossible to make it slightly deviate from its trajectory, without stopping the lane keeping assistance.

On the other hand, where Tesla remains superior to Mercedes’ proposal is on the safety of functionality. If the car is coming too fast to take a curve, the Tesla will slow down, and beep to indicate that the driver may need to take the wheel again. Conversely, at Mercedes, the car will not try to slow down, and will pass the wheel back to you. It’s up to you to manage.

Finally, the last criticism that can be made of Tesla’s Autopilot is that it does not seem to monitor the driver’s attention with the interior camera, but only via the force exerted on the steering wheel. It’s a shame, because hands-free driving is possible if a camera monitors the driver… but only in level 3 from a legal point of view. It’s different in the United States where it is possible, especially with Ford’s BlueCruise.

Still, driving with the Autopilot activated is a real pleasure. Arriving at your destination is less tired, since you no longer drive: you just supervise. A bit like if you were the passenger of a young person in accompanied driving. The test Tesla Model S Plaid was equipped with the improved Autopilot option at 3,800 euros which notably allows the car to overtake automatically.

It also offers automatic parking and automatic exit. This last function allows you to “call” your car which will join you in a parking lot, or to get it out of a narrow place. More of a gimmick than a really useful feature.

AUTONOMY, BATTERY AND CHARGING

Tesla has always been a leader in the field of electric cars, in particular thanks to the autonomy of its vehicles. The Tesla Model X is no exception to the rule… or almost. Our Plaid version announces 585 km of autonomy (in the WLTP combined cycle) with the 20-inch rims, or 543 km with the large 22-inch rims of the test. This is less than the respective 625 and 576 km of the Dual Motor version. But, it is a bit worse than the competition, like the Mercedes EQS SUV and its 596 km on the clock.

Of course, independence is one thing. But consumption and fast charging, another, and much more important. In other words, it is generally more interesting to have an electric car with a short range that charges very quickly, rather than the other way around. And in this little game, Tesla’s proposal is very interesting.

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With a battery of around 95 kWh, the car’s theoretical WLTP consumption is between 19.1 kWh / 100 km for the Dual Motor and 20.8 kWh / 100 km for the Plaid, which is excellent for a car of this template. To be compared with the range between 20.8 and 24.1 kWh / 100 km theoretical of the Mercedes EQS SUV… or the 14.4 kWh / 100 km of the Tesla Model 3 Propulsion, the 17.5 kWh / 100 km of the Tesla Model S and the 15.7 kWh / 100 km Tesla Model Y Propulsion. This demonstrates, once again, the appetite for SUVs.

In practice, consumption was of course higher. Because of the routes taken (fast lanes, highways and a bit of town), but also because we used the heating and Plaid mode a lot, with an outside temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. We still found about 25 kWh / 100 km on the highway and between 20 and 25 kWh / 100 km on the road. Enough to travel approximately 400 km on the highway, and about 450 km on the road.

Once it needs to be recharged, the Tesla Model X accepts a maximum power of 250 kW. Enough to go from 10 to 80% battery in about 30 minutes, or as much as at Mercedes. This is a welcome change from the previous generation Model X which was stuck at 150 kW, with a recharge time of around 45 minutes. But this is not the best, since the Model X is limited to a 400 volt architecture. With 800 volts, the competition allows this duration to be reduced to around 18 minutes, as with the Kia EV9 for example.

Final test score

The Tesla Model X Plaid is almost flawless. Its performance is excellent, its roominess would make any large family dream, its autonomy is very good for an SUV and its very fast recharging.

However, it is not totally perfect, since its soundproofing does not equal the tenors of the market, just like its suspension, which is more sporty than comfortable. And let’s not talk about its turning circle, which makes it difficult to maneuver in town.

The Tesla Model X Plaid is a family SUV, a mix between a minivan and an electric supercar. However, its selling price is totally in line with the competition. Better still, it seems alone in its segment, with an excellent performance/autonomy/price ratio. Only the Mercedes EQS SUV and Volvo EX90 can come and play in its yard, but with totally different services, more luxurious than sporty.