Categrory: Engine Power

Since the launch of the big Tesla SUV in 2015, the Model X has gotten a lot of electric competition. To this day, its combination of space, performance and reach is unmatched. EFAHRER has tested how the Model X performs in 2020 with the basic "Maximum Range" variant.

Although on the market for years, the Model X is still the only large SUV built on a pure electric platform. The competition relies either on considerably smaller dimensions (Jaguar I-Pace: 4.70 metres in length, Model X: 5.05 metres) or on platforms that give space with their basic design for combustion engines (Mercedes EQC with a length of 4.76 metres relies on the platform of the GLC, the Audi e-tron with a length of 4.90 metres shares the platform with Q5 and Q7).

For this reason, no second electric SUV offers such space as the Model X: not only is the Ami the only car in the competitive environment with three rows of seats (either six or seven seats), it offers the largest trunk with 660 liters, under the front hood again a large compartment, in which in addition to the charging cable fits a large bag in addition to the charging cable , and even when the last row of seats is in use, there is still plenty of storage space behind the seats. None of the competitors can even compete.

The adjustment is electrical, but there are no degrees of freedom as with the front seats. For example, the angle between the seat and the back remains the same, which is only a small limitation to finding the right position, but at the same time means that the backrests of row two do not change, but only let forward. Despite the dimensions of the car, therefore, no long objects fit into the six-seater Model X: For the transport of a 65-inch TV (the box measures 1.65 meters in width), we had to organize another car.

Most test reports (as well as our previous tests of the Tesla top models) use the performance variants, which impress with performance values far beyond the 600 hp and the associated extreme acceleration values. Tesla puts a lot of effort into the evolution of the performance models and even delivers subsequent software updates that unlock performance again (for example, with the Ludicrous Plus mode in the Model S, which improved the 0-100 time to 2.7 seconds at best).

However, even the range customers will not be able to complain about low performance: 310 kW (422 hp) is enough to accelerate to country road speed for less than five seconds in the 2.5-tonne SUV – which is significantly faster than an Audi etron. Tesla can't lump in with the top speed: The supposedly weak Model X also keeps up with the continuously 250 km/h fast combustion premium class.

And unlike previously tested performance Teslas, the current Model X can maintain performance for a long time without overheating and therefore throttling.

Finally, a sensitive limitation is the headlights: in the 100th 000-EuroClass are mainly used today by LED and laser headlights with matrix subdivision and dynamic recess of oncoming traffic. The Tesla still stands in the light in 2010: The low-beam automatic knows only the steps high beam or dipped beam. You can certainly live with this light up to the target speed – but if you like to drive fast at night, you should rely on Audi, BMW, Daimler or Porsche.

This is where all the advantages come together: the Model X continues to drive at a lower cost than any other top-class electric car. In the meantime, Model S and Model X are supplied with an adapter that allows them to refuel on any CCS charger: The Teslas achieve the highest possible charging power (around 160 kilowatts in the test) on the ionity, Innogy and Allego chargers in Germany. The Tesla Superchargers in this country only supply a good 120 kilowatts. However, the expansion to the new Supercharger generation V3 with up to 250 kW of charging capacity has already begun. Overall, CCS compatibility means that the big Tesla is unrivaled lylessly flexible when charging. Assistance systems - by way of autopilot

In the first Model S, which we were able to test, the silentness of the electric drive was still a curse.

Of course, there are many things that an Audi e-tron, a Mercedes EQC and a Jaguar I-Pace can do better than the Model X. However, given the electric range, the space available and the possible towing load, the European E-SUVs are not a real competition to the Model X: the Tesla is in its own class. Contrary to expectations, the really big technical advantage of the Americans today does not manifest itself in autopilot at all, but rather in the drive: the efficiency and range of the Model X are still unattainable for The Europeans five years after its market launch, even though their cars are significantly smaller. This advantage easily comforts the details of small negligence.