The Tesla Model X is an electric SUV that seems to have it all. It’s luxurious, high-tech, exciting to drive, and has an electric range of over 300 miles in every configuration. The 6-digit starting price puts it out of reach for most drivers, but the Model X is an appealing EV for luxury SUV drivers with a big budget. Its closest competitor is the new 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV.
Every Model X is electric, but the powertrain varies depending on the configuration. Let’s look at the differences and similarities between the two trims of the Tesla Model X.
2023 Tesla Model X: $109,990
The base Tesla Model X used to carry the “Long Range” moniker, but now the base model is called “Model X.” It uses a dual-motor powertrain with all-wheel drive (AWD), achieving up to 348 miles of range (330 miles with the 22-inch wheels) on a full charge according to the EPA. It’s also quite quick; Tesla claims a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph.
The list of standard features is what you might expect for an SUV in this price range. It includes 20-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a panoramic glass roof, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, a 17-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a 17-speaker audio system.
Tesla is famous for its Autopilot suite of driver assistance features. It doesn’t drive itself and still requires the driver’s full attention, but these features enhance safety and comfort. It bundles automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.
One unique feature of the Model X is what Tesla calls “Falcon Wing” rear doors. These are Tesla’s take on gullwing doors, but with more articulation to make them more usable in tight parking spots.
In its standard layout, this is a 2-row SUV with five seats. A third row of seats is optional, which brings the seat count up to six or seven depending on whether you opt for second-row captain’s chairs. Black is the standard interior color, but a black-and-white or cream-colored interior is optional, each for an extra $2,000. A cool, no-cost interior option is a steering yoke rather than a traditional round steering wheel.
There are two option packages available to enhance the semiautonomous driving tech. Enhanced Autopilot ($6,000) adds Navigate on Autopilot, automatic lane changing, Autopark, Summon, and Smart Summon. With Summon, the Model X can park and unpark itself in tight spaces.
Full Self-Driving Capability ($15,000) has all of the perks of Basic and Enhanced Autopilot plus traffic light and stop sign control. Additionally, Tesla has equipped it for Autosteer on city streets, which will improve semiautonomous driving when the over-the-air update becomes available.
As for chargers, Tesla offers a wall connector for $350 or a mobile connector for $230. The wall connector is best for home charging, while the mobile connector can travel with you and adapts to various outlets.
When you factor in the $1,390 destination fee, the starting price of the Model X comes to $111,380. Assuming a 60-month loan at 5% interest with no trade-in or money down, the Model X will have a monthly payment starting at about $2,102. See 2023 Tesla Model X models for sale near you
2023 Tesla Model X includes:
Autopilot — This suite of driver assistance features includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assisting, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Up to 348-mile range — According to the EPA, the Model X is capable of up to 348 miles of electric range on a full charge.
Falcon Wing doors — These gullwing-style power rear doors are hinged on the top and won’t bang into other cars when opened.
2023 Tesla Model X Plaid: $119,990
The Model X Plaid is the high-performance variant of this electric SUV. It uses a tri-motor powertrain to make a whopping 1,020 horsepower giving it a claimed 0-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds. It uses a torque-vectoring AWD system to manage all that power and special brake calipers for improved stopping power and heat management.
The Model X Plaid is rated at a 333-mile range with the standard 20-inch wheels. It drops to 311 miles with the optional 22-inch wheels.
Every Model X Plaid is a 6-seater. Three-row seating with second-row captain’s chairs is the only configuration you can get with the Plaid model. Other than that, it has the same interior options as the standard Model X.
The Model X Plaid has the same options for Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability as the base model. The charging options are also identical.
The Model X Plaid starts at about $2,291 per month if you get one on a 60-month loan with 5% interest and zero down. See 2023 Tesla Model X Plaid models for sale near you
Tesla Model X Plaid includes:
Tri-motor power — The tri-motor powertrain in the Model X Plaid gives it a blistering 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds.
Torque vectoring — The torque-vectoring AWD system sends the right amount of torque to the appropriate wheels in any driving condition.
High-performance brakes — Lots of horsepower demands lots of stopping power. That’s what you get with the brake calipers in the Model X Plaid, which have high thermal capacity.
