Tesla Model X 2022 Review

Tesla's Model X has been around for more than five years yet it still turns heads, and that's even before the falcon-wing rear doors open up. 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 Model X goes big on 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.

What's it like to live with?

MatoCar' editorial team lived with a 2016 Tesla Model X for nearly two years, logging nearly 25,000 miles. As an all new-design for Tesla, it had a few teething problems at first and suffered from some build-quality issues. The 2022 Tesla Model X differs from our early long-term Model X by way of improved cabin materials and significantly upgraded software, and build quality in recent Teslas we've driven is much improved. It's the same generation, though, so many of our observations still apply. To learn more about the Tesla Model X, check out our 2016 Tesla Model X coverage.

Which Model X does MatoCar recommend?

[Editor's note: The following information is based on last year's 2021 Tesla Model X. We expect the 2022 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Tesla Model X is a battery-electric SUV with seating for five, six or seven people. Two trim levels are available, Long Range and Plaid, and every Model X is all-wheel-drive. The estimated range is 360 miles for the Long Range and 340 miles for the Plaid. Of note: Tesla has the ability to upgrade or add features through over-the-air updates, so features may be added or expanded throughout the model year.

Long Range Offers the longest driving range plus a host of standard equipment, such as:

• Dual-electric motors (up to 670 horsepower)
• Air suspension
• 20-inch wheels
• Trailer hitch
• Keyless entry
• Heated front and rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Panoramic sunroof
• 17-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 22-speaker audio system
• Wireless charging
• Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
• Collision mitigation braking (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Tesla and the car in front)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)

Plaid Equipped much the same as the Long Range but adds mind-boggling performance with:

• Three electric motors (up to 1,020 hp)
• Torque vectoring (adjusts power to individual wheels to improve handling)

Options Only a few options are available, including:

• 22-inch wheels
• Seating for six or seven passengers (five is standard)
• Full Self-Driving Capability (provides additional semi-automated driving assistance features, such as summoning the Model X out of parking spaces and automatic lane changes on the highway. Tesla promises this feature will support fully automated driving in the future, but currently the Model X's "self-driving" capability doesn't exist.)