As you read this review, Tesla is producing the most technologically-advanced, aesthetically-pleasing, top-performing electric Sport Utility Vehicle ever to hit the marketplace. Oh, and by the way, it’s also equipped with some of the most revolutionary safety features ever built into an electric vehicle. Introducing Tesla’s Model X – the all-wheel drive SUV that is poised to revolutionize the auto industry. Capable of 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds and armed with a 100 kWh battery providing 295 miles of range, this impressive SUV will be turning some heads as it self-drives past all of us on the freeway.
By purchasing the Model X Self-Driving Hardware package, you instantly have one of the most sophisticated SUV’s on the road. With eight strategically-placed surround cameras providing “360-degrees of visibility around the car at up to 250 meters of range,” Tesla claims that it’s panoramic vision makes using its Enhanced Autopilot features 2x’s safer than a human driver. The upgraded sensor system covers two times the distance as its predecessor and the 12 ultrasonic sensors can seamlessly detect both soft and hard objects from any angle.
Whether it’s the rear view camera (50-meter max distance), ultrasonics (8 m), forward looking side mirrors (80m), or radar (160m), you are fully covered from lane creepers to random objects rolling into the street. With 40 times more powerful onboard sonar/radar processing unit, drivers are able to see through heavy rain, fog, dust, and even the car ahead. The new vision processing tools, according to Tesla, lets you see in every direction simultaneously.
Here are some of the features that come with the Tesla Model X Enhanced Autopilot package:
– Your Tesla will match speed to traffic conditions
– Keep within one lane
– Automatically change lanes without requiring driver input
– Transition from one freeway to another
– Exit the freeway when your destination is near
– Self-park
– Summon to and from your garage
Tesla’s super sophisticated self-driving software knows when to pass slower cars on the freeway and at the same time, gives back full driving control once you take your exit – allowing you to navigate more complicated streets en route to your final destination. The Smart Summon feature alerts your Model X to come find you, pick you up, and drive you to a point of interest. If you simply jump in your car and say nothing, the Model X will sync to your digital calendar and drive you to your appointment. If nothing is saved to your calendar, then your Tesla knows to drive you home. How convenient!
From choosing the best possible route to managing highly complex intersections, Tesla’s intuitive Autopilot hardware is backed by some of the most sophisticated advanced safety features, including collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, side and front collision warnings, and auto high beams. If you have the Supercharger feature, you don’t even have to worry about charging your SUV’s battery – it does so automatically.
The safety features are not just isolated to Tesla’s new vision onboard computer system. Tesla, after countless safety tests, is predicting their Model X SUV “will receive the highest safety rating in every category.” Whether it’s the floor-mounted battery that strategically lowers the center of gravity (reducing the rollover risk) or the front trunk designed as a giant impact-absorbing zone, the Model X is designed to keep all seven of its passengers safe in case of an accident.
In true Tesla fashion, the design of its Model X SUV is both innovative yet ergonomically-sound. It must be making other SUV manufacturers think to themselves, “Why didn’t we think of that?” With seven people seated in three rows of independently reclining chairs, Tesla decided to use articulating Falcon Wings to allow for easy access to both the second and third rows. Since the Falcon Wings take up only a foot of clearance on each side, passengers can access the SUV from both the front and rear of the vehicle without ducking or straining.
If the Falcon Wings don’t have you impressed, the Big Sky panoramic glass windshield inside the SUV will. Consider the “largest all-glass panoramic windshield in production,” Tesla wants drivers and passengers to experience the outside world during road trips. Tesla made sure that “every seat is the best seat in the house,” with obstruction-free views of the road ahead and the sky above.
Finally, and arguably one of the most important design features is Model X’s aerodynamic engineering. As much as Tesla designed the Model X for acceleration and maneuverability, it also wanted to maximize the SUV’s range. With a 20% lower drag coefficient (0.24) than the next best SUV and an active spoiler that optimizes highway efficiency, Model X can get 289 miles of range on one charge.
From my first experience driving a Tesla at the Fremont Tesla factory & track, I was totally sold and knew I wanted to buy a Tesla. I spent a great deal of time driving both models (Tesla Model S & Tesla Model X), reading reviews and ultimately trying to decide which one would be the best for me. I was quite worried about the initial reviews of the Model X (not good!) and the Model S of course is one of the most loved cars of all-time.
It’s the big and the small details that really put Tesla in a league of it’s own. The responsiveness of the accelerator (no lag time) makes driving safer. The regenerative braking combined with standard anti-lock brakes allows the vehicle to stop more quickly than any other car. Overall the safety ratings for both Model S & Model X are as close to perfect as one could ask for. I’m driving my wife and baby around and safety and comfort is paramount. I love the sleek James Bond look of the Model S and also appreciate how insanely quiet the car is when driving. If you’re reading reviews you’re already aware of how fast these cars are and how amazing it is that Tesla can “push” updates to the car, something that none of my other cars have ever been able to do. Even little things like the “frunk” (front trunk) on both cars is something that sets Tesla apart (I am often in San Francisco and having a very secure space to leave a laptop bag is very much appreciated). Other “nice to have” things like the door that opens as you walk up to your car, the music that starts playing where you left off as soon as you start to sit down, the automatic “hands-free” parallel parking feature, the hands-free voice controls that allow you to enter navigation items as specific as “the Safeway in the Marina District” without knowing the street name or address…I could go on and on and on.
In case you’re interested, I ended up buying the Model X (although the noisier cabin on the freeway was almost a deal-breaker for me). I needed the extra storage space for stroller, suitcases, skis, etc. and I preferred being a bit higher up on the road. I chose the 6-seat configuration which is strangely similar to a mini-van in terms of access and comfort…but from the outside and from the drivers seat, this car is more like a hybrid of a rocket ship & an ultra lux SUV.
One last feature that was pretty sweet was this referral link. By using referral code I was able to get free unlimited supercharging and even got $500 credit. If you are considering buying a Tesla, or if you just want a chance to RACE a TESLA SEMI, click http://ts.la/david41503 (TS dot LA /david41503) and type in your email address. You’ll automatically be setup to get the best referral if/when you’re ready to buy your Tesla.
From my first experience driving a Tesla at the Fremont Tesla factory & track, I was totally sold and knew I wanted to buy a Tesla. I spent a great deal of time driving both models (Tesla Model S & Tesla Model X), reading reviews and ultimat