Ten Years On, What’s Left of the Tesla Model X?

Who would think of buying a car that has been around for nearly 10 years? Yet, that is the case with the Tesla Model X.

Launched in 2015, the Tesla Model X will soon celebrate its 10th birthday. An age that makes it a veteran in the automotive market, where the vast majority of models have already been retired or have undergone two or three facelifts to hide their wrinkles. The credit primarily goes to its innovative features such as the panoramic windshield and the electric Falcon Wing rear doors. But this longevity has also been made possible thanks to many small technical changes and online technological updates. A decade is considered too long by the standards of modern internal combustion vehicles, but it’s still fresh in terms of electric vehicles. With configurations for five, six, or seven passengers and a range of over 550 km in the WLTP cycle on a single charge, the Model X remains a compelling electric vehicle for families. And what about the Plaid version with 1,020 horsepower! It’s the most discreet fire-breathing beast you can find to embarrass many supercars at a standstill start.

10 years and still plugged in

The Model X remains relevant in the Tesla lineup thanks to its status as a style pioneer. While Kia, BYD, or even Renault change styles as often as they change design directors, Tesla has a line and sticks to it. There is a Tesla style; it evolves, but a Tesla remains a Tesla. Well, unless we consider the Cybertruck, which anyway looks like nothing else…

The electric vehicle market has evolved significantly since the Model X’s debut. At its launch, it was the only option for customers looking for a three-row electric SUV. Today, it faces competition from the Mercedes EQS, Kia EV9, Rivian R1S, and even the Citroën C3 Aircross, which costs a quarter of its price when we look very broadly.

But despite its age, or perhaps thanks to its age in the end, the Model X remains a unique vehicle that has its clientele and can still expect a few more good years of life thanks to the regular updates the manufacturer brings without ever altering its design. Another magic trick from the Tesla wizard.

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