Tesla Model X Buyers Guide

Last updated 12-May-2023

The Model X was the second mass produced car from Tesla and has been in production since 2016. Production pause for a year in 2021, but in 2022 we saw a major update, but other than that there have only been a few incremental changes to the car. These were largely limited to increases in battery size, the MCU update and tweaks to the motors and suspension. There have, however, been a large number of small changes to the car addressing low level issues and through continual improvement. An early car is quite different to the current models, and even the last models made in 2020.

Why the Model X?

Tesla Worldwide Inventory Search

You're probably here because you're interested in the Model X, in which case probably only the Model Y is a possible consideration, especially if you want 7 seat capability. The Model S is in a similar price point but is lower and while having great storage, can't compete with the Model X.

The Model Y for passengers is relatively close to the Model X in 5 seat configuration, although the seats are not as good, while the model X in 6 amd 7 seat configurations is in a class of its own. The main difference witht he Model Y in 5 seat form is the storage space, the Model X being significantly greater. We've created a video to run through some of the changes. The Model S shares the same platform and has plenty of room for 5 adults, but the previous jump seats in the rear have been dropped and even when they existed, the rear facing nature of them and lack of ventilation made them only suitable for small people and short trips. There's just something about the Model X that makes it fairly unique.

You may also want to see what you can get for your money across the Tesla range and our Tesla Worldwide Inventory Search enables you to do just that, listing both new and used cars, and those sold by Tesla and through 3rd parties. We believe this is the only resource in the world that does this.

Alternatives

After a period of 2 years, the Model X is now starting to become available in many markekts in Left Hand Driver form, having previously being limited to the NA markets in 2022. Car's like the e-tron, EQC and iPace are all smaller and as first generation cars for their makes are all somewhat compromised. The new BMW iX is also a contender in this price bracket and wins on comfort and luxury, although it is only a 5 seater and lacks on overall interior space. The 2022 update was fairly big, focusing on the interior and some changes to the drivetrain, although the chassis is still the same and overall we were a little disappointed with the extent of the changes. If you're looking at older cars, as we've hinted above, there have been many changes over the years to address issues, and the easrly cars could be quite unreliable. The car is also large and while efficiency is good all things considered, the early 60 and 75 models are quite low on real world range.

Model X naming convention

Tesla have adopted two basic naming conventions over the years for the model variants. The older system used a combination of letters and numbers:

The later convention is to simply quote range e.g. Long Range (100D) or Performance (P100D), although more typically they use "Dual Motor" for the long range and "Dual Motor" for the performance (note the underline). With the 2022 model change, the Performance model became the Plaid model.

Significant changes

There have been few significant changes to the Model X since its launch. Tesla do make many smaller changes all the time with the the changes to the Model X documented here.

All cars come with autopilot hardware with all but the very earliest cars using the Tesla system. More details on Autopilot are below.

The Model X had a lot of running model changes to address design issues over the life of the car, but relatively few significant ones.

The first major change was the update to the MCU in 2018. The new MCU was significantly quicker in operation and unlocked some capabilities such as sentry mode and dashcam, although these features also improved with the advances in autopilot hardware.

The next significant change came in 2019 with the Raven model including the improved suspension and different motors. Tesla have also made tweaks to battery and motors and the Long Range became the Long Range+ but essentially it was the same car with just some performance tweaks.

The car was out of production in 2021 and came back as part of the Paladium programme in 2022 (although sometimes the new model is called a 2021+) with a significant interior update. There were a few other changes such as tri-motors with the introduction of the Plaid model. Even since it's launch, and possible to standardise build to meet European needs, a number of other changes have been made including changes to the charge port (European cars now have a native CCS port) and the lights. This version is only available in LHD form and will not be built in RHD form for RHD markets.

New or used?

If looking at used, we'd suggest avoiding the earliest Model X cars, especially those with the smallest batteries as the range is quite limited and we'd suggest a Model Y in preference. The only reason for an early MX over a MY would be for 6 or 7 seats, but be prepared to incur out of warranty expences and low range. Supercharging those older cars is also relatively slow.

The 2022 updated Model X has now started to roll off the production line for the US and proably Canada shortly behind. Given the strong residuals of used Model X we suspect it will be worth trying to get a new car if you can. Inventory cars of the MS 2021 do appear especially around quarter end so it may be worth keeping an eye on our inventory pages for when they are listed.

Battery size and range

After determining the model of car, the battery capacity and therefore range is the next main consideration (accepting exterior and interior colour is personal choice). Tesla have offered a 60, 75 and 90 battery and later a 100 kwh battery, before finally dropping the 75 battery altogether. The 75 battery has a relatively short range especially in winter so in cold climates or for anybody who expects to travel more than 150 miles in a day, we would recommend looking at the 100/long range battery. We would definitely avoid the 60kwh battery.

The actual range is subject to a lot of factors including temperature and the type of roads you are driving on. Faster driving, especially in the Model X reduces range quickly and the larger cabin can require more energy to heat in colder weather. You are also unlikely to want to start from 100% and end on 0% and therefore the working range is approximately 80% of the theoretical full range.

Model years and Performance

There have been a number of variants of the Model X with a variety of batteries each with different range and performance figure. Tesla use a hidden model iteration code to denote the differences.

For each variant we have listed the predominant years the cars were being sold. Occasionally Tesla have unsold models which they first register alongside newer models, we have ignored these when this is obvious. Some model codes may only be available in some parts of the world. The specifications include the different testing regulations in place at the time they were tested. The most realistic measure of range is the EPA figure which reflects moderately paced driving in summer.

MT60A Model X 60D

This was an early MX which was effectively a software locked 75D. The car could be unlcokced to the full 75D capacity for a fee.

MT75A Model X 75D

This was an early MX and for many the realistic entry point as the 60D range was too small.

MT90A Model X 90D

This was the early longer range which was also quicker. The main difference was a 400V battery pack v the 350V in the 75D which meant higher peal power deivery and potentially faster charging speeds. The actual capacity increase however wasn't that much bigger and for many the value choice was the 75D.

MT90P Model X P90D

This was the first performance version of the Model X. Initially without ludicrous which was an option on many cars although for periods of time was standard.

MT90L Model X P90DL

This was the ludicrous version of the performance version of the Model X.

MT10A Model X 100D

Tesla switched to 100 kwh battery packs and while the 90 seems to only be 10% less, in practice the range difference was nearer 20% because the 90 battery was smaller than the model description would suggest.

MT10L Model X P100DL

While the 90D switched to the 100D in March 2017 just as free unlimited supercharging was ending, the P90D switched to the P100D in Aug 2016.

MTX03 Model X Long Range

Tesla changed to the new naming convention and also used a mix of motors which altereed performance and range.

MTX05 Model X Long Range+

Tesla changed again although the primary change was to a new battery which gave further range.

MTX07 Model X Long Range+

Tesla made more changes releasing more range, and the model became the last LR MX before the 2021 facelift.

MTX13 Model X Long Range

After a year of no production, this is the updated 2021+ facelift. Unusually for Tesla, the range has fallen on the latest model compared to the best of the prefacelift cars, although the 0-60 time has improved.

MTX13 Model X Long Range

After a year of no production, this is the updated 2021+ facelift. Unusually for Tesla, the range has fallen on the latest model compared to the best of the prefacelift cars, although the 0-60 time has improved.

MTX04 Model X Performance

As part of the changes to Raven, Tesla switched the naming convention to names, in this case Performance. The range however was slightly down on the P100DL. All Performance models came with ludicrous.

MTX06 Model X Performance

The primary difference compared to the previous model is the battery change.

MTX08 Model X Performance

This was the last performance variant before production stopped at the end of 2020 ahead of the 2021 facelift. Most of the cars went to NA although a few did reach Europe.

MTX14 Model X Plaid

This the new Plaid performance and paradoxically the range has increased from the outgoing Performance model, unlike the Long Range where it fell.

Autopilot

Except for very early Model X cars, all cars come with the Tesla system.

The level of autopilot features (assuming using Tesla hardware) is linked more to the software option chosen and less the hardware.

When looking at used cars, if you want Full Self driving capability it may be better value to find a car with that level of option already purchased as used prices do not reflect the purchase price of the option. However, if you find an otherwise perfect car at the right price it may be an option to pay for the upgrade after purchase.

There is a simple visual way to tell if the car has the Tesla Autopilot system or not and that is looking at the side repeaters on the front wing. If they have a camera built in they use the Tesla system, if they just show a Tesla logo, they are the older system.

If you have access to the car, or the seller has provided suitable screenshots then you can also refer to our guide to what options and hardware a Tesla has fitted..

Tesla Autopilot hardware versions

Tesla have release 4 different hardware configurations, excluding the removal of components. Each version has incrementally got better with better cameras, more powerful processing and changes to the radar. The later the version, the better is the general rule.

The build dates when these changed are as follows (note the build date is not the registration date, and there can be several months between build date and registration date, especially outside the US):

It should be noted that cars can be upgraded from HW2 and HW2.5 to HW3 so you may find cars built before the HW3 production dates which now have HW3. At present Tesla advise that cars cannot be updated to HW4.

When did Autopilot HW4 start being delivered?

Tesla changed the Model S and Model X autopilot hardware to HW4 at the end of 2022. The changes incldued higher definition cameras and a new radar although it is not clear how much of the new hardware was used by the autopilot hardware. Tesla have said that HW4 cars will be better than HW3 in the fullness of time, but that HW3 is still capable of achieving FSD.

On the Model S, the change over date is slightly different for North America and European build cars.

Options and upgrades

From when the model S was launched up until around 2018 there many options available on the Model S. Some of these options became standard fit over time, others were dropped all together. We highlight the main ones:

What features does the car have?

To find out autopilot hardware, premium audio, cold weather pack etc, you need access to the car and follow this guide to find out what hardware versions a Tesla has. Many dealers are now including the required pictures in their adverts and those that do, clearly understand the cars.

Free Supercharging

The Model X came with free unlimited supercharging for the life of the car until April 2017, at which point only the first owner og a car had free supercharging and eventually the benefit being dropped altogether for new registrations. Given when the Model X was launched, very few cars will have the transferable free supercharging option.

Matters changed again in July 2019 where cars which previously had supercharging for the life of the car have had the free supercharging benefit revoked when passing through Tesla's hands, ie taken in as part exchange, or returned at the end of a finance agreement, even if Tesla then sell the car into the trade. A private sale not going through Tesla at any stage would retain free supercharging. You now need to check the details of any used car carefully to understand it's history of ownership, even if transiently by Tesla, to know whether the free supercharging has been retained or whether it has been revoked. We provide a detailed FAQ on this.

Key issues

Below is what appears to be a lot of potential issues with the cars. Owners of cars, especially as they get older or reach higher miles should expect the need to perform routine maintenance or have to fix some common failures. Tesla parts can be expensive, but increasingly third part solutions are cropping up to solve the problem more cost effectively.

Warranty

Model X cars come with 2 manufacturer warranties.

One covers the battery and motor and was originally for 8 years and unlimited miles, changing at the beginning of 2020 to be a mileage limited warranty. The original warranty had no performance guarantee as was effectively a failure warranty, whereas the replacement warranty for cars from 2020 offered a maximum degradation threshold.

The second warranty is the general car warranty for everything else. This lasts for 4 years or 50k miles, which comes sooner.

Tesla also offered a used car warranty of 4 years, 50k miles warranty or 2 years up to 100k miles in total depending on whether the car was under or over 50k miles. Some used cars may still have the some of this warranty remaining. For more recent purchases Tesla have changed the their used car warranty top one extra year after the current warranty expires.

What would we buy used?

We feel the pick of the range is the 100D or later Long Range and with either the 6 or 7 seat configuration. The 90D appears to have only a 10% smaller capacity but in practice it is 15% smaller, and as the working range of the battery is from 10% to 90%, the extra capacity translates to a benefit of 20-25% more working range.

While the P/Performance/Plaid models have extra power and accelerate faster, in such a large car it just makes feel ill. Given the capabilities of the non-performance version, it doesn't seem worth stretching for the top spec. The price premium of the MX Plaid over the Long Range would also have us buying the Long Range.

Given high used residuals, if you can buy a new MX Long Range, then we would over a used car. If you can't, then we would be tempted to wait or look at the Model Y as the price for a half decent used Model X appears unsustainably high.

You check the whole market and compare prices between models on our Inventory listings.

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