Skip to main content

Delays be damned, the 2015 Model X will be Tesla’s gift to families

delays damned 2015 tesla model x will fun whole family 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Good things come to those who wait, ladies.

Tesla’s all-wheel-drive Model X SUV was announced last year, but due to a number of production delays, we won’t be seeing it until spring 2015. Those issues should give the company time to hone the car for its target audience: women and families, according  to a report by Ecomento.

“We’ve probably got a little too guy-centric on the [Model] S, so we’re hoping to correct that with the [Model] X,” said Elon Musk, CPA of Tesla and our universe’s Tony Stark. 

focus for Musk was to make the Model X very roomy inside, with easy-access third-row seating, increased visibility, and a higher level of adjustability on the seats for drivers of all sizes. So what’s the holdup? For one thing, the “falcon-wing” doors (which are better than gull-wing doors, obviously) were difficult to seal properly, allowing rain, wind, and road noise inside the cabin.

Secondly, Tesla’s vision of a practical, yet expressive and stylish SUV simply proved difficult to materialize. Musk said it’s “damn hard to make an SUV that is beautiful yet incredibly functional at the same time.”

There was also the issue of weight. The Tesla Model S already weighs 4,785 pounds, and thus the Model X, which is larger, is likely to weigh close to 5,000. Tesla typically uses lightweight, aluminum body panels to stay svelte, but the undeniable truth is that battery packs and electronic motors are heavy.

Despite these challenges, Tesla considers itself a “no-compromise” company, so you can be assured that Musk would not sign off on a car until it was ready.

Tesla Model X rear
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“We have two choices, which is either [to] produce an amazing car that I think is going to blow people away, or produce a pretty good car,” he continued. I think it’s safe to say the Model X will rise above “pretty good.” 

More than anything, the Model X emphasizes practicality. The falcon-wing doors open up, not out, allowing the SUV to park in tight spaces without trapping its occupants inside. There are worse places to be trapped though; the Model X has a plush, modern interior, with room to seat seven. There are also two trunks for storage, and as with all Teslas, the Model X can fill up without harming the rainforest.

Don’t mistake practicality for docility, though. As was the Model S, the Model X should be quite responsive and quick. It has a low center of gravity, instant torque from the electric motors, and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph is less than five seconds. That’s STI territory.

A fun-to-drive, practical SUV that fits the whole family with knockout looks? Seems like the Model X won’t just be great for families, it’ll be great for everybody.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Watch your back, Tesla. Volvo’s EX30 just raised the bar on EV value
Front three quarter view of the 2025 Volvo EX30.

Automakers are quick to say that electric cars are the future, but most aren’t acting that way. In an effort to convince customers to overlook teething problems with charging infrastructure, amortize major investments in battery manufacturing as quickly as possible, and maybe replicate a bit of that Tesla magic, automakers have been emphasizing performance and tech gimmicks instead of what really matters: building cars people can afford. Change is coming, though, and from an unexpected source.

Volvo is known for safety and sensible Swedish design, not value. But the 2025 Volvo EX30 undercuts EVs from mainstream brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen in price without compromising range, features, or style. Pricing starts at just $36,245 for the base Single Motor Extended Range Core model, and even the maxed-out price of $47,895 for a Twin Motor Performance Ultra looks inexpensive compared to the stratospheric heights some EV prices can reach when all option boxes are checked.

Read more
Tesla Model Y vs. Nissan Ariya: Can Tesla take out Nissan’s electric crossover?
Front three quarter view of the 2023 Nissan Ariya.

Nissan has been a little slow to the punch when it comes to electrification (besides the Leaf, of course). But now, it’s finally starting to electrify its lineup with the new Nissan Ariya. The Ariya is a crossover similar in size to the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Kia EV6, and, of course, the Tesla Model Y.

If you’re in the market for a new electric car, you might be wondering whether you should go for the now-everywhere Tesla Model Y or stick with the newer Nissan Ariya. Both cars are seemingly more tech-focused, however, while the Ariya builds on Nissan’s decades of experience in the automotive industry, the Model Y takes a still-fresh approach to its car, at least compared to the competition.

Read more
Tesla Model S vs. Model X: Which is right for you?
Tesla Model X

The Tesla Model S was the original cool electric car, boasting a sleek and stylish design and the ability to go superfast. But there's another premium Tesla in the lineup that's also pretty darn quick -- and it offers a whole lot more space to boot. The Tesla Model X offers the same design aesthetic as other Tesla cars, along with a superpowerful electric motor and some other features that you can't find on any other Tesla.

But that doesn't mean it's better than the Model S. In fact, it's not -- it's just different. But which is the better option for your needs? Here's a look at the two cars and what makes them different -- or the same.
Design
Perhaps the most notable difference between the two cars is their design. The Model S is a smaller sedan, while the Model X is marketed as an SUV (though it's perhaps more of a crossover). Regardless of marketing, however, the Model X is basically much larger than the Model S.

Read more