2026 Tesla Model X Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
Once a show-stopper, Tesla’s electric three-row SUV has now been passed by the competition. To help reverse that trend, the 2026 Tesla Model X arrives with a few updates inside and out.
Originally introduced for model year 2016, the Model X received a significant refresh for 2022. Rivals include vehicles like the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Rivian R1S, and Lucid Gravity.
What’s New
Basics
- Better ride quality thanks to an updated suspension tuning
- A quieter interior
- Claimed range rises to 352 miles on the AWD model, up from 348. With 22s, range is 316 miles.
- Plaid model has a claimed 335-mile range, up from 333. With 22s, range is 303 miles.
Exterior
- Adaptive-beam headlights
- New Frost Blue exterior color option
- New 20- and 22-inch wheel designs
- Front-facing camera can aid in parking situations
Interior
- Updated "dynamic" ambient lighting on the dashboard and doors
2026 Model X Interior
As before, the 2026 Model X is offered in five-, six-, and seven-seat configurations. The five-seat configuration is standard while the six-seat setup with second-row captain’s chairs is optional. As of this writing, those captain’s chairs actually cost $3,000 more than the seven-seat configuration.
Tesla would do well to improve the new Model X’s interior materials, as those used now aren’t as good as in properly luxurious EV SUVs.
Tesla’s approach of making a large touchscreen the main interior design feature continues, along with a smaller display in the second row,. The central touchscreen is 17.4 inches, the driver display is 12.3 inches, and a second-row touchscreen is 9.4 inches.
A panoramic glass roof is standard on all 2026 Tesla Model X SUVs.
MotorTrend Tested
The 2026 Model X’s standard powertrain carries over from today’s, meaning about 670 hp and a 0–60 mph time of 3.8 seconds from the dual-motor AWD setup.
The 2025 Rivian R1S is the world’s quickest SUV, launching from a stop to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds thanks to its available quad-motor powertrain. To outdo that, the future Model X Plaid might need to upgrade its triple-motor arrangement to produce more than the 1,020 hp it does now.
Range and Charging
Thanks to the 100-kWh battery pack under its floor, range for the Model X currently varies between approximately 303 miles and 352 miles depending on specification. Those numbers are slightly improved from the 2025 model.
The Model X’s maximum charge rate tops out at 250 kW. Every Tesla, along with more and more EVs from other automakers, can recharge at the widespread Supercharger network.
Can the Model X Drive Itself?
With the Autopilot suite of driver-assist and active safety tech included as standard, the 2026 Model S has automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic windshield wipers among its features.
Tesla’s notorious Full Self-Driving (FSD) software is offered as an extra-cost download, enabling the Model X to drive itself on nearly any public road. Our experience with FSD makes us think it could actually be dangerous in certain situations because of its propensity to make bizarre driving decisions and unpredictable maneuvers.
Falcon Doors?
The Model X’s most noteworthy features are its falcon-wing second-row doors, which lift up instead of swinging out. Although they look cool, they’re more challenging to live with because of how slowly they open and how they need clearance above to work.
