I took a $163,000 Tesla Model X SUV on a road trip and discovered Tesla's greatest weapon isn't its cars (TSLA)

• The Tesla Model X is unrivaled in the EV market in terms of its ability to deliver performance, range, and cargo capacity. 
• I first drove the Tesla Model X in 2015 shortly before it was unveiled to the public.
• Nearly three years later, I decided to take the Model X on a road trip and try out the Tesla Supercharger network.
• We were impressed by both the Tesla Model X and the company network of fast chargers.
• The base Tesla Model X 75D starts at $79,500 while our fully-loaded Model X P100D carried an as-tested price of $163,250. 

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Tesla unveiled the production Model X SUV in the shadows of its Fremont, California factory on September 29, 2015. 

A few hours before the festive event where the Tesla-faithful convened to hear their almighty leader preach the gospel of Falcon Wing doors and Bio-Weapon Defense Mode, I became one of the first people in the world to drive the Model X. 

Since then, Tesla's crossover SUV has become a benchmark in the industry.  As a large premium electric crossover SUV, it inhabits a segment all by itself. 

It truly doesn't have any direct rivals. There are no other EVs out there that can match the Model X in terms of performance, range, and cargo capacity.

Nearly three years have passed since I last drove the Model X. So I figured a road trip from Northern New Jersey to Wilmington, Delaware would be a good opportunity to check out a new Model X P100D and get reacquainted with the Tesla SUV. 

In addition, the 120-mile drive would finally give me the opportunity to try out Tesla's vaunted Supercharger network. 

Although I've spent plenty of time behind the wheel of Tesla's Model S and Model 3, they've generally been drives near Business Insider's headquarters in New York. Which means I usually never burn off enough range to require a recharge. 

For our road trip, Tesla provided us with a fully-loaded Deep Blue Metallic Model X P100D that costs a hefty $163,250. The base Tesla Model X 75D starts at a more affordable $79,500.

Here's a closer look at our road trip with the Tesla Model X P100D. 

SEE ALSO: I flew on a $10 million Embraer Phenom 300E and I now understand why it's the most popular private jet in the world

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Here it is! Our Tesla Model X P100D test car. The Model X's rounded edges and sleek, aerodynamic profile are signatures traits of the Tesla look. Naturally, the Falcon Wing doors take center stage.

They are perhaps the most striking feature to appear on any of Tesla's vehicles. Fortunately, the electrically operated, double-hinged doors are also immensely useful — making ingree and egress from the second row a breeze.

Outback, there's a power-operated rear hatch and a fixed spoiler. The spoiler, while useful in delivering downforce, does obstruct rearward visibility.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Contributer : Tech Insider https://ift.tt/2N0H4hl

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