2025 Tesla Model X

Tesla’s EVs balance range, performance, and price in ways that older, established manufacturers can rarely beat. Models range from affordable sedans up to an SUVs and a pickup truck that can be optioned to cost over $100,000. One major advantage that Teslas have over other EVs is the company’s Supercharger network of charging stations. Unlike most public EV chargers, which can require brand-specific apps and accounts, in a Tesla, charging is comparatively seamless. Its software updates can provide meaningful upgrades. After a poor result in our braking test, an update reduced our Model 3’s 60-to-0 braking distance from 152 feet to 133 feet. Brand-wide issues include unintuitive controls that rely on touchscreens, average or below-average reliability, and build quality that is below what Consumer Reports finds in similarly priced EVs. Those factors can make purchasing a used Tesla a gamble.

The electric-powered Model X is more showy than practical. It features rear doors that open up and out of the way, giving easy access to the rear seats. But these massive doors take their time to open and close. The huge windshield extends up and over the front-seat occupants, making the cabin feel airy and futuristic. Buyers can opt for five-, six-, or seven-passenger seating configurations, but unlike every other SUV, the second row doesn't fold, which compromises utility. Like the S, the Model X is very quick and handles well. Ride comfort and noise isolation aren't as good as in the S, however. The 90-kWh version we tested had a realistic 230-mile range.

A 2022 freshening brought changes to the cabin with a different touchscreen, and even more complicated controls than before, including a new, super-awkward optional yoke-style steering wheel and no stalks for a gear selector, turn signals or wipers. Instead, there is a slider on the screen or a touch sensitive gear selector on the console. Touch sensitive buttons on the steering wheel replaced every function that used to have a stalk. The company also added an ultra-high performance version called Plaid that has 1,020 hp and 314-mile range.