2021 Tesla Model X price and specs

The Tesla Model X has received an update headlined by some dramatic interior changes and a new Plaid tri-motor flagship.

Tesla says deliveries of the updated Model X will begin in 2022.

The company says the futuristic wheel offers “the ultimate focus on driving: no stalks, no shifting. With a stalkless steering yoke, you can enjoy both the best car to drive, and the best car to be driven in”.

The Model X, like the Model S, has gone from a portrait orientation for its central touchscreen to a landscape layout similar to the Model 3, though the larger Teslas differ in offering a digital instrument cluster.

There’s also a third screen on the back of the centre console to entertain rear passengers, while the centre console itself has been redesigned to offer more storage plus dual wireless chargers.

Power and range figures have changed compared to last year’s models, with power up considerably but range down.

The new, tri-motor Long Range offers 499kW of power and 580km of range on the NEDC standard, while the Plaid has 760kW/547km.

Last year’s Long Range Plus had 350kW/633Nm while the old Performance had 451kW/619Nm.

Late last year, Tesla reduced Model X prices for 2021 by $18,000 for the base model and $23,000 for the top-spec Performance.

The updated model sees prices increase again by $11,000 and $21,000.

Pricing

2021 Tesla Model X Long Range: $149,990 ($181,350 drive-away)
2021 Tesla Model X Performance: $174,990 ($215,150 d/a)

All prices exclude on-road costs unless otherwise specified.

Engines and Range

The 2021 Tesla Model X is available with two electric powertrains.

The dual-motor Long Range has 499kW of power and a claimed 580km of electric range on the more generous NEDC standard. It can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.

The tri-motor Plaid has 760kW of power and a claimed 547km of electric range. It can go from 0-100km/h in 2.6 seconds.

Dimensions

The 2021 Tesla Model X measures 5036mm long, 2072mm wide and 1684mm tall. It has 544L of luggage space with all three rows up, expanding to a maximum of 2486L.

Servicing and Warranty

As it has very few moving parts, there isn’t much maintenance required on the Model X. Tesla recommends having the air-conditioning filters changed every two years, and checking the tyre tread, balance, and rotation every 20,000km.

Thanks to regenerative braking, the brake pads and discs require work less frequently than in internal-combustion vehicles but you’ll still need to have the brake fluid checked every two years.

If you live in a colder climate, you’ll need to have the pads and discs lubricated every 12 months.

Tesla offers a four-year, 80,000km warranty for the car and an eight-year, 240,000km warranty for the battery and drive unit.

Safety

The Tesla Model X has a five-star rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2019. It received a score of 98 per cent in adult occupant protection, 86 per cent in child occupant protection, 72 per cent in vulnerable road user protection and 94 per cent in safety assist.

All 2021 Tesla Model X models come standard with front airbags, plus side and curtain airbags for the first two rows. Other standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist.