• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

We Took the Tesla Model X for a Test Drive

By
Sue Callaway
Sue Callaway
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Sue Callaway
Sue Callaway
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 19, 2016, 12:00 PM ET

It’s been a tough road for Tesla ­Motors (TSLA) lately. The electric-auto maker has been weathering growing pains since the launch of its Model X sport-utility vehicle, including production delays, quality-control issues, and a recall on third-row seats that could unlatch in a crash. But the Palo Alto company is now delivering the seven-seater in solid numbers, suggesting that it was time to give the luxury family vehicle a road test.

My first impression of the Model X (Tesla lent me a deep blue metallic version) was ex­tremely positive. For starters, the vehicle greets you by automatically opening the driver’s door when you approach it—a chauffeur-esque touch that’s also functional if you are carrying items. When you sit and place your foot on the brake pedal, the door automatically closes.

There are also the double-hinged falcon-wing doors, which flawlessly sensed their surroundings and opened accordingly. (They knew to stop inches from the walls of my narrow garage as well as from cars parked too close in a public lot.) Thanks to their top hinges, the doors also gave me better access to the second- and third-row seats than a traditional door would—a much chicer solution than any minivan could provide.

Screen Shot 2016-05-18 at 10.00.21 AM

There is also the industry-leading autopilot system; it drove me for hours on Interstate 405 in Los Angeles without intervention. It also drove me around town, though I had to take over more often. There are two systems that power the Tesla autopilot system: one that controls speed and another that controls steering. Once both sensed acceptable conditions for autopilot to activate, the option appeared at the top of the driver’s information screen. Two tugs on the autopilot stalk later, the Model X was steering, lane-centering, and braking by itself. (It even cut off another driver trying to snake in front of me.) The experience was surreal, but once I got over my lack of control, it was fun to experience and impressive, even though the system is still in its early days. Though one note to Tesla: The company should work extra hard to make sure drivers understand what autopilot can’t yet do, including reading stop signs and traffic lights.

TES.06.01.16.Tesla model x.5
Courtesy of Tesla

And did I mention Ludicrous mode? With one stomp of the right pedal on my highest-end P90D model, I could go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and turn the 5,300-pound SUV into a screaming sports car. That acceleration cannot be overstated. Unlike a traditional gasoline engine, electric motors offer 100% of available torque immediately, allowing the Model X to leap off the line in a way that will no doubt attract attention from law enforcement. That unsubtle performance is hinted at only by the rear badge: “P” stands for performance, 90 for the 90-kilowatt-hour battery system, “D” for dual motor AWD. The underline signals Ludicrous mode.

Tesla's Model X includes 12 ultrasonic Autopilot sensors.
Tesla’s Model X includes 12 ultrasonic Autopilot sensors.Photo: Courtesy of Tesla

To further remove the range anxiety of owning an all-electric vehicle, Tesla developed a navigation system that automatically plots your trip as well as stops along the way to allow you to recharge if you’re going farther than 250 miles. (It also tells you how long you’ll need to spend recharging.) The system defaults to show Tesla Supercharger stations first, which appear as red icons on the map; regular chargers show up in gray. If you are driving hard enough to run down your battery’s charge faster, the car will automatically update your trip to get you to a charger sooner.

Flaws? Yes, a few. Tesla promised me that the Model X’s second-row seats move in such a way as to allow a baby seat to be in place and yet still move to access the third row. I borrowed a friend’s three-month-old baby—yes, really—and her Uppababy Mesa babyseat and discovered very quickly that the system moved the rear-facing seat far enough forward to hit the back of the driver’s seat. Worse, it started to tip the second-row seats, squeezing the car seat’s frame with the baby in it. Definitely not okay.

When I asked a Tesla product specialist about the issue, he said that Tesla meant that a car seat could be in place, but not with a baby in it. That’s too important a hair to split. If that is a true limitation of the movable second-row seats, there should be warnings clearly posted inside the vehicle. (There were not.)

Tesla's Model X includes a "Bioweapon Defense Mode" air filter.
Tesla’s Model X includes a “Bioweapon Defense Mode” air filter.Photo: Courtesy of Tesla

Tesla also promised me that I could fit a baby stroller into the front trunk space—this is a family vehicle after all. (Not having a traditional drivetrain frees up lots of great space in the vehicle). I gave it a test with the City Select by Baby Jogger—a foldable model that could hold the removable carseat, rather than a full stroller—and failed, to my frustration. The stroller didn’t fit easily fit into the back of the vehicle, either, without moving the cargo shelf down or folding the third row seats flat—a maneuver that activated the second-row seats to move forward, squeezing the baby seat up against the driver’s seat.

Fit and finish were disappointing in places. Though my test vehicle was new, the ­weather stripping around one door hung like laundry on a clothesline. And carpeting in spots was poorly glued and fraying on the edges, exposing some wires in the rear cargo area.

The upside of a vehicle from Silicon Valley? Rapid iteration. When early owners complained about doors that opened too slowly, Tesla issued a software upgrade that sped them up by two seconds. Tesla worked tirelessly to solve early issues in its Model S sedan; it’s likely it will do the same with the Model X. Now that’s what I call “value add.”

A version of this article appears in the June 1, 2016 issue of Fortune with the headline “X Marks the Spot.”

About the Author
By Sue Callaway
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

U.S. allows Russia oil sales waiver to expire despite tight market
EnergyOil
U.S. allows Russia oil sales waiver to expire despite tight market
By Jennifer A. Dlouhy and BloombergMay 16, 2026
5 hours ago
AI poised to tilt job market leverage toward older workers
AIHiring
AI poised to tilt job market leverage toward older workers
By Victor Swezey and BloombergMay 16, 2026
5 hours ago
U.S., Iran stall on Hormuz reopening as oil supplies tighten
PoliticsIran
U.S., Iran stall on Hormuz reopening as oil supplies tighten
By Skylar Woodhouse, Jeff Mason, Arsalan Shahla and BloombergMay 16, 2026
5 hours ago
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can ‘imagine a future without him’ — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
PoliticsRussia
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can ‘imagine a future without him’ — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
6 hours ago
Trump’s IRS suit may end with a $1.7 billion compensation fund
PoliticsDonald Trump
Trump’s IRS suit may end with a $1.7 billion compensation fund
By Zoe Tillman, Chris Strohm, Hadriana Lowenkron and BloombergMay 16, 2026
8 hours ago
World’s largest aircraft carrier returns from 11-month deployment, longest since Vietnam, after supporting Iran war and Maduro raid
PoliticsMilitary
World’s largest aircraft carrier returns from 11-month deployment, longest since Vietnam, after supporting Iran war and Maduro raid
By The Associated PressMay 16, 2026
8 hours ago

Most Popular

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
16 hours ago
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
Success
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
By Preston ForeMay 13, 2026
4 days ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
4 days ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
20 hours ago
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
Politics
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
6 hours ago
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
Future of Work
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
By Jacqueline MunisMay 16, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.