Qualifying statement: We're a family of 4. The shortest person is 5'10". We have two dogs, each 65 lbs that travel everywhere with us (by everywhere, I mean they jump into the car for a CVS run).
Don't get me wrong, I love my Model X and I wish I didn't have to sell it but 10 days in a BMW X7 told me a lot about what I need in a family hauler. In order, they are
1) Space
2) Creature comforts
In both of these metrics, the Model X is severely lacking.
Space issues:
The car looks big, the dimensions seem to match some of the biggest SUVs on the market but a side by side comparison tells you that the steep rake on both ends severely eat into your personal space. The falcon wing doors are an amazing thing but the way they're packaged leaves a lot to be desired. The central spine that forms the roof of the car contributes to an almost cave like feeling that I simply don't get in the Model 3 or the Model Y with the all-glass roof. The aerodynamic needs of the car also don't help as the A and C pillars angle into the car to meet the roof. This eats into shoulder space. The seats are not made for tall, broad shouldered people as the contour is super narrow. Also, my thighs have been hanging in mid air for 3 years as they aren't deep enough. The same complaints come from the rear passengers as well. My choice of a black interior was not wise as it contributes to the cave like feeling. Perhaps a lighter toned headliner will help. Also the headrests are atrocious.
Creature comforts:
Rear passengers don't get any storage options. Something as simple as stowing a water bottle is an issue as the provided cupholders are too shallow. You can forget about stuff like magazines and flyers. The only place to keep them is upfront but what's the point of that? Interior lighting is horrible. Cars at half this price point have ambient lighting that is a necessity in my opinion. The white LEDs feel super cheap and dim in comparison. The materials are fit for a Honda Civic. Cars at this price point have 5 zone climate control with a control module for the rear occupants. The handle and hook combo that is always available for every passenger is also a big miss. Especially when the X pulls more Gs than a normal car.
These are some other things I noticed during my 10-day stint with the Beemer that didn't reflect well on the X:
1) Dogs complained a lot less - seems to me the very back of the X was not a happy place to be
2) Despite having lesser overall glass area, the passengers were able to see a lot more out the car, this is probably because they were sat squarer as the BMW had more shoulder room.
3) Car entry illumination at night was better on the BMW, as was ambient lighting, which was outstanding on the X7.
4) The Model X wind and road noise was especially apparent after the church like silence in the X7. (Double paned windows FTW)
5) I didn't need to "manage" the sun as much because the windshield didn't arc over my head.
6) The X is an outstanding dynamic car. The low center of gravity allows you to take turns at speeds other SUVs can only dream of, but the amount of G's being pulled due to the stiff lower floor can get tiring for the passengers, even nauseating. The X7 is a top heavy car but I felt it managed it better, ie, it transmitted the right amount of motion dampening to the cabin.
7) Seat adjustability was infinitely better on the X7.
Stuff I'll miss with the my car:
1. Automatic doors
2. Dog mode
3. Autopilot (Still randomly slams on the brakes under overpasses, its also my opinion that FSD is useless for as long as all other cars are driven manually)
4. On demand acceleration
5. The cool factor, rolling up at the Valet in an all Black X is a good feeling anytime, anywhere. The Beemer is definitely more family man than that.
6. The ownership experience: The car has been to service twice, both occasions only because I felt it was weird to not go. On both occasions, I didn't have an answer to why I was there.
7. Costs me nothing to run. (Solar at home charges the car and free supercharging during road trips)
Yes, I did consider the Rivian R1S that seems to address these issues on paper but unless they have something as widespread and reliable as the supercharging network, they're not viable options.
So what does that leave me with?
[Option 1] which I would absolutely jump at:
Hold onto the X until Tesla announce a Cyber-SUV that addresses space and luxury concerns while delivering 600 miles on a single charge.
[Option 2]
Go back to German ICE. Get a lot more car for the money until electrification moves forward(500+ mile range and widespread charging infra available across manufacturers), which is still probably a decade away. Money-wise it makes more sense as well I don't think a Model X with ~295 miles on a single charge will be relevant anymore once Tesla update their batteries.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Model X and I wish I didn't have to sell it but 10 days in a BMW X7 told me a lot about what I need in a family hauler. In order, they are
1) Space
2) Creature comforts
In both of these metrics, the Model X is severely lacking.
Space issues:
The car looks big, the dimensions seem to match some of the biggest SUVs on the market but a side by side comparison tells you that the steep rake on both ends severely eat into your personal space. The falcon wing doors are an amazing thing but the way they're packaged leaves a lot to be desired. The central spine that forms the roof of the car contributes to an almost cave like feeling that I simply don't get in the Model 3 or the Model Y with the all-glass roof. The aerodynamic needs of the car also don't help as the A and C pillars angle into the car to meet the roof. This eats into shoulder space. The seats are not made for tall, broad shouldered people as the contour is super narrow. Also, my thighs have been hanging in mid air for 3 years as they aren't deep enough. The same complaints come from the rear passengers as well. My choice of a black interior was not wise as it contributes to the cave like feeling. Perhaps a lighter toned headliner will help. Also the headrests are atrocious.
Creature comforts:
Rear passengers don't get any storage options. Something as simple as stowing a water bottle is an issue as the provided cupholders are too shallow. You can forget about stuff like magazines and flyers. The only place to keep them is upfront but what's the point of that? Interior lighting is horrible. Cars at half this price point have ambient lighting that is a necessity in my opinion. The white LEDs feel super cheap and dim in comparison. The materials are fit for a Honda Civic. Cars at this price point have 5 zone climate control with a control module for the rear occupants. The handle and hook combo that is always available for every passenger is also a big miss. Especially when the X pulls more Gs than a normal car.
These are some other things I noticed during my 10-day stint with the Beemer that didn't reflect well on the X:
1) Dogs complained a lot less - seems to me the very back of the X was not a happy place to be
2) Despite having lesser overall glass area, the passengers were able to see a lot more out the car, this is probably because they were sat squarer as the BMW had more shoulder room.
3) Car entry illumination at night was better on the BMW, as was ambient lighting, which was outstanding on the X7.
4) The Model X wind and road noise was especially apparent after the church like silence in the X7. (Double paned windows FTW)
5) I didn't need to "manage" the sun as much because the windshield didn't arc over my head.
6) The X is an outstanding dynamic car. The low center of gravity allows you to take turns at speeds other SUVs can only dream of, but the amount of G's being pulled due to the stiff lower floor can get tiring for the passengers, even nauseating. The X7 is a top heavy car but I felt it managed it better, ie, it transmitted the right amount of motion dampening to the cabin.
7) Seat adjustability was infinitely better on the X7.
Stuff I'll miss with the my car:
1. Automatic doors
2. Dog mode
3. Autopilot (Still randomly slams on the brakes under overpasses, its also my opinion that FSD is useless for as long as all other cars are driven manually)
4. On demand acceleration
5. The cool factor, rolling up at the Valet in an all Black X is a good feeling anytime, anywhere. The Beemer is definitely more family man than that.
6. The ownership experience: The car has been to service twice, both occasions only because I felt it was weird to not go. On both occasions, I didn't have an answer to why I was there.
7. Costs me nothing to run. (Solar at home charges the car and free supercharging during road trips)
Yes, I did consider the Rivian R1S that seems to address these issues on paper but unless they have something as widespread and reliable as the supercharging network, they're not viable options.
So what does that leave me with?
[Option 1] which I would absolutely jump at:
Hold onto the X until Tesla announce a Cyber-SUV that addresses space and luxury concerns while delivering 600 miles on a single charge.
[Option 2]
Go back to German ICE. Get a lot more car for the money until electrification moves forward(500+ mile range and widespread charging infra available across manufacturers), which is still probably a decade away. Money-wise it makes more sense as well I don't think a Model X with ~295 miles on a single charge will be relevant anymore once Tesla update their batteries.
