With the Model 3 coming out (and looking extremely nice, from the recent pictures & videos), I'm curious if Tesla is going to step up their game in the luxury department to really set the higher-end models apart for the more budget-friendly models. I am considering a Model X this year & recently took a friend's X with Ludicrous Mode out for an extensive test-drive. While there were a number of things that thrilled me about it, I was also pretty disappointed in a lot of aspects, especially given the nearly $160k pricetag on his model.
Please note that this isn't designed to be a poo-poo thread, but an honest evaluation of things I'd like to see in the X. I'm sure many of these things have been discussed before, but as I was just in a late-model X & with the 3 coming out this year, I think it's a good time to revisit the discussion, as I feel like the X is missing some great features in the areas of luxury, technology, and convenience. I'll skip the small stuff that you already know about if you've driven a luxury car in the past, but some specific things I'd like to see include:
1. Air-conditioned seats: Heated seats throughout the cabin with the sub-zero package, yes, but what about for hot days? Also, no ventilated seat option. Rumor is too many people were spilling drinks on them & frying the electronics.
2. Luxury seats: I come from a Volvo background. You can literally take a nap in the heavenly interior of a fully-loaded S80 (I'm sure the newer S90 is equally good). The seats in the X were good, but not...fantastic. For a car that is designed to be more SUV than supercar, you would think that there were be more comfort put in for the seats & touchpoints. Wasn't particularly impressed with the steering wheel either...would have preferred something a bit larger & more grippy, like a Mustang GT350 has. This was, after, all a sub-3-second car (and also my first time using Ludicrous mode, amazing!).
3. Shifter: Speaking of the steering wheel, I thought the way the car shifted gears (via the weird stalk/digital system) was really dumb. Felt like I was in a minivan. I know it's one of those things you get used to over time, but it felt old in style & a bit overly-complicated. I really like the shifter in the newer Prius lineup...you have shift knob directly under the screen, with a clear layout for Reverse/Neutral/Drive, and a light-up "Park" button. Very very intuitive & easy to access. I don't think this will ever change (at least not anytime soon in the X), just felt the need to complain about it...hah.
4. Lack of cameras: I was really surprised that there was only one (albeit high-definition) camera available. I am a really big fan of Infiniti's 360-degree "Around View" monitoring system. When we stopped for lunch, I parallel-parked between a couple cars. When we left, I was worried about hitting the car in front of me because I wasn't used to the depth-perception required for the car's outer limits yet. The Range Rover Evoque (which has terrible visibility) has a similar system (not sure about the newer models, but the older ones had 5 cameras total) with a pair of front curb cameras that not only allowed you to see out the front, but also helped you see around snowdrifts when you were pulling out into traffic, without having to stick your nose out too far. I know that the Autopilot tech is getting better & will probably help in these areas, but I'd really rather have some convenience & safety options here. The CTS6 also has a really neat new rearview mirror screen for the rear camera. It's just a bit strange that all we get is one big jumbo HD rear camera & nothing else.
5. Lack of DVR: Chevy has the Performance Data Recorder available on the new Corvettes, which includes a dashcam of sorts. This would be a great feature on such an expensive car. Which has an HD camera. With a giant touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard.
6. Driving comfort: I've read some reports that the Tesla isn't the most comfortable for rides. I actually found the opposite to be true, it was pretty dang smooth. The X moreso, due to the extra size & weight. It wasn't luxury-smooth, but it was very good. Felt better than my coworker's A7. Although...it could stand to be a bit softer. I've read here that the bags vs. springs feels the same, although there is some play with the steering wheel settings; I'm curious if Tesla would ever offer an adaptable ride suspension system. In the film world, we have a lot of neat technologies - for a really interesting system, look up "The Mill Blackbird" on Vimeo, which is a cutting-edge EV chassis used for filming car commercials & movies with cars. The chassis can be adjusted to mimic the ride handling of any car past or present; it would be cool if Tesla offering something bleeding-edge like this, where you could switch it out from caddy mode to viper mode. On most days, I would prefer having a more comfortable ride, but it would be cool to be able to switch it up for more spirited driving. They're halfway there with Ludicrous mode & being able to lower the car on the bagged suspension (which was funny to watch in person as it see-sawed back & forth).
Small gripes:
1. Supercharging: This should be free on ALL X & S models, due to the premium price tag, to help differentiate the feature set from the Model 3.
2. Falcon-wing doors: Yes, I think these are cool. So cool that I came close to buying a Delorean several times, but decided not to (primarily due to safety concerns). However, they are attention-grabbing (one of the nice things about the Tesla S & X is that they have otherwise understated designs) & seem a bit finicky. Not super wobbly, but enough that I would question their longevity & long-term maintenance requirements. Don't hate me, but I would love sliding doors on an X, especially for children access.
3. Giant screen: No, I'm not a luddite. I just like manual buttons that I don't have to look at while I'm driving & can simply operate by feel (like using a Tivo remote in the dark!). I feel like an 8" or even a 10" screen is sufficient. The giant screen just feels gimmicky to me, especially since there's no HUD, there's no front cameras, there's no built-in DVR, etc. The fact that it is there makes me feel like there a lot of missed opportunities to use it in really unique & even fairly standard ways. Also, what's up with no backseat entertainment options? I guess they just expect people to play on iPads or their phones now. A 17" screen behind each seat would sure be nice for watching movies on road trips!
4. No HUD: Plenty of production cars come with heads-up displays now. I'm not a fan of looking down at a giant, bright screen to see a map...would much rather look at a simple HUD on the glass in front of the steering wheel. And having used aftermarket options like Navdy, I would prefer a HUD that's built-in & doesn't require you to re-focus your eyes while driving.
5. Keyfob size: Not a fan. Cool, yes, but huge. I wish there was a credit card-style version, like the 2go Keyless iKey model.
6. Spare tire: Oh my gosh. This really peeves me. I've had two flats in the last two years; it is SO much easier just changing out the tire on the spot. Looks like the options are tire goo or wait on a Ranger or tow. On the flip side, due to the weight of the car & size of even the smallest tire, it doesn't seem like the best option to add a DIY aftermarket kit. Hmm.
Separate review & discussion:
1. Ludicrous mode: I am on the fence about Ludicrous mode. Separate from the significant cost, I am curious about the gimmicky nature of it...does the fun wear off after awhile? (serious question) Especially given that while it is awesome to experience (especially with just a blip of torque steer!), you're not getting the same effect as driving a fire-breathing muscle car complete with physical vibrations, engine acoustics pulsing your body, etc. While I am a Tesla fanboy, I am also not blind to the draw of or opposed to the idea of ICE vehicles & enjoy the experience of a fun, powerful engine-based vehicle just as much as driving electric. Part of the reason I ask is that I did not spend enough time with the car to really see the "daily driving" differences between 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds vs. 2.9 seconds with Ludicrous mode (guess which one I spend the most time in). I have spent money on features that were really cool initially but got old quick before & would kind of hate to be a year or two down the road and shrug off the speed boost (the X would be my daily driver).
2. Safety: One of the big draws of the X is the safety, which is also a big reason I like Volvos. I've been hit several times & it has been a scary experience each time. I like that this car is really, really safe (Autopilot features aside).
3. Autopilot: Moreso than simply having a high-performing EV, I think Autopilot is the biggest draw for me. I peak at around 200 miles a day with my daily commute (3-4 hours of driving), although it's typically closer to 2 hours of driving most days, depending on which campus I'm headed to. That rules out even the newer 107-mile Leaf, although GM's Bolt is a nice option with 238 tested miles...but as I'm stuck in traffic sometimes (A/C on, radio on, etc.), having that extra 50 miles of range on the X is nice (especially if it's winter & I need the heat on). AWD is obviously a huge benefit in the snowy winters. But coupled with the range is the Autopilot...most of my commute is highway. TACC has been a wonderful upgrade from standard cruise control, to the point where it almost feels like a self-driving car, so my first time with Autopilot felt very natural because all it was really adding was automatic lane-keep assist (so to speak). Plus it'd be nice to eat food fairly hands-free (long commutes = eating on the road a lot!).
No car is perfect & I am being nitpicky, but not without cause...it's an expensive car & I would like to see more luxury features in it, especially in the interior. Sign me up for a "plush" Model X! There will always be a zillion little features I want as well, like...$160k with falcon doors, but no motorized frunk? Really? I do like that the cars are constantly going through design revisions, however - like having matte seat backings now, instead of glossy. I am in no rush to buy, although ordering today means it wouldn't get here until June, but I'm wondering if it would be smarter to wait until after the July unveiling of the 3 to see if any spiffy new features become available on the X (more cameras, more sensors, more luxury features, etc.).
