DIL
Member
In the end the X really isn't more practical than the S. Biggest differences are ease of entry/egress and ride height/visibility. If those things matter most to you, then the X is a no-brainer. S wins on almost every other metric IMO.
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davidc18
Active Member
Love the windshield on the MX, and it is much easier to get into and out of, but could not make myself believe the FWDs will hold up out of warranty - so we went with another MS to replace our Odyssey.
FarmerDave
Member
Did you try (for any length of time) the seat belts on the S vs. the X? I'm 5' 8" and my wife is 5' 4" and when we test drove an S in 2013 the shoulder straps cut across our necks and were very uncomfortable. That alone was a deal killer.I'm still very torn. I think it may be also for having unrealistic expectations. I was assuming the 2nd row on the Model S was as spacious as a Mercedes S Class or BMW 7 Series or even a Town Car. But its about as roomy as an Audi A4 just without the center hump and lower bench position.
I'm driving an Audi Q5 right now, some I do like the interior spaciousness and sitting higher up. We do a lot of family trips together in the car so I want something the kids can last in for several hours without getting too antsy.
I agree with all the concerns above for the X over the S: fit and finish issues, FWD longevity, range hit, price, and exterior look of the S vs. the X.
I'll probably have to stop by the store again to sit in the back seat of the S again to get a feel. My 7 year old mini me is upset that I'm leaning towards the X and not the S as the sedan is his favorite car.
The X has adjustable mount points for the shoulder straps. Set to the lowest point is comfortable for both of us. Not sure if the newer model S has this feature as every loaner we've had was an "antique".
More comfortable seats.
More space in the cabin.
Better HVAC, with separate settings for rear seats.
Better approach and departure angles.
Much more cargo space (as long as you don't need to transport thing that are both long and wide.)
Factory tow capability.
I would have coached it the other way - the S is sleeker/prettier, a little quicker, a little more efficient, and handles a little tighter - the X is better at pretty much everything else.
PGeer
Member
I'm hugely in favor of the S over the X in almost all situations. But, I don't see it in the case of the OP.
If you need comfortable seating for more than 4-5 people, and you want a good HVAC for the entire car than doesn't it have to be the X?
There is no way to manage the temperature of the rear facing seats in the S.
Plus I hate being behind cars that have rear facing kids. I'm tired of the faces they make.
If you need comfortable seating for more than 4-5 people, and you want a good HVAC for the entire car than doesn't it have to be the X?
There is no way to manage the temperature of the rear facing seats in the S.
Plus I hate being behind cars that have rear facing kids. I'm tired of the faces they make.
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hmmm
Member
Fair point wrt these message boards magnifying things, both the good and the bad, but I think it's fair to say that, on average, the X still has more gremlins to work out.
DIL
Member
hmmm
Member
I was about to say the same thing...I "defected" from a Macan (i.e. same platform as a Q5) and the back of my S is/feels a lot roomier. Of course, the roof line is lower and it can't compete with the interior space and ride height of the X, but it works for us (tall parents with a beast of a recarro car seat for the heir...)
The X has a rear heating and cooling system.
The X has available seat heating for all the seats. The S only allows for up to 5 so no bum warmers in the rear facing seats.
I know owners of the S have issues with the rear facing seats getting too warm in the summer. They have done various tricks to try to solve this like tinting and putting fans there. There just isn't anything from the factory to address this issue that I know of.
I don't have either the rear facing seats or an X so I can't comment outside of just what's there.
travwill
Active Member
I believe everyone touched on the benefits. I like our X better than S in most ways. The S was "sexier" I think, but the ride height, ease to get in/out (minus getting used to auto doors), and comfort overall is better in the X. It is roomy, but the S was also. The S back held a lot, but X holds plenty with 3rd row down.
I would say, if you have kids/dogs, then the X rear AC is very important that sit in back, even the 2nd row of the S wasn't that great compared to X.
If you have kids (adults can't fit in rear facing S seats) that you are going to put back in the S, I'd really reconsider it also. It is hot, it is hard to get in/out of as your essentially stepping them down into the trunk, and I question its safety. Rear collisions are so common and I wouldn't want anyone back there when a large SUV hits an S with the large crumple zone and all glass hatchback - seems like a death sentence in a more serious but very common rear collision that is out of your control typically.
The X doesn't have any airbags in the 3rd row as a note also.
I would say, if you have kids/dogs, then the X rear AC is very important that sit in back, even the 2nd row of the S wasn't that great compared to X.
If you have kids (adults can't fit in rear facing S seats) that you are going to put back in the S, I'd really reconsider it also. It is hot, it is hard to get in/out of as your essentially stepping them down into the trunk, and I question its safety. Rear collisions are so common and I wouldn't want anyone back there when a large SUV hits an S with the large crumple zone and all glass hatchback - seems like a death sentence in a more serious but very common rear collision that is out of your control typically.
The X doesn't have any airbags in the 3rd row as a note also.
I haven't seen anyone do a comparison on heating or cooling power/strength.
The X has many more vents for rear seats - B pillar, C pillar, and back of the center console, and it has a separate climate zone for the rear, so there's much more chance of being able to set it up for what you need - though everything is still controlled only by the touchscreen - rear seat folks will have to make requests rather than adjusting it themselves.
Merrill
Merrill
Yes the X has rear cooling thru vents on the center consol and b pillar and it works really well, adjustable separate from the front.
Merrill
Merrill
larmor
Active Member
From my recent experience, I would have to say that the S interior is way more spacious than an audi A4. Recently got a piece of trim fixed on our X, got an enterprise rental A4, and unable to keep my backpack in the foot well. Later in the day, SC found me a loaner S--P85D w/AP. Way more space for my bag in the back seat floor. P85D is fantastic but waiting for my X and its open view also... Too bad i can't buy the loaner...I'm still very torn. I think it may be also for having unrealistic expectations. I was assuming the 2nd row on the Model S was as spacious as a Mercedes S Class or BMW 7 Series or even a Town Car. But its about as roomy as an Audi A4 just without the center hump and lower bench position.
I'm driving an Audi Q5 right now, some I do like the interior spaciousness and sitting higher up. We do a lot of family trips together in the car so I want something the kids can last in for several hours without getting too antsy.
I agree with all the concerns above for the X over the S: fit and finish issues, FWD longevity, range hit, price, and exterior look of the S vs. the X.
I'll probably have to stop by the store again to sit in the back seat of the S again to get a feel. My 7 year old mini me is upset that I'm leaning towards the X and not the S as the sedan is his favorite car.
For those with RFS. I have a 4 and 7 year old and they don't care about keeping things nice. Do you guys have to drop them into their seats? Do they have to stomp all over the rear bumper to get in? That is my main concern with the S over the X is them ruining that back bumper getting in and out of it themselves.
Based on our experience with similar aged kids, I think you'd find that your kids would indeed be stepping all over the tailgate to get in and out of the RFS. We don't use the RFS all the time, so it's not a big deal for us.
Also, in a very hot area like Phoenix, your biggest concern with RFS may be the relative lack of ventilation all the way in the back. A 12V fan and some extra rear tinting should help, but I don't know if that would be enough to keep the kids from complaining about getting too warm.
For a family of four or five, my opinion is that the Model S is a wonderful car, as there is enough room for everyone in the regular seats. It helps that the vehicle is relatively wide. For many, RFS can be a great addition to enable occasionally carrying more people.
However, for families that frequently require seating for six or seven and are prepared to buy a premium EV, it seems to me that the Model X is the only way to go. In time, I have confidence that Tesla will get all of the main issues sorted, as they seem to have done for the Model S.
Pryoritiesinc
Member
I live in PHX and not having controlled ventilation in the S (for the rear facing seat) and having 5 year old twins is the reason we went with the 6 seat X. We love it.
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