Day 1 reservation holder here. Since then, we have test driven several Model Xes and several Model Ses. We've also rented a 2013 S P85 for a week and an X 75D 7-seat bench for a weekend - both for road trips. Coming up soon we're going for another round in the S P85 followed by a rental of an X 90D 6-seat.
I'm honestly torn on what to do. While the idea of spending close to $100,000 on a Model X gives me palpitations, we can make it work if we decide that it is the right vehicle for us. Bear with me while I work through this pros-cons list publicly, and feel free to provide feedback or insight.
We take a lot of road trips, often times with friends. We feel that the Model X is superior to the Model S due to the extra room and more comfortable rear seats. The Model S is a little hard to get in and out of and the back seat really isn't the best for long-distance travel. If the Model 3's rear seat is more comfortable than the S, that would be a plus.
I do not like the middle row bench in the X. If we were to choose an X, it would have to be the 6-seat configuration. While it makes for a less flexible cargo arrangements, it provides superior comfort for middle and rear row passengers.
Model S Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Very comfortable front seats
- UI is excellent
- Used models available at an attractive price point
- Dual chargers available
- Liftback provides a huge amount of storage room
- Split screen due to portrait layout
Model S Cons:
- Rear seat isn't great for long-distance comfort
- A bit difficult to get in and out of; requires me to raise the steering wheel to get out. Tight squeeze between B pillar and steering wheel.
Model X Pros:
- Outstanding interior layout, very versatile
- Falcon wing doors make entry and exit better than any other vehicle on the market
- UI is excellent
- Pano windshield
- Interior design is super easy to clean
- Split screen due to portrait layout
Model X Cons:
- The vehicle itself is huge. Great for road trips, not so great for city driving and parking.
- Expensive to purchase
- Expensive to repair
- Power hungry
Model 3 Pros:
- Smaller size, more nimble
- Very attractive price point
- Federal tax credit available for most early reservation holders
- Most efficient Tesla model
Model 3 Cons:
- User interface is borderline extreme with most things (even the windshield wipers and cruise control/AP adjustments) being controlled by the touch screen
- Early adopter issues like build quality and incomplete UI design
- Sedan with a trunk - not as flexible as a hatch/liftback
- No heated steering wheel
- P and D are still several months (or a year) out. No federal tax credit.
Must-haves:
- Autopilot
- Long range (S85 or higher, X90 or higher, M3LR)
Nice-to-haves, but not deal breakers:
- Cold weather package (heat on all seats, heated steering wheel)
- Ultra Hi-Fi sound
- High amperage charger or dual chargers
- Tech package
- Premium upgrades
- Dual motor
- Sub 5 second 0-60