FWIW, I have noticed substantially more regen in my X P100D compared to my S P85D. I didn't know about it either until I experienced it. Don't know how much the heavier car/bigger battery could play into it, if anything, but the difference is significant. Makes single-pedal driving even more fun.
As for the RWD vs. AWD, I agree RWD Teslas (at least the Model S P85 I have experience of) behave well for RWD cars. They have good traction for RWD cars and are fun to drive. You can certaily wag the tail when necessary. The tendency to oversteer is there, though rather surprisingly the are not completely void of understeer because in my experience the rear is so grippy and powerful that sometimes it can push the front wheels if front loses grip before rear. I had it happen a few times and it was rather surprising. Not really an issue, but did happen a few times.
That said, I'd go AWD every time I had the choice. For me the traction from 0 onwards is far more important than any rare cornering fun. Losing grip on launches is such a buzzkill. Preferences vary.
Fantastic information: Thanks. AWD for me all the way.
Thanks! And yes, given your preferences I would indeed recommend that for you.
One more comment on the RWD vs. AWD and winters (for areas where you have them):
I had the P85 for the better part of three winters and it turned out better than I thought for winter use. I noticed it on the very first winter's day when snow was covering the ground. The smooth power delivery and low, even weight distribution of a Tesla is really something that grips and let's you control the potential for slippage with minute precision.
After all, the trick in snow, especially if there is ice underneath, is to never let that wheel spin for the first time. As long as the tire doesn't slip and spin around, you are playing on whatever little resistance the slippery ground still offers. But when the tire loses that grip, spins wildly around a time or a few, any grip that may have been available beforehand is usually destroyed. Basically the spinning tire becomes a giant sanding machine that smoothes out the ground underneath.
And this behavior on snow and ice is something a well implemented BEV is inherently better at controlling than an ICE (ironically given its abbrevation), which is revving up and turning a series of explosions into torque to turn the wheel - usually at a much more uneven rate. And because of the weighty battery and rear-axle motor, a Tesla also has quite a bit of weight on the rear wheels, so that usual ICE concern (where much of the traction-adding weight is in front) is taken care of as well.
That said, an RWD Tesla is not immune to all the issues regarding rear wheels and winter driving. First of all, compared to an FWD (front wheel drive) or AWD, RWD has the problem that there is no turning the driving wheels to seek traction when stuck. The only "wiggling" you can do with an RWD is try and move it forwards and backwards and see if that helps you find some traction. On an FWD (front wheel drive) you have the additional option of turning the driving wheels in search of traction.
Second, the reality still is, RWD gets less traction than AWD in all situations. Anyone who has driven powerful RWD and AWD cars knows this of course and a BEV is no different, though arguably an RWD BEV is better than an RWD ICE. Even on perfectly dry tarmac, the P85 could slip where the P100D would not (let alone in rain or snow) and the latter has even more power. And I did get stuck in snow on the P85 in a few rare instances where on AWD I never would have (most of my previous cars were AWD). This means that with the P85 I did not have the confidence to drive into some situations I otherwise would not have thought twice about doing.
I enjoyed my time with an early Model S, with all the limitations and experiences it brought on so many levels, but I am happy to be again in something more "complete". AWD is an integral part of that feeling. I know some people like RWD, so I am happy to see Tesla offer the option for them, but it is not my preference for everyday driving. No. (I have bought both front and rear wheel drive cars if they have other must have qualities, though, so this is not an absolute mandatory for me - but a big preference.)
Finally, regarding the driving dynamics. As said, an RWD has a tendency of losing grip sooner than an AWD and that goes for oversteer as well, obviously. You could oversteer the P85 pretty much any time you wanted to. The higher and heavier Model X is no comparison anyway, but while the oversteer potential is certainly less, given how much beefier motor it still has in the rear compared to the front I'm not too concerned about understeer either (and have so far experienced none). So mostly what one gives up on an AWD is the propensity to oversteer for a more stable, neutral driving experience - period. Instead of over or understeer, an AWD just, well, steers.
That said, give an AWD some really slippy conditions, lots of space and a lot of power, nothing beats a good four wheel slide in fun.
I am looking forward to the next winter more than the last, that's for sure. Let's get this stupid summer over and done with.
