Tesla Model X review

Overview

The 2018 Model X 100D is a big electric SUV with genuine room for a family, provided you choose the right seating layout. This review is specifically about the UK right-hand-drive 100D with the factory seven-seat option. Five- and six-seat examples look similar in adverts but solve different transport problems. The car's quiet delivery and unusual rear doors are persuasive on a demonstration drive; its complexity and the cost of faults are the reasons to slow the purchase down. We draw on Tesla's manuals and UK independent reviews rather than claiming to have road-tested the individual car you are considering.

Exterior and interior

The windscreen reaches back above the front occupants and the cabin has a large portrait display. Sit in the car in daylight and check visibility, including whether you find the high glass comfortable in bright sun. Rear doors are hinged at the roof and use sensors to manage their opening; do not assume that means they will work in your garage. Look closely at the door edges, rubber seals and adjacent painted panels for signs of rubbing or adjustment. Have the seller show normal operation on both sides without obstructing the doors. Check the front doors and tailgate just as carefully: their condition is easier to miss.

Practicality

A seven-seat car makes sense if the third row is used often, but count the belts rather than trusting a stock photograph. Set up your own child seats and have a regular passenger get in and out of the back. Test access with any child seats fitted in the second row. Pack the boot with all seven positions available and the tailgate shut; the front compartment is handy for small bags, not a substitute for a deep rear boot. We leave out a single volume figure because maximum cargo totals and different seat layouts would exaggerate space in this exact configuration. Also check overall width at home.

Driving experience

Green Car Guide tested a 100D with the seven-seat option and describes the ease of its electric delivery; Auto Express's used guide adds useful context on the car's age and complexity. Our priority for a test drive would be low-speed comfort, visibility and the way the car copes with narrow lanes, not headline acceleration. The size becomes much more noticeable in a multi-storey car park than on a dual carriageway. Listen for repeatable vibration under gentle acceleration and noise over broken surfaces. If the car sits unevenly or a warning appears during normal driving, obtain a proper diagnosis before accepting a seller's explanation.

Performance

The 100D is an all-wheel-drive electric model, distinct from the more aggressive P100D and later Long Range versions. The instant response is useful with passengers and luggage, but neither the badge nor the claimed new range tells you the usable battery capacity today. We have not assigned a manufacturer-backed UK system-power or sprint figure for the specific build in the matcher. Look for a smooth response as power is applied and withdrawn, and check that regenerative and friction braking feel predictable. An EV specialist can check errors and interpret battery data; a performance demonstration is not an alternative to that check.

Fuel economy

Our example uses 2.5 miles per kWh for costing, not as a road-test result or official efficiency claim. At 8,000 miles and 28p per kWh, that gives about £900 before any extra charging losses. Take your regular loaded trips into account: motorway speed, winter temperatures and towing can make a large difference. Tesla says a Model X built before May 2019 needs a CCS Combo 2 upgrade to access V3 Supercharging. Ask the seller to prove the upgrade and demonstrate a charge rather than relying on the cable supplied. Compare home and public tariffs separately and plan charging around the car you are buying.

Reliability

Run the powered doors more than once and check for interrupted cycles, uneven panel gaps and moisture around the seals. A comprehensive inspection should also cover the suspension, battery enclosure, charging equipment and evidence of underbody damage. Review invoices for recurring problems and for work that was diagnosed but deferred. Costs differ widely depending on the fault, so get a written estimate rather than assuming an inexpensive software fix. Tesla's original warranty and any existing paid upgrades must be checked on the VIN and account. Our limited confidence reflects the lack of representative UK failure-rate evidence for this particular older drivetrain, not a prediction about every car.

Safety

Euro NCAP's published Model X assessment relates to a later 2019 test vehicle. Do not present it as a separate crash test of this 2018 100D, and check the assessment's applicability notes when comparing. Use the period Tesla manual to confirm the correct seating positions and restraint instructions for your child seats. Check belts, seat latches and restraint warning lights in the actual car. Driver-assistance features vary by hardware and software and require an attentive driver. Check GOV.UK using the registration and have Tesla verify any outstanding safety work by VIN. These checks are especially important if the car has been repaired after a collision.

Technology and features

Do a full walk-through with the car parked: infotainment, navigation, heater, air conditioning, parking display, reversing image, seat heating and each powered door. A working camera does not prove the other parking aids are active. Do not buy on the promise that a software feature will transfer unless Tesla or the sales paperwork confirms it for that vehicle. The older portrait-screen car should not be described using the hardware on a later horizontal-screen model. Factory Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not assumed; test any advertised retrofit separately. Before handover confirm that you will be able to add the vehicle to your Tesla account.

Running costs

Treat £19,000–£33,000 as a broad used planning range dated 6 November 2026. It does not come from scraped adverts or promise that a sound seven-seat example is available at the low end. Add around £900 for the example electricity bill, £200 as a placeholder for annual tax and £850–£1,600 for servicing, MOT and routine wear. That suggests roughly £1,950–£2,700 before insurance, depreciation, finance and major failures. Check the tax on the specific registration and get an insurance quote before committing. The doors, large tyres, suspension and high-voltage repairs are reasons to keep a separate reserve; do not spend it all on the purchase.

Advantages and disadvantages