Read Our Review The base Model X 75D we tested starts at $79,500, and has 328 total horsepower and a 75kWh battery with a range of up to 237 miles. Standard exterior features include 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a panoramic windshield, exterior LED lighting, flush-mounted door handles, keyless entry, power-folding and heated side mirrors with memory, falcon wing rear doors, a power liftgate, a charge port door concealed in the rear driver side tail lamp, and parking sensors. Standard interior amenities include 14-way power adjustable and heated front seats with memory settings, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power tilt and telescopic steering column, automatic dual-zone climate control, synthetic leather interior, wood accents, LED ambient interior lighting, and auto-dimming mirrors. Standard tech features include Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, navigation with free map updates for seven years, 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, a 17-inch touch screen, four USB outlets (five in six- and seven-seat configurations), a 240-watt/nine-speaker stereo system with FM HD radio, cruise control, a backup camera, blind spot warning, stability control software, and automatic collision-mitigation braking. A Premium Upgrade package adds a motorized driver door, a HEPA cabin air filter, ventilated front seats, enhanced interior leather upholstery, a synthetic suede headliner, and adaptive headlights. A Subzero Weather package includes wiper blade defrosters, heating for all seats, and a heated steering wheel, while the Towing package comes with a removable 2-inch hitch receiver, and a 7-pin trailer harness. Standalone options include seating for six or seven passengers, premium audio, Autopilot semi-autonomous capability, 22-inch wheels, a high-current onboard charger, and a Ludicrous Speed upgrade. The Tesla Model X has a distinct and futuristic shape and will never be mistaken for any other luxury SUV on the road. But while the falcon wing doors and panoramic windshield give the vehicle design distinction, the former precludes it from being able to carry anything on top, while the latter makes the interior feel like a solarium on sunny days. And the tiny sunshades that snap into place are practically useless. Still, the interior is comfortable and roomy, and even though the second-row seats don't fold flat, we were able to fit in a lot of gear. Infotainment Interface and Connectivity There's also nothing quite like the Model X's 17-inch in-dash touch-screen—except for the identical setup in the Tesla Model S. The vertically oriented display controls many important vehicle functions and infotainment features via a very intuitive interface. Most of the main functions are arrayed along the top of the screen, with icons for Media, Navigation, Calendar, Energy, Web, Camera, and Phone. Touching one opens a submenu for the function on the screen below. Information on the touch screen can be displayed in a full- or split-screen mode to show two functions at one time. The dual screens can be swapped from top to bottom (and vice versa) by touching a small, double-sided arrow on the right between the two screen sections. Along the bottom of the screen is another tray of touch tabs. A large Controls tab on the left brings up a separate menu for accessing a wide range of car functions, including Suspension, Driving, Trips, Displays, and E-Brake. Another large tab on the right is for audio system volume, and in between are tabs for climate controls. At the very top of the screen is a series of small touch tabs to lock/unlock the doors, check the battery status, access driver profile settings, and display vehicle info, along with indicators for Bluetooth and the strength of the car's built-in 3G connection, and a clock. The Model X comes with built-in 4G connectivity that's free for the first four years of ownership, and the vehicle also has a full web browser. There's no CD player or AM radio, only FM HD Radio, along with built-in apps for TuneIn and Slacker. The Model X also doesn't allow for hands-free texting like many modern cars with Bluetooth. The Tesla navigation system uses Google Maps to provide guidance, traffic info, and local search capability. With the vehicle's average rear visibility, the large touch screen comes in handy when used in conjunction with the backup camera, while the Model X's LCD instrument panel clearly and cleanly shows useful information about the car, including driver-assist status and energy usage. Performance The Model X 75D we tested didn't have the full complement of driver assists, meaning no Autopilot or other cool features such as Summon. But it did have the usual blind sport warning, and it was neat (if somewhat distracting) to see other cars appear in the instrument panel as they came into a sensor's field of view. Our test car also didn't have the optional Ludicrous performance upgrade, which is only available on P100D variants of the Model X and can leave people both screaming and laughing. But the 75D still has plenty of seat-pinning acceleration that would be impressive in any vehicle, let alone a seven-passenger SUV that weighs more than 5,000 pounds. Even with all this weight, the Model X handles well, and the ride quality is remarkably smooth. We didn't have an issue with charging, and the Model X's 120-volt cable plugged into a regular outlet was sufficient to top off the battery. Conclusions Like any electric vehicle, there's the double-edged sword of not having to buy gas coupled with the hassle of charging rather than simply pulling up to a fuel pump (though this is less of source of anxiety in NorCal than it can be in other parts of the country). And while certain features impress passenger and passer-by (we're looking at you, falcon wing doors and panoramic windshield), they decrease the utility of the Model X a slight degree. Still, there's a certain seductive cachet to the Tesla Model X—a visceral thrill from pressing the accelerator for instant torque, and delight in tech done right in many ways. For now, the Model X doesn't have much competition, although that will change with the launch of upcoming luxury electric crossovers and SUVs like the Audi Q6 E-tron and the Jaguar E-Pace. That means it's wholly unique and, despite some minor downsides, totally in a class by itself. That makes it our Editors' Choice. Tesla Model X 75D