Tesla Model X running costs

The Tesla Model X is an expensive car – that’s the long and short of it. Prices start at over £100,000, which is pricey for retail buyers, even by Range Rover standards. Monthly repayments aren’t cheap, either, and Tesla seldom offers interest-free finance.

Business users, however, might find the Tesla a more affordable proposition. For the lucky few whose company-car allowance will stretch to the Model X's lofty price, it’s well worth considering, if only for the huge saving you’ll make on company-car tax.

There's also free access to the London Congestion Charging zone until October 2025 and you’ll pay far less to 'fuel' it than a petrol or diesel car.

Tesla Model X insurance group

All versions of the Tesla Model X fall into the highest insurance group – as do many performance SUVs – and therefore will be expensive to insure. Make sure you get a quote before buying.

Warranty

The Tesla Model X is covered by a four year/50,000-mile warranty, which is supplied by AXA insurance rather than Tesla itself, and it can be extended up to eight years. The batteries are covered by an eight-year/unlimited-mileage warranty.

Servicing

A lot of electric cars have long service intervals, since there’s less to check, as their motors have far fewer moving parts than a diesel or petrol engine. However, Tesla recommends an inspection every 12,500 miles or 12 months; a routine interval for most combustion-engined cars.

Tesla also recommends that you connect the Model X to your home wi-fi in order to get the fastest download times for automatic software updates, which will see certain functions and systems in the car changing and improving overnight – just as your phone does when you update the operating system. 

Road tax

Like all fully electric cars, the Model X is currently exempt from road tax (VED).