Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Tesla Model X review: running costs & insurance

The Tesla Model X is inescapably expensive to buy and insure, but running costs should be lower than the equivalent petrol-powered SUV

Overall rating

4.0 out of 5

Running costs rating

3.0 out of 5

Price
£98,480 - £131,080
Fuel Type:
Electric
Insurance groupWarrantyService intervalsAnnual company-car tax cost (20%/40%)
504yrs/50,000 miles1yr/12,500 milesFrom £412/£823

The Tesla Model X is an expensive car – that’s the long and short of it. Prices start at over £90,000, which is pricey for retail buyers, even by Range Rover standards. Monthly repayments aren’t cheap, either, and Tesla seldom offers interest-free finance.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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 savings you’ll make on company-car tax; the Tesla range-topper falls into the lowest 2% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) bracket. That's if you can convince your employer to take the plunge on a massive left-hand drive only electric SUV; Tesla decided to drop the right-hand drive Model X in May 2023.

Regardless, the Model X (like all EVs) is exempt from paying the London Congestion Charge and can enter the city’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) for no fee, too.

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.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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) until 2025. After this it will probably be liable for a fee – including the "luxury" supplement for cars costing £40,000 or more.

Depreciation

According to the latest industry figures, the Tesla Model X will retain roughly 66% of its value over three years and 36,000 miles – though that figure may drop now Tesla has made the decision not to sell the Model X in right-hand drive. Either way, private buyers must be prepared to lose around £40,000 – if not more – over that period. The same is true of the Model X’s rivals, of course.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Hello there, I’m Tom Jervis and I have the pleasure of being the Content Editor here at DrivingElectric. Before joining the team in 2023, I spent my time reviewing cars and offering car buying tips and advice on DrivingElectric’s sister site, Carbuyer. I also continue to occasionally contribute to the AutoExpress magazine – another of DrivingElectric’s partner brands. In a past life, I worked for the BBC as a journalist and broadcast assistant for regional services in the east of England – constantly trying to find stories that related to cars!

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,
New Nissan Future models - Picture 1
News

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,

Nissan has set itself a target of introducing 30 new models globally over within the next two years
25 Mar 2024
New Genesis Neolun concept paves the way for the GV90 SUV
New Genesis Neolun concept - picture 1
News

New Genesis Neolun concept paves the way for the GV90 SUV

With a host of new technology, the Neolun is the brands first step towards a full-size electric SUV.
27 Mar 2024
Confirmed: New Cupra Formentor will be electric
Cupra Formentor V2
News

Confirmed: New Cupra Formentor will be electric

The future of the Cupra Formentor has been confirmed by the brand’s CEO, Wayne Griffiths. The next generation SUV will be a full EV
22 Mar 2024