Tesla Model X P100D Review: The Family SUV That Beats Supercars off the Line

The 2017 Tesla Model X P100D hits 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, a figure that embarrasses most two-seat supercars and does it with seven seats and falcon-wing doors. It is the quickest vehicle in our Sydney fleet, and it is chauffeur-only, so you experience the acceleration from the passenger seat while a professional handles the wheel. This model x p100d review covers what the car is actually like on Sydney roads, who it suits, and why it remains one of the most memorable ways to move a family or a small group.

★★★★★ Rated 5.0 from 1,431 reviews across Drive Tribe

By Elie Arzoumlian, electric car expert at Drive Tribe

What the Model X P100D Actually Is

The Model X P100D is Tesla's large electric SUV in its highest-performance trim from 2017. P100D stands for a 100 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system that, in this car, produces 568 kW and 967 Nm. Those are not marketing numbers; they are the specs listed on the car's page, and they explain why this 2.5-tonne SUV can launch harder than almost anything else on the road.

Our car is blue, based at Merrylands, and available as a chauffeur-driven vehicle only. That means you do not need to worry about a minimum driver age, because a professional Drive Tribe driver is at the wheel. You book it for the experience, the space, and the occasion, not to drive yourself.

The headline figures are 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and a range of 465 km. The range is the realistic figure for mixed Sydney driving, and it is more than enough for a full day of school runs, airport transfers, or a long lunch out of town.

Living With Falcon-Wing Doors

Falcon-wing rear doors are the Model X's signature feature and the thing every passenger remembers. They open upwards and outwards, which means they need less lateral space than a conventional door in a tight car park. In practice, that makes dropping kids at the kerb easier, not harder, because the door rises above heads rather than swinging into traffic.

There is a practical side beyond the theatre. The doors are powered and can be opened from the touchscreen, the key, or the exterior handles. When I have collected passengers at a hotel entrance, the doors have drawn a small crowd every time, but the boarding process itself is quick. Adults step in at a comfortable height and there is no ducking.

The front doors are conventional and open normally, so the driver and front passenger are not part of the show unless they want to be. The overall effect is that the car feels special without being difficult to use.

Performance: 3.1 Seconds in a Seven-Seat SUV

Ludicrous mode is the setting that unlocks the full 3.1-second sprint. It is not a gimmick; it changes the car's character completely. From a standstill, the acceleration is immediate and silent, which is disorienting the first time. There is no engine noise to prepare you, just a push in the back and the scenery arriving sooner than your brain expects.

On the M4 heading west from the city, the Model X P100D overtakes with a single squeeze of the accelerator. The 967 Nm of torque means it pulls hard from any speed, and the all-wheel-drive system puts the power down without drama. In the wet, that AWD grip is a genuine safety asset, not just a performance one.

When I rode in it along the Cooks River and out towards Brighton-Le-Sands, the ride was composed over Sydney's patchy road surfaces. It is firm, because it has to control a lot of mass, but it is never harsh. The air suspension (standard on this model) helps, and the cabin stays quiet enough for conversation at highway speeds.

It is worth saying clearly: this is not a car you drive yourself through Drive Tribe. It is chauffeur-only. That is a feature, not a limitation. You get the full performance experience without any responsibility, and you can actually enjoy the acceleration from the back seat.

Inside the Cabin: Seven Seats and a Big Windscreen

The Model X has a panoramic windscreen that extends over the front occupants' heads. It makes the cabin feel enormous and gives passengers a view of traffic lights and buildings that ordinary cars cannot match. The seven-seat layout uses two front seats, a three-seat middle bench, and two rear seats that are best for children or shorter adults on short trips.

For a family day out, the middle row is the sweet spot. There is decent legroom, and the seats fold flat to create a serious load area. The rear seats are power-folding and can be raised or lowered from the touchscreen, which is genuinely useful when you are juggling luggage and children.

Storage is generous. There is a deep centre console, door pockets, and a front trunk (frunk) that swallows a couple of soft bags. For airport runs, the combination of the frunk and the rear load area means four people can travel with a full set of suitcases without anyone holding a bag on their lap.

Range and Charging in Sydney

The 465 km range figure is realistic for the way most people use a chauffeur service. A typical day might be a morning school drop-off, a lunch in the city, and an airport transfer in the evening, which is well within a single charge. If a longer trip is planned, the Tesla Supercharger network along the Hume and the M1 makes top-ups straightforward.

Charging is handled by your Drive Tribe driver, so you never need to think about it. The car is collected from Merrylands and returned there, or delivered anywhere in Sydney for an additional arrangement. If you are curious about how the rest of the fleet handles range, our article on the Real-World Range of a Model 3 Performance Around Sydney is a good comparison.

How It Compares to the Rest of the Fleet

Drive Tribe runs three Tesla models you can book today: the Model 3 Performance, the Model Y RWD, and this Model X P100D. Each has a distinct role. The Model 3 Performance is the self-drive sports sedan, the Model Y is the practical everyday electric SUV, and the Model X is the occasion car.

The chart below shows the headline specs side by side. It is not a like-for-like comparison, because the Model X is chauffeur-only and the others are self-drive, but it gives you a clear picture of what each car delivers.

If you want to drive yourself, the 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance is the obvious choice, with 370 kW and a 3.3-second sprint. If you need five seats and a lower entry age, the 2025 Tesla Model Y RWD is the sensible pick. If you want the full event, the Model X P100D is in a class of its own.

Who the Model X P100D Is For

The chauffeur-only rule makes this car ideal for weddings, school formals, corporate hospitality, and airport transfers where the arrival matters as much as the destination. It is also a brilliant choice for families who want a treat day out without the stress of driving a large, fast vehicle in the city.

We have written separately about School Formal Arrival in a Model X: Doors Up, Phones Out, which covers exactly why the falcon-wing doors make such an impression. The short version: passengers arrive relaxed, the photos are excellent, and nobody has to worry about parking.

For airport runs, the combination of quiet electric drivetrain, no exhaust fumes, and a spacious cabin is hard to beat. Our guide to Sydney Airport Transfers in a Model X: Quiet, Spacious, Zero Fumes explains the logistics in more detail.

And for families, the seven-seat layout turns a simple day out into something more comfortable. We covered that in Seven Seats and a Frunk: The Model X as a Family Day-Out Car. The frunk is a genuinely useful feature that most SUVs do not have.

What We Actually Saw on the Road

When I rode in the Model X P100D through the Eastern Distributor and out towards Bondi, the thing that struck me was how little effort the car makes of speed. There is no downshift, no engine note, no vibration. You simply arrive at the speed limit and have to check the digital display to believe it.

The falcon-wing doors opened at a beachside cafe and, predictably, a group of teenagers stopped to watch. That is part of the experience. If you want a car that disappears into the background, this is not it. If you want a car that makes an occasion feel like an occasion, it is exactly right.

The chauffeur, as always, was calm and professional. That matters more than the doors when you are running late for a flight or a ceremony. The Model X P100D is fast, but the service around it is what makes it work.

Practical Booking Details

The Model X P100D is based at Merrylands and can be delivered anywhere in Sydney. Because it is chauffeur-only, there is no minimum driver age for the passenger and no self-drive paperwork beyond the standard booking process. The rate, bond, and any fees are shown on the car's page and in the booking total before you pay, so there are no surprises.

If you are considering the Model X, it is worth reading our guide to Try a Model Y for a Week Before You Buy One. It explains how a longer hire can help you decide whether an electric SUV suits your life, which is useful context even if you are only booking the Model X for a single event.

To see the full Tesla range and book, visit the Tesla hire Sydney hub. The Model X P100D page has the live availability and specifications.