Here Is Why I Prefer Road Trips in My Tesla Model X and Why I Don’t

In 2016, Elon Musk presented a new Tesla to rival the crossover SUVs in the market – Tesla Model X. Since then, it has received great response, even going viral because of its doors that open vertically upward.

I caught wind of this hype, and after doing my homework, I got one too. It’s a Tesla Model X 2024 base variant. Since I frequently do road trips with my friends to my farm in the countryside, I needed an EV that doesn’t minus the good ol’ features of an SUV. I mean a great cabin space, mild off-roading capability, traction control, and more of that.

So, that’s how I got my Tesla. I have been doing road trips on it since 2024. There are things that I love about it while some are painful. Are you also considering an EV for road trips? Read on to find out why you should shortlist and why you should not.

Let’s Start With the Good Part: Benefits of Road Trips on a Tesla Model X

· A Smooth Ride without Engine Noise

One of the things I love about these EVs is their noiseless driving experience. It’s super-super quiet when you are traveling long distances, and that gives your ears a bit of a rest day.

Unlike the gasoline SUVs that are usually powered by big engine V6 or V8s, Tesla Model X is powered by a 670 HP dual electric motor – one at the front and one at the rear wheel. These electric motors are very quiet for the power they put out. The only noise in the cabin would be tires and that too at high speed with 22-inch profile wheels. I changed the wheel base to 21 inches and the noise was significantly reduced.

· Spacious Cabin with Enough Space to Keep Your Stuff at the Front and the Back

You might be wondering how I can keep my stuff in the front? Let me explain.

All vehículos eléctricos (electric vehicles) have their motors mounted right at the top of the wheels’ axles that rotate the wheels clockwise or anticlockwise. The axles are below the main body of the vehicle and not at the front. So, there is a small space left that can be used to store things. I use it to store my EV’s charger.

Apart from the frunk, the cabin of the Tesla Model X is huge. It’s basically a seven-seater car, but when you fold the last row of seats down, the space at the back becomes pretty huge.

I have even carried my 4K TV in it to my farm to livestream the Super Bowl there. And specifically on that day, my Hughesnet satellite internet came in super handy. Speaking of Hughesnet, it offers up to 100 Mbps download speed, unlimited data, and top-notch Hughesnet servicio al cliente en español and English. Also, once the same internet saved me from a painstaking Tesla software update pop-up notification by letting me quickly update before leaving for home.

That annoying notification aside, Tesla Model X is a real deal when it comes to road trips.

Let Me End With What I Don’t Like About the Tesla Model X

· The Charging Network Isn’t as Great as the Traditional Fuel Pumps

If you have gone on a road trip on an EV, you might already know that it is a weird business, especially when it comes to the charging.

I know that there are a great number of estaciones de carga (charging stations)_ available throughout the US, but still, the technology needs some work. The problem I usually face is the time it takes to charge. Previously, I had a Ford F-150 Raptor and it took only 10-15 minutes to refuel my truck. But this Tesla Model X takes half an hour to an hour to fully charge, and that is just for one side. Calculating for a round trip, it becomes more than an hour. That is not good.

Even if someone doesn’t mind waiting, they will because sometimes there is just not enough space at the charging station to charge their vehicle. It can be improved by introducing more charging stations and ultra-high-speed charging.

· Range Anxiety is Always There

This con is related to the first drawback, and it might be just me, but the range anxiety is certainly there.

EVs are a new technology, and it will take a bit more time to get used to them.

Anyway, especially when I am on longer journeys, the range anxiety kills me. As soon as it drops under 30%, I am skeptical that the battery will drain soon, and I have to tow this car to my farm. This comes because of a weaker charging station infrastructure when compared to the gas stations. For a gasoline car, even though I will be on low-fuel, it will be easier for me to find a fuel pump than a charging station.

The bottom line is that if you can live with these problems, road trips in EVs are certainly a great experience. If you can’t or if you don’t have a great network of estaciones de carga (charging stations), I won’t recommend getting an EV for road trips.