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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $64,592–$85,478 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Tesla Model X at 7.0/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 9.1/10, while Reliability at 5.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional ev — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 5.0/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.9/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.3/10. The Tesla Model X delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 9.1/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $64,592–$85,478, 102 MPG, seating 7, the Tesla Model X sits in the premium tier of the ev category. The value score of 5.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2016 Tesla Model X is a passable ev but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and reliability hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Tesla Model X ranks #243 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 10% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $64,592 starting price is about 22% above the segment's median of $52,750.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking →
Across the Model X model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.5/10 | $87,539 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.5/10 | $87,539 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $84,990 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $82,440 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $79,890 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $77,340 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $74,791 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $72,241 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $69,691 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $67,142 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $64,592 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seats / Mid/rear assembly 12/10/2017 · 17V639000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Model X vehicles. The left-side, second row, reclining seat backs may not fully latch due to having incorrectly adjusted recliner mechanism cables. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… |
|---|---|
| Parking brake 19/04/2017 · 17V260000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release. |
| Seats / Mid/rear assembly 06/04/2016 · 16V192000 | Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2016 Model X vehicles manufactured September 29, 2015, to March 30, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the third row seat back may move forward under load such as in a frontal collision. As such,… |
| Electrical system / Adas / Autonomous/self driving / Software 27/01/2022 · 22V037000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through… |
| Back over prevention / Software 29/01/2021 · 21V035000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the… |
Showing 5 of 12 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2016 Tesla Model X's reliability 5.0/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
12 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #243 of 268 evs in our database (better than 10% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Tesla Model X starts at $64,592 and ranges up to $85,478 across trims (MSRP when new). At 102 MPG, expect roughly $515/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Tesla models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.