Several Massachusetts residents got a chance to test drive the Tesla Model X in Dedham this week. Some customers told Boston.com they had waited months – even more than a year – to test drive the all-electric SUV.

Tesla brought the Model X, which features eye-catching “Falcon Wing’’ doors, flexible seating options, and Tesla’s Autopilot technology – to the company’s Dedham location as one of the first stops in the company’s “Meet Model X’’ tour.

The event offered the chance to test out a Model X to customers who have reserved a car but not yet had one delivered due to tight inventory. On its website, Tesla says people who order now will have to wait until later in 2016 for their vehicles to be delivered.


The car

The Model X has a 90 kWh battery that delivers a range of 257 miles. It is also remarkably fast, capable of reaching a top speed of 155 mph and going from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. With Tesla’s “Ludicrous Speed’’ upgrade equipped, that changes to zero to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.

The Model X also has a large panoramic windshield that reaches above the driver’s head. About half of the windshield glass is tinted, which Tesla says will offer unobstructed views for the driver and passengers without letting direct sunlight interfere with the driver’s vision.

It starts at about $80,000, but can cost as much as $150,250.

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Get a closer look at the Tesla Model X

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A customer tests the Autopilot

Tesla plans to bring the Model X to about 30 cities across North America as part of the branding tour. Tesla spokesperson Alexis Georgeson says “a few hundred’’ customers took test drives during the Dedham event.

Julie Altman, 50, of Cambridge was one of those customers who showed up at the event. She told Boston.com she had been waiting for almost two years to see the SUV up close.

“I’m test driving the [Model X] because I have four children and they have a lot of gear and there’s always a friend or two in the car,’’ she said. “And I’m really intrigued by the science and technology of it.’’


Altman allowed Boston.com to join her on her first test drive of the Model X. During the drive, she nervously put the vehicle’s Autopilot feature – a program that allows the car to drive itself – to the test. It didn’t take long before she became comfortable with letting the car do the driving.

“At first, I was uneasy with the concept of the Autopilot, [but] within a few minutes of trying it I could see how easy it is,’’ she said. “And I saw how easy it was to disengage and that’s really important.’’

After the test drive wrapped up, she had nothing but positive things to say about the experience.

“Fantastic, fun, easy, smooth, fast, enjoyable,’’ she said. “It’s a lot more user-friendly than I thought it would be.’’

Spacious and eco-friendly

Other customers, like Ed Zuker of Boston, echoed that sentiment. With 14 grandchildren, he liked the SUV for offering lots of space for passengers and for its electronics offerings.

“I’ve been looking at Tesla for a while,’’ said Zuker. “I love the style and look of it.’’ After taking it for a test drive, Zuker praised the SUV’s performance, comparing it to that of a Maserati (which he owns).

“It’s a sporty drive and the X feels really good on the road,’’ said Zuker. He also said he liked the SUV’s maneuverability and how it accelerated on the highway.

But the main reason he likes the Model X is because it’s eco-friendly.


“We have to heal the world and that’s part of it,’’ said Zuker.

Another customer who identified himself as John said he and his wife had waited for a year and a half to drive the Model X.

“It was everything that we hoped it would be,’’ said John. “It’s got more space than you could ever ask for and it handles better than any SUV I’ve ever been in.’’

At 6-foot, 5-inches, John liked the Falcon Wing doors in particular because they allow him greater access to the SUV’s cabin.

“I fit, no problem,’’ said John. “The Falcon Wings are big for us because we have a child and it’s hard to reach in and put your child seat in….We can almost stand on the edge of the car and put the car seat down. It’s so much easier to use.’’

After the test drive, he signed up to get his own Model X, which he expects will arrive by the summer.