Fullscreen
The Tesla Model X is quick, but can It run with the fastest performance SUVs currently on sale?
by Dim Angelov, onThe Tesla Model X is, without a doubt, a very quick car. In the Long-range Performance version of the EV, you get dual electric motors, which produce 778 horsepower and 841 pound-feet (1,140 Nm). With this in mind, it will be interesting to see how it fares against the quickest performance SUVs you can buy. Once again, Carwow’s YouTube channel has provided a video that gives us an answer.
The lineup consists of the Tesla Model X, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, Lamborghini Urus, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk, and BMW X6 M. All of these SUVs feature and none of them needs an introduction Without further due, let’s here are the numbers.
Tesla Model X
Tesla Model X Long-range Performance has a dual-motor setup that puts down 778 horsepower and 841 pound-feet (1,140 Nm). No gearbox here, but the Model X still has launch control. With 5,478.5 pounds (2,485 kg), it’s the heaviest of the bunch.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
The Cayenne GT is the “coupe” version of the Porsche Cayenne. In Turbo form, it features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that makes 640 horsepower and 627 pound-feet (850 Nm). An eight-speed automatic sends power to all four wheels. At 4,894 pounds (2,220 kg), it’s actually one of the lightest cars in the group.
Lamborghini Urus
The Urus and Cayenne practically use the same engine (among other things). This being a Lambo, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 makes 650 horsepower (instead of 640) and the same 627 pound0feet (850 Nm). It’s the lightest SUV of the bunch, weighing in at “just” 4,843.6 pounds (2,197 kg). Once again, you get an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. On paper, this looks like it could win. Will it?
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk
Out of the five SUVs here, the Cherokee Trackhawk is the only one that’s no longer on sale. It shares a 6.2-liter supercharged, pushrod V-8 with the Challenger, Charger, and Durango Hellcat that makes 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet (875 Nm).
It also has an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It’s also the second-heaviest SUV here – 5,363.8 pounds (2,433 kg). Will the response from the supercharged engine and the quick-shifting ZF gearbox rocket the Jeep ahead?
BMW X6 M
The Bavarian contender has a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 that makes 625 horsepower and 553 pound-feet (750 Nm). It has the same ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox as the Trackhawk and sends power to all four wheels through the xDrive system. It weighs 5,225 pounds (2,370 kg).
The race
The first race is from a standing start. The Trackhawk actually made the best start, but almost immediately it got overtaken by the Tesla, Porsche, and the BMW. The most expensive SUV here – the Urus – was dead last. Tesla rocketed ahead and stayed there till the finish, while the Cayenne Turbo GT took second place, followed by the BMW X6 M, which barely managed to overtake the Trackhawk.
Matt reckoned the Porsche can do better. The second drag race proved his point, as it was a photo finish between the more powerful Tesla and the Cayenne Turbo GT. The rest was as before – X6 M took the third position, while the Urus was, once again, last.
A third decisive drag race was held and the Tesla just managed to beat the Porsche. However, each time, the Cayenne Turbo GT had a noticeable higher trap speed. Even more surprising was the Urus, which finished fourth, behind the X6 M. However, it was due to the Trackhawk driver making a slower start this time.
The results
Tesla and Porsche both took 11.2 seconds for the quarter-mile. BMW and Urus both took 11.8 seconds, and the Trackhawk managed 12.1 seconds.
The rolling race
In 50 mph (80 km/h) and comfort mode, the supercharged Jeep Trackhawk rocketed ahead, together with the Tesla. However, compared to the others, the Jeep is styled like a Brick, so it lost some ground at the second half, dropping into the back of the pack. Tesla stayed ahead, but the Porsche managed to overtake it before the one-mile mark. The X6 M was actually gaining on the Tesla, but one mile apparently isn’t enough.
In sport and manual mode, the Porsche goes past the Tesla right at the half-mile and gains a significant lead by the one-mile mark. This time, the BMW and Lamborghini also manage to take the Tesla, leaving the less aerodynamic Jeep at the back. Meanwhile, Matt crosses the one-mile at 174 mph (280 km/h), while BMW hits a 159 mph (256 km/h) limiter.
Brake test
This time, the SUVs stop from 100 mph (160 km/h). The Trackhawk takes the longest, followed by the Model X. The Porsche and BMW took almost the same distance to stop, although Matt argues the Cayenne has a slightly shorter brake distance. The winner here is Urus, which beat the Cayenne by about half a car. Watch the video below to see "what exactly happened".