Tesla Model X 90D Long Range, 2017, with Autopilot and Free Supercharging.

This vehicle represents an early „classic“ Model X. While it lacks the range and refinement of newer models, the combination of Free Supercharging and a lower purchase price makes it a unique value proposition for specific use cases.


Vehicle Overview

 
 
AttributeDetails
ModelTesla Model X 90D
Year2017
DrivetrainDual motor, all-wheel drive
Battery90 kWh (gross) / ~85 kWh net (degraded ~75-82 kWh by 2026)
Original EPA Range~414 km (EPA) / ~450 km (NEDC – optimistic)
Realistic Range (2026)~320-360 km (summer) / ~250-280 km (winter)
0-100 km/h~5.0 seconds (new) / ~5.2-5.4 seconds (degraded)
AutopilotHardware 1 (Mobileye) or Hardware 2.0 – verify
Free SuperchargingYes – typically transferable (verify)
WarrantyLikely expired (unless extended purchased)
Falcon Wing DoorsYes
Seating5, 6, or 7 seats (check configuration)

Critical Note: A 2017 Model X is out of warranty (unless an Extended Service Agreement was purchased). This is a high-risk, high-reward purchase. Free Supercharging is the primary reason to consider this car.


Key Benefit #1: Free Unlimited Supercharging (The Primary Draw)

This is the single biggest benefit of a 2017 Model X. Tesla offered free, transferable Supercharging on Model S and X until early 2017 (with some 2017 cars still grandfathered).

 
 
AspectDetails
TransferabilityMost 2017 Model X have free, unlimited, transferable Supercharging for the life of the car (not just original owner)
Value (high mileage driver)€3,000-5,000/year if you drive 30,000 km/year exclusively on Superchargers
Value (average driver with home charging)€500-1,000/year (road trips only)
Hedge against energy pricesImmune to Supercharger price hikes (which have increased 50-100% since 2020)

Who Benefits Most from Free Supercharging?

 
 
Usage ScenarioAnnual Savings (vs paying)Best For…
No home charging (apartment/street parking)€2,000-4,000City dwellers without driveway
High-mileage driver (30,000+ km/year)€3,000-5,000Sales reps, long commuters
Road trip enthusiast€500-1,500Weekend travellers, cross-Europe trips
Taxi / shuttle service€5,000-10,000Commercial use (check if allowed – Tesla may revoke)

Real-World Example: Living Without Home Charging

  • You live in an apartment in Paris, Berlin, or Rome – no garage, no driveway.

  • Nearest Supercharger is 10 minutes away.

  • You charge once or twice a week while grocery shopping or exercising.

  • Annual electricity cost: €0 (instead of €2,000-3,500 for a non-free-SC EV).

This transforms the car from an expensive-to-run luxury SUV into a nearly-zero-operating-cost vehicle (tires, wipers, washer fluid only).

Important Verification Steps

 
 
QuestionHow to Check
Is free Supercharging truly transferable?Ask seller for screenshot of Tesla app showing „Free Supercharging enabled“ OR call Tesla with VIN.
Is it unlimited (not time/mileage capped)?Early 2017 cars may have „Free Supercharging for life of vehicle“ – confirm.
Has Tesla revoked it?Rare, but possible if car was used for commercial purposes (taxi/delivery).
Does it apply to both AC and DC?Supercharger (DC) only. Destination chargers (AC) are separate.

If free Supercharging is NOT transferable, walk away. That is the only reason to buy a 2017 Model X over a newer, more reliable EV.


Key Benefit #2: Low Purchase Price (High Depreciation)

The 2017 Model X 90D has already taken ~75-85% depreciation.

 
 
YearOriginal Price (€)2026 Used Price (€)Depreciation
2017 Model X 90D€110,000-130,000€22,000-30,00075-80%
2020 Model X Raven€110,000-120,000€55,000-70,00040-50%
2024 Model X€110,000+€90,000+10-20%

Benefit: You can own a falcon-wing-doored, 7-seat, AWD luxury SUV for the price of a new Toyota Corolla or used Volkswagen Golf.

Trade-off: You get a 9-year-old EV with degraded battery, outdated technology, and no warranty.


Key Benefit #3: Falcon Wing Doors (Iconic & Practical)

Despite their complexity and age, the falcon doors offer real benefits that no other SUV provides.

 
 
BenefitDescription
Tight parking accessDoors open upward, requiring only ~30 cm side clearance. Park inches from another car and still enter/exit.
Easy child loadingStand upright while buckling kids into car seats – no bending down.
Third-row accessEven with child seats in the second row, you can reach the third row.
Rain protectionThe doors create an umbrella-like cover when open.
HeadroomWhen open, you can stand fully upright under the door.
Party trick factorStill impresses passengers 9 years later.

But (critical): At 9 years old, falcon door components are prone to failure:

  • Sensors fail → doors stop halfway or refuse to close.

  • Actuators wear out → slow, noisy, or incomplete operation.

  • Calibration drifts → doors hit nearby objects.

Out-of-warranty repair cost: €2,000-4,000 per door.


Key Benefit #4: Genuine 7-Seat Capability (Rare in EVs)

The Model X is one of the few EVs that can genuinely seat 7 adults (or 6/7 in various configurations).

 
 
Seating ConfigDescriptionBoot Space (behind third row)
5-seatTwo rows (most common on 90D)~350 litres
6-seatCaptain’s chairs (middle row) + third row~250 litres
7-seatBench second row + third row~250 litres

Benefit: If you have a large family or regularly carpool, there is almost no other EV under €30,000 that can carry 6-7 people. The only alternatives are:

  • Used Model X (same age, similar risks)

  • Used Mercedes EQV (€40k+, much larger, less sporty)

  • New Chinese 7-seat EVs (€50k+)

Practical note: The third row is tight for adults (knees up), but fine for children or short trips.


Key Benefit #5: Towing Capacity (2,250 kg braked)

The Model X 90D tows 2,250 kg braked – exceptional even by 2026 standards.

 
 
Compared toTowing Capacity
Tesla Model X2,250 kg
Tesla Model Y1,600 kg
Audi Q8 e-tron1,800 kg
Mercedes EQE SUV1,800 kg
BMW iX2,000 kg
Ford Mustang Mach-E1,500 kg

Benefit: You can tow a large caravan, boat, horse trailer, or car trailer. With free Supercharging, towing becomes incredibly cheap (no fuel cost, just electricity at €0/kWh).

Range while towing: Expect ~150-200 km real range (from 320 km normal). Still usable for regional travel.


Key Benefit #6: Massive Practicality (Even by 2026 Standards)

 
 
SpecificationCapacity
Frunk (front trunk)~150 litres
Boot (third row up)~250-350 litres
Boot (third row folded)~1,200 litres
Boot (second+third folded)~2,200 litres
Max cargo length~2.3 metres (fits 8-foot boards)
Towing2,250 kg braked

Unique feature: The front windshield is a single panoramic pane from dashboard to above your head. Front passengers have an unobstructed view of the sky and traffic lights.

Benefit: This car can swallow IKEA flat-packs, camping gear, a family’s luggage for a week, or a small mountain bike (with seats folded).


Key Benefit #7: Autopilot (Version Dependent – Major Difference)

A 2017 Model X could have either Hardware 1 (Mobileye) or Hardware 2.0 (Tesla in-house). This drastically affects capability.

Hardware 1 (Mobileye) – Early 2017

 
 
FeatureAvailable?
Traffic-aware cruise control
Autosteer (lane keeping)
Auto lane change✅ (with Enhanced Autopilot)
Summon (basic)
Autopark

Limitations:

  • No Navigate on Autopilot

  • No Smart Summon

  • No Traffic Light/Stop Sign Control

  • No FSD upgrade path (hardware incompatible)

  • Mobileye camera system is aging (1.2MP, grainy at night)

Hardware 2.0 – Late 2017

 
 
FeatureAvailable?
All Basic/Enhanced Autopilot features
Upgrade path to FSD✅ (costs ~€3,500-5,000 for hardware 3 upgrade + FSD software)
Future software updates✅ (still receiving updates in 2026)

How to check: On the car’s screen: Controls → Software → „Additional vehicle information.“ If it says „Autopilot Computer 2.0“ or „2.5“ – it’s upgradeable. If it says „Autopilot Computer 1.0“ – it’s not.

Value of Autopilot on a 2017 Model X

 
 
Autopilot Version2026 Value Add
Hardware 1 (Basic AP)Minimal (aging tech, no upgrades)
Hardware 2.0+ (Enhanced AP)€2,000-3,000 (still useful for highways)
Hardware 2.0+ with FSD upgrade€3,000-5,000 (future potential, but EU restrictions apply)

Benefit of any Autopilot: Highway driving fatigue reduction. Even 2017-era Autopilot is better than no driver assist.


Key Benefit #8: Bioweapon Defense Mode (HEPA Filter)

The Model X includes a massive HEPA filter (10x larger than normal cabin filters).

 
 
FeatureCapability
FiltrationRemoves 99.97% of particulate matter, pollution, allergens, bacteria
„Bioweapon Defense Mode“Pressurizes cabin to prevent outside air from entering
BenefitIn city traffic, wildfire smoke, or pollution events, cabin air remains clean

Benefit: If you live in a polluted city (Milan, Paris, Krakow) or drive through agricultural burning, this is genuinely useful.


Key Benefit #9: Free Premium Connectivity (Often)

Many 2017 Model X cars include lifetime free Premium Connectivity.

 
 
IncludesValue
Satellite maps€0 (vs €10/month for newer cars)
Live traffic visualization 
Video streaming (Netflix, YouTube) 
Music streaming (Spotify, Apple Music) 
Sentry Mode remote viewing 

Savings over 5 years: €600. Nice perk, but not a deal-maker.

Check: Car’s screen → Software → Premium Connectivity status. If it says „Premium Connectivity included,“ you have it.


Key Benefit #10: Unique „Classic“ Tesla Character

Early Model X owners often describe a rawness and personality lacking in newer, more refined Teslas.

 
 
Aspect2017 Model X2020+ Model X
Suspension feelBouncy, airy, „magic carpet“ rideTighter, more controlled (Raven adaptive)
Noise levelLouder (wind noise, seal issues)Quieter
Door operationSlower, more dramatic falcon doorsFaster, smoother
InteriorMore „beta“ – quirks and charmMore polished
Screen responsivenessMCU1 (slow, prone to failure)MCU2 (fast)

Benefit: For enthusiasts who appreciate the early Tesla „mission“ and character, the 2017 Model X feels special. It’s a conversation piece.