Tesla Model X Review - We drive the only one in South Africa!

A huge thank you to Rubicon for making this happen, Ciro won't shut up about it.
Check out Rubicon here: www.group.rubiconsa.com
As the official distributor of Tesla Energy products in South Africa (such as the Tesla PowerWall), Rubicon South Africa worked for months to legally import a Model X into South Africa.
And it has been a huge success. The car is the best rolling billboard you could hope for, attracting attention where ever it goes.
The Rubicon team also tours the country with it, proving you can do long distance road trips in South Africa with an electric car.
For our video guy, Ciro De Siena, this was a career highlight and a dream come true. We were afforded a few hours with the car and produced this video for you. Watch as Ciro takes you through the awesome infotainment system, plays Asteroids with the steering wheel, experiences the ludicrous acceleration, explains the power figures and maximum range, opens the falcon wing doors and shows the boot space.
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Tesla in South Africa?
2:12 - What is it like to drive?
3:25 - Torque and Power Figures
4:49 - Interior Features
5:47 - How to play Astroids in a Tesla?
8:47 - Falcon Doors
9:25 - Boot Space
10:25 - Battery Consumption, Range and Charging
14:26 - Running and Maintance Costs
16:01 - Should you buy a Tesla?
Let us know what you think of the Tesla Model X in the comments below.
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[@Rixongile]

I think It would be fantastic to have more of these in South Africa💙🔥, besides from the fact that we have power issues like Loadshedding⚠️😂

[@sifisombuyane7457]

Let it come we will always have power solution in South Africa

[@playar4394]

Charging cables will be stolen if left in charge at places

[@clearencesimelane661]

Don't worry bwt tht....solar it's the answer...

[@lindomachi8419]

Last time I red about the tesla cars is that the are solar panel that will/should be mounted on your house or garage to charge the battery life of the car. ( TESLA SOLAR PANELS)

[@theultragamer5822]

That’s so super true

[@ntandomatladi3262]

Finally Tesla is reviewed in a South African's perspective.... Dope review as always Ciro.... I hope this vid gets seeing by Elon or his staff😎😎

[@telomnisi9054]

Government won't decrease tax prices on electric cars because they want to capitalise on fuel spending

[@ericsolovon6311]

I think they will just introduce higher taxes on electricity to make up for it. My disappointment is with the inability to import used EVs. What local businesses is the government protecting?

[@itsPLAEN]

if tesla brought its giga factories it would reduce the amount of power cuts. For instance tesla could start a power company and charge people the same amount per watts as charging stations. This will reduce load shedding and also decrease tariffs. And also help south africa into a more sustainable electric economy

[@ibalansi2851]

this is a great idea and the way to go but...this is South Africa. our government would never approve this and want us all to be filling their pockets

[@Koushster]

@@ibalansi2851 so true 😭

[@Sweeeetandsour]

Not corruption friendly.. South Africa would never.

[@cebondlebe2771]

I actually took a pic with this in Gqeberha few months ago at the Boardwalk Hotel, what a beauty with dancing doors and a key that looks like the car.

[@yourbutlerza]

Ciro, as always, a superb review. I too have been following the various reports when Rubicon first brought in the Tesla but yours is the first test that really sums up the car very well and also speaks to our concerns regarding range etc. You are a star. Keep up the good work!!!

[@XITSONGABombaMugaza]

Great review Ciro, it would be absolutely nice to have a Tesla dealership in South Africa, and morw charging points ofcourse. Besides the economic downturn, I think Tesla would peak in sales.🇿🇦💯🖖🏾

[@danielngada8225]

I knew you will nail this review. Thank you for sharing the juicy details of the Tesla X performance. Hoping that our country will reduce import taxes on this beautiful car. The cost of fuel has gone way out of line lately. Electric cars are the only way to go 👍👍

[@pieterrossouw8596]

The problem with these cars in SA is that they actively prevent you running over people or into things. That generally makes a lot of sense but with highjacking avoidance you sometimes need to be able to do aggressive driving. With this the highjackers don't even need to cover your exit with cars, they can do it on foot...

[@sifisombuyane7457]

U can set it to full control and let the key 🔑 stick with u in your pockets, and those stupid boys won't even understand it

[@wlxxvc]

It’s quite hard to highjack a Tesla and they won’t understand how to highjack it too..

[@aidanapword]

And highjacking a Tesla will be harder because of a thing called "pin to drive" ... So you can't just eject the person from the driver's seat and drive off. Doesn't stop people extracting the pin from the driver during the highjacking ... But it would be easier to highjack a car that doesn't have pin to drive.

[@jacksonm.6549]

Believe me, a Tesla is the last vehicle you'd want to hijack. I'm confident that the thieves would stick to the Golfs and Hiluxes if Elon brought Teslas here.

[@robby-jarredslabbert4849]

The car has built in satellite tracking, in fact it can’t drive without it. Going to be a bit of a challenge for hijackers I’d think

[@chrischokoe6485]

I've been following the Rubicon guys for a while now and I love their cars. Autopilot is determined by the condition on your roads, if all the lines n sights are available it should work fine, but we know in South Africa we have a problem with that and potholes.

[@tshego9858]

Maybe on municipal and regional routes but I reckon on the national highways it will be fine

[@dumil3]

Thanks Ciro, you’ve set given us something to really think about wrt range anxiety 🤔

[@mark3863]

I’ve see a lot of reviews on this car, but hat’s off to you for imo the best one yet. 👍🏻 🇿🇦

[@phanosmaphupha1928]

Your padcast are very informative. I'll be following you from now on wards

[@mizmila249]

Awesome reviews as always

[@ZUUSH-LIFESTYLES-co9cs]

Well done Rubicon. Every South African 🇿🇦 MUST own this car. It just makes sense. 🎉

[@jarloes]

We have the Model X as a company car here in NZ , It's insanely quick and hard to explain the feeling of instant power all the time.

[@endinaye00]

Sweet ride.. looking forward to getting these wheels😍😍finally tesla is coming to SA

[@Liya_Nyengane]

I LOVE the Eastern Cape number plate! Shoutouts!!!!

[@gazg00]

Very nice and that instant power is just mind blowing!

[@DutchmanSeb]

Very well researched video review Ciro, I see you've watched quite a lot of Tesla content online cause your knowledge is on point! Can't wait for the day to see Elon bringing Tesla back to his home country in South Africa, will be a very exciting time!

[@deonhrupnarain]

Wow. Thanks for the video bro. This consumption of 500kms + is going to be a must have in years to come if rhe price of fuel is hitting the R20bucs mark now.

[@ikeherbst9356]

Ciro that was a great review pardon the boot reveal, we couldnt see a thing, apart from you telling us it was big!! Great job as usual man! Could you review the Haval H6 hybrid???

[@neatnptyltd434]

Where is Plaid 🔥

[@booz394]

Currently overseas… in Israel. Went in one of these yesterday. Thus my youtube search upon my return to my room. I already have solar on my roof in Joburg… I can not think of a more perfect way to get around in jozi! I do around 90km a day. “I no longer fear electric cars.” The future …. Is bright! Trust :)

[@Thabisosm]

Great review. Would have been nice to see how the auto driving features works on SA roads.

[@weizenobstmusli8232]

It doesn't work on German roads ;-)

[@reinhardtvoges117]

Great video! And, as an Android fan, loved the iPhone joke (12:37)! 😂

[@niventhamanna5563]

This is the one that we need to help change our fossil fuel preference. I truly think its the way we need to go. Loadshedding is not a limitting factor in the grand scheme of things. Us South Africans are resilient and we will make it work as a part of our daily lives. The cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance is never going down and we need this ‘market disruptor’ now!!!!

[@sebabatsoramatlapeng696]

😪Thanks for this review, 👌 I have been waiting for this to arrive in mzansi...I hope we will be able to buy them one day.

[@YusufPetersenCPT]

WHAT??!!!This is cool!! 10:01 - "go down..GO down..GO DOWN....ok NVM carry on"

[@ntruter42]

I really like how you review cars. I like how you touched on many of the things that people are wondering. Every time you would say something, then I'd think "but..." and then you'd be like "And I know people say..." 😂. Anyway, I just wanted to say I appreciate this review.

[@vitordj254]

I tell you when I saw one of this in Kenya in January... It is awesome

[@Heinrichrhode1997]

2:43 imagine the Plaid version of the X if the owner decide to buy that car. Much quicker and much faster in throwing up due to the acceleration of the car.

[@niccapetown]

Golden Arrow Bus service in Cape Town are using electric buses at the moment, they also have solar charging.

[@kagishomashiloane2975]

I was watching Jeremy's review a few years ago and he illustrated "Celebration mode" where the car plays music and flaps the falcon doors. Is this true and does it come with all cars?

[@Carscoza]

Yes, this one could also do the "Celebration mode" - We did just not get to do it sadly. We will try and do it next time!

[@Owen_aesh]

I can't wait for tesla's to hit the roads here, my dream car indeed

[@John_code]

Yes they should pay that 90% import tax . if they want to pay less they should build a factory here and assemble / make the cars here , that way they create jobs and its a win win situation

[@fakejake8965]

Yes. Really great idea building a large EV factory in a corrupt third world countey

[@mfundomkhize2337]

@@fakejake8965 what a silly reply, you a silly human being

[@derrondevasconcellos6030]

Really, a country with an unstable electricity supply, with no real market either locally or throughout Africa, and an unreliable workforce. Keep in mind that the Tesla factories do not rely on a massive semi skilled workforce and are largely automated. Very few jobs for unskilled labour.

[@John_code]

@@fakejake8965 then buy the vehicle with 90% tax ontop

[@fakejake8965]

@@John_code No thanks. I already bought a Model 3. The fact that you have that ridiculous tax is Africa's problem

[@brucekubwayo7461]

I have never been so interesred in cars than when i started watching you explain abouy them sir.

[@bonganengwenya5933]

Great review as always! noticed quite a lot of tyre noise that intrudes into the cabin at highway speeds it certainly has to do with the overall size of the vehicle and profile of the tyre perhaps?

[@adrianstovell3326]

There's no engine sound to muffle it out. Because of this, I imagine there are lots of strange noises one might hear that they're not used to.

[@TheHoodiman]

I remember being picked up in Tesla model S in Amsterdam. I was so amazed that I barely noticed the tyre noise but you do raise a good point here

[@jacksonm.6549]

My dream is to have solar panels on my roof (maybe a Tesla Powerwall installation?) and a Tesla car in the garage. If I had the money, I would not even factor in Eskom at all. My home gets plenty of sunlight year round. I've already transitioned to gas cooking and that saves me a lot of money. It's just that going full solar is an expensive exercise.

[@soliegh23]

Awesome video! You didn't mention anything about self-driving though, was it completely disabled?

[@moonwalk6404]

I literally saw this car in real life from my flat in Cape Town

[@SonicRS2016]

Tesla founder Elon Musk is originally from South Africa, which is strange. You'd think he was from Mad-at-gas-car.😂

[@davisdesigns1153]

😂😭

[@ntsakomthombeni9475]

Hahaha i see what you did there

[@patrickf01]

Great episode.

[@yf_NorthernAreas]

Lol.... Im always in awe when I see this thing on the road in PE... Beautiful car

[@teeldinho471]

Very well-done review!

[@keno.3043]

Tesla just came to Morocco, now they outta come to South Africa and then the rest of Africa stat! proud Tanzanian living in Canada :)

[@conorgraafpietermaritzburg3720]

VERY good start!

[@phutitladi7875]

This review just made me want one

[@Paterson_from_Joburg]

Wondering whether you’ve been able to get that boot floor lid thing down yet?

[@zuandrecoetzee1957]

super cool review

[@rljmofokeng]

I keep watching your reaction at 2:14🤣🤣🤣

[@LifeWithCece14]

The day these get launched in my country definitely i will be the first one in my small town to get it... Simply waiting for that day, Petrol & diesel way too expensive in South Africa

[@aaronphokoje6686]

God bless you and I liv in South Africa

[@stephenchisadza4975]

Apparently the reliability issues cone in on the falcon doors and the massive power going through the drive shafts

[@miketawana]

Some 1 must lead so we follow.....thank you Rubicon

[@simphiwe4885]

I remember a friend of mine saying for South Africa the acceleration might have to be de rated because of our poor driving habits, otherwise we will have alot of accidents

[@ernestmfakudze]

Maybe just use the auto pilot feature and remove the troublesome driver🤣🤣. There is a funny KZbin video of a guy in the US who was fast asleep inside his Tesla while it was on auto pilot and it just kept going safely for many miles while he was fast asleep. Then he tried to deny it.

[@simphiwe4885]

@@ernestmfakudze it will need a really smart system to deal with taxis and our generally bad roads

[@mattsheen7907]

Great review as always 👌🇿🇦🙌

[@napoleonmdluli5036]

Great review of the car but disappointed that we didn't get to see the rear seating. It would be nice if you would do a quick interior and exterior review before driving cars and the camera facing the road when driving so we can actually feel like we inside the car driving it.

[@pegomashishi9073]

Imagine the entire country's mobility, electrified

[@BoHorror]

Life will be a abit too quiet

[@pegomashishi9073]

I also can't wait!

[@weetbix2083]

@@pegomashishi9073 its not meant for those who cant afford it. The great reset and "green energy" future is for technocrats and oligarchs. The rest get the dregs and the useless eaters must be eradicated.

[@sabelomkhabela8718]

I love the sound of the v8 it'll be hard to let that go if that happens

[@ibalansi2851]

dream on. we will never get there. in Germany, its already happening

[@kgothatsok6798]

You parking next to a JoJo tank, speaks to our many infrastructure problems. But ya, we can only dream

[@aviatormk8720]

No review on the autopilot? Curious to know if it would work on SA roads as it does in other countries

[@kwazingubane9629]

Ciro! Not even a auto drive-nyana 🤷🏾‍♂️ I was waiting on that bro 🥺

[@ricardoalves2804]

Does this testla get over the air updates in South Africa?

[@khaylelinks2643]

How practical is it to use when you need to park the get out. The parking spots here are small. Would those doors not hit the cars parked next to you.

[@just_me_olwethu9074]

This review was amazing, been waiting for Tesla to finally come to SA... But I really would've loved to see you test the self driving mode and The Smart summon feature... And also to show the sunroof of the car... But nonetheless it was a dope ass review

[@sompisiphinda1417]

Wow this is a very interesting car in every aspect I must say. So if you want one here you need to contact Rubicon for them to get it for you?

[@pjb9010]

This car same number plate did a hectic pull infront of me at brights road blackheat looked unreal

[@anelemabusela2416]

Lol wasn’t expecting Tesla in 🇿🇦 ❤️❤️❤️. Hoping to see more EVs 🙌🏿

[@sirbigshot4639]

what about autopilot, does that work as well as it does in the US and UK?

[@georgemavimbela]

I really enjoyed this video.

[@thabomashavha3970]

I saw this exact Tesla at Linksfield Joburg last month.

[@karabolegodi4069]

Hi Ciro. Sorry if I spelled your name wrong. Range anxiety is not caused by how far you can go on a single charge but how quick you can recharge. The sonner you get back on the road the better

[@karabolegodi4069]

Awesome review by the way. Only if Rubicon can get model 3 in SA as well

[@bukelwamonare4657]

the review is really appreciated but where locally can we get it or test drive and how much does it cost to own one?

[@hoodstar949]

Ciro is a massive electric vehicle advocate.

[@samspril1450]

Waiting to see the Model Y6

[@therealone2793]

This car was at my campus North Campus Nelson Mandela University earlier this year. It is beautiful 😍 ❤. Port Elizabeth.

[@sifisombuyane7457]

Thats true bra, we have lot of capacity to charge them at night than during the day

[@luckymokoena3525]

Been sitting here waiting for the self-drive feature

[@meganliberty3240]

I saw this car yesterday bro😎

[@Clark_Kent_ZA]

But do all the features work in South Africa. What about navigation? Spotify? Android Auto/Car play? Auto pilot?

[@clarencewatts9307]

Super review as usual....eish hopefully one day if government can get its act together

[@AkhonaNgquba]

What is that car's GVM? 2.5 tons is very heavy. A few of my rugby friends in the car and the car might be over the 3.5 tons code 8 limit.

[@faizelachmat8949]

An absolutely brilliant presentation, excellent. What are the pricing range of these vehicles.

[@chrischokoe6485]

The car was around a bar, and the owner ended up paying 2 bars for shipping and taxes

[@keatongroom]

Glad you addressed maintenance. True what you said, but what about when the electrics go wrong, or a battery needs replacing?

[@dewaldcarstens3380]

Typically these batteries give about 8 to 10 years of 80 to 90 percent of its range. Then it doesn't stop working. It's range just starts to become less and less. So in 15 years you will still be driving it short distances as a city runaround

[@lehlohonolomoloi2109]

South Africa needs more cities and less rural areas if you want such, but for travelling in one city no problem, but touring the country maybe you might want to reconsider

[@aidanapword]

Touring in the US in Tesla is no problem at all ... And they face the same challenges regarding distances. The network will have to catch up - which is a truly big challenge I agree - but not impossible. One of the many reasons why Tesla lead the electric car market in the US and Europe is the supercharger network. I don't think Tesla will want to manufacture cars in South Africa without getting involved in growing the charging network ... And massively.

[@stevejones1318]

As stated in the video, the owner has already toured the country. There are over 500 charge points around SA. Anxiety range is psychological, not real.

[@thabisokhumalo6516]

???

[@raphaelmahumane1648]

That is a first step to end air pollution and to minimize fuel cost which is always a problem locally. How do we overcome the issues of service especially when it comes to water getting inside the battery and the motors. The last time I checked people where struggling to get their cars fixed as they are not allowed to do the service on their own, and only Tesla is permitted to carry out that work?

[@mphosefafe2064]

Saw the second one in bryanston today

[@gverran]

I would like to know if Autopilot works in SA. Does this car specifically get all the software updates - like did it get the v11 holiday update released a few days ago? Also if the owner is taking it around the country, my guess is that he has to plan this trip very well as there are no chargers so has to overnight every 500km to charge .

[@TK-ys2du]

Theoretically, I think concerns about electric cars have been addressed, but practically that is only satisfactory for a select few at this stage. ICE cars, for example, will be the most affordable and practical for a long time to come, but I am rooting for the market to expand a little so that EVs could be affordable. Maybe the Chinese need to manufacture EV cars at crazy low prices, instal fast charging units for free for customers. I'll be happy when EVs can do 1000km with fast charging literally everywhere on the road.

[@jacksonm.6549]

Out of curiosity, how often do you need to drive 1000km in a typical year? Also what car do you drive that has that range?

[@Patrick-in4ou]

I believe that Haval has a sister brand that is looking at bringing E.V's into South Africa

[@Chuene05]

Do the tyres still turn when you're playing games?

[@LeonRamkumar]

I live in the UK and have the Model 3 LR (2021). It is the best car I've ever owned.

[@robertcarr4172]

There is a tesla for sale in Ballito too.

[@heinrichleroux9161]

With Running cost, how much will it cost to a full charge. To compare cost per KM

[@Milani_206]

Is there charging stations for these in S.A

[@nathanvladmir5554]

Can you imagine opening those falcon doors in South African tight parking lots😂😂😂

[@teslapped2709]

Elon Musk is your South African brother living in USA - I almost forgot? Anyway, well done for your nice review.

[@GamingCorral]

I saw this at Brooklyn Mall when it was on display

[@mathongolamani8733]

great review Ciro!!! Would love to see it on the lap with one of the top SUVs. Any estimation in terms of the price?

[@Deckard717]

It cost Rubicon 3.8m to bring it in from the UK

[@mr3748]

Oh wow, I saw that car the other day standing in infront of a company down the street from where I work.

[@ernestmfakudze]

These cars are just monsters. Imagine driving your very expensive Lambo and being smoked by this at the green light! The Tesla Plaid is even more insane...0-60mph in under 2 seconds! All I can say to people is that if you are driving a petrol car just don't even bother trying to race an electric car because you will be embarrassed.😂

[@SAlaaitie]

Imagine the guy in the petrol car still getting to durban before you, because you had to stop to charge🤣

[@ernestmfakudze]

@@SAlaaitie good point🤣. Slow but steady wins the race! I agree with you. I think when you drive an Electric Vehicle (EV) you really need to carefully plan your journey every time to avoid running out of juice. Also, most sensible drivers of EVs drive them sensibly instead of flooring them because the more you floor it the quicker the battery runs out. I work in London and we have lots of EVs over here. I see many people sitting in their cars charging them outside some charging points and I’m thinking if you had petrol you would have arrived at your destination by now🤣🤣. However, things are improving a great deal over here in the UK because we have lots of charging stations now.

[@nandowzmhlongo]

I'll enjoy myself more tho

[@ernestmfakudze]

@@nandowzmhlongo Are you saying you prefer the sound of a petrol engine than a silent EV?

[@tommy_egan]

The problem with these cars is that they are one trick ponies, they are only good from a standing start over a quarter mile or robot to robot. Throw in a few turns and things get interesting. For instance, the BMW M4 has a faster time than the Tesla Plaid at the Nurburgring despite the Tesla having double the power (1020 hp vs 473 hp). And the Megane RS and the Audi RS3 are only 5 seconds behind the Plaid despite being hot hatches. Because of the battery weight these cars handle like boats. It all depends on whether you are willing to deal with the compromises that BEV cars require. For some, the knife edge precision, exhaust note, dramatic gear changes and overall sense of occasion that you get from a Lambo or Porsche or M Power BMW or Merc AMG will be hard to overlook. And the fact that they all can fill up in 5 minutes.