The Tesla Model X is labelled ‘the safest, fastest and most capable sport utility vehicle in history’. That’s a pretty big claim for car manufacturer Tesla Motors to make, considering they’ve only been in business for 13 years. But some could say that you can trust Tesla Motors CEO and founder Elon Musk because he’s a genius engineer and inventor. Of course, the Model X looks amazing and has the car specs to back it up — including an interesting feature.
Model X has the largest all glass panoramic windshield in production, providing an unparalleled view of the stars and sky above. It has optimized solar tinting and with an obstruction-free view, you have unlimited visibility for the driver and all passengers. Sounds amazing but what happens if this huge piece of glass gets chipped? Because that type of thing happens from time to time when you drive any vehicle.
The Problem
A couple of Model X owners have already found out what that’s like. One owner posted on a Tesla Motors Club forum that his windshield was cracked when a large rock hit it while driving. Another owner commented his Model X had a rock strike on the passenger side, which expanded all the way across the windshield.
You may think what’s the big deal? Chips and cracks in windshields happen all the time but this is no ordinary windshield — its the ‘largest all glass panoramic windshield in production’. The cost to fix that windshield is $2300 but let’s put that into perspective with other high end SUVs. A windshield for a 2016 Porsche Cayenne would cost under $600 without labour and a 2016 Range Rover windshield would cost under $900 before taxes.
So you have to ask one question before purchasing the Tesla Model X — are all the other features worth getting this SUV knowing the windshield will cost a lot to replace? And of course, if you’re independently wealthy or the one the richest people in the world — like Elon Musk — then you have no worries. Let’s hope Elon Musk didn’t just make a car that he could buy.
photos by Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com
