by Brad Anderson
- Tesla made the 2026 Model X lighter through gradual updates.
- Weight savings came from motors, battery packs, and panels.
- The Model X now weighs less than BMW’s iX, despite being larger.
The Tesla Model X of today might appear almost unchanged from the version that debuted back in 2015, yet beneath that familiar silhouette lies a machine that has been subtly reworked over time. Its interior is more refined, and in flagship Plaid form, it delivers enough pace to frighten a supercar.
However, what most people don’t realize is that the latest Model X also weighs significantly less than the original, even though the two look virtually identical.
Weight Loss, Electric Style
In an era when every new car seems to gain weight, the Model X has quietly gone the other way. Added safety tech, larger batteries, and ever-expanding lists of standard features typically push curb weights upward. Yet a 2026 Model X is almost 400 pounds (181 kilograms) lighter than its 2016 counterpart.
Sounds like witchcraft, right? It’s not. Instead, Tesla has gradually refined the Model X over the years.
Speaking with Car and Driver, which recently weighed a Model X at 5,219 lbs (2,367 kg), Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering Lars Moravy, noted that the original model had a heavy induction-type motor at the rear wheels. Now, it sports a lighter permanent-magnet motor and new half-shafts, an improvement that has saved roughly 100 lbs (45 kg).
Read: Model S / X Get Small Tweaks And Big Price Hikes
Additionally, Tesla changed the Model X’s battery pack in 2021 to include more energy-dense cells, allowing it to ditch 300 cells. Alongside improvements to the pack’s structure, this allowed the Model X with its fancy Falcon wing doors to shed a further 90 lbs (41 kg). Further weight-saving measures were adopted for the Model X’s most recent 2026 update.
Every Ounce Matters
Roughly 80 pounds (36 kilograms) have been trimmed from the EV’s interior. Moravy explained that Tesla now uses thinner materials throughout the cabin and has integrated airbag components directly into the headliner.
The five-seat version sheds another 50 lbs (22 kg) thanks to the removal of the trunk pedestal mounting. Tesla also tweaked the seatbelt mounting and structure to save 6 lbs (2.7 kg) and cut 44 lbs (19.9 kg) worth of high-voltage wiring. Moreover, the Plaid features fewer radiators, saving an extra 30 lbs (13.6 kg).
Large aluminum megacastings in the Model X’s body construction account for a further 20-pound (9-kilogram) reduction while improving overall rigidity. Even the front and rear fascias have been slimmed by 0.6 millimeters, a small change that removes another 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms).
Did Anything Get Heavier?
Admittedly, not every change went in the same direction. Heavier wheels, hubs, and improved sound insulation added some bulk back, yet the 2026 Model X remains light for an electric SUV.
At roughly 500 pounds (227 kilograms) lighter than a BMW iX xDrive50., it stands as proof that careful engineering and incremental refinement can still trim weight without compromise.
