Tesla Model X SUV will tow 2500kg

Tesla's Model X may be the fastest SUV on the planet, but its towing credentials might also surprise you.

Speaking at the launch of the Model X in Sydney on Wednesday Tesla Senior Communications manager Heath Walker said owners will not only be able to use their all-electric SUV tow, it'll have a hauling ability that will match many of its petrol and diesel-powered rivals.

"The great thing about this vehicle from a utility point of view is we've also thought of adventure and travel so we do have a tow hook and tow kit,” he said.

"The tow kit is a full tow kit, we've also got a tow accessory which holds things such as bikes, skis and other elements if you do want to travel.

"The towing capacity of the Model X has not been rated in Australia yet, but its 2500kg.”

By comparison, the plug-in hybrid Mercedes GLE 500e is rated at 2000kg, while the equivalent BMW X5 xDrive40e manages a 2700kg figure. The Lexus RX450h parallel hybrid is rated at just 1500kg.

Audi is yet to specify a braked tow figure for its upcoming Q7 e-tron plug-in hybrid, but the existing diesel model's 3500kg rating suggests it could challenge the Tesla.

The Model X has an electric motor for each set of wheels.

At the more mainstream end of the price scale, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is rated at 1500kg braked.

The similarly sized Mazda CX-9 with its 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg. This figure is also shared by the Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger. The Tesla is matched by manual and diesel versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe and trumped by non-hybrid versions of the Nissan Pathfinder that boast a 2700kg figure. The Pathfinder Hybrid is limited to 1650kg.

Weighing in close to 2500kg itself, the Model X has an electric motor for each set of wheels. In the king of the range P100D – which was announced just hours before the event yesterday – there's a 193kW/330Nm motor at the front axle and 375kW/600Nm motor at the rear.

Australian pricing of the Model X was announced earlier this month with the range kicking off at $122,812.20 for the 60D, while the P100D's top-end price is yet to be released.

Tesla has been taking reservations to order the Model X since late 2014 and this week buyers will be able to configure and order their SUV online. Tesla says that those buyers ordering today can expect to see their Model X delivered before the middle of next year.

Can you imagine hooking up a caravan to your Model X Tesla and heading off for holidays? Tell us what you think in the comments below.