It's nice that Tesla makes an SUV, and it's nice that it has achieved this rating, but I'm also of the opinion that this vehicle is an SUV in name only. I'd lo

It's nice that Tesla makes an SUV, and it's nice that it has achieved this rating, but I'm also of the opinion that this vehicle is an SUV in name only. I'd love to someday own a capable off-road 4wd electric vehicle - but this one doesn't seem like it. Such a vehicle would have to be able to handle at least a moderate to mid-moderate vehicle rated (3 - 3.5) trail: http://www.dirtopia.com/wiki/4WD_Trail_Rating#3._Moderate http://www.dirtopia.com/wiki/4WD_Trail_Rating#3._Moderate This vehicle doesn't seem to have the ground clearance to do so; whether it could be safely modified (lifted) is questionable. While given enough time and money you can lift any vehicle, there are practical limits. Plus - in the case of an electric vehicle - you also have weight limits (to lift a vehicle you'll likely be adding longer springs, shocks, plus other components to allow for the increased wheel travel - that all adds up to more weight, meaning fewer miles per charge). There's also the question of underbody armor to prevent intrusion into the battery areas (similar to skid-plates for drive-train components in a regular off-road vehicle, you'll want to prevent damage to the batteries as well in an electric - which again means more weight). Will this kind of vehicle satisfy the crowd that wants to drive something big and (seemingly) capable, but isn't willing to own a minivan or station wagon - to ferry kids and groceries between parks, school, home, and mall? Sure. But it likely won't be safe to take it off-road on a 4-wheeling adventure trip (it'd probably be ok for most graded dirt roads, though - so for basic camping trips). I think I'm going to be waiting a while still for my hypothetical vehicle. Right now, the biggest limit (as always) is the batteries (unless you want to trailer it to the trail) - because of the weight vs range issue. What it may take is a complete rethinking and redesign of what an off-road vehicle means or needs. Probably more lightweight but strong composite components, or maybe something even more exotic - unless the battery technology improves (ie - if the stuff we've seen in labs becomes consumer-friendly and practical to manufacture). Hopefully, though, with those changes also comes ways for recovery in the event of broken parts on the trail (today if you break an axle or drive component, you at least have the possibility to repair it on-the-trail without necessarily needing to carry replacement parts, using a welder or other means - though some people -do- carry such components as well, which might become the norm for electric off-roading).