If you look at the side profile of the Tesla from the rear you'll see some Mercedes R class in there. Not the most flattering comparison but it was supposed to

If you look at the side profile of the Tesla from the rear you'll see some Mercedes R class in there. Not the most flattering comparison but it was supposed to be Mercedes' version of a cool minivan with SUV characteristics. Tesla's own marketing copy even mentions minivans. I'm guessing they branded this as a "SUV" to appeal to the market (SUV=cool Minivan=Not) more than as an accurate description of it's capabilities.