The Tesla Model X’s Falcon Wing Doors are proving useful for people with special medical needs. Thanks to the unique design of the all-electric crossover’s rear doors, it is far easier to load large items such as wheelchairs onto the Model X. Passengers who may find it challenging to get into a regular SUV would also find the Falcon Wing Doors a very convenient feature, as the space provided by the Falcon Wing Doors allow them to get in and out of the vehicle with relatively little much effort. 

Tesla critics would be quick to argue that the Model X’s Falcon Wing Doors are but a gimmick--flashy, but with very little use. However, this is not the case. Elon Musk himself explained during the vehicle’s unveiling that the Model X’s Falcon Wing Doors are not just for show: they make it easier for second and third-row passengers to get into and out of the vehicle. They also allow the doors to be fully opened even in tight parking spaces. 

These advantages appear to have been appreciated by members of the Tesla community. Jeff D. Taylor, for example, recently shared on Twitter that his Model X has been a game-changer for him and his daughter, who uses a wheelchair and travels with a lot of medical equipment. The Model X’s large size and Falcon Wing Doors address her needs perfectly. 

Absolutely! I use my @Tesla Model X for my daughter, her wheel chair and all of her medical equipment (there is a lot). It has been a game changer! Also easy to get her in and out of the car with the Falcon Doors! pic.twitter.com/ayYktiXU5C

— JD Taylor (@Jeff_D_Taylor) April 1, 2020

Unfortunately, there is a slim chance that Tesla will release another vehicle with Falcon Wing Doors in the near future. The complexity involved in the mechanism of the doors is a big reason behind the delays that happened during the Model X ramp. With Tesla attacking the mass market with the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, the idea of releasing another vehicle with complicated doors may not be on the electric car maker’s radar at all. Elon Musk said as much during a previous Earnings Call, when he described the Model X as the Fabergé egg of cars—amazing but likely not to be repeated. 

Its Falcon Wing Doors aside, the Tesla Model X is considered by many to be a vehicle that’s perfect for people with physical disabilities. Apart from its doors, the all-electric SUV also features a ride height that’s quite friendly for drivers who use wheelchairs. This was discussed in YouTube’s JerryRigEverything channel in a previous video, explaining how the Model X actually provides a lot of advantages for disabled drivers. 

This does not count the benefits of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving features for disabled passengers and drivers with physical disabilities either. Self-reliance among those with physical disabilities may be elusive with traditional automobiles, but with cars like Tesla Model X, which are designed with novel features such as Falcon Wing Doors and Full Self-Driving capabilities like Smart Summon, such is not the case. The more advanced Teslas become, the friendlier they get for people with disabilities. And that, on its own, deserves a lot of merit.