Tesla Model 3 ‘braking far worse’ than other cars
Tesla’s Model 3 compact electric sedan has farworse braking than many other modern cars, potentially dangerous controls, an overly stiff ride, too much wind noise and an uncomfortable back seat — but otherwise, it’s great.
Those are the conclusions of Consumer Reports, which said Monday it couldn’t recommend the vehicle because of its problems.
Tesla said its in-house testing found better braking performance. And last week, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Model 3 a “superior” rating for front-crash prevention.
Consumer Reports said it found “plenty to like” about the Model 3, including “record-setting range … exhilarating acceleration and handling that could make it a healthy competitor to performance-oriented cars such as BMW’s 3 Series and the Audi A4.”
However, Consumer Reports highlighted a host of purported problems, especially with braking.
“Our testers also found flaws — big flaws — such as long stopping distances in our emergency braking test and difficult-to-use controls,” Consumer Reports said in a report Monday.
“The Tesla’s stopping distance of 152 feet from 60 mph was far worse than any contemporary car we’ve tested and about 7 feet longer than the stopping distance of a Ford F-150 fullsized pickup.”
A Tesla spokesperson said
Monday that the Palo Alto electric car maker’s own Model 3 testing found a 133-foot stopping distance from 60 miles-per-hour, and that the distance could vary according to a number of variables including road surface and weather. Consumer Reports said it had confirmed its finding through multiple tests involving two Model 3s. Tesla added that software updates could improve stopping distance.
Consumer Reports also slammed the Model 3’s driver interface, which puts almost all the driver’s controls on a dashmounted touchscreen.
“This layout forces drivers to take multiple steps to accomplish simple tasks,” Consumer Reports said.
“Our testers found that everything from adjusting the mirrors to changing the direction of the airflow from the air-conditioning vents required using the touch screen.
“These types of complex interactions with a touch screen can cause driver distraction because each act forces drivers to take their eyes off the road and a hand off the steering wheel.”
Also not helping the car’s rating were its “stiff ride, unsupportive rear seat and excessive wind noise at highway speeds,” Consumer Reports said.
“In the compact luxury sedan class, most competitors deliver a more comfortable ride and rear seat.”
However, Consumer Reports concluded that the Model 3 was “otherwise impressive” and its testers found it “thrilling to drive.”
“It delivered a blistering 0-to-60-mph time of 5.3 seconds, and its handling was reminiscent of a Porsche 718 Boxster,” Consumer Reports said.
Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, is now shipping premium Model 3s such as the long-range version bought and tested by Consumer Reports. Customers are receiving $50,000 versions of the sedan, but the much-hyped $35,000 version intended for the mass market has not yet entered production.
Musk on Saturday tweeted that production of the entry-level Model 3 would have to wait three to six months after the company hits a manufacturing target of 5,000 Model 3s per week. The company has twice delayed that target, which now stands at the end of June.
“1st you need achieve target rate & then smooth out flow to achieve target cost,” Musk tweeted.
A dual-motor Model 3, which Musk said will cost $78,000, is to start shipping in July, he said.
Kelley Blue Book analyst Rebecca Lindland pointed to the production priority given to premium Model 3s and the effect of delayed Model 3 production on federal tax credits expected to begin shrinking soon as Tesla hits the milestone
of 200,000 total U.S. vehicle sales at which the credit begins to diminish.
“I believe the auto industry benefits from Elon Musk’s creativity and innovation,” Lindland said.
“But touting a $78,000 version of the Model 3 long before the $35,000 (base version) is in showrooms is a misstep and demonstrates a lack of appreciation for the mainstream new car buyer, who is more price sensitive than Tesla’s usual crowd.
“Expiring federal tax credits, used primarily on the S, X, and now highestpriced Model 3s, will further hamper growth since other brands will have the credit and possibly more affordable products.”