Consumer Reports won’t be giving the Tesla Model 3 its coveted “Recommended” rating. In the series of tests, Consumer Reports states that although the Model 3 has exhilarating acceleration and handling, it found some big flaws, like long stopping distances and hard to use controls.
“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 full-sized pickup.”
Ouch. A Tesla spokesperson claims that in its own tests the Model 3 took an average of 133 feet to stop from 60 mph. To make sure that its results could be duplicated, Consumer Reports actually tested two Model 3 sedans and got the same consistent braking results. What’s astonishing is that the Model 3 takes 25 feet longer to stop than the much bigger Tesla Model X.
Consumer Reports also criticized the Model 3’s controls, since the interior does away with the traditional buttons and knobs driver’s are used to and instead forces the driver to use the center mounted touchscreen. While the touchscreen may look cool and modern, it causes distractions, since it forces the driver to take their eyes off the road to make adjustments.
Other issues include a stiff ride, excessive wind noise and an unsupportive rear seat. While the Tesla Model 3 may have some big flaws, there are some stand outs, like its acceleration, which is on par with many sports cars. Consumer Reports also compared the Model 3’s handling to the Porsche 718 Boxster. Also don’t forget about the Model 3’s driving range, which in its tests, Consumer Report’s was able to 350 miles on a single charge, “the longest distance we’ve ever recorded in an EV.”
Source: Consumer Reports
