Tesla Model S Earns Highest Score Ever in Consumer Reports Ratings; 99 Out of 100

Agree!!

 

Yeah, and a Bugatti Veyron is about the fastest. That doesn't mean it's relevant. Unfortunately, the "S" to most of us is only an interesting exercise in what is possible, not what it realistically affordable. Get it under $50K and I'll take notice.

 

Thank you Zythryn but that is my point, why does CR feel the need to make a misleading statement, which 99.9% of readers are going to assume that means EV's use half the fossil fuel of Prius?

 

S is best electric car to date. Two best sedans in US sales are Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Consumer Reports could have nitpicked the Model S. The rear seats don't stand up to Camry / Accord. S rear seat kinda low to floorboard, sloping roofline. Didn't try S without glass roof, but with glass roof, headroom scant. Pointed edge on rear door entry. Center console needs some work. No rear seat cupholders as of two months ago.

 

Not so fast, the Tesla S is not the highest score ever for CR, it is tied with a 2007 Lexus 460L for the score.
CR does not recommend the Tesla S due to lack of reliability data and a few short comings at this test.

 

What were the shortcomings? Lack of range? Cost?

 

Tesla Model S gets Consumer Reports' top score - AP State News - The Sacramento Bee

 

My issue when it came to choosing between electric cars and hybrid is the charging problem. Can't go very far without the worry of trying to recharge. When they solve the charging issue they will start seeing a dent in the market. Why dont they use energy created by radio, brakes, heating, cooling system and passengers to maintain charge during a drive and limit full recharge. At least then you could stop at a gas station, get the small partial recharge while everyone uses the bathroom and gets snacks. You could always carry a portable pv array in the trunk for emergencies.

LG-MS870 ? 2

 

I can only talk for Southern California. Tesla went to great pains to set up Charging Stations near retail and dining spots and one can drive From San Diego, LA to the Bay Area and to Las Vegas and SF to Lake Tahoe and be within the High Speed Charging Grid. However range anxiety is real. I can think of a few times when we had a power outage. Or perhaps your charging and something comes up and you need your car immediately. Having a second car available can reduce the anxiety. Yahoo Finance poll says 30% of Americans are considering or will consider a EV car in the future. Polls may not be realistic. But Tesla represents the Future. ICE is the past. That's my humble opinion.

 

Dallas is aweful for trying to have an EV vehicle, mass transit is nearly impossible to use (if you only had EV but needed to go to grocery store or whatever), traffic is awful on highways during times you would do long work commutes (takes higher toll on battery(my understanding and what I see with my battery)), cars are gigantic here so getting in an accident at highway speeds, especially when hitting traffic could be tragic in a small car(not that all EV cars are small, but most don't have the strongest bodies because of trying to drop weight), there are no EV recharge points in critical places that I have seen although I don't drive a plug-in (it says there are 58 in Dallas, I think I've seen 2. There needs to be one at every gas station in my opinion with backup solar generator. I spent 3 months doing financial evaluations and test drives and functionality tests before deciding on my 2011 Prius III. For the money I spent it was going to have the best long term value according to all my calcs. I really wanted a Leaf, but it just didn't make sense for the charging issue. I can see how ICE is slowly moving into the endangered species in terms of passenger vehicles but EV is not quite there and then there's the issue of other, self-sufficient power sources: hydrogen cars, compressed-air cars and liquid nitrogen.

 

I think you're on to something. If a major gas station chain Exxon, Chevron and Shell put High Speed charging stations at a nominal cost this may help the mass adoption and critical mass the EV needs. heck they are going to lose the gas, but capture the EV charging revenue. If they don't someone else will. It is inevitable.

We had a gas station close in Encinitas CA near the freeway. It was a carpet store. Now they rent Uhauls. That is the Future.

 

No spark plugs.

 

Uh, I'm not 'gushing' as I have long since given up on Consumer Reports:

• CR 'mileage' numbers have no credibility
• No points for fuel efficiency
• No points for vehicle utility
• An 'obscure' rating heavily weighted on driver comfort

A Tesla S would meet my quarterly, round trip to Nashville. It would also give me 2-3 days of around town driving even if I skip a recharge or two. So it is a practical, electric car. Add a trailer hitch and it can even handle oversized loads.

I'd long since figured out the Tesla is a outstanding car in spite of crappy reviews by "Top Gear" and "New York Times." Consumer Reports applied whatever methodology they use . . . just I have no faith their rating system reflects my requirements.

Bob Wilson

 

Delete:
No antifreeze, No radiator to flush
Separate radiators and antifreeze used for HV battery cooling and air conditioning.
Transmission, electric motor and DC/DC inverter, etc may also be liquid cooled.

Add to list
No PCV

Periodic service additions:
'Transmission' Oil, Front/rear windshield wipers, HV battery cooling system, Air conditioning sevice

 

Given what we've learned about Prius transaxle oil, I would believe this after an initial change at say 2-5,000 miles. We're finding Prius transmissions have what looks like small, machining debris and case sealant. After one or two early changes, everything else should be good.

Bob Wilson

 

No, I don't believe 99.9% of readers will make that assumption. As a matter of fact, I don't think 95% of readers will have the word 'fossil' even cross their minds.
Most people only care how much fuel is used. They don't care if it is renewable, fossil, or pixie dust.
For those of us that do care, the amount of energy used is probably the most accurate measure. As those of us that care, know where our energy comes from (which is different for almost everyone) and how much co2 is emitted from those sources.
They CAN'T give a co2 measure as that would be misleading.
They cost per mile could be generated, but would be woefully inaccurate as cost of electricity is varies regionally, and for many people by time of day.

So IMO, energy use is probably the best measure you could use.

 

I agree, as a matter of fact I would go further and say that NO magazine review is going to be applicable to every person.
CR rates cars based on their subscribers. If they find 'comfort' is important to their subscribers and gains them additional subscribers, they will rate based on it. If they find CO2 intensity is not important to subscribers, doesn't gain them subscribers or looses them subscribers, they won't rate on that basis.

As society changes, CR's ratings will as well, or they will go out of business.

To have the greatest impact, a technology needs to appeal to the greatest number of consumers. This is why I am so excited about the potential of EVs.
A car that rates high in efficiency and performance, and passenger/cargo are, and style is now possible. And CR 'gets it'.

As for the question someone see asked about what CR was critical of, the biggest one was the long recharge time.

 

The Model S may be "low maintenance" but it requires a Tesla service visit every 12500 miles or 1 year whichever comes first for $600 per visit or $1900 for four visits, both prepaid. No service visit = no warranty. (Based on Blankenship's original statement. Their webpage today clearly states "However, even if you never bring in the car, your warranty is still valid.) The service visit does not include tires. In my opinion, that's a high maintenance expense.