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Tesla Model 3 Makes Consumer Reports 'Top Picks' List For 2020 (techcrunch.com) 87

Posted by BeauHD from the moving-on-up dept.
In Consumer Reports' "Top Picks" of the year list, Tesla's Model 3 ranks among the top 10 choices for car buyers in 2020. TechCrunch reports: The Model 3 was chosen as one of three vehicles in the $45K-$55K category, alongside the Lexus RX and the Toyota Supra. CR lauded its "thrilling driving experience," including "impressive handling and quick precise steering [that] help it feel like a sports car." They did ding it slightly for having a "stiff ride" overall, but said that that's more than made up for by its long EV battery range and emission-free eco-friendly qualities.

Consumer Reports also specifically called out a worry about the Model 3 that "Autopilot, an optional system on the vehicle, does not require the driver to stay engaged, creating safety concerns." Tesla has always positioned Autopilot as a driver-assist feature that still requires a driver to be ready to take over control at a moment's notice, but critics have suggested its implementation can lead to misuse resulting in inattentiveness. Tesla as a whole ended up ranking 11th overall out of 33 automakers in the nonprofit organization's 2020 automotive brand report card, climbing eight positions from last year.
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Tesla Model 3 Makes Consumer Reports 'Top Picks' List For 2020 More

Tesla Model 3 Makes Consumer Reports 'Top Picks' List For 2020

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  • And you will too.

    • Re:Rent one for the weekend (Score:5, Informative)

      by AmiMoJo ( 196126 ) on Friday February 21, 2020 @05:23AM (#59749964) Homepage Journal

      It's not quote the glowing endorsement TFA makes it out to be.

      It's their top pick *electric* car. It's not the best overall, it's not the best value for money or the most reliable or anything like that, it's just the best of the available electric models. And that's mainly due to the others having issues (like the Leaf's charging problems) or very poor availability (the Kia and Hyundai offerings).

      More interesting is that all the cars on this list are Japanese, except for one Kia and the Tesla. Most of them are Japanese hybrids. Consumer Reports clearly thinks that Japanese hybrids are the way to go most of the time.

      • Sounds about right I'd never buy an American car. Although I'd make an exception for the latest top spec Camero. You're into Ferrari performance for like 1/3 or even 1/4 the price.

        • Only in straight line though
        • Model 3 performance edition is still faster than the top spec Camaro. I can only guess its a question of styling.

          Just curious - why won't you buy American? The Mercury Mariner and last two Teslas I've owned have been more reliable and require less maintenance than the Hondas an Toyotas I've owned.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by DogDude ( 805747 )
            The Mercury Mariner and last two Teslas I've owned have been more reliable and require less maintenance than the Hondas an Toyotas I've owned.

            Your anecdote flies in the face of all data I've ever seen coming from consumer reports.

            But, to counter your anecdote, I've made the mistake of owning an American car, and it was a piece of junk. My Hondas and Toyotas have all been fantastic, in terms of reliablilty.
            • \_( )_/

              I choose to prefer my real world experience.

              I have spoken with Taxi drivers driver Ford Escape Hybrids and they all agree that they just go forever. My 2013 Model S was essentially trouble free and my new Model 3 is perfect.

              My Honda Civic Hybrid was one of the worst cars I've owned. I had a Toyota Tercel and Nissan Sentra years ago both of which essentially fell apart after 6 years.

              You can take it all with a grain of salt, but I tend to speak up when people say American cars are inferior.

              • Re: (Score:2)

                by DogDude ( 805747 )
                Sounds like you've has some statistically unlikely experiences. Interesting. I'm looking at a 2001 Toyota with ~250K miles, and a 2008 Toyota with ~180K miles right now in my driveway. My 2013 VW has had more repair work done it than both of those two cars combined. My last Honda I ran until it had more than 300K miles on it, and then a tree fell on it. Another 1992 Toyota that I had is still running today, and my first Toyota ran until it had at least 250K miles. The one Chevy I owned was an oil leak

                • Also, he had a Honda Civic Hybrid, possibly the worst car Honda ever made. /Former first gen HCH owner. And that one was way better than the 2nd or 3rd gens.

                  • Re: (Score:2)

                    by DogDude ( 805747 )
                    I've always been wary of hybrids, even from Toyota/Honda. After all, you have all of the complexity of TWO completely different power systems in the same car PLUS all of the stuff to tie the two together. It seems like a real maintenance nightmare. That's why I'm running fuel efficient ICE vehicles until somebody comes out with a decent EV. I wish that Toyota and Honda would get with it. I'd even consider the much more maintenance prone e-Golf if I could buy one in the US.

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by ceg97 ( 976736 )
        Lets look at objective factors rather than just claims. No one can touch Tesla for range and fast charging time, the most important specs for electric cars not to mention acceleration. Value is subjective and besides the Tesla Model 3 is actually cheaper than Korean competitors. What evidence is that Tesla has lower reliability than other electric cars? I understand why people like hybrids but adding all the extra systems needed by a gasoline engine like radiator and water pump, oil pressure, gasoline tank

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

          Porsche Mission E or whatever it's called it charges faster than a Tesla. The Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro are competitive on range. Actually the Leaf 62 is very competitive now it's under 30k, at least on price/range.

          Tesla are good but they aren't the be all and end all.

          • Porsche Mission E or whatever it's called it charges faster than a Tesla.

            Citation? Because I think the charge rate is limited to 270 kW and I don't think that any owner has actually charged faster than 250kW.

            Even if the full charge rate were enabled, in terms that actually matter (miles per hour), the Taycan is still slower than the Model 3.

    • That goes for a lot of the nicer electric vehicles. Most people who test-drive an EV for the first time are surprised at how comfortable they are to drive. Quiet, smooth, awesome performance. Even my wife (who is a true petrol-head) prefers my EV (a Hyundai) now...
      • I got an i3 (used, the small battery ones are super cheap, and I'll never be able to buy a car that nice that cheap again) as a second car.

        After two days I hate driving my other car with it's slow acceleration in the city, it's noise, and it's break pedal.

        I used to think engine noise was cool, but it's not as cool as being pressed back (and it's not even that fast a car) with zero effort and noise.

        It makes me wish I waited a couple years and traded in to get something that could be an only car, but at the s

      • Yup, I love my plugin hybrid. It doesn't have a long range, but good enough for a bit beyond the daily commute (and the free charging at work is nice of course). I definitely notice when it switches from EV to hybrid mode because suddenly things are just a bit less than they were; a bit noisier, a bit less power, a bit more vibration.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Kokuyo ( 549451 )

      I just can't get over the touchscreen. I do not want a touchscreen in my car, period.

      • Re:Rent one for the weekend (Score:4, Funny)

        by Organic Brain Damage ( 863655 ) on Friday February 21, 2020 @10:04AM (#59750540)
        Dirty touchscreens are how the Car-owna virus is spread.
      • That's reasonable.

        However, mechanical buttons/switches and status dials/clusters in cars will eventually be replaced with a digital buttons and readout displays on a touch screen.

        Tesla is just doing it 20 years before everyone else. But all cars will all go this way.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by DogDude ( 805747 )
          However, mechanical buttons/switches and status dials/clusters in cars will eventually be replaced with a digital buttons and readout displays on a touch screen.

          I doubt that ALL cars will go that way. There are enough smart people who understand that touchscreens in cars are inherently dangerous, and won't buy them.

        • The Tesla Model 3 has a bunch of mechanical buttons/switches in it. They're just not arrayed in some grid on the steering wheel like they are with my Nissan.

      • I don't mind a touch screen, but I'm trying to figure out how they managed to make it look so after-the-fact-bolted-on. It's easily the most hideous dash setup I've ever seen. It looks like they realized at the last second as the first one rolled of the assembly line that they had forgotten to put in a touch screen, and just grabbed some iPads and started gluing them to the dash.
    • I don't care how good of a car a Tesla is. Elon Musk is a total dick, and I'm not giving him any of my hard-earned money.

      • For a former white South African who grew up under apartheid, Musk isn't too bad a person. The stories of him running around with his diamond dealer father's gems are amusing. Self made? Elon Musk?

      • Consider the possibility that there are a lot of people who would say and do anything for Musk and Tesla to fail. Do you know him personally or are you basing your opinion on what you have read on the Internet?

        • Re: (Score:1)

          by DogDude ( 805747 )
          I'm basing my opinion on what HE said on the Internet.

          Musk said this about Bill Gates: "My conversations with Gates have been underwhelming tbh"

          Musk called that cave expert a "pedo".

          Sane, stable people don't say these sorts of things. It's completely unacceptable, as far as I'm concerned.

          • Sane, stable people also don't invest billions of their own money into unproven technology in an attempt to disrupt the world.

            Pick one.

            If I had Elon's billions I wouldn't have tried to make something like Tesla or SpaceX. Sure, I'd have tried to change the world. I'd have set up a philanthropy and made grants available. Funded a college research building or three. But I wouldn't be putting in 80 hr work weeks. I wouldn't be getting my hands dirty. I'd be another Gates foundation. Good, making some real posi

            • Re: (Score:1)

              by DogDude ( 805747 )
              Crazy is fine. Being abusive to other people is not fine with me. We have more than enough incivility coming from King Orange, and being spread online. There's simply no excuse for acting the way that he acts. There's a difference between "crazy genius" and "asshole genius".

          • I still don't know why he made that cave expert comment, but that sounds like a reasonable response to meeting Bill Gates.

          • So you just admitted you don't want touch screens in a car because Elon Musk. Thanks for clarifying. I also want all my product created and delivered by pious representatives of perfect angels.

            https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002... [amazon.com]

      • Seems like Musk has done a lot of impressive things, and helped a lot of people all over the globe.

        At some point you have to consider; maybe the dick lies within yourself.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by psergiu ( 67614 )

      And you will too.

      Just a 1/2 hour test drive is sometimes enough. I originally didn't wanted a Tesla ...

  • Overrated (Score:2, Interesting)

    by bblb ( 5508872 )

    It's a great driving car but it's also one of the most poorly made cars I've seen in the last 25-30 years. Honestly shocking how low the build quality is on some Model 3's. Really fun to drive and a lot of good things about it but the overall quality is just nowhere near what it ought to be and I suspect that in 5 years or so, most of these early Model 3's are gonna be rattle traps that no one wants.

    • Re:Overrated (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Rei ( 128717 ) on Friday February 21, 2020 @05:54AM (#59750012) Homepage

      According to the Bloomberg Model 3 survey of nearly 5000 owners [twimg.com], the rate of initial defects in Model 3s is 35 per 100 vehicles (down from a peak of 102,8 and an earlier plateau of around 67). JD Power states that the average initial rate of defects in new vehicles is 91 per 100. Note that their methodologies are slightly different - JD Power considers the first 90 days while Bloomberg considered only the first 30 (but generally if there's an initial defect that's found in the first 90 days, it'll have been noticed in the first 30).

      (Tesla isn't among the brands evaluated by JD Power as they're pay-for-play)

      Here's a more nuanced graph [twimg.com] of both initial quality ratings and ongoing quality ratings.

      Here's a two [twimg.com] part [twimg.com] graphic of how owners rated the various aspects of their vehicles. Here's charging satisfaction ratings [twimg.com]. Here's battery degradation [twimg.com]. Here's Autopilot ratings [twimg.com]. Here's would buy again / would recommend / more reliable than my previous car [twimg.com] ratings.

      It's easy to make up any narrative for any car; just search out negative case reports and share them. Let's say I wanted to make up a "BMWs have paint problems" narrative. Well, I just go and google "paint problems on new BMW" [google.is], and, viola! Tons and tons of case reports, which I can share endlessly. Does that mean that BMWs have terrible paint? Of course not; BMW sells a huge numbers of cars, so of course you're going to find a ton of incidents of bad paint. But by amplifying negative case reports, you can create the impression of literally anything for literally any brand.

      Surveys tell a different story.

      • Re: (Score:1, Interesting)

        by bblb ( 5508872 )

        Cool story... now get off the internet and go put your hands on a few dozen Model 3's and compare them to it's competitors. I've been around cars my entire life and can honestly say that I haven't seen such poor build quality since the late 80's and early 90's and that was on economy vehicles a fraction the cost of the Model 3.

        I've personally seen plenty of Model 3's with poorly aligned body panels, leaks, interior panels not properly secured, paint so thin that it's peeling after two months of regular driv

        • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

          by bgarcia ( 33222 )

          I've been around cars my entire life and can honestly say that I haven't seen such poor build quality

          And then there's Bob Lutz, who's been around cars a lot more than you have for his entire life. Let's see what he has to say.

          Bob Lutz Talks Panel Gaps, Tesla, and Why Every Detail Matters[/a> [roadandtrack.com]

          When I spied a metallic-red Model 3 in an Ann Arbor parking lot, I felt compelled to check it out. I was eager to see the oft-reported sloppy assembly work, the poor-fitting doors, blotchy paint, and other ma

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by ceoyoyo ( 59147 )

          "Cool story... now get off the internet and go put your hands on a few dozen Model 3's and compare them to it's competitors."

          Translation: numbers are for dweebs bro. Cut that evidence crap and go fondle some cars. FEEL the truth!

          I hear Goop is hiring.

        • I've been around cars my entire life

          But most people are not car heads like you. The younger generation is not as preoccupied with cars as previous generations were. The percentage of young people without driving license is increasing, steadily. So your point of view does not mean much for lots of people.

          Build quality matters when all other things are equal. When Tesla is delivering a 400 HP car for 50K, are you going to quibble about paint? Or would you say, "yeah, paint is bad, let me throw in a 2000$ after market wrap. 400 HP gas cars are

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by psergiu ( 67614 )

          Seems that the Model3's built during end-of-quarter/year production rushes have more build issues than the others build during off-peak production times.
          My mid-december Model 3 had:
          - Misaligned glass roof - one corner raised by 2-3 mm, opposing one dipped by 2 mm;
          - Horrible wheel & steering alignment to the point that the steering wheel needed to be slightly turned right for the car to drive straight;
          - Backup camera not properly seated causing autopilot visualization to show wobbling objects.
          All fixed f

        • My consumer report:

          My model 3 has been the most trouble free vehicle I've owned (approx two years now), so I'm planning on buying another for my wife. She's a financial hawk and tracks money closely. She's been liking the Tesla more and more, and looks for excuses to take the Tesla instead of her regular driver. Originally she never would have bought one. Now she considers little else.

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

        It's hard to take owner ratings too seriously though, especially with makes like Tesla. They are kinda like Apple or Lamborghini, there is a reality distortion field around them. You see it on the Tesla forums a lot, people dismiss ridiculous defects that on another brand they would be demanding were fixed.

        So while the Model 3 is a great car I wouldn't pay any attention to user ratings, or the Bloomberg survey. The classic Tesla example is panel gaps and misalignment - a lot of owners just live with it and

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Rei ( 128717 )

          The classic Tesla example is panel gaps and misalignment - a lot of owners just live with it

          Reality is just the opposite. Because of all of the FUD, Tesla buyers picking up their cars usually go over them with a fine-tooth comb looking for any incorrect detail, no matter how trivial, thus leading to overreporting of problems.

          Paint is the other big one for Tesla at the moment, especially in colder climates. Apparently there is some kind of class-action in Norway over it. As you say, google "bmw paint prob

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

            Hey, I'm not defending BMW, they are pretty terrible. I'm just saying that your comparison is not like-for-like.

            Tesla are not particular good or bad, they are fairly average now.

          • Tesla buyers picking up their cars usually go over them with a fine-tooth comb looking for any incorrect detail, no matter how trivial, thus leading to overreporting of problems.

            That doesn't sound made up at all. Seriously, how would you know or prove something like that one way or the other?

      • I'm sure you thought that post meant something. Sadly it doesn't, and I've seen Tesla fanboys repeat the same tripe whenever build quality issues are raised.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Headrick ( 25371 )

        A "viola" is a musical instrument. "Voila" roughly means "here it is" in French, which is probably what you intended FWIW.

  • Sedan Corolla

    At least find a hatch version you, you...

  • The current state of automation is basically the bystander effect. The car assumes that the human is in paying attention and the human assumes that the car is paying attention. It's a recipe for disaster. It's like leaving your kid unattended at the pool with a single narcoleptic lifeguard or an unreliable babysitter that might decide to up and leave at any minute.

  • The company has a great product in the Tesla cars. Great technology in managing a network of batteries to stabilize the grid. Very good lead in packing and thermal management of batteries. Solar roof is slightly iffy, but it still has some potential.

    But still the stock price of 900 is very perplexing. Even for an avid supporter of Tesla like me.

    Looks like many things came together on the stock market front. Relentless FUD convinced large sections of people that Tesla is a fraud they would not buy Tesla

    • You should never short a cult stock like Tesla. There is way too much money behind it and it is being manipulated dramatically. Eventually Tesla WILL go bankrupt (or be bought) as they have way too much debt and growth has stalled. But that is 4-5 years from now.

    • The car market will decide the fate of Tesla at this point. Nobody but the sputtering day traders cares much about Tesla stock price at this point.

      The things still need to establish some market share. They're more established than the Tucker now and will have little collector value. And without a movie feature they are are not Deloreans. So we'll see.

      • Tesla is not a mere car company. It is a battery company. It makes and sells cars because no other established manufacturer was willing to build electric cars in sufficient volumes to make its battery factory achieve economy of scale.

        The grid level battery storage business is going to be bigger than its automotive business. We need to store about 4 Twh of energy for the night. Make 10 Twh with solar during the day, use 6 Twh in the day and store 4 Twh for the night. That market is so huge, Tesla will get

        • That and reason no other car company went the same route is very LACK of charging option for EV's. People don't want the worry of "if i am out for extended time where will be able to charge my car". Where i live i don't even thing i have seen EV chargers that i can remember. As for your solar claims 10 Twh per day? Is that which i guess a sunny day? what about overcast day?

          • As for your solar claims 10 Twh per day? Is that which i guess a sunny day? what about overcast day?

            According to Sunpower, the amount generated on an overcast day will be 10 - 25% less, depending on the quality of the panels and the thickness of the overcast.

            • We need to produce 10 Twh a day. We will build enough solar farms to do make enough even on a cloudy day. It is a 20 year project. Very rarely the entire country is over cast. During the hurricane season, with a large storm 1000 mile diameter area will get over cast. Otherwise there is sun shining somewhere or the other.
          • There are Tesla super chargers and other networks. One curious thing you will notice, once you learn to spot these chargers is, they are almost always empty. Unused. Idle.

            Then it will hit you, EVs leave home everyday with a full tank of energy . They need to use off home charging only when they go on long distance trips. Within the city is used by the few people who can't charge at home, or because many of these charging stations are free.

            The 10 TWh a day figure is the actual energy consumption of USA.

    • What does the stock price of Tesla have to do with this article?
  • All it takes is one test drive and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars are ruined for you forever.

    Regarding Autopilot, it's handy to use as an enhanced cruise control for highway travel and works great for that purpose. People using it for city street driving, on busy local freeway interchanges that are used for intra-city circulation, and on any road during a snow or rainstorm are taking a huge risk.

    • All it takes is one test drive and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars are ruined for you forever.

      very likely for soccer moms, commuters, and every day lads -- but not for enthusiasts, particularly wealthy enthusiasts.

      consider the sustained popularity of mechanical watches, even though electronic watches are "superior" -- i.e., more accurate, less fragile, dont require service, etc.

    • Regarding Autopilot, it's handy to use as an enhanced cruise control for highway travel and works great for that purpose. People using it for city street driving, on busy local freeway interchanges that are used for intra-city circulation, and on any road during a snow or rainstorm are taking a huge risk.

      I disagree entirely.

      At least when they use Autopilot in those scenarios, someone is watching the road while they text.

    • Anything on a car can be used incorrectly.

      Just the other day, I saw someone driving a car with a giant phone mounted on the dash directly in front of the driver's eyes, obscuring the driver's view of the road ahead. It looked like the driver was streaming a news program.

  • So why is the tesla 3 news but the other 9 cars don't get mentioned?
    • Cause they take the fact the car is on this list as meaning its good while ignoring the fact that its on the list cause really no other cars in the market for which it competes. Its easy to top a list when you are only ones in that market. Kinda like if 7 years ago they had 2 lists of best cpu's, a list of cpus with 4 cpu cores and best cpu with 8 cores. The 8 cores list would been topped by AMD FX-8350. Its was a crap fake 8 core cpu but being its really only consumer market cpu it would be top of that lis
  • CR, like the regular LICE magazines, is choosing to separate EV from the LICE vehicles. In my mind, total BS. They should be grouped accordingly. After all, if separating on the engine/Motor issue, why not separate based on colors as well?

  • While the Model 3 has improved quite a lot with the current production run models, I'll still take the Model Y, especially since it's a way more practical design and the fact it may be the first model to use the new multiplex electrical wiring system that reduces the amount of wiring in the car to around 100 meters (328 feet).

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