Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports Won't Recommend Tesla's Model 3

Testers were troubled by its 152-foot average stopping distance from 60 miles per hour in emergency braking tests

What to Know

  • Consumer Reports says Tesla's Model 3 has exhilarating acceleration and handling
  • But testers were troubled by its 152-foot average stopping distance from 60 miles per hour, worse than any modern car
  • The Model 3 is Tesla's first attempt to appeal to mass-market buyers. The cost starts at $35,000

Long emergency stopping distances, difficult-to-use controls and a harsh ride stopped Tesla's Model 3 electric car from getting a recommended buy rating from Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports says the car has exhilarating acceleration and handling. But testers were troubled by its 152-foot average stopping distance from 60 miles per hour in emergency braking tests. The distance was worse than any modern car Consumer Reports has tested and is about 7 feet longer than a Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Tesla says its own tests found 60-to-zero braking distances averaging 133 feet. It also says it continually does software updates to improve factors such as stopping distance.

The Model 3 is Tesla's first attempt to appeal to mass-market buyers. The car that starts at $35,000 has been plagued by production delays.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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