logo-loader

Tesla Model 3 fails to earn a Consumer Reports recommendation after brake concerns

Last updated: 05:26 22 May 2018 AEST, First published: 04:49 22 May 2018 AEST

Tesla car in a lot
Shares of Tesla were up slightly in afternoon trading

Consumer Reports did not recommend Tesla Inc’s Model 3 sedan after conducting a review of the vehicle, citing concerns about the car’s stopping distance and other issues.

In the review of the electric vehicle, the testers praised the car’s range, handling and acceleration, viewing it as a competitor with luxury vehicles like the Audi A4 and BMW’s 3 Series.

When the regenerative brake is activated, the Model 3 could last 350 miles on one charge, which is the longest recorded by Consumer Reports for an electric vehicle.

"Our testers also found flaws—big flaws—such as long stopping distances in our emergency braking test and difficult-to-use controls. These problems keep the Model 3 from earning a Consumer Reports recommendation," according to the report.

READ: Tesla boss Elon Musk tweets specs for new performance version of key Model 3 electric car

When going from 60 mph to a complete stop, the Model 3 had a 152-foot stopping distance compared with the 127-foot average for luxury compact sedans. It took 25 feet longer to stop than Tesla’s Model X SUV.

Car and Driver’s test of the Model 3 found a similar braking issue, recording what it called “a bizarre amount of variation.”

READ: Goldman analyst predicts Tesla to need US$10bn in extra capital by 2020

“I’ve been testing cars for 11 years and in 11 years, no car has stood out with inconsistent braking like this. ... It was just weird,” said Car and Driver Testing Director K.C. Colwell in an interview with Consumer Reports.

A Tesla spokesperson told Consumer Reports that the average stopping distance can vary depending on variables like road surface and temperature.

The testers were also critical of the touchscreen, ride quality, rear seat and the amount of wind noise that can be heard while driving at highway speeds.

Consumer Reports also did not issue a recommendation for the Model X.

Shares of Tesla were up more than 2% to US$282.75.

Australian Strategic Materials signs US$600 million LoI

Rowena Smith, CEO and managing director of Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX:ASM, OTC:ASMMF), joins Jonathan Jackson in the Proactive studio to discuss the company’ s Dubbo Project, in Central West New South Wales. This project aims to extract and process critical minerals and rare earth...

4 hours, 41 minutes ago