Last Wednesday, Consumer Reports did an about-face on its harsh review of the Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) Model 3 sedan. After a software update shortened its braking distance by almost 20 feet, CR now says it recommends the mass-market sedan.
We recently discussed the initial road test of the Model 3, too.
Last week, the magazine refused to recommend the hotly anticipated electric vehicle (EV). It cited the car’s 152-foot braking distance from 60 miles per hour (mph.) as being “far worse than any contemporary car we’ve tested.”
In fact, the Model 3’s original stopping distance at the time of CR‘s first test was about 7 ft. longer than that of a full-size Ford F-150 pickup truck.
That braking performance, along with issues concerning the Model 3’s controls and ride comfort, initially prevented the vehicle from receiving CR’s sought-after recommendation.
Last week, in response to the publication’s harsh criticism, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the problem would be addressed with a software update within a few days. He added that the update would improve the Model 3 until it “has better braking than any remotely comparable car.”
Until now, that type of remote improvement to a car’s basic functionality had been unheard of.
“I’ve been here at CR for 19 years and tested more than 1,000 cars,” says Jack Fisher, director of auto testing at CR. “And I’ve never seen a car that could improve its track performance with an over-the-air update.”
In an email, a Tesla spokeswoman said the company had improved the software for the Model 3’s antilock braking system. The system now better adapts to variation in how the brakes might be used and better responds to different environmental conditions.
During a retest after the software update, the sedan stopped at 133 ft. from 60 mph., an improvement of 19 ft. That’s a huge improvement on the previous 152-foot braking distance.
The shorter distance is typical for a compact luxury car and matches the 133 ft. that Tesla claims its in-house testing found. It used the same tires as those on the CR‘s Model 3.
The new and improved braking distance raised the Model 3’s overall score enough for the car to earn the recommendation. But the CR testers did have other concerns with the Model 3, as well.
The testers found major issues with the interior wind noise, stiff ride, and uncomfortable rear seat for a car of that caliber.
Last week, Musk also told CR that the automaker had already made changes to its production line to address those issues, too.
To see if those issues have improved, like the braking issue, CR will rent another Model 3 from Tesla for a retest.
CR doesn’t usually use rentals in its formal testing. But the testers will report their findings in that car, too.
The testers also gave notable low marks to the Model 3’s unique controls. These controls force the driver to make audio, phone, climate, and other changes through a center-mounted touch screen.
But this makes it so minor adjustments force the driver’s eyes away from the road for too long.
Musk suggested in his same conversation with CR that some of the controls issues could also be addressed with an over-the-air update, as well. And it appears that Tesla has already made some changes to the previous braking update.
The testers discovered that the controls for the side mirrors and steering wheel adjustments on the touch screen now function differently.
Now, when a driver adjusts their seat position with the power controls, the prompts to adjust the car’s mirrors and steering wheel position appear on the center touch screen.
At first glance, these changes seem to be an improvement. But CR‘s testers will need to spend more time evaluating them.
Musk also suggested in a tweet last week that the company would make the Model 3’s braking performance the best in its class.
This update improved the car’s braking distances. But the overall braking performance is still far from being the class leader.
So, for Tesla to make good on Musk’s promise, it may need more over-the-air updates.
But Musk has been appreciative of CR’s critiques. He tweeted: “Really appreciate the high quality critical feedback from @ConsumerReports.”
The news of the Model 3 finally earning Consumer Reports’ recommendation sent Tesla shares up by 3.3% to $293.15.
That’s all for now.
Until next time,
John Peterson
Pro Trader Today