Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model S gets a ‘recommended’ rating from Consumer Reports in an update to their Annual Auto Reliability rankings, says a report from AutoblogGreen. In the latest survey list, the Model S from Tesla has been included in the list of “Models that now have sufficient data.” The data includes CR’s in-house tests along with subscriber survey data.
Tesla bags highest-ever score
According to the Consumer Reports, out of 600 Model S Electronic vehicles in the pool, 2012 models performed better compared to 2013 models. Issues that drivers came across and reported were wind noise, squeaks and rattles, and body hardware (including the sunroof, doors, and locks).
The Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) model S got 99 out of 100 in the performance test done by CR, and has become the only car to score this high. The Tesla Model S could have performed even better if constraints such as needing to be recharged on long trips had been eliminated, says Jake Fisher, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. Fisher called the car’s performance “off the charts.”
The Tesla Model S variants have driving ranges from 208 miles to 265 miles, and if charged from an ordinary 240 volt outlet, it takes around six hours to top off its battery. Charging can be done quicker through supercharger stations, which have been introduced by Tesla at different highways in the country. Also, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is deploying the facility of quickly replacing the battery at some of the stations.
Toyota Prius disappoints
The Toyota Prius V had to forgo its ‘recommended’ rating due to the “poor” rating it got in some crash tests. The Prius V was not alone in losing its rating; rather, it was clubbed along with Camry and RAV4, which indicates that Japanese leadership in automobile reliability is losing ground. Automobiles that were included in the “top models” were the standard Prius Liftback, Prius C, Lexus ES 300h, Honda CR-Z and Nissan Leaf while Ford C-Max and Fusion hybrids were left behind.
CR’s press release says the “Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid got the worst [predicted-reliability] score, and the regular C-Max Hybrid wasn’t much better.”
Automobile magazines like Motor Trend and Automobile have previously rated Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model S. However, the credibility of Consumer Reports is higher compared to any of these magazines. Consumer Union is a non-profit organization which publishes consumer reports after purchasing all cars it tests.
