Tesla Defends Model X After Critical Review By Consumer Reports

Tesla Defends Model X After Critical Review By Consumer Reports
In spite of its virtues, the Model X's complexity, compromised functionality, and dismal first-year reliability suggest it's a car for early adopters eager to one-up their peers, says the magazine's January issue.


The editors complained that the SUV's "falcon wing" rear doors were prone to stopping and pausing when they open and close, and that the back seats could not be folded, limiting cargo space. They also said that the huge front windshield, which goes all the way up into the roof, let in too much glare and that the ride itself was "too firm and choppy for a $110,000 SUV."

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TheSteveTheSteve - 11/29/2016 2:24:03 PM
+5 Boost
Elon always has a spin to defend himself. Remember when he used (paraphrased) "they wrote the review before they even got the car"? Twice?


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 11/29/2016 2:49:50 PM
0 Boost
Ouch, that is too bad. The new 5-seat option has fold down seats, but I don't think it would have made much of a difference in the review. Next year will be better, but this is a pretty big defeat.


PUGPROUDPUGPROUD - 11/29/2016 3:21:28 PM
+5 Boost
Tesla to me seems to be moving too fast to try and stay in front of the big boys who will be coming fast, hard and strong over the next five years. Quality is bound to suffer when you get too far ahead of your own firms capabilities and new people skills.


supermotosupermoto - 11/29/2016 3:33:26 PM
+7 Boost
Musk would do so much better if he just focused on the car company. Forget going to mars, forget the hyperloop, etc.

I asked my friend about the falcon wing doors on his car. He said that despite a lengthy fix from the factory, the doors will close on anything or anyone in their way. He asked the company about the door problem, and....no response. No buyer would ever accept such poor quality from any other manufacturer.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 11/29/2016 7:08:17 PM
-1 Boost
He's not involved in the Hyperloop at all, he just created the concept and gave the idea away since he didn't have time to pursue it.

As for the doors, they don't provide enough pressure to do injury. Below are two people that actually tested it with the safety and sensors fully turned off (wouldn't recommend doing this):
- https://cleantechnica.com/2016/03/29/bright-vlogger-tests-model-x-door-closing-sensors-hand/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzn7dYn0KaE

If you accidentally close a door on someone's hand it will hurt quite a bit more than the tests above.


mre30mre30 - 11/29/2016 4:37:12 PM
+5 Boost
The Tesla Model X really does have suicide doors. They will snap off anything in its path - pretty scary actually.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 11/29/2016 7:18:21 PM
0 Boost
I don't think the minibus will have a sliding door. It will need easy access for at least 3 rows of people to get in and out. Not much have been revealed, but we do know there is no middle aisle like a traditional bus so a sliding door is not a viable design option. Either they will use normal doors, giant falcon wings for 2+ rows, or smaller falcon wings for each individual row.


MDarringerMDarringer - 11/29/2016 8:53:33 PM
+3 Boost
The falcon doors are simply unsafe in one critical way. If a family wants to get inside the safety of their car and lock the doors quickly, that is an impossibility with the Model X. Elon should admit that the falcon doors were stupid and an emergency redesign to move to conventional doors is needed.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 11/30/2016 1:49:32 AM
-1 Boost
Use the front doors? Is someone really going to be driving their family through the hood in a Model X?

I was annoyed that there are no lock/unlock buttons on the door at first since that is my first instinct, but you can set it to autolock as soon as you put the car in gear. It's also a pretty stupid car to steal since Tesla can disable it with one phone call, there is no way to turn off the 3G connection.


MDarringerMDarringer - 11/30/2016 8:32:21 AM
+1 Boost
Illogical rebuttal. "Unicorn", "snowflake", and "moonbat" came to mind.

OK Tesla employee oops SanJoseDriver, I know it never rains in California, but let's say it's raining. The tardiness of the falcon doors will let the interior and its rear seat occupants be drenched.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 11/30/2016 2:44:12 PM
+1 Boost
How is using the front doors illogical? The most logical option is not going to your car with your family if you feel the parking area is no longer safe. It seems like a nonissue given that Model X owners are not complaining about it.

Rain and snow with high wind might be an issue, but I wouldn't know or care living in California as you mentioned.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 12/4/2016 4:51:47 PM
+1 Boost
It does not looks like snow is going to be an issue for the Model X based on this video: https://electrek.co/2016/12/04/tesla-model-x-falcon-wing-doors-snow/#more-32612


CactoesGe1CactoesGe1 - 12/1/2016 1:02:48 PM
+1 Boost
This is disappointing. I am rooting for Tesla to succeed. I hope Musk takes these criticisms seriously and really work on making the car better.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 12/1/2016 2:22:54 PM
+1 Boost
Three of the items are already addressed since the review: significant defect reduction, folding rear seats, falcon wing doors are 20% faster. Should be better next year. I'm seeing a ton of Model X's in Silicon Valley now, but do not know anyone who has one or could provide more feedback. Consumer reports says 92% would buy the Model X again--very high score but not as good as the Model S at 98% (highest score ever for any car).


CactoesGe1CactoesGe1 - 12/1/2016 1:02:48 PM
+1 Boost
This is disappointing. I am rooting for Tesla to succeed. I hope Musk takes these criticisms seriously and really work on making the car better.
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