Consumer Reports Love Affair With Tesla Warms Back Up After Software Upgrade

Thank goodness that 'Consumer Reports' has finally blessed the Model S.

Since I base all my vehicle (and household appliance) purchase decisions on those consumer watchdogs up in Connecticut, I finally feel comfortable enough to take the plunge. Which of my two tank-like Mercedes (S550 and GL350) should I give up in trade? Does Tesla take trade-ins?

Somewhat related topic....CRASH TESTS?

Anyone know when Tesla is scheduled to submit the Model 3 to the US Govt and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for Crash Testing and Occupant Protection evaluation?

I find it hard to believe that the Model 3 with (visually identified) "crumple zones" so small and with no front engine to deflect crash forces (and a vehicle manufacturer that some would say is starved for vehicle development funds) can adequately protect occupants in a serious collision.

The Model S is a large vehicle and apparently is 'safe enough', the Model 3 is a small vehicle and I wonder how safe it will be in real life.

Any intel on this?

The Model S is the safest car in its size category, the Model 3 will be as well.

You are so absurdly incorrect in your assumption that a front engine helps deflect crash forces. It does the exact opposite--the engine reduces how much it can crumple in a crash. Guess where that engine is going if it were past of the crash mitigation system--at the driver and passenger.

Auto manufacturers have to work around the engine and figure out how to protect occupants from it in a crash. Tesla's EVs do not have that issue.

Not sure how much of a role an engine plays in crash protection vs becoming a projectile itself. Front structure of the car and the firewall/A-Pillar is where it all happens for front crash and the tough small overlap test. Telsa cars are heavy and have the same challenges other heavy cars do.

Yes Tesla cars are heavy due to the battery, but the battery is located on the bottom and does not diminish the effectiveness of the front crumple zone. The heavy battery is actually beneficial in term handling and rollover safety since the COG is much lower than cars with heavy front engine.

I wouldn't even call it a "flaw" in emergency breaking--they just did not enable the feature yet.

Tesla got dinged for the flaws in emergency braking. Its crash test results were always at the top (actually, its scores were at the bottom of the scale as lower number is safer).

Understanding crash tests results and crumple zone protection may be a challenge for many people since it requires some college physics (Newton's laws of dynamics, energy transfer and conservation, ...). In short, an empty and well designed crumple zone like the front trunk of the Tesla or mid-engine car serves as better protection for the passenger compartment than one with a big engine block.

In a frontal collision (moving car hit a heavy or stationary object), much of the kinetic/impact energy is transferred into the disintegration of the front crumple zone. If the engine block is present, the crumple zone is reduced and the rest of the car - still moving during the first several milliseconds - will hit the engine block first with most of the impact energy.

Crash tests are done by federal as well as independent agencies. One should trust these results regardless of his bias on car manufacturers. Real world crash results have proven time and again that Tesla cars are among the safest on the road.

I wouldn't even call it a "flaw" in emergency breaking--they just did not enable the feature yet.

I'm still amazed that we still get comments like this.

Why - Henry?

You already know that there are people who see through Tesla and know that it is not the panacea you purport it to be.

And the rest of us sit somewhere in between your unabashed favoritism - and the negative forever.

I still see a problem with the sales model that Tesla uses - with limited service and sales offices - the will be a problem when other full line vehicle manufacturers will offer EVs with Far greater coverage in both sales and service - and price competition between the independent dealers.

@TomM: I have no problem with negative views - they are actually good in pointing out the flaws, different POVs, reality checks, ...

However, nonsense like this one "$140,000 Tesla offer braking that's on basic Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics" should be stopped.

It is really an idiotic comparison. A Corolla will NOT get automatic breaking at 90 miles per hour, or automatic side collision avoidance, or Stop Sign / Stoplight emergency breaking--but the Tesla will get those this year and continue to get safer over time unlike other cars.

What is obvious is you know very little about the automatic safety features in a Tesla versus other cars. No vehicle, not even a $200k MB S-class has the same level of automatic safety features as a 2015 Model S with AP1. AP2 will be even more capable than AP1 by end of year.

Could it be any more obvious that most of Tesla critics here on AutoSpies have absolutely no idea what they're talking about?

I think from the range of comments here people may now be thinking that there is a range of auto-braking / crash prevention / crash management features that go from a 1 or 2 on the scale to a 8 or 9 on the same scale. The world is changing at a rapid pace. Be open to new facts and opinions. Google it before you comment or throw stones.