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Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

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Re: Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

#61

Post by Lightbody »

eclipxe wrote: post #27
zippergz wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having driven both a 7 Series and a Model S, I'll take the BMW any day. More comfortable, better handling, looks better, doesn't have a huge iPad in the dashboard, and allows road trips with far less planning needed. It's nice that the tesla has insane acceleration, but in practice that's not super useful. And gas is a small enough part of my budget that it's not material so that isn't really a factor.

"doesn't have a huge iPad in the dashboard" Why is this a bad thing?

Responding to the several comments about how there aren't tactical buttons and that you have to look at the large center console: that isn't accurate.

There are four buttons and two "scroll wheel buttons" on the steering wheel that control music, the sunroof, climate, etc. The feedback for those buttons is provided on the second digital screen that is behind the steer column, so your eyes just move up/down not towards the center console.

Just saying :)

Source: Just completed my second Portland Yosemite trip in my "legacy" P85 that is 2+ years old now. I love it, but I'm jealous of the goodies in the new cars!

Re: Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

#62

Post by kylec »

eclipxe wrote: post #27
zippergz wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having driven both a 7 Series and a Model S, I'll take the BMW any day. More comfortable, better handling, looks better, doesn't have a huge iPad in the dashboard, and allows road trips with far less planning needed. It's nice that the tesla has insane acceleration, but in practice that's not super useful. And gas is a small enough part of my budget that it's not material so that isn't really a factor.

"doesn't have a huge iPad in the dashboard" Why is this a bad thing?

When it comes to in-car controls, you want to be able to use them without taking your eyes off the road. To this end, knobs that you can grasp for and feel the current setting are great. Knobs without a tactile indication of the current setting are OK, as you can find them without looking and only glance down to see that you are selecting the appropriate setting. Buttons are worse because you have to glance down to find them, but once you do you should be able to use them and know that the input was registered through the tactile feedback.

Touchscreens, on the other hand, are just bad for this. You have to look at them the entire time you're operating them, or else your hand might change position and not press what you intended to press. You also need to look at the screen to see that your press registered what you wanted to do. All of this looking at the screen means your eyes aren't on the road where they belong.

Re: Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

#63

Post by dx211 »

drzaiusapelord wrote: post #43

How can you exceed your max value? This has always bothered me, its pretty much admitting "We kinda pull numbers out of our butts." When I see this in other media, like movies or games, it seems to be a direct response to hype or personal politics. Maybe CR is overly green and wants to promote EV's? Reminds me of when Obama got a Nobel Peace prize for things he will do in the future. Also, the Simpsons did it first:…

Hmmm... Other measurable things like temperature, voltage, loudness, etc. don't get to 100 and suddenly stop, even if that's the biggest number on the meter.

Re: Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

#66

Post by moron4hire »

zippergz wrote: post #16
rsync wrote: post #11

""They have an interesting rating system. It ends up representing the fact that all this performance and fuel efficiency comes out of a car that can seat 7 people. The variant that does 0-60 quicker and gives you AWD gives you better energy consumption. Things like these are what blew up their scale."" A few weeks ago (a month ago ?) BMW released the spec sheet / announcement for the new 7 series. And it's just sad.…

Having driven both a 7 Series and a Model S, I'll take the BMW any day. More comfortable, better handling, looks better, doesn't have a huge iPad in the dashboard, and allows road trips with far less planning needed. It's nice that the tesla has insane acceleration, but in practice that's not super useful. And gas is a small enough part of my budget that it's not material so that isn't really a factor.

But you're comparing this to BMW, which in place of that iPad has iDrive, which is perhaps the single largest UX abomination on the planet.

And personally, I've never been on the highway, with a semi-truck barrelling down on me from behind, needing to get over to make an exit, and thought to myself, "gee, I really wish I had less acceleration right now".

Re: Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

#67

Post by dragontamer »

tptacek wrote: post #24
vvanders wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which is why I'll take the Tesla every single time.

I mean, there are also tons of shitty American cars you could have bought to get better 0-60 times for the dollar. The point is there are other metrics than 0-60, and in fact 0-60 is --- at least within a given bracket of cars --- a pretty cheap metric to optimize.

I'm a fan of "fastest Laguna Seca Lap". But I know a bunch of "American Muscle" guys who only care about 0-60. But I prefer statistics that include a combination of good turns, tight handling, AND strong acceleration.

Tesla performs horribly on Laguna Lap, but so do all the American Muscle cars. You basically need a low-weight car with high acceleration to do well.

Other raceway times are also interesting. But that's what I look for in high-performance cars.

Re: Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

#68

Post by moron4hire »

funkyy wrote: post #34
eclipxe wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"doesn't have a huge iPad in the dashboard" Why is this a bad thing?

There is many reasons, but major for me is that you need to look at the screen when switching AC, performing simple tasks. With regular buttons you can memorize where is what and not look at them when switching options which increases the safety. Also large screen is distracting, BMW 7 focuses on driving and comfort removing from in front of your eyes anything that could tire your eyes.

I've never been inside a Tesla, but I've driven a few thousand miles in a (rented) BMW, and I would really be very surprised if Tesla could beat BMW in the "pure, crystallized-shit of UX" department. iDrive is an abomination.

Re: Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

#69

Post by kylec »

Lightbody wrote: post #61
eclipxe wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"doesn't have a huge iPad in the dashboard" Why is this a bad thing?

Responding to the several comments about how there aren't tactical buttons and that you have to look at the large center console: that isn't accurate. There are four buttons and two "scroll wheel buttons" on the steering wheel that control music, the sunroof, climate, etc. The feedback for those buttons is provided on the second digital screen that is behind the steer column, so your eyes just move up/down not toward…

I did not know this, thanks for sharing. I found a video on YouTube where someone went over the buttons and how to use them. My biggest complaint with them would be that in order to adjust the climate you have to press the right scroll wheel, scroll to the setting you want to adjust (temperature, fan speed, roof, etc), press the button again, then use the scroll wheel again to adjust the setting, all while looking at the display in the instrument cluster. Better than the touchscreen, but still less convenient that I'd prefer.

Re: Tesla’s Model S P85D Scores 103 Out of 100 on Consumer Reports’ Ratings System

#70

Post by frankchn »

moron4hire wrote: post #66
zippergz wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having driven both a 7 Series and a Model S, I'll take the BMW any day. More comfortable, better handling, looks better, doesn't have a huge iPad in the dashboard, and allows road trips with far less planning needed. It's nice that the tesla has insane acceleration, but in practice that's not super useful. And gas is a small enough part of my budget that it's not material so that isn't really a factor.

But you're comparing this to BMW, which in place of that iPad has iDrive, which is perhaps the single largest UX abomination on the planet. And personally, I've never been on the highway, with a semi-truck barrelling down on me from behind, needing to get over to make an exit, and thought to myself, "gee, I really wish I had less acceleration right now".

Which model year BMW did you drive? The early iDrive systems were quite crappy and the controllers were prone to breaking, but the current generation ones are actually pretty good.

Acceleration is great, but I don't think in your scenario it matters whether you have a 3 second 0-60 car or a 5 second one. Both of them are probably going to out-accelerate whatever truck that is coming down (unless the truck is trying to rear-end you).

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