Tesla Motors' Model S P85D made headlines when it "broke" the ratings system of Consumer Reports, scoring a better-than-perfect score of 103 out of 100 as the vehicle received praise for its rapid acceleration, superior handling and braking and better energy efficiency.
However, the score given by Consumer Reports, which has a vehicle rating system that millions of Americans depend on for what should be untainted and honest car ratings, has drawn flak.
"The ratings of this ground-breaking vehicle are too good to keep to ourselves so we're sharing them with all our visitors," wrote Consumer Reports on the online version of the Tesla Model S P85D review.
"Tesla's innovation shows we don't have to compromise. Stand with Consumer Reports as we fight for better cars," Consumer Reports wrote on pop-up invitations while its website was under maintenance, which The Wall Street Journal believes is the case of Consumer Reports "shilling not only for the car but the government policies that subsidize it."
Forbes wrote that it appears Consumer Reports has risked the strong brand persona that it has built based on objectivity, thoroughness and fairness with the score that it gave to the Tesla Model S P85D, with the magazine explaining that the newest, $127,000 version of Tesla Motors' Model S all-electric car is so much better compared to every other car in the market that it could not even account for how great the vehicle is.
There are two problems associated with the rating given by Consumer Reports, pointed out. The Tesla Model S P85D is not perfect at all, according to the evaluators of Consumer Reports and that the scores were compromised due to the broader mission of the magazine of advocating for electric vehicles.
Research revealed that there were several areas where the Tesla Model S P85D did not get a perfect score, as the vehicle scored only an "average" rating for its reliability as an example. Jake Fisher, the chief evaluator for Consumer Reports, even admitted that the magazine has not actually tested the new vehicle's reliability yet.
The review of Consumer Reports focused on the acceleration of the Tesla Model S P85D, but did not give the vehicle demerits for glaring omissions such as cup holders and malfunctioning door handles, along with the five-hour recharge time that was simply ignored.
The Wall Street Journal also noted a statement by Fisher that improvements in fuel efficiency is believed by the magazine to be an important initiative, but no vehicles by Ford that feature the EcoBoost engine, nor any vehicle that is powered by diesel and delivers about 30 percent better mileage compared to gasoline-powered alternatives, have drawn praise from Consumer Reports.
