Vastly respected American publication Consumer Reports is hard on cars (it's one of the reasons they are vastly respected) especially domestic ones; they seem to hold American manufacturers to a higher standard than imports.
They've also historically been critical of electric cars, for all the reasons we're leery of them - short range, underwhelming performance and overheating problems.
So it comes as a big surprise when this conservative, mainstream publication gives the Tesla Model S electric luxury sedan the highest score ever in its ratings: 99 out of 100, equalled only by the 2007 Lexus LS - way ahead of rivals such as the Porsche Panamera, which got 84, and the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid, with a dismal 57.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Consumer Reports described it as “crossing into a promising zero-emissions future, brimming with innovation, delivering world-class performance and interwoven throughout with impressive attention to detail”.
They loved the flush aluminium door handles that slide outwards when you touch them, “Welcoming you inside”.
“With the car-shaped fob in your pocket or handbag, a tap of the brake pedal brings the Model S to life. There's no need to insert a key or press a button.”
They were intrigued by the 430mm touchscreen that takes up most of the centre stack and controls almost every function other than steering accelerator and brakes - from adjusting the suspension ride height to programming a new radio station.
And they were impressed by the range they got from its 85kWh battery.
Discarding all the manufacturer's claims (which are only achievable at walking pace on a glass-smooth indoor oval track) and Jeremy Clarkson's cheating (he left the Nissan Leaf's lights on overnight!) Consumer Reports were getting about 120km from the Leaf and 130km from the Ford Focus Electric in daily commuting, yet the Model S was routinely driven more than 300km before needing a charge.
But we think we know the real reason for that sky-high rating. The guys at Consumer reports are actually closet petrolheads - secretly, behind the practical, button-down façade they love performance cars as much as we do. And not only is the Model S faster to 100km/h than a BMW M5, if you hoof it and countersteer hard enough, the Model S will drift!
Seri-aas.
Here's the giveaway:
“As you lean on the throttle, you experience a silent yet potent surge of power that will make many sports cars weep with envy.”
Yes, Cyril, that's a quote from Consumer Reports, not Road & Track.
So, watch Consumer Reports' appraisal of all the Model S' good points, then scroll down to watch it spank an M5 off a standing start - and then scroll down some more to see what the Consumer Reports road testers get up to when they think nobody's watching.