Autocar Test … is it fair or even accurate ?

[Stuart Watson]

I’m a relatively new owner (white /white MY LR With ab) .- just 9 days !

I also own a five year old 520D, an “airport” car … (which I love, it’s “trusted” and a very admirable car).
The MY replaced a 2020 X5 Msport. (the only thing I really “loved“ on that, was the “image“ on its 21 inch wheels and the useful split-tailgate. It always looked good outside a restaurant, but wasn’t great for 1200 mile journeys.

I was excited, to see a white MY on the cover of “Autocar,“. (UK) but was wise enough to “brace myself” against a possible “tough“ review.

Well, reading it, left me utterly furious.

They really are a bunch of pricks.

How can I claim that ?

(i) so many errors . 0-60 listed as 4.7 and 5.0 in the comparison tables. No mention of the affordable and excellent acceleration boost.
(ii) zero credit given for the amazing and pretty competent autopilot…. They just criticised it and obfuscated readers,
(iii) zero mention of the incredible audio system. In my opinion it’s thousands of pounds better than a BMW Harmon kardon system I was used to.
(iv) a blatant disregard for the cars strengths, ( performance/efficiency/mechanical grip/load capacity/reliability/tech)

how can I be so critical ?

For a week I drove both the MY and the X5.

The Tesla MY, made the X5 feel like a knackered tractor, such a jiggly ride and such a confusing an unnecessary dashboard.
I didn’t look back at it when I dropped it at Cazoo… But I am thrilled with my MY.

Is this all about advertising revenue ? What do you think ?

Maybe journalists just hate Elon and they love BMW/Mercedes/VW foreign car launches?

(edited for typos and punctuation)

 

[Tam]

...zero credit given for the amazing autopilot…. They just criticised it and obfuscated readers,..

I thought Autopilot was amazing too...Until I got passengers. So far, none of the passengers have approved the use of it. They requested me to turn off Autopilot/FSD if I want to drive them.

I realize that I thought Autopilot is great because I am a "test pilot". However, regular airline passengers would not appreciate that kind of experience.

(iii) zero mention of the incredible audio system. In my opinion it’s thousands of pounds better than a BMW Harmon kardon system I was used to

Tesla bass was poor. Now, it has improved since the software would boost it up somewhat but not that great.

Tesla tweeters are also poor as the trebles are quite muted.

...Is this all about advertising revenue ? What do you think ?

There are likes and dislikes in any product.

 

[Stuart Watson]

“Tesla bass was poor. Now, it has improved since the software would boost it up somewhat but not that great.

Tesla tweeters are also poor as the trebles are quite muted.”

I must be missing something! I’ve driven R8,s AMG etc …. And now I’m curious.
what car has a better sound system than a MY ?

 

[Tam]

...what car has a better sound system than a MY ?

I only owned low sound quality cars prior to paying expensively for Tesla: Like AM radio with a mono speaker and a step up to Ford Escort and the most expensive one prior to this was Toyota Prius. I've never been in any other luxurious more expensive than Tesla.

However, I've experienced home audio and after-market car audio: They have better bass and treble than Tesla does.

 

[Fourdoor]

I’m a relatively new owner (white /white MY LR With ab) .- just 9 days !

I also own a five year old 520D, an “airport” car … (which I love, it’s “trusted” and a very admirable car).
The MY replaced a 2020 X5 Msport. (the only thing I really “loved“ on that, was the “image“ on its 21 inch wheels and the useful split-tailgate. It always looked good outside a restaurant, but wasn’t great for 1200 mile journeys.

I was excited, to see a white MY on the cover of “Autocar,“. (UK) but was wise enough to “brace myself” against a possible “tough“ review.

Well, reading it, left me utterly furious.

They really are a bunch of pricks.

How can I claim that ?

(i) so many errors . 0-60 listed as 4.7 and 5.0 in the comparison tables. No mention of the affordable and excellent acceleration boost.
(ii) zero credit given for the amazing and pretty competent autopilot…. They just criticised it and obfuscated readers,
(iii) zero mention of the incredible audio system. In my opinion it’s thousands of pounds better than a BMW Harmon kardon system I was used to.
(iv) a blatant disregard for the cars strengths, ( performance/efficiency/mechanical grip/load capacity/reliability/tech)

how can I be so critical ?

For a week I drove both the MY and the X5.

The Tesla MY, made the X5 feel like a knackered tractor, such a jiggly ride and such a confusing an unnecessary dashboard.
I didn’t look back at it when I dropped it at Cazoo… But I am thrilled with my MY.

Is this all about advertising revenue ? What do you think ?

Maybe journalists just hate Elon and they love BMW/Mercedes/VW foreign car launches?

(edited for typos and punctuation)

Errors...
(i) 0-100 kph is 5.0, 0-60 mph is 4.8, results of 5.0 and 4.7 sounds pretty spot on.
(ii) vision only auto pilot sucked balls right up until the latest update 2022.4.5.17 If they tested with any previous software (almost a certainty) then I am not surprised by their assessment.
(iii) do they commonly do audio system assessments in their magazine on other cars? Do the sometimes skip it without intending to cause offense?
(iv) you didn't give a link to what you read, so I have not read it to see what they said.

Keith

 

[thesmokingman]

Well, reading it, left me utterly furious.

99.9% of the media is biased against Tesla. It will all make sense once you recognize how the media is paid off and that Tesla does not participate in any of the shenanigans. There's a good video detailing the process but I can't remember it atm... lemme see if I can jog my memory or search for it.

 

[Ogre]

I thought Autopilot was amazing too...Until I got passengers. So far, none of the passengers have approved the use of it. They requested me to turn off Autopilot/FSD if I want to drive them.

I realize that I thought Autopilot is great because I am a "test pilot". However, regular airline passengers would not appreciate that kind of experience.

Huh?

How do they even know it’s on? I’ve never even heard of such a thing.

 

[thesmokingman]

Huh?

How do they even know it’s on? I’ve never even heard of such a thing.

This. I've had AP on on road trips and the kids sleep thru it. I have to wake them up and let them know the car is driving itself ZOMG... then a few minutes later they zone back into their phones. Not a care in the world. This is AP not FSD.

 

[kelpcar]

Well, reading it, left me utterly furious.

why do you care?

the company will sell every car it can make, in advance, no matter what the press is saying at the moment. You're happy with your car. Carry on.

 

[Stuart Watson]

I care because I feel strongly about fairness. I really dislike wrongdoing, whether its at work or in a social setting.

Over the last two years Ive concluded that the “lowest of the low“ are not estate agents, or “ambulance chasing” lawyers…. Journalists are basically human excrement.

 

[Tam]

Huh?

How do they even know it’s on? I’ve never even heard of such a thing.

They don't. When there's a loud noise with the red steering wheel icon they complained that it almost gave them a heart attack. They asked me to stop doing what I was doing. When there's a false slowdown, they asked why I slowed down. I didn't feel that bad but they said it's really bad! They complain most of the autolane changes are not smooth. Worse, when an autolane change aborted they were shocked for such a rough maneuver and asked did I had just learn how to drive. I've been using Autopilot/FSD for the past 5 years since 2017 among 2 Tesla cars. It has been universal all this time among both my young and senior citizen friends and relatives that if I want to drive them, I need to turn the automation system off.

 

[Ogre]

They don't. When there's a loud noise with the red steering wheel icon they complained that it almost gave them a heart attack.

Umm… ?? This happens frequently with you?

They asked me to stop doing what I was doing. When there's a false slowdown, they asked why I slowed down. I didn't feel that bad but they said it's really bad! They complain most of the autolane changes are not smooth. Worse, when an autolane change aborted they were shocked for such a rough maneuver and asked did I had just learn how to drive. I've been using Autopilot/FSD for the past 5 years since 2017 among 2 Tesla cars. It has been universal all this time among both my young and senior citizen friends and relatives that if I want to drive them, I need to turn the automation system off.

Can’t speak to lane changes since I just use Autopilot, but I’ve driven many many miles with friends in the car and have had very few issues where anyone has commented at all.

The only time anyone commented on Autopilot is when I was driving some fairly windy roads. Normal freeway driving or even 2 lane highways nobody even notices it’s on.

It would be like commenting on whether someone has cruise control on.

 

[ShelJW]

I thought Autopilot was amazing too...Until I got passengers. So far, none of the passengers have approved the use of it. They requested me to turn off Autopilot/FSD if I want to drive them.

I think you need a new class of passengers...

I've been driving my Model Y for three months, I've had numerous passengers, including my teenage and 20 something kids in the car... nobody has ever mentioned Autopilot, or my use of it. People I drive in my car know and trust my driving; they're not looking over my shoulder.

It's really worked flawlessly for me, but I only use it on the freeway, often in stop and go traffic.

I originally thought autopilot would be most useful for long drives, say, to S.F. or San Diego (I live in Los Angeles)... now that I've had my Tesla for three months, I find myself using Autopilot in stop and go, rush hour traffic totally reduces my stress!

Long drives, with steady traffic flow, isn't that aggravating to me... but stick me in traffic where you drive two minutes, then come to a slow down, then come to a complete stop, the slowly roll forward a few feet, then stop again... drives me NUTS!

AP has, for me, greatly reduced my stress level on the 405... I do realize AP is not working flawlessly for everyone, but I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones, and so far, I haven't had any issues with it.

 

[OCJeff]

This. I've had AP on on road trips and the kids sleep thru it. I have to wake them up and let them know the car is driving itself ZOMG... then a few minutes later they zone back into their phones. Not a care in the world. This is AP not FSD.

I tried this and then the car started slowing down in the fast lane for no reason, no traffic anywhere around us. Right away "never use that, it’s going to get us killed" my wife said…. She lost a lot of confidence in Tesla engineering.

Phantom breaking needs to get fixed.

 

[Gumball]

Paper magazines are still alive because old-tech advertising in them. Thats it.

 

[kelpcar]

I care because I feel strongly about fairness. I really dislike wrongdoing, whether its at work or in a social setting.

Over the last two years Ive concluded that the “lowest of the low“ are not estate agents, or “ambulance chasing” lawyers…. Journalists are basically human excrement.

In the UK you might be spoiled by a much higher level of quality in magazines (Digital SLR is a favorite of mine); in America most special interest magazines exist purely to sell product. And Tesla spends not a dime on marketing. So no one is there to 'encourage' coverage or to lend an editorial hand, or even to do basic fact checking.

The online world is full of people who insist on repeating falsehoods. Either they're being paid, or they need a life. Don't join the latter group. That's my spring resolution. No more tilting at windmills.

 

[Fourdoor]

I think you need a new class of passengers...

I've been driving my Model Y for three months, I've had numerous passengers, including my teenage and 20 something kids in the car... nobody has ever mentioned Autopilot, or my use of it. People I drive in my car know and trust my driving; they're not looking over my shoulder.

It's really worked flawlessly for me, but I only use it on the freeway, often in stop and go traffic.

I originally thought autopilot would be most useful for long drives, say, to S.F. or San Diego (I live in Los Angeles)... now that I've had my Tesla for three months, I find myself using Autopilot in stop and go, rush hour traffic totally reduces my stress!

Long drives, with steady traffic flow, isn't that aggravating to me... but stick me in traffic where you drive two minutes, then come to a slow down, then come to a complete stop, the slowly roll forward a few feet, then stop again... drives me NUTS!

AP has, for me, greatly reduced my stress level on the 405... I do realize AP is not working flawlessly for everyone, but I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones, and so far, I haven't had any issues with it.

Your driving conditions are the best case situation for AP use, I am not surprised by your excellent results

Now that I am on software 2022.4.5.17 I will be comfortable using AP while driving with a passenger because PB has been almost completely eliminated. Before this software I would not use AP with my wife in the car because on a 20 mile drive it would PB 5 or more times in daylight driving on a two lane state highway, and many times worse at night. Each time the car PB'd resulted in my wife wondering why I am slamming on the brakes, giving me dirty looks at a minimum, most of the time verbally complaining, so it wasn't worth the hassle to use with her in the car. Now that the AP functions correctly on two lane state highways I will go back to using it with my wife in the car.

Keith