Tesla Model 3 Earns Consumer Reports Recommendation with First-of-Its-Kind OTA Update

Respected product reviews publication Consumer Reports finally gave its sought-after recommendation to the Tesla Model 3 after the company delivered its promise of fixing various issues with the electric sedan through an over-the-air update.

Consumer Reports updated its review of the Tesla Model 3 on Wednesday, saying that the company has successfully addressed the underwhelming braking test result the vehicle got in a prior hands-on review.

To recall, the Tesla Model 3 was initially not included among Consumer Reports’ recommended vehicles, with the publication citing some “big flaws.” The highlight of the review was Tesla Model 3’s 152-foot stopping distance. Consumer Reports initially argued that the result was worse even when compared to an average-grade sedan. Furthermore, the organization said Tesla Model 3’s first recorded stopping distance was inferior to the test result they saw in the much bigger F-150 truck.

As a response, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised that they were going to issue an OTA firmware update so all Tesla Model 3 would have a better and consistent stopping distance. The company has delivered this and landed them Consumer Reports’ recommendation.

According to the latest review of the Tesla Model 3, the firmware update has improved the vehicle’s stopping distance “by almost 20 feet.” Meanwhile, a Tesla spokesperson reportedly explained that the patch enhanced the vehicle’s “antilock braking system,” allowing it to respond well to “different environmental conditions.”

Consumer Reports also praised Tesla for the process of releasing the said firmware update. The organization's director of auto testing, Jake Fisher, said that in his 19 years of work with Consumer Reports, he has already tested over 1,000 vehicles. But this is the first time he saw an update — which greatly affects how the car’s actual parts would perform — that was delivered over-the-air.

Apart from the braking distance, Consumer Reports also commented that the placement of basic vehicle controls could be improved. At the time of the first car testing, it was criticized how it would require several steps to reach and activate basic controls through the UI on the Tesla Model 3’s center touchscreen.

On a good note, Consumer Reports believes that the simple control issue is also being addressed through an OTA updatel.