2018.05.2201:51:00UTC+00Tesla Model Fails to Get Consumer Reports Approval Due to ‘Big Flaws’

U.S. magazine Consumer Reports did not give its seal of approval to Tesla Inc's Model 3 sedan, stating it will not recommend the vehicle because of its flaws.

Consumer Reports, which gives an annual rating of cars sold in the U.S. said that despite its tests finding plenty of things to like about the Model 3 and it was a thrill to drive, it had 'big flaws'.

The influential publication declined to recommend the Model 3 and criticized the car for having overly long stopping distances and a center touchscreen that is not user friendly.

It also said that the Model 3 braked slower than a full-sized pickup truck. Tesla's stopping distance of 152 feet when braking at 60 miles per hour was 'far worse' than an contemporary car tested by Consumer Reports and around seven feet longer than the stopping distance of a Ford full-sized pick up, it said.

According to Tesla its own testing had found braking distances of 133 feet on average and as low as 126 feet with all tires available.

The report came as Tesla CEO Elon Musk bolstered shares of the carmaker by as much as 4 percent higher with weekend tweets showing that the company was initially aiming to deliver higher-prices, more profitable fully-loaded editions of the Model 3. The car is perceived to be pivotal to Tesla's profitability at a time when it is struggling to reverse production shortfalls, facing reports of crashes involving its cars, and challenged by increasing skepticism over its finances.