Tesla Dropped From Consumer Reports List of 10 Best Vehicles - Here's Why

The Ford Mustang Mach-E just bumped Tesla off of Consumer Reports' 10-Best vehicle's list. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E has overtaken the Tesla Model 3 as the best vehicle in the $45,000+ category. The reasons are simple; The Ford matches the Tesla’s owner satisfaction scores. And it scores very close to the Model 3 with regard to editor road testing, but is ranked higher in reliability. Both vehicles earn top points on Consumer Reports' (CR’s) safety matrix.

Related Story: Tesla Omitted From List of Best EVs For 2022 - Fans Weep And Gnash Teeth

Each year, Consumer Reports selects ten vehicles to be recognized as the ten best overall. For many consecutive years the Tesla Model 3 has made the list by being named the best vehicle in its price range. Consumer Reports editors sing the praises of the Model 3. They say the Model 3 has “Porsche-like” handling, and rank it among their best vehicles in road testing. However, this list is about more than just road testing. The Model 3 will remain a “Recommended” vehicle by Consumer Reports and is also a “Green Choice” pick.

Consumer Reports owner surveys also rank the Model 3 very highly for owner satisfaction, which is an important part of the way Consumer Reports ranks the best vehicles. Editors at the publication point out this important attribute of the Model 3 on many opportunities in print and on their popular Youtube show, Talking Cars.

Tesla doesn’t qualify for many other categories in Consumer Reports’ 10-Best list. The Toyota RAV4 Prime earns the slot just under the price point of the Model 3 and the Prius Prime takes the spot two price points lower. Electrified vehicles now dominate much of Consumer Reports’ top slots. Tesla's Model Y, Model X, and Model S have had reliability scores among the lowest in their segments, so they don't qualify for inclusion on this consumer-value-focused 10-Best list.

Mazda was the most reliable brand overall this year, and Subaru ranked highest overall, with Mazda moving down to second place in that regard.

Tesla’s now stale product offering and the company’s decision not to participate in many automotive media events and testing programs seem to be hurting the brand. In a recent roundup of the best Electric Vehicles for 2022, Tesla didn’t score first or even second in CNET’s long list of categories. Yet, new brands like Rivian, Lucid, Polestar, and others did.

If you are a Tesla fan, tell us in the comments below (if) why you feel the Model 3 was cheated in this and other recent rankings.

Image of Ford Mustang Mach-E by John Goreham

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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