Tesla Model S Top Pick for 2014: Consumer Reports

Photo of Paul Ausick
By Paul Ausick Updated Published
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

Tesla Model S
Courtesy of Tesla Motors
As if Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) needed another boost this week, Consumer Reports magazine has named the company’s Model S sedan as its overall Top Pick for 2014. Test performance, reliability, and safety are the criteria the magazine uses to make its picks.

Here’s part of what Consumer Reports had to say:

The Tesla is brimming with innovation. Its massive, easy-to-use 17-inch touch screen controls most functions. And with its totally keyless operation, full Internet access, and ultra-quiet, zero-emission driving experience, the Tesla is a glimpse into a future where cars and computers coexist in seamless harmony.

The magazine picked 2014 cars in nine categories plus its overall Top Pick. Besides the Model S, here are the other category Top Picks:

  • Small SUV – Subaru Forester
  • Midsized sedan – Honda Motor Corp. (NYSE: HMC) Accord (4 cyl)
  • Compact car – Subaru Impreza
  • Midsized SUV – Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Green car – Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) Prius
  • Pickup truck – Chrysler Group Ram 1500
  • Luxury car – Audi A6
  • Sports sedan – BMW 328i
  • Minivan- Honda Odyssey

Consumer Reports also updated its report on best brands, and U.S. carmakers filled the bottom five slots: Jeep, Ford, Dodge, Cadillac, and Chevrolet. According to the magazine, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) suffers from widespread reliability problems, as did the Cadillac from General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM).

The Ram 1500 pickup is the first Chrysler model to make Consumer Reports’ Top Pick list in 16 years.

We also note that the Tesla Model S is the most expensive car on the magazine’s list of Top Picks, topping the Audi A6 by more than $30,000. A savvy buyer could pick up a Prius and an Audi and still hold onto more than $6,000. Just sayin’.

Photo of Paul Ausick
About the Author Paul Ausick →

Paul Ausick has been writing for a673b.bigscoots-temp.com for more than a decade. He has written extensively on investing in the energy, defense, and technology sectors. In a previous life, he wrote technical documentation and managed a marketing communications group in Silicon Valley.

He has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Chicago and now lives in Montana, where he fishes for trout in the summer and stays inside during the winter.

Featured Reads

Our top personal finance-related articles today. Your wallet will thank you later.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

CBOE Vol: 1,568,143
PSKY Vol: 12,285,993
STX Vol: 7,378,346
ORCL Vol: 26,317,675
DDOG Vol: 6,247,779

Top Losing Stocks

LKQ
LKQ Vol: 4,367,433
CLX Vol: 13,260,523
SYK Vol: 4,519,455
MHK Vol: 1,859,865
AMGN Vol: 3,818,618