Another Stupid Comparison Pits the Model S against the BMW i8

That’s something some people just don’t understand and while in some cases we’d understand the confusion, Consumer Reports should know better. With their pedigree in other areas, they really should document themselves a little better before making stupid comparisons. And then, we often said that their reviews should stick well out of the automotive segment.

 

This time, they compared the Model S with the i8 and they went about it completely wrong. The two aren’t in the same league, no matter how you put it. They don’t even have similar drivetrains, not to mention the difference in size, purpose and practicality.

 

While the Tesla is a completely electric car, the i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car, not even a sedan. Furthermore, the BMW has only two seats useable by adults and two small ones in the back for children. To that, the Model S adds three more seats to take the practicality win home.

Pricing is different, the design is different and so many things are wrong with this comparison that we simply can’t list them all here. However, the straw that broke the camel’s back was added when the presenter compared the Tesla to the 7 Series and the S-Class. How in the world are these three comparable?

 

Just judging by the size you’d be left wondering. The tesla measures 196 inches in length while the other two are over 200 inches long. Comparing wheelbase would take it even further as the flagships usually have around 125 inches in between the wheels while the Tesla is around 10 inches shorter. Those are big differences that put them in different classes.

 

In this regard, the E-Class and 5 Series would be better competitors but it isn’t just the pure size of the cars that make them rivals. It’s also the drivetrain and that’s where neither BMW nor Mercedes offer fully electrical cars. Sure, there are hybrid models but that’s about it.