This Tesla Model S Vs Renault Zoe Showdown Is Actually Quite Close
Is the Model S P100D actually worth the huge premium over a small electric car? Time to find out...
The Tesla Model S P100D is considerably faster, roomier and more luxurious than an entry-level electric car like the Renault Zoe. But it’s also far more expensive.
That’s what makes this cheap vs expensive showdown from Car Wow particularly interesting. Is the P100D really worth the premium? Time to find out via drag races, a range test, a brake test and more…
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Could have been a good video. But the tests were nonsense.
The on board computer estimates range based on how the vehicle is being used. The track test would suggest that the Tesla was driven around the track less efficiently than under normal driving conditions, while the Zoe was driven similarly. What you should have done is reset the trip computers in both cars, driven around the track, and then looked at how much electricity has been used. The outcome would have been the same, mind. The Tesla isn’t a very efficient EV.
The regen test was utter nonsense. Different EVs have their regenerative braking set up in different ways. The Zoe has most of its regen assigned to the brake pedal; the mechanical brakes don’t actually kick in until ~8MPH. You didn’t test the regenerative braking power of both cars. What you actually tested was how the manufacturer chose to set up motor braking. Next time, reset the trip computers, apply the emergency braking test, and then see how much power the cars say they’ve regenerated.
Also, as has been mentioned, a cornering test would have been interesting.
Or instead buy a BMW M550d for that amount of money.