Tesla distracts the most - Model 3 brings up the rear in ADAC test
Created: 07/28/2022, 09:39 am
By: Sebastian Oppenheimer
The ADAC has tested how much different operating systems distract the driver.
Tesla ended up in last place by far.
Buttons and rotary controls are disappearing more and more from the dashboard - displays and touchscreens are becoming more prevalent.
A big step was once BMW's iDrive system with the then new rotary pushbutton, which was introduced in 2001 in the fourth generation of the 7 Series (E65) - and was initially hotly disputed.
Later, however, the technology prevailed in a similar form with most manufacturers.
Tesla then dared to take the next big step with the large central touch display – which initially found few imitators among other car manufacturers.
In the meantime, however, many manufacturers are relying on touchscreens.
But how distracting are the display-oriented solutions compared to other operating concepts?
The ADAC tested it with six vehicles.
In the ADAC test on the subject of operation, the Tesla Model 3 ended up in last place.
(Iconic image) © MiS/Imago
Tesla distracts the most - Model 3 brings up the rear in ADAC test
In cooperation with scientists from the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, 24 subjects tested a total of six vehicles on the ADAC test site - by performing various operating functions at a speed of between 40 and 50 km/h either via touchscreen or controller (touchpad or rotary pushbutton).
Operation was tested in three categories: safety-related functions (50%), air conditioning (30%) and infotainment (20%) - in the following vehicles:
BMW 1 Series (rotary push button)
Mazda 3 (rotary push button)
Mercedes A-Class (Touchpad)
Dacia Duster (touch screen)
Tesla Model 3 (touchscreen)
VW Golf (touch screen)
ADAC tests operating systems: BMW 1 Series performs poorly in infotainment
The test revealed surprising results: For example, the BMW 1 Series performed miserably when it came to operating the infotainment system (grade 5.1), while the model from Munich was top when it came to safety-related functions.
And the cheap car Dacia Duster ended up ahead of the Mercedes A-Class in the overall standings.
The Tesla came in last in the test because the operating and distraction times were too long, especially for the safety-related functions.
The Tesla also got bad marks for the climate control, because many climate settings have to be made via a menu sub-level.
When it comes to infotainment, however, the US electric car did very well.
Only recently there had been criticism of the Tesla Model 3: reports revealed possible sloppiness.
ADAC tests operating systems: Mazda 3 comes out on top
The test winner was the Mazda 3. The operation of the Japanese works in two parts: Navigation and infotainment are mainly controlled by a controller, while the air conditioning can be done using buttons and rotary controls.
Only in the "Infotainment" category did the Mazda not do particularly well (grade: 3.9).
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The VW Golf ended up in the middle (3rd place): Among other things, the testers criticized delayed system reactions here, and the lack of separate air conditioning controls was also criticized.
Warning lights in the car and what they mean
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ADAC tests operating systems: Hardly any test person could find the hazard warning button in the Tesla without a hint
The Tesla landed at the very back: only one of the test subjects was able to find the button for the hazard warning lights without prior notice.
It is located in the headliner - according to ADAC, this can pose a great danger for Tesla newcomers or occasional drivers.
The experts also complained about the lack of separate buttons or levers for the headlights/rear fog lights and the windscreen wipers - this leads to long operating times and thus also distraction times.
Just as the use of smartphones while driving poses a high risk – there are now even speed cameras that can convict cell phone offenders.
Here is the overall result of the ADAC test:
vehicle | grade |
|---|---|
Mazda 3 | 1.9 |
BMW 1 Series | 2.1 |
VW Golf | 2.2 |
Dacia Duster | 2.3 |
Mercedes A class | 3.0 |
Tesla Model 3 | 3.8 |
ADAC tests operating systems: Experts recommend standardized function placements
A basic finding from the test: Frequently used functions (e.g. the seat heating or the temperature setting) should ideally have separate buttons.
According to the experts, largely standardized placement of certain functions would also make sense, such as a hazard warning button mounted in the middle of the dashboard or a windshield wiper operation on the steering column stalk.
According to the testers, however, the touchscreen clearly has the edge when it comes to operating the infotainment system.
According to the ADAC, the voice control can only be seen as a supplement to an easy-to-understand operating system - even if it now works quite well in many vehicles.
