# Teslas really are not great cars **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 30, 2025, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339 "2025-03-30T09:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/441 "2025-09-21T01:06:45Z")
Listen, Teslas have to be zombie proof. Yes, that may be result in rescuers not being able to get in the car when the occupants burn to death from time to time, but that is nowhere near as important as the childish memes that Teslas are good cars in the zombie apocalypse. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/442 "2025-09-21T01:29:50Z")
I still don’t understand why an all-electric car can’t have purely mechanical handles like my plain Toyota Corolla. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/443 "2025-09-21T01:39:09Z")
I’m confused by how this situation is any different from any other car with locked doors. To open the vehicle you need to either have access to the inside handles, or use force of some sort to defeat the door latching mechanism/rip it off the hinges. Most cars automatically lock the doors when the vehicle is in motion. Mine, at least, doesn’t unlock them until the ignition is turned off. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/444 "2025-09-21T05:40:47Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > I’m confused by how this situation is any different from any other car with locked doors. It’s not nor is it different than any car where the door is crushed. This is just stupid. Don’t firefighters normally have tools to break open windows or pry open doors? ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/445 "2025-09-21T05:49:22Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Most cars automatically lock the doors when the vehicle is in motion. Mine, at least, doesn’t unlock them until the ignition is turned off. Most cars unlock the power doors when the airbags are deployed or a collision is detected. Here are the instructions for the rear door of a '21 Tesla Model Y: > To open a rear door when Model Y has no power: > > 1. Remove the mat from the map pocket in the door panel. > 2. Use your fingernail or a small flat-bladed tool to open the plastic flap. If that sounds wild, [this video shows](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6reH0Csyzk) what that actually entails. This is nothing like any other car brand that I’m familiar with. I suppose you could have family fire drills so the kids can learn this. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/446 "2025-09-21T10:40:35Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > Most cars unlock the power doors when the airbags are deployed or a collision is detected. Is this true? I did a little searching, and all I could find was opinions on Reddit or Quora. I don’t see it in my Subaru Forester manual. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/447 "2025-09-21T11:15:47Z")
Well, the difference to me is two fold. First, you can usually disable the automatic locking feature on most cars. I know that all three of my cars have this feature, and I’ve disabled it on the two I drive most often. The other difference is that the auto lock feature is ostensibly a safety feature. I don’t see it as useful, but that’s how it’s sold. On the other hand, retractable door handles are a styling feature. Their effect on the drag of the vehicle is negligible compared to a non-retractable handle that is designed with aerodynamics as a concern. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/448 "2025-09-21T14:30:37Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Well, the difference to me is two fold. First, you can usually disable the automatic locking feature on most cars Not so sure about that. My '25 Nissan you cannot disable that at all. I asked them about that. It has all kinds of other options, but not that. And if you hit the unlock button while underway, it re-locks within a second. Too much CYA _we know better than you how to use your car_. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/449 "2025-09-21T14:50:36Z")
One of the other professors at my father’s university was visiting Florida to settle his mother’s estate. He was driving someplace when he felt that he was having a heart attack, so he drove into a parking lot. Those standing around tried to assist, but the automatic door locks prevented them from easily opening the door. So my mother wanted us to disable that feature in our cars, though I haven’t yet done so. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/450 "2025-09-21T18:24:01Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Is this true? I’ve found quite a few examples: [Kia](https://ownersmanual.kia.com/docview/webhelp/doc/89c13c77-5c59-4d6f-b067-51659560063c/topics/chapter4_6_3.html) [Hyundai](https://ownersmanual.hyundai.com/docview/webhelp/doc/8bf31204-4eb5-48f8-a3be-f1c555de698f/topic_emq_bhc_lwb.html) [VW](https://www.greenvw.com/volkswagen-crash-response-system.htm) [Chevy - Page 64, first column](https://www.mycarusermanual.com/chevrolet/silverado-1500/light-truck/2023/seats-and-restraints--airbag-system) [Ford](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?countryCode=USA&languageCode=EN&Uid=G2157143&ProcUid=G2152308&div=f&variantid=8644&vFilteringEnabled=False&userMarket=USA&buildType=web) It’s often pretty buried in the user manuals, so I’m going to stop looking. Even if it weren’t true, just about all other cars can be unlocked by simply pulling on the interior door handle, sometimes twice. Pretty straightforward for a rescuer to break a window and open if all else fails. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/451 "2025-09-21T18:26:42Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Not so sure about that. My '25 Nissan you cannot disable that at all. I asked them about that. It has all kinds of other options, but not that. And if you hit the unlock button while underway, it re-locks within a second. Too much CYA _we know better than you how to use your car_. Hmm, looks like it’s an undocumented feature in most Nissans. Turn the car on without starting it, and hold the lock button for five seconds until the hazards flash once. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ae5vl5i8yU0/maxresdefault.jpg "How to turn off Automatic LOCKING feature. The doors lock at 20 mph. Nissan Murano") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae5vl5i8yU0) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/452 "2025-09-21T19:04:24Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > looks like it’s an undocumented feature Well, facepalm me, it looks like it is [not](https://www.nissan.co.uk/owners/car-repair/car-owner-manual/manuals/iom/ariya/0fe0/e4/2024/to-activate-or-deactivate-auto-door-lock-releasing-mechanism-using-power-door-lock-switch-1.shtml) undocumented, as such, it is just not in the published manual. And the folkers at Nissan told me _can’t be done_. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/453 "2025-09-21T19:37:28Z")
Oh interesting, thanks for chasing that down. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/454 "2025-11-13T17:44:27Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > One of my biggest gripes with my Tesla Model 3 is that it doesn’t integrate with Apple CarPlay. Per Bloomberg, Tesla is working on adding CarPlay. This is interesting as other manufacturers have been dropping it or only having it on the highest trims. [Tesla Working to Add Apple CarPlay Support to Vehicles | MacRumors Forums](https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/tesla-working-to-add-apple-carplay-support-to-vehicles.2471098/) ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/455 "2025-11-13T17:59:06Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > This is interesting as other manufacturers have been dropping it or only having it on the highest trims. This doesn’t appear to be universal. I just tried to build the cheapest possible Ford, with an MSRP well under $30K. Turns out their entry level vehicle is a Ford Maverick XL, which includes both CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. Then I did the same with Chevrolet. Their base model Trax starts just over $20K and also comes with CarPlay and Android Auto. Thinking it might be a domestic thing, I tried Toyota. The entry level Corolla LE has CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Can you share which brands/models seem to be cutting CarPlay? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/456 "2025-11-13T18:08:33Z")
GM is phasing it out in the next few years, for all their cars: [GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs | The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/transportation/804562/gm-apple-carplay-android-auto-gas-cars-mary-barra) ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/457 "2025-11-13T18:13:42Z")
I will be mildly shocked if that happens. I’ll be even more shocked if it happens, but doesn’t roll back shortly thereafter. I get that they believe that they can create in-house apps that are better in every way, but I don’t believe they fully understand how locked in to certain apps people can get. Ask just about any of my friends if they’d give up Waze for their built-in auto navigation and they’d just flip you off in response. What about people with subscriptions to Apple Music? I guess only time will tell. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/458 "2025-11-13T18:16:40Z")
Well, you don’t have to convince me, lol. As soon as GM merely _announced_ that they were going to do that, I boycotted their cars. Isn’t this the same company that went bankrupt and had to be bailed out? Their leadership isn’t exactly known for making good decisions. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/459 "2025-11-13T18:19:12Z")
You may well be correct but I missed it much less than I thought I would when went from Honda to Tesla. That said, the whole reason that Tesla is doing this is that they perceive that the lack of CarPlay is hurting sales. Tesla’s system integrates with all of the major and some minor streaming services including Apple Music so you are fine in that respect. The lack of Waze is another thing that people hate which this should alleviate. I personally like Apple Maps better than Tesla’s but if it doesn’t integrate with FSD, it’s useless to me. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/460 "2025-11-13T18:24:16Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Tesla’s system integrates with all of the major and some minor streaming services including Apple Music so you are fine in that respect. It’s integrated, but requires you to pay Tesla a monthly fee for their internet service. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339.md?page=24)