# Tesla vehicles 209 Hacker News commenters recommended Tesla vehicles and 411 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 13 of 13 months; owners who said how long report a median of 6 years (24 owners). **Verdict:** Recommended for ongoing free software updates, a clean interface and an easy charging network for road trips, though critics fault confusing touchscreen controls and slipping build quality. ## Why people recommend it - Continuous over-the-air software updates (4 comments): "That's why Tesla gets cool features like door open pedestrian/car alert, child left behind detection, smooth stop etc over the life of the car." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50329407)) "Tesla, for all their problems, is the only manufacturer you can count on prioritizing and long term updating their EVs." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46470329)) "Tesla continuously updates their cars unlike most manufacturers which are stuck in "waterfall" model year refreshes." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45828004)) - Clear, well-designed user interface (4 comments): "They really created an infotainment system with a very clear and functional design in mindm that is very understandable and extensible" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48005044)) "Tesla has oriented the features and experience in a way where just having a screen makes a lot of sense" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46530518)) "It's also a good looking car with a great user interface that gets better and better with free updates." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46737995)) - Charging network enables road trips (4 comments): "There are no other vehicles that can take you as easily to the grocery store as they can across the country." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46437316)) "Their charging infrastructure really allowed it to be a normal car when you live in populated areas." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46424827)) "I actually enjoy doing road trips in my tesla more so than in ICEs, because of the forced breaks." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46620771)) - Made EVs practical and mainstream (4 comments): "Tesla changed the automobile from ICE to BEV in a way people wanted to buy and was practical as a replacement for any use" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47614783)) "Commercializing and bringing down the cost of electric cars to the point where they are actually a viable option now" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49438118)) "Tesla made EVs feasible and mainstream, did the investments and caused a rolling effect of worldwide investments" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46807610)) ## What people warn about - Confusing controls and cabin design (5 comments): "Touchscreen climate controls tend to be giant messes requiring multiple interactions and often (hi, Tesla!) have controls in unpredictable locations." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46518075)) "Teslas just feel like Jony Ive reinvented the car interior from an artistic design perspective with zero reference to the comfort of the passenger." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48903067)) "Controls as simple as the door handles are unintuitive, with the handle apparently being the emergency release that doesn't lower the window" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46815625)) - Declining build quality and reliability (3 comments): "Of course the quality has fallen faster than the price over time, but initial impressions still hold on for a long time in general." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47371895)) "Tesla was a decent car with a very good computer in it. They never bothered to improve on the car part, causing Teslas across the western world to fail inspections at staggering rates" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46870094)) "Tesla's ranking for quality and reliability and many cases of fraud regarding warranty repairs would disagree rather heavily with "exceptional"" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49645188)) - Expensive repairs and insurance (2 comments): "Tesla body work is extremely expensive. Aluminum, extensive welding instead of fasteners, substantially reduced modularity due to castings" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46864196)) "Insurance costs on Teslas is high and the rental company Tesla apocalypse happened because of the difficulties maintaining fleet repairs." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50294936)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [BYD electric cars](https://hackerapproved.com/p/byd.md): 157 recommend - [Ferrari Luce](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ferrari-luce.md): 140 recommend - [Tesla Model 3](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tesla-model-3.md): 128 recommend - [Rivian electric vehicle](https://hackerapproved.com/p/rivian.md): 73 recommend - [Nissan Leaf](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nissan-leaf.md): 62 recommend ## Where to get it - [Visit the official site](https://www.tesla.com/) ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Tesla vehicles", https://hackerapproved.com/p/tesla-vehicles/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).