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Tesla’s tumultuous relationship with Edmunds is based on love, respect, and improvement

Tesla Model Y Performance delivery center (Credit: YouTube | i1Tesla)

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5 years ago

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Tesla and automotive information resource Edmunds have had an up and down relationship throughout the years. Many Tesla-loyal EV enthusiasts claim the publication has a vendetta against the Silicon Valley-based electric carmaker. Still, the truth remains that Edmunds has plenty of respect for Tesla and its cars. In a video, Edmunds‘ Manager of Feature Content Carlos Lago outlined not only what Tesla could do better with its Model Y, but also what other carmakers can learn from the hottest company in electric transportation.

Of course, many Tesla owners hold an uncanny loyalty to the carmaker who manufactured their electric vehicle. It is normal and expected. When someone spends at least $35,000 on a car, they’re going to make sure they respect the brand and its ideals. Tesla is no different, but the obsessive nature of the company’s vehicle owners makes the auto manufacturer nearly one of a kind. With Elon Musk at the helm calling the day-to-day shots, the company continues to revolutionize the idea of an electric vehicle, proving to everyone that the battery-electric powertrains don’t have to be “ugly and slow and boring like a golf cart,” like he once said on 60 Minutes.

And, to be fair, Musk’s company has proven that. Tesla has done more than enough to rid the world of the idea that a battery-powered car is a slow and ineffective mode of transportation. This idea does not mean that Tesla’s are perfect, and there are things that the company could improve on for future builds of their vehicles. Edmunds was more than happy to throw a few suggestions out there.

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The Tesla Model Y crossover. (Credit: Edmunds/Twitter)

The improvements that Edmunds would like to see is not indicative of a belief that Tesla has a lack of quality in their cars. When the publication’s review of the Model 3 revealed some issues with panel gaps and overall build quality, Tesla improved upon the issue by confronting it head-on. One of Tesla’s most vocal critics in Bob Lutz even admitted that the Model 3’s build quality was “world-class” after the suggestions, and the improvements won the vehicle Edmunds’ “2020 EV of the Year” award.

For the most part, Tesla’s vehicles have culminated in primarily positive reviews from Edmunds. Most recently, the Model Y won over Lago in a comprehensive study that highlighted Tesla’s improved build qualities and impressive performance standards.

The Model Y crossover could be Tesla’s most popular vehicle to date. The combination of white-knuckle performance with the crossover body style that has quickly become the most popular in the U.S. launches the car into the category of massively appealing.

Credit: MotorTrend

If Tesla can dial in a few changes that Edmunds suggests, there is a considerable chance that the Model Y can become the most popular car, EV or not, in the country. The company’s growing appeal across the globe has drawn attraction from the world’s biggest brands, who have designed their newest vehicles after Tesla’s technology and minimalist design.

Time after time, Tesla-inspired tech shows up on vehicles outside of the EV sector. The company’s sales figures, combined with customer loyalty, make Tesla a force to be reckoned with not only now, but also in the future.

Before taking Edmunds‘ suggestions as a source of negativity, try and frame it as constructive criticism. Tesla’s vehicles are not perfect, and the constant attention to detail and thirst for improvement is what has made the company so successful in the twelve years it has been building electric vehicles.

Watch Edmund’s Carlos Lago’s Long-Term review of the Model Y below.

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla officially launches Robotaxi service with no driver

Tesla launches its driverless Robotaxi in Austin, marking the first time the company has offered its ride-hailing service anywhere in the world.

Published

10 hours ago

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June 22, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has officially launched its Robotaxi service platform with no driver in Austin, Texas. This is the first time Tesla has allowed driverless Robotaxis to pick up members of the public and take them around via the ride-sharing service the company has been developing for several years.

Teslarati had a first-hand look at the launch of the Robotaxi service in Austin, as we are part of the Early Access group, which is a limited group of people that will be able to hail a driverless Model Y in the geofenced area in Texas.

The Robotaxi platform is currently geofenced in a small portion of South Austin. It is roughly thirty minutes from end to end, and Tesla’s strategy is prioritizing safety through a number of safeguards that are implemented in this early program.

There is a fixed price of just $4.20 for any ride, regardless of duration, at this time. This will not always be the case, however. When a wider customer base is allowed to hail Robotaxis, ride fares will vary on things like travel distance, length of trip, and potentially time of day.

The first rides kicked off at around 2 p.m. local time in Austin. They are confined to the back row of the Model Y, while a Tesla safety monitor sits in the passenger seat. Passengers will have their personal media and streaming settings available to them as the car will sync with their driver profiles.

Rides are requested through a Robotaxi addition on the regular Tesla iOS app:

The safety monitor is only there to ensure things go smoothly with each ride. They do not have pedals or a steering wheel on their side. The car is doing everything during these Robotaxi rides.

The big takeaway from Robotaxi’s launch is that Tesla will begin generating additional revenue through this new stream. As concerns over demand and annual growth rate continue to take focus from doubters, Tesla’s continuous rollout of the Robotaxi fleet will expand potential revenue opportunities, potentially creating billions upon trillions of dollars in value.

This is something Tesla permabulls like Cathie Wood of ARK Invest and Dan Ives of Wedbush have talked about for years: the launch of a driverless Robotaxi fleet that generates new income streams for Tesla.

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First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more

Tesla is using a Robotaxi section of its normal smartphone application to enable access to driverless vehicles roaming around Austin.

Published

11 hours ago

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June 22, 2025

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Tesla has officially launched the Robotaxi platform to a limited number of people, giving them the ability to ask for a ride from a driverless Model Y in Austin, Texas. But how do you hail a ride?

Through the Tesla Robotaxi app, which officially launched on June 22 as the company initiated the first rides for non-employees, people can request rides from driverless cars that are traveling around Austin. Teslarati gained access to the app as we are members of the Early Access Rider program.

There are only a very limited number of vehicles operating within the fleet currently, as Tesla has said the number is between 10 and 20 vehicles.

Tesla is using a Robotaxi section of its iOS smartphone app for the launch, confirming what the company said prior to the program’s maiden voyage: there would not be a separate app for the Robotaxi.

First Look at the Robotaxi App

The Tesla Robotaxi app, similar to the official Tesla App, features a simple interface that should be familiar to anyone who has used a ride-sharing app in the past. Downloading the app brings users to a sign-in page, which features a Tesla Model Y Robotaxi as a header image. Users can then log in or create an account to access the service.

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A Clean, Simple UI

Upon logging in, users are presented with a clean user interface that allows them to select a destination and pickup point. Upon booking, users are provided with a real-time update on when their Robotaxi will arrive. Users could also select some settings for their upcoming ride, such as their preferred temperature in the cabin.

Smart Suggestions

If there is one evident thing about Tesla’s Robotaxi App, it is the fact that it is smart and designed to make driverless ride sharing services feel as normal as possible. While waiting for their ride, customers are presented with a number of tips that should help them understand their robotaxi better.

These include tips on how to use the Model Y’s door handles, as well as information about the vehicle’s light signals. The app also includes smart suggestions on destinations that riders can visit using their Robotaxi. These include cafes, restaurants, parks, shopping centers, and other pertinent locations.

Credit: @BLKMDL3/X

Cybercab Theme

Another thing that is evident with the Robotaxi App is its Cybercab-inspired color theme. This is evident from the login page, which already features the golden hues of the dedicated two-seater autonomous car. The golden Cybercab color theme is used to great effect inside the app itself as well.

No Tips, at Least for Now

As observed by Tesla owner-enthusiast @BLKMDL3, Tesla is not accepting anything more than the service’s flat $4.20 rate per ride for now. If customers wish to leave a tip for the service, they would be presented with a page featuring Tesla’s hedgehog mascot saying “Just Kidding.”

Tips will likely be an option in the future, but for this stage of the Robotaxi rollout, it appears that the service really will follow a flat rate system.

 

 

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Watch Tesla’s first driverless public Robotaxi rides in Texas

Tesla’s first driverless Robotaxi rides for non-employees are starting with the first drives beginning today.

Published

12 hours ago

on

June 22, 2025

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Tesla has finally launched its Robotaxi platform to members of the public for the first time in Austin, Texas.

The Tesla Robotaxi platform is a driverless ride-hailing service that will enable people to use their cars for passive income as they will ride around, find riders, and drive them to their destinations in exchange for money. For right now, Tesla is using company vehicles, the Model Y specifically, and has opened up rides to a small number of people who are a part of the Early Access Program.

Teslarati is a member of the Early Access Program, as we were invited to Austin for the launch. We have gained access to Tesla’s new Robotaxi app, which lies within the main Tesla iOS app, and we are able to use the Robotaxi fleet during the Early Access Program.

The first rides are already occurring as Tesla launched the platform at around noon local time in Austin on Sunday:

The video shows that Tesla’s initial Robotaxi rides are being quite cautious. Currently, the Robotaxis can only travel within a geofenced portion of Austin. This area will eventually be expanded.

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For the time being, Tesla is keeping a safety rider in the vehicles with occupants, but they do not take up the driver’s seat. Instead, they are sitting in the passenger’s seat. This is simply a safety precaution that Tesla is using to keep Early Access riders safe, although there are ways riders can alert Tesla of any issues.

In the initial communication Tesla sent to members of the Early Access Rider program, the company said the Cabin Camera would be deactivated for the duration of their rides, but can be used if the rider needs support. Additionally, the in-cabin microphone will be deactivated, but can also be used to get in contact with support if there are any issues during the ride.

We have seen a variety of different Robotaxis rolling around Austin for the past several weeks. The company has been testing the vehicles in a very limited way for the time being, and it only has between 15 and 20 Robotaxis in the city for the launch. This number will slowly grow over time.

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