Consumer Reports has put out its annual automaker reliability list, and the top spot is relatively unsurprising: Subaru. What may come as a surprise to some is that Rivian’s EVs are dead last, especially considering the company topped a different Consumer Reports survey from earlier this year about the “most loved” auto brands.
The consumer outlet said the reliability of Rivian’s SUV and pickup are either below or well below the average of other automakers’ vehicles. The company’s EVs did have some company, though, as Ford’s F-150 Lightning scored similarly poor marks, as did the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet’s Blazer EV, which really stumbled out of the gate.
Consumer Reports noted that customers struggle with problems related to these EVs’ electric motors, batteries, and charging systems. But customers also experienced problems with the advanced technology in the cabin, like touchscreen-focused infotainment systems. The outlet also said it lacked sufficient data to evaluate EVs from upstart Lucid Motors, or from the likes of Porsche and Polestar.
Overall, Consumer Reports says EVs are improving in reliability. Some scored particularly well, including Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, while the reliability of Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y was more average. But all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids still give owners more problems than standard hybrid cars or ones with internal combustion engines.
