At a critical time for the automotive industry to become electrified and intelligent, Consumer Reports' latest automotive reliability test rankings provide us with a valuable perspective. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of road test results, predictive reliability, owner satisfaction, safety assistance technologies, and crash test results for new and used vehicles, the industry-leading report reveals the progress and challenges of electric vehicles in terms of reliability. According to the report, despite a 19% improvement in the reliability of electric vehicles compared to last year, a significant improvement that shows manufacturers' efforts in technological innovation and quality control, electric vehicles still lag behind gasoline and hybrid vehicles in terms of overall reliability. This finding not only has important implications for U.S. consumers' car purchasing decisions, but also provides valuable market and technical feedback for automakers.
1. Advances and challenges in the reliability of electric vehicles
According to Consumer Reports, the reliability of electric vehicles has improved by 19% compared to last year, which is a positive sign that manufacturers are working to solve technical problems and improve manufacturing quality. However, this advancement does not mean that electric vehicles have surpassed gasoline and hybrid vehicles. In fact, hybrid and internal combustion engine vehicles still hold the lead in terms of reliability.
The main challenges for electric vehicles are focused on powertrain and build quality. For example, the Tesla Model X had issues with trim strips and door mounting, while the Rivian R1T suffered from door and tailgate failures. These problems not only affect the reliability of the vehicle, but also affect the satisfaction of consumers.
Figure: U.S. Consumer Report: Automotive Reliability Test Rankings Released
2. Leading the way in hybrid and gasoline vehicles
In the electrified segment, plug-in hybrids outperform BEVs. The most reliable hybrid car brands include Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota. The success of these brands lies in their long-term accumulation and continuous innovation in hybrid technology.
Subaru topped the list of the most reliable brands for the first time with its "conservative" technology update strategy. Subaru's preference for proven and reliable components in its facelift significantly reduces the risk of new problems.
3. Tesla vs. Rivian: Reliability vs. Satisfaction
Tesla ranked 17th out of 22 brands, and problems with its new models lowered the overall rating. This is mainly due to the build quality and functionality of the new Model S and Model X, including body hardware, paint quality, suspension and climate control systems.
In stark contrast, despite being at the bottom of the list in terms of reliability, Rivian tops the list in consumer satisfaction, surpassing even BMW and Tesla. This satisfaction stems from the alignment of brand expectations with the actual experience, and even when problems occur, car owners still recognize the overall ownership experience.
4. Safety of electric vehicles
The safety of electric vehicles is another important aspect that consumers are concerned about. Studies have shown that electric vehicles may have a lower risk of passenger injury in the event of a crash than conventional cars, mainly due to the low center of gravity design and better crash performance of electric vehicles. The battery management system of modern electric vehicles has made great progress, making the risk of battery fire greatly reduced.
5. Conclusions and prospects
The reliability of electric vehicles is improving, but hybrids and gasoline vehicles are still leading the way. Technical details, brand performance, and market dynamics all have an impact on this trend. As technology continues to advance and consumer needs change, the reliability of electric vehicles is expected to continue to improve, but it also requires industry and regulators to work together to ensure the safety and reliability of electric vehicles.
EV manufacturers need to focus on after-sales service and consumer experience while improving reliability to earn the trust and support of the market. With the maturity of electric vehicle technology and the expansion of the market, we can expect that electric vehicles will gradually narrow the gap with hybrid vehicles and fuel vehicles in terms of reliability.
