Consumer Reports: EVs are less reliable than hybrids, but not for reasons you are thinking

Electric vehicles, specifically battery electric (BEV) ones, have a lot less moving parts than conventional cars and therefore require almost zero maintenance. With less moving parts, BEVs should be a lot more reliable. The keyword here is ‘in theory.’

Based on USA’s Consumer Reports survey of more than 300,000 vehicle owners, electric SUVs were singled out to be a lot poorer in reliability than hybrids, which have the highest number of components for any vehicle type (combustion engine + EV parts), and therefore should in theory, be a lot less reliable.

Curiously, Consumer Reports' data put the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight as among the most reliable cars on sale while Tesla is the second least reliable brand in USA, after Lincoln.

Lexus, Mazda, and Toyota are the top three most reliable car brands. Hybrids like the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius and Toyota Venza (Harrier Hybrid) as well as plug-in hybrids like the Toyota Prius Prime, Toyota RAV4 Prime are among the most reliable cars surveyed.

“One likely reason for their reliability is that most of these are well-established models that haven’t seen radical changes over the years. Even the new-for-2021 Venza uses a tried-and-true powertrain,” said Consumer Reports.

BEV models including the Tesla Model X and Y, Audi e-Tron and Volkswagen ID.4 all scored below average, with owners reporting many problems related to climate control, in-car electronics, and power equipment.

It should be noted that owners encountered little / no problems with their vehicle’s fully electric drivetrain, and that the reliable hybrids mentioned are limited only to Japanese hybrids, specifically hybrids made by Honda and Toyota. 

“The powertrains aren't the problem," said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing for Consumer Reports. Instead, the electric SUVs often are equipped with electric door handles, electric-activated climate control vents and other features. “By having all of these new technologies saddled into these early adopter-mobiles, there are more problems associated with them.”

Fisher also added electric vehicles will eventually match the reliability of regular cars once manufacturers work the bugs out of their features.

Tesla was ranked at the near bottom due to reports of body hardware problems, water leaks, trunks not closing, missing weather stripping, as well heating and windshield defrosting.

Only one Tesla model made it to Consumer Reports’ recommended list, the Tesla Model 3, which scored 'Average.'

In contrast, Toyota only had one model ranking below Average, the Corolla Hatchback. Every single Lexus model is a recommended buy. Only one Lexus model scored Average – the Lexus UX. All other Lexus models scored Above Average, and none was Below Average.

Also read: Premium yet reliable, Toyota Harrier vs Lexus UX - Which is your perfect SUV?

Honda was ranked sixth. The Honda CR-V, Honda Accord, as well as the Insight hybrid scored Above Average. The other models including the all scored Average.